wanderlust210877
★★★★★5.0Wrote on 6 Jan 2022
Must do - Kavvayistories
Kavvayi is a group of small islands, near Payyannur in the Kannur district of Kerala state in India. It has been mentioned by name by significant global travelers, including Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta and Abdul Feda. The island was originally named "Kavvill Pattanam" and Chinese ships used to dock here to sell goods and take spices back home. The Kavvayi Backwater is the third largest backwaters in Kerala and the largest one in north Kerala. The beauty of the place can be best explored on Kayaks and country boat cruises,, preferably in early morning and late evenings. Kannur district has 80 percent of the mangrove population in Kerala, and Kavvayi has some of the most picturesque ones. Kavvayistories organises curated mangrove kayaking and camping trips, and we were lucky to discover them whilst we planned our trip to Kavvayi. Jithin was extremely helpful and put us novices at total ease. Given the limitation with the no of people who could travel on one kayak, he helped us by taking care of our son. The mangroves are beautiful, and very photogenic - just perfect for the instagram pics. We so wish we could have also planned for the night camping that Kavvayistories organises. That's something we will definitely do the next time we are in Kannur. Kayaking at Kavvayi is a must visit, and jithin and team are very highly recommended.
PRASAD3035
★★★★★5.0Wrote on 21 Nov 2019
The Sanctom Sanctorum – Kavvayi Island
The Sanctom Sanctorum – Kavvayi Island If you want to go to HEAVEN, you may please go, I would rather stay here – Mark Twain. Genesis is a small word but to me it was a big key to open an enlarged , scintillating world. One such is my maiden and evergreen voyage to Kavvayi mangrove at picturesque Payyanur village close to to Kannur city and a district in Kerala., of India. An article about KIAL [ kannur international airport ltd], has triggered a sequence, that I , myself wouldn’t believe that I could end up with an unforgettable experience and explain to you all, the most enthusiastic travellers around the globe. I wouldn’t disappoint you. The idea of exploring Coorg region of Karnataka has been on cards for some time. The dream has taken a clear shape with the opening of new airport at Kannur. Bingo !!!, Coorg/ Kodagu is suddenly ushered into my neighbourhood, which is just eighty km away from the airport. On my return , from Coorg, my exitpoint being the Kannur airport , I did have a plan for the day time exploration for Kannur. As the saying goes when God blesses, things fall in place., and they have certainly in the name of Mr. Mir Mohammad Ali, the earstwhile district collector of Kannur . I wouldn’t have descended onto this offbeat trip to Kavvayi, but for the small video conceptulised , aesthetically shot and posted in a DTPC website of Kannur., at his behest. Hitherto an unknown and obscure beauty is now on the tourist map of God’s own country. Kavvayi is a place to the eyes of beholder. Its true that the place some how has stayed out of tourist radar is a tribute to the conservators of ecological balance. Right from the word go from the earliest hours of the morning to noon, the voyage was like full fledged meditation. It has to be experienced but cannot be fully chronicled because the place is an ode to GOD. An idyllic setting with a mangrove and a virgin brown sand beach close by beckons any one every one with an eye for rare trail., and detail. Kayaking for the first time , with limited skills in such a pristine surroundings was god sent offer to me. Like an average tourist I was just counting on morning a boat ride around the island in a swift move and shove , pay and get lost., or vice versa. But this was a Piligrimage at its best. There were three brief voyages across water with two breaks to relax nerves and muscles., because of the exertion it puts on first timer. Since it was my maiden brush with kayaking., I have welcomed the breaks. A simple , small but enthusiastic walk in the healthy looking mangrove IN ONLY KNEE DEEP water was exhilarating. Then there was another voyage to a small village, close to Ezhimalai beach. I could see a few souls heading for morning chores by only mode of water transport., available there. Another walk and rest for an hour in the brown virgin beach was truly the best culmination point of the trip with sudden weather change resulting a slight drizzle. It was drizzling all through the return lap to the Jetty., giving us a perfect finish. Initial plan was to take a Govt run boat at some other entry point known as Aitti Kadavu, supposed to be the cheaper option. But good sense prevailed and on the suggestion of one of my friends , the trip to KAVVAYI has assumed a great moment in my touring experiences with KAYAKING . Entire voyage was made only possible by the most affable soul in Mr. Rahul of Kavvayi Kayaking club. It takes hell a lot effort and passion from some one like him to promote the concept of responsible tourism. His commitment to preservation of the place is complete and full. He looked like he had belonged to this place , very humble to the point of collecting little garbage carefully left over by irresponsible entities. It doesn’t surprise me that few places are close to the point destruction because of over and irresponsible travel etiquette. Though there are ample of choices for day camping , I couldn’t enjoy that part because of a congested schedule. But I recommend everyone to spend a day and leave all other aspects of routine things to the back seat . Please set aside any tendency to be fussy about amenities like missing an odd breakfast or a delayed lunch or fine tunings for the place is simply alluring. It’s a cozy place for a perceptive tourist. Here in, you are assured to a warm hand shake with nature at its best form. Plan for a day., get plenty of solitude and be a responsible tourist.
