Kumarakom Tourism

Location	Kottayam district, Kerala
Main Attractions	Backwaters, Temples , Bird Sanctuary
Best Time to Visit	September to March
Temperature	Summer: Minimum - 22.6°C, Maximum - 38°C, Winter: Minimum - 18°C, Maximum - 35°C

In the Kottayam District of Kerala lies the village for the vacationers named Kumarakom. It is a group of little islands on the Vembanad Lake (longest lake of India) in Kerala. Kumarakom being gifted benevolently by nature is a baffling bliss of palm fringed backwaters and murky hills, lush green forests and inimitable wildlife. The forest covered lands embrace the dense foliage, echoing chasms with a rare range of flora and fauna. The land encompasses valleys speckled with secluded hills. Kumarakom is an abode to an extensive variety of flora and fauna. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a distinguished sanctuary for birds where many species of migratory birds visit.

Flora and Fauna

Kumarakom is an abode to an extensive variety of flora and fauna. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a distinguished sanctuary for birds where many species of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is the home for many marine and freshwater fish species.

Kumarakom Attractions

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary or the Vembanad Bird Sanctuary is situated at Kumarakom in Kottayam district in the state of Kerala on the banks of Vembanad Lake. Set in the backwaters of Kerala, the bird sanctuary is a nature lover's paradise and a favourite hangout of migratory birds. The sanctuary covers a distance of over 14 acres on the southern bank of the Kavanar River. It has well laid out paths for moving around within the sanctuary.

Beyond the sanctuary one can take a boat ride in Vembanad Lake or along the Kavanar River. The primary attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, heron, cormorant, darter, moorhen, brahminy kite and the duck, as well as the migratory Siberian crane. Teal, parrot, flycatcher, lark and other birds are seen here during their relevant migratory seasons. Some of the migratory birds come from the Himalayas, and a few from far away Siberia.

Dawn is the ideal time for bird watching when the birds prepare to leave their forest homes and fly over the lake. An early morning hike, preferably before sunrise, is suggested for ardent bird watchers.

Kumarkom Backwaters

The 'backwaters' are the major attractions in Kerala. They form a distinctive feature of Kerala. Kumarakom is also famous for its backwaters. They are basically a wide network of canals, lakes and lagoons extending erratically along the coastal regions. The largest backwater is the two hundred five square kilometers Vembanad Lake, which connects to the Arabian Sea at Kochi Port. The scenic beauty encompassing the land areas of the backwaters are equally enchanting.

There are a number of other significant lakes and lagoons which experience a continuous inflow of water by a set of perennial rivers. Nearly forty four rivers cross through Kerala - forty one being west-flowing and three east-flowing. These backwaters facilitate an incessant network of inland communication, due to their linkage with numerous canals, via motor boats, cruise or canoes throughout the year. Especially, cruising through the backwaters in a Kettuvallam or houseboat transfers one into the world of rapture.

The backwaters have an exclusive ecosystem - freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. Many unique species of aquatic life including frogs, crabs and mudskippers; water birds such as cormorant, darter, kingfisher ;and animals such as turtles and otters live in and alongside the backwaters. Palm trees, Pandanus shrubs, various leafy plants and bushes grow alongside the backwaters, providing a green tinge to the vista.

Kumarkom Backwater Resorts

Famed for its overwhelming backwaters, Kumarakom boasts of amazing backwater resorts. Set amidst picturesque surroundings, the backwater resorts in Kumaraom capture the hearts of tourists with their hospitality, picturesque surroundings, best of facilities and services.

These resorts also offer rejuvenating Ayurvedic massages, which is one of the best means of recreation here. A variety of packages are offered by the resorts catering to the needs of different tourists. Kumarkom Lake Resort, Coconut Lagoon, Backwater Ripple and Whispering Palm are some of the best backwaters resorts in Kumarakom.

How To Reach

One can get into Kumarakom by road (from Kottayam), boat (from Muhamma to Kumarakom Jetty), and air (via Cochin International Airport and Trivandrum International Airport) in addition to rail (via Kottayam).

Accommodation

For accommodation in Kumarakom you can choose from a variety of accommodation options. Offering great facilities and services, some of the known resorts in Kumarakom are Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom Lake Resort, Tharavadu Heritage Home and Coconut Lagoon Resort.

Shopping

Kumarakom is famous for its aromatic spices like cardamom, black pepper, nutmeg, turmeric and ginger.