Kumarakom Backwaters Tourist information

Kumarakom is a tourist destination near to Kottayam in Kerala, famous for it's natural beauty and calm backwaters formed by Vembanad Lake.

Kumarakom is a tourist destination famous for backwater tourism in Kerala. Blessed with greenery and backwaters of Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is located just 16 kilometres west of Kottayam city. The place is blessed with green paddy fields, coconut trees and mangrove forests surrounding the backwaters. Natural lagoons are seen across the place. A rich variety of flora and fauna can be seen both in the backwaters and in the terrain. Marine fauna includes Kumarakom Karimeen (Green chromide), Tiger prawns, Crabs etc. Waterways and canals decorated by coconut trees and mangroves makes boating through backwaters a enchanting experience for visitors. Kumarakom is popular for boating through it's backwaters in the Kerala style houseboats which have ample facilities for a long stay. There are air-conditioned houseboats also available. Food is cooked by the chef accompanying tourists. One can catch fish from the backwaters using fish hooks, fish nets and can be cooked by the cooks in the houseboat. These houseboats are made out of wood and extensively uses naturally available eco-friendly materials like bamboo, coconut fibre etc. These boats are available to enjoy the beauty and greenery of Kumarakom. There are a lot of resorts available for stay. Some of them are 5 star resorts on the shores of backwaters and lagoons.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is the important tourist attraction, situated in the banks of Vembanad lake. This sanctuary is spread across 14 acres of land bordering lake and Kavanar river. Tourists can reach here using boats. The place can be explored by foot. Birds like darter, egret, herone can be spotted here. There are migratory birds like Siberian stork, White Ibis etc that visits this sanctuary during the season from October end to May.
Besides all of the above, there are many nearby tourist places like Alappuzha, Pathiramanal, Kottayam which makes Kumarakom a necessary destination for those who are touring Kerala.

Travel Tips

The tropical climate, especially during the summer with the humid atmosphere makes it ideal for tourists to wear light clothes that allows air flow and prevent sweating.

How to Reach

Kumarakom is lying close to Kottayam city at a distance of 16 kilometres. Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala is just 52 kilometres only. There are regular private buses plying between Kottayam and Kumarakom. Inland navigation through boats are available. Kerala
State Water Transport Department Boats are available to Kottayam, Muhamma (Alappuzha).

Nearest railway station is Kottayam and airport is Kochi International Airport (CIAL).

Activities

There are many tourist destinations in Kumarakom and nearby region. Tourists visiting this backwater destination should consider visiting Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary which has varieties of rare birds. Sailing through the backwaters in houseboat (Kettuvallom) is one of the main attraction. Canoes are available to explore the small waterways and lagoons around the place. Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls near Pallickathode is 18 kilometres from Kumarakom. Pathiramanal is a island in the Vembanad lake which is accessible through boats only. Large varieties of rare birds are found here.

Kumarakom also holds snake boat races. The prominent ones are Kumarakom boat race and Kavanattinkara boat race. Boats used are long, made out of wood, usually have 50 or more people paddling the snake boat through the backwaters.

Besides these, Thazhathangadi is an ancient heritage zone located around 14 kilometres from Kumarakom. On the shores of Meenachil river, old houses, some of them centuries old constructed in wood and with the period architecture can be seen.

Timings & Season

The climate is humid during the summer season from February to end of May. The best season to visit is during the winter and after monsoon rains are over; which usually are in the months starting from September to February. During monsoons, the river and the region looks flooded with the water coming from eastern hills.