Through Lori’s Lens: A Sunrise Cruise & Village Walk in Kumarakom

It was one of the brightest mornings when we met Lori and her two playful kids on our patio. They had arrived for the sunrise cruise that would take them through the canals of Kumarakom, along with a short walk or two through the villages lining these waterways. After a brief introduction to the route for the morning and what they might expect to experience along the way, we set off.

Lori armed herself with her camera as we handed her our laminated guide to the birds of Kumarakom. She and her daughters were visibly excited about the birdlife, and the curious little ones even promised us that they would keep quiet, lest the birds fly away before they could spot them. Our guides, Achu and Sreejith, deeply appreciated this gesture, as it was both unexpected and heartwarming to see such empathy from the children.

What follows are Lori’s words about her experience, left unchanged. Join us as we share her journey with you.

Through Lori’s Eyes

We had such a wonderful time on our Sunrise Cruise and Village Walk! The boat ride itself was both calm and peaceful, yet full of life and excitement. It afforded us the chance to see a great variety of birds and local life. I appreciated the laminated guide provided to learn more about and help identify the birds in the area.

Our guide lived in the village and shared some of his daily life with us as we walked along. He pointed out birds and explained the uses and names of many plants. Some insights could only come from speaking with someone who has grown up in a place, and that added depth to the local colour and history.

On the walk 

The villagers were friendly and very welcoming. We stopped for gossip—I mean chai—and our kids enjoyed some local bananas.

Our 4- and 6-year-old daughters did complain briefly about walking, so we took a short break. Our guide made them a little toy out of palm spines and a coconut seed while we took pictures.

Closing Frame

Some mornings don’t end when the journey does—they stay with you, quietly, like the backwaters themselves.

Would you like to know more about the sunrise cruise experiences by us? Please visit: https://canoekerala.com/