From the villa
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Boat ride and Chinese fishing nets
An hour on the lake by boat for your group, with a visit to the Chinese fishing nets. Book it with your stay, or ask once you’re here.
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Evenings by the lake
Evening is the best time of day here. Find a spot by the infinity pool and watch the light change over the water.
Beaches
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Cherai Beach
A long, gently sloping beach where the sea and the backwaters are only a few hundred metres apart. Dolphins are often seen offshore, and Chinese fishing nets line the water nearby.
From October to March, you can go parasailing on the beach.
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Kuzhupilly Beach
A quiet stretch of golden sand lined with casuarina trees, with a floating bridge out over the sea when the weather allows.
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Munambam Beach and harbour
At the northern tip of Vypin Island, beside Munambam Fishing Harbour, the largest fishing harbour in Kochi. A long breakwater makes a good walk out to sea, and Chinese fishing nets line the beach.
History nearby
Cherai is on the edge of the Muziris Heritage Project, which links old forts, synagogues, palaces and places of worship around North Paravur and Kodungallur, named after the ancient port of Muziris.
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Pallipuram Fort
Built by the Portuguese in 1503, this hexagonal laterite fort is described by Kerala Tourism as India’s oldest surviving European monument.
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Paravur Synagogue
A synagogue from the early 1600s, now the Kerala Jews History Museum, and the most complete of Kerala’s synagogues.
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Chendamangalam
A village where a synagogue, a temple, a church and a mosque stand within a few hundred metres of each other. Paliam Palace, home of the Paliath Achans who served as prime ministers to the Kings of Cochin, is now a history museum.
Chendamangalam is also known for its handloom: its dhotis and set mundu carry a Geographical Indication tag.
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Kodungallur
Cheraman Juma Masjid is believed to be the oldest mosque in India. Nearby are the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, famous for its Bharani festival in March and April, and the ruins of Kottappuram Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1523 at the mouth of the Periyar.
A day in Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi is famous for its Chinese fishing nets on the shore, and for St Francis Church, described by Kerala Tourism as India’s oldest European church.
Drive south along Vypin Island and take the ro-ro ferry across from Vypin, which carries cars as well as people, or drive round through Kochi city over the Goshree bridges.
Stay by the lake
Come back to the pool and the lake after a day out. Book the whole villa for up to 10 guests, or just the rooms you need. Breakfast is included.