About Kadamakkudy Islands – Kadamakkudy.org

What is there to see in Kadamakkudy?

What is there to see in Kadamakkudy? – this is the most difficult question to answer. If I have to answer honestly, I do not have many things to list down. Then the next question is to myself – Why am I visiting these islands again and again for more than fifteen years?. Kadamakkudy has lots to experience. No two days are same at Kadamakkudy. Some days you see lots of birds, and the next day you dont find them. One day you witness a glorious sunset, and the next day it is fully cloudy. This diversity is the reason why people come to Kadamakkudy again and again. Come to Kadamakkudy to experience nature, birds, glorious sunsets and sunrises, good sea food, good photography – ultimately time well spent with great memories to take back…

Nature walks – co-creating stories @Kadamakkudy Islands

Nature walks – from 6.30 am to 7.30 am

Glorious sunrise at 6.15 am. This photo is captured with a sony alpha 6400 camera with kit lens and is post processed minimally. Sometimes, the sunsets are much better becuase of the texture. The flip side is, while mornings are calm and quiet, evenings are always crowded, noisy and busy. Mornings are better for the soul enriching experience.

While the sun is still rising, it is time to for the local fishermen to return after selling their catch in the nearby Varapuzha market which is well known for fresh and tasty fish. People from all over the Kochi city come to varapuzha market for good fish. Now, there are multiple home delivery services available who deliver cleaned fresh fish from the Varapuzha market. If you have time, it will be good idea to visit the Varapuzha market as well, which is on the way to Kadamakkudy Islands.

According to me, I am not very happy with the quality of this photo and at the same time, I love the drama and emotion in it. If he had to finish his work by 6.30 am, when he would have started?

Ever since, I got slightly serious with photography, it was my dream to click a photo like this of the Indian spot billed duck. Most part of my photowalk, I clicked with the kit lens, which is 50mm. At the fag end of the photowalk, I noticed a cluster of black winged stilts (next photo). Should I change the lens to the tele-lens and set up the tripod was the question. I did, and I spend lot of time clicking at the stilts without realising the presense of these pristine birds. From a distance, I thought, they are ordinary ducks. The moment I realised that it is the Indian spot billed duck, I clciked. I have another wish..to click them in flight….

The Indian spot billed duck. A small group is there in and around Valiya Kadamakkudy. We were lucky to spot them during the nature walks and click them.

The black winged stilt. They are migratory birds and are coming from Europe. This year, they came back faster. Someone was attributing that to the extraordinary warm climate in the European countries. This year in Kerala, there is 35% shortage in the monsoon rains. Hope the water levels will not do down too much. These birds have to be here till March – April.

This a speldid sunset…As discussed earlier, sunsets are sometimes more vibrant and they have better texture. As far as possible, I strive for a human element in my nature photographs. That adds more life to the photograph. This couple in the photograph were standing next to me for a long time, and they decided to take a walk and that made my composition complete. This photograph was catured with a sony compact camera. It was a fantastic camera. These days sony compacts are not available in India and whatever is available is very expensive.

The local people of Kadamakkudy Islands earn their livelihood from fishing, fish farming and pokkali paddy cultivation. Six months of the year, the fields are used for pokkali paddy cultivation where as the remaining six months they are used for fish farming. The people are very friendly. They have very rich experiences to share with you. They speak Malayalam (the local language). Feel free to interact with them….

Kadamakkudy is famous for sea food. If you are a strict vegetarian, then it can be slightly difficult, unless you plan for it well in advance. So, while planning your visit to Kadamakkudy, make it a point to communicate what type of food you prefer, well in advance. There are some nice eateries in and around Kadamakkudy Islands. According to the local law, alcohol, including beer can be served only in licenced bars and at the same time, there is no restriction if you have it in your room.

One day I got a message on whatsapp asking the details of the nature walks. After lots of interactions and planning, we met at Kadamakkudy. They came from Gujarat, and his main interest is to capture sunrises. He travels across the globe capturing sunrises. Have not heard from him for a while. When we walk together we make many new good friends.

Join the nature walk from 6.30 am to 7.30 am – Let us create more stories to tell. Just let us know when you are planning

6.30 am – Start from Valiya Kadamakkudy, open air gym
Enjoy the sunrise from the bridge
Wait for the fishermen in canoes returning from the local market. Photograph them
Walk to spot the birds, watch them, photograph them
Photograph village life
Listen to the villagers
Walk backwards towards the starting point
Cht chat over a cup of black coffee / tea
Disburse by 7.30 am

How much does it cost? – The last thing I want to talk about is about the cost. To be honest, I do not want to charge anything and at the same time there are expenses. We charge a modest Rs.250/participant for the nature walk.

The most recommended activity immediately after the nature walk is boating, enjoying and touching upon other major islets which are part of Kadamakkudy Islands. We also have a two days itinerary starting with airport pickup & drop, accommodation, nature walks, boating, kayaking, visits to the neighbourhoods delivered through carefully chosen and mentored local providers and managed by us.

Experience Kadamakkudy Island Tour – 2 day iterinary

Day#1
Pick up from the airport / railway station	On request, at actuals / Uber
Check in	2 pm. Room tariff INR 3500 + 5% GST per room, per night for 2 people. For the entire property INR 21000 + 5% GST, per night. Max 14 pax (7 rooms) Extra person INR 1000 per person. Extra bed and breakfast included Parking available / Cook available
Lunch	On request (extra)
Local conveyance to the Kayaking site and back	Will be arranged. To be paid at actuals
Kayaking through the most serene routes, during sunset time, guided by trained and qualified guides	4.30 pm to 6.30 pm. INR 650 / person
Back to the room	7.30 pm
Dinner	In the guest house. Either in the room / dining area / water facing lawn outside. To be paid at actuals (Medium pricing). Vegetarians must inform in advance at the time of check in.
Day#2
Travel to the Nature walk location	6 am
Nature walk	6.30 am to 7.30 am – INR 250/participant
Boating – visiting the nearby Islands – including a 15 minutes break for local breakfast	7.30 am to 9.30 am
Visit to the St. Mary’s Bscilica Church established in the Year 1673. and to the shrine of Blessed Mother Elishwa (Optional)	10.30 am to 11.30 am
Check out	12 pm
Drop to the airport / railway station	On request, at actuals / Uber
Contact us, and we will plan it out for a seamless experience	+91 9895372115, 8129118111