A Dreamy 5th Anniversary Trip to Kumarakom with Twin Toddlers (Part IV of Kerala Series)

After soaking in the charm of Ernakulam, the misty hills of Munnar, and the wilderness of Thekkady, we were all set for the next leg of our Kerala adventure—Kumarakom. With bags packed and excitement brewing, we hit the road, ready to swap misty mountains for serene backwaters—while my wife remained blissfully unaware of the little surprise I had tucked up my sleeve.

As we cruised along, she had no idea that we were about to check into Taj Kumarakom—our first Tajness experience since our second anniversary at Taj Lucknow in 2022. The anticipation was killing me, but I held my poker face, waiting for that perfect moment to reveal where we were headed. And oh, the look on her face when she finally realized—it was worth every second of secrecy!

The Reception

The moment we arrived, we were welcomed with true Kerala hospitality—a fragrant leaf garland draped around our necks and a refreshing tender coconut in hand. Just look at these three—grinning ear to ear, soaking in the warm welcome!

The Room

A few moments later, we were escorted to our room—an upgraded one (as requested, thank you very much!). To our surprise, it turned out to be the very same room where former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had once stayed.

The room itself was a beautiful fusion of tradition and modern comfort—spacious, elegantly designed, and full of character. One of my favorite features? The washroom was housed in its own little cottage, complete with an open-air shower that made every rinse feel like a tropical retreat. And the view? Simply breathtaking! The room overlooked a vast, serene lagoon, with the shimmering swimming pool perfectly positioned to the right. Pure bliss!

Food

Lunch on day one was an absolute delight. While I regret not noting down the exact names of each dish (a rare slip for a seasoned food critic like myself), two standouts stole the show—a vibrant raw mango and coconut salad that struck the perfect balance of tangy and creamy, and a daring mocktail infused with slit green chilies, adding just the right kick to keep things interesting.

For dinner, we played it safe and ordered a Vegetable Biryani to the room—though, I’ll admit, I did so with little enthusiasm. As someone who firmly believes that “veg biryani” is a contradiction in itself, my expectations were modest at best. But to my surprise, what arrived was a revelation—an aromatic, flavor-packed Malabar biryani that shattered all my preconceptions. Each bite was an explosion of spices, leaving us wanting more… if only our appetites had allowed it!

While the buffet breakfast wasn’t as lavish as the spread at Taj Vivanta Ernakulam, it still lived up to the Taj standard—delightful, well-curated, and satisfying enough to leave us with indulgent, contented smiles.

Amenities & Entertainment

Just a quick 3-5 minute stroll from the room, and you’ll find yourself at the breathtaking Vembanad Lake. Here, as the evening unfolds, you can sip on a steaming cup of traditional village tea at the serene Lakebed Lawn, all while watching the sun dip into the horizon in a fiery spectacle.

But the magic doesn’t stop there! As twilight sets in, you can witness Taj’s signature sunset ritual—the Lamp Lighting—a mesmerizing tradition that adds a touch of old-world charm to the evening. And later, as the stars take their place, settle in for an enchanting performance of traditional Indian classical dance by a talented local artist, all while savoring luscious bites and a perfectly crafted cocktail. Now, that’s an evening to remember!

If you’re feeling ambitious (or just want to balance out last night’s cocktails), you can kickstart your next day with a complimentary yoga session by the pool—serenity and stretching, all in one!

But hey, it’s a vacation! If rolling out of bed at 6:30 AM isn’t your thing, no worries. There are plenty of other ways to ease into the day. How about a leisurely village walk, soaking in the charm of local life? Or, if you’re up for a little adventure, hop on a cycle and pedal your way to the nearby Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, where the morning symphony of birds is totally worth the ride!

For the little ones, there are fun activities like fish and turtle feeding, drawing sessions, fishing, and cycling—plenty to keep them entertained!

Read Part I-III of my Kerala Blog Post Series below!

Grown-ups have their own share of adventure too, with options like kayaking, zip-lining, archery, paintball, pedal boating, and even moonlight rafting (some at an extra cost).

And if you’re in the mood to just relax, the wellness and Ayurveda center offers traditional Kerala massages—because sometimes, a little pampering is the best way to unwind.

The Next Day:
Our 5th Anniversary

The next morning was a special one—our much-awaited 5th anniversary! We woke up to a symphony of birdsong from the nearby Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, while the golden sunrise slowly draped the vast landscape in its warm embrace. A picture-perfect start to the day!

After a leisurely breakfast and a little downtime, we made our way to the swimming pool—because even in early February, the sun had already decided to turn up the heat. And what better way to celebrate than a refreshing dip to cool off?

While our hearts brimmed with excitement for our 5th anniversary celebration, an unshakable heaviness lingered—a bittersweet feeling quietly settling in, knowing that by afternoon, we would have to say goodbye. The thought of checking out cast a shadow over the joy, like the final page of a book you’re not ready to finish.

But the wonderful team at Taj had one last ace card in its store—a houseboat cruise through the serene backwaters of Kumarakom, leading us to the vast, majestic embrace of Vembanad Lake. As we drifted along, the gentle ripples mirrored our emotions—joy, nostalgia, and that inevitable longing to hold onto these moments just a little longer.

Houseboat Experience

The highlight of our entire trip—the moment that truly touched our hearts and made us wish time would stand still—was the houseboat experience. As we drifted through the tranquil backwaters of Kumarakom, it felt like stepping into a dream, where the world outside faded away. Adding to the magic was a home-style traditional Kerala lunch, prepared with love by the boat’s in-house chef and served on a banana leaf. Every bite carried the warmth of a home-cooked meal, but the real showstopper was the prawn starter—so perfectly spiced and succulent that it left us exchanging wide-eyed glances of pure delight.

Kumarakom wasn’t just a destination; it was a reminder—of how far we’ve come, the beauty of shared experiences, and the adventures still ahead.

There was something deeply comforting, almost poetic, about that afternoon. The gentle sway of the boat, the soft breeze playing with our hair, the laughter echoing between bites of food, and the quiet understanding that moments like these don’t come often. With a cozy room to retreat to and nothing but the vast embrace of Vembanad Lake ahead, we let ourselves sink into the experience. It was one of those rare, fleeting moments where everything felt just right—a memory we knew we’d carry with us long after the journey ended.

No grand gestures, no candlelit dinners—just the simple joy of watching our toddlers having fun, the quiet moments we stole between their playful chaos, and the bittersweet realization that love, after five years and twin toddlers, looks different but feels deeper than ever.