If you are planning to spend some cherished moments in the lap of nature, then the sparkling backwaters of Kumarakom would be the ideal touring destination for you. Kumarakom backwaters inKerala is an enamouring site with its exotic bio network, sounds of nature and scenic beauty.
Location – 9° 35’ N & 76° 26′ E
District – Kottayam
State – Kerala
Altitude – Sea level
Area – 2203 km
Languages – Malayalam, English, Hindi, Tamil Best Time to Visit – June to August & November to February
Main Festivals – Onam, Payippad Jelotsavam Attractions – Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Pathiramanal, Vembanad Lake Tour
Clothing – light cotton clothes
Nearest Airport – Kochi, 64 km
Nearest Railway station – Kottayam 16 km
Things to do : Houseboat cruise, Evening village sight seeing, Cycling
Must see places : Kumarakom bird sanctuary, Pathiramanal Island, Thaneermukkom Bund, Vembanad Lake
The backwater destination ofKumarakom lies about 16 km off Kottayam, in Kerala. Kumarakom is a clump of small islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala which offers one of the most attractivebackwater destinations of Kerala.
The Vembanad Lake is one of the most prominent fresh water lakes in Asia and is interlaced by the mesh of streams, distributaries and other small creeks of water forming the interesting backwater destinations. Lovely white lilies and mangrove vegetation are the typical features of Kumarakom backwaters. You can also find crabs (karimeen) in the water besides other kinds of biodiversity like planktons and colorful insects floating in the water.
Pathiramanal, literally meaning (sands of midnight), is an isle with enthralling beauty that stands on the island the Vembanad Lake and is accessible by a ferry fromKumarakom. This backwater islet is the dwelling place of many diverse species of migratory birds from different parts of the world. This bird sanctuary of Kumarakomis a heaven for bird-watchers as it is an ornithologist’s paradise with a choice of migratory birds such as darters, egrets, Siberian storks, cuckoos, water fowl, herons, teals, and so on.This place can be viewed better by skirting around it in a canoe.
The coastal town of Alappuzha is located nearby and is a major attraction.Exhilarating boat races, kettuvallams( houseboat) tours in the backwaters, boating and fishing are some of the chief attractions of this picturesque place. The colossal houseboats known as the kettuvallams are made of wooden planks joined by ropes and offer luxurious accommodations with living rooms, toilets, kitchen, and a balcony for fishing. You can stay in them for numerous days and thus can spend some cherished period in a mobile house amidst nature, in the depth of calming and cobalt blue backwaters. The extensive paddy fields, luxuriant mangrove forests and coconut woods, white lilies and other exotic flowers, the unknown birds, insects and the variety of natural elements of theKumarakom backwaters would be a perfect visual treat to your eyes