Kumarakom Tourism (2019) - Kerala > Top Places, Travel Guide

"Backwaters bay, small islands - Little Venice"

Kumarakom Tourism

Situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake, Kumarakom is a cluster of many small man-made islands reclaimed from the lake.

Part of the Kuttanad region, Kumarakom along with Alleppey has beautiful backwater areas and they collectively form the most important tourist centres of Kerala. Boating and fishing facilities are available at the Taj Garden Retreat, a sprawling old bungalow-turned-resort. Waterscapes, the backwater resort of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation has independent cottages built on stilts, set amidst coconut groves and panoramic view of the backwaters. Holiday packages involving houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms (rice barges) offer great experiences. The Kumarakom bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian Stork visit here in flocks and fascinate the visitors.

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Places to Visit In Kumarakom

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Backwaters

Vellavali

Visit to Toddy Shops

Bay Island Driftwood Museum

Fishing in Kumarakom

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Kumarakom Packages

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Delighful Kochi, Kumarakom & Vagamon

₹ 8,800 onwards

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Glories of Thekkady & Kumarakom

₹ 9,199 onwards

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Shimmering Munnar, Kochi & Kumarakom Package

₹ 13,350 onwards

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History of Kumarakom

The proper development of Kumarakom as we see it today started off with the efforts of an English farmer, Alfred George Baker, who claimed around 500 acres of land in this area and developed his property too. Due, to his efforts Kumarakom could rise to its true potential as a tourist spot. Later, when the property of the Bakers went into ruin, it was redeemed to its original grandeur by the Taj Group.

Backwaters of Kumarakom

Today, Kumarakom stands for exquisite backwater activities. One can enjoy a beautiful on a cruise or a houseboat while sailing from Alleppey to Kumarakom. You can spend an entire evening and night by on a houseboat. The exquisite locations that you will witness, once you are on the houseboat, will make a trip to Kumarakom memorable. There are some fishing and canoeing options too. The most exciting sport that can be witnessed in Kumarakom is the snake-boat race, which is a way of celebrating Onam, uniquely, in August and September. Large crowds of tourists throng the site to witness the amazing spectacle.

Flora and Fauna

If you are a nature enthusiast then visiting the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a must. This sanctuary was also developed by Alfred George Baker. It is spread across 14 kilometres, and stands for the lush greenery that it provides and the migratory birds like Waterfowl, Teal, Cuckoo, Egret, Heron, Owl, Brahminy Kite, Flycatcher, Lark, Parrot and the Siberian Stork that flock in and around this sanctuary. The fact that Kumarakom is covered with green paddy fields and coconut groves ensures that it remains a home for these migratory birds. Also, it is said, that the beautiful Vembanad Lake is home to around 150 different type of marine beings. Perhaps, the best part about Kumarakom, are its Mangrove forests. There are many species in these forests like Bruguiera Gymnorrhiza, Hebiseus Taeliatious, etcetera.

God's own land!

Located in the beautiful natural state of Kerela, Kumarakom is in itself a vibrant spectrum of cultural and natural beauty, apart from being an essential tourist destination of the Peninsular. Once ruled by the King of Thekkumkur, the fort at the entrance of Kottathodu, of which now just remains the exit, can still be seen in Kumarakom, speaking of the vibrant history and rich cultural heritage of the place under the rulers.

Apart from having a vibrant cultural history, the place is bestowed by a plethora of species of flora and fauna, some of them which can be witnessed in the famous Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, famous for the visit of the migratory birds during the season. The Vembanad lake, which was once counted as a dangerous area because war broke out frequently is now home to a large number of marine and aquatic life, giving Kumarakom a life of its own. Also now declared as a special tourism zone by the Karnataka Government, the place enjoys the major perks of being one of the best spots in the state of Kerela for tourists.

A Lifetime of Experience

Known majorly for the implementation of the responsible tourism in the area, the place provides some lifetime experiences for the tourists including the famous houseboats and the popularly known Boat race held every year, around Onam. The backwaters of Kerela pass through Kumarakom and is thus a beautiful escape sight, where one can witness a variety of flora and fauna.

The place is beautiful after monsoons, as the rains rejuvenate the life in the area, and the place becomes a pleasant sight to behold. A few waterfalls and the plantations in the area are also some of the famous natural places famous in Kumarakom. Popular resorts and cottages located beside the backwaters are also one of the few things people look forward to while planning their trip to Kumarakom and thus becomes a must visit for the nature enthusiasts.

Restaurants and Local Food in Kumarakom

The cuisine here is largely Syrian Christian in style which also influences the food culture. You can find Appam- a rice bread, Kappa (tapioca), Karimeen- a very exotic fresh water fish, and other seafood such as shrimps, prawns, crabs and squids that are famous in Kumarakom. If you're adventurous enough, you can try the frog legs, donkey stew and crane fry are also available in more local areas and outlets. At the same time, there are a number of options available for vegetarians as well.

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Itinerary

Day 1: After reaching Kumarakom, one can freshen up and then leave to witness the backwaters of Kumarakom and the Vembanad lake, located at the same place, and spend a few hours there along with the boats in the day time. The place is beautiful to visit during the day and thus is an alluring sight. After the visit, drive down to about 40 minutes of the journey to the beautiful Pathiramal Island to spend the rest of your day.

Day 2: Start in the morning and travel down to the beach, which will be a beautiful sight in the early morning hours. After 45 minutes long drive, you can reach the famous bird sanctuary, which can be roamed around for about 1 hour or more. In the remaining time, visit The Bay Island Driftwood Museum, located at a mere distance of 1.5 km from the Bird Sanctuary.

Day 3: Start early to travel down to the Aruvikkuzhi falls, as they might be a beautiful sight in the early hours of the day, cool and refreshing. In the remaining time, you can plan on visiting Juma masjid, which might be an ideal pick to bring an end to this trip. Also, in the remaining time, roam around the streets of Kumarakom to shop for a few souveniers.

Best time to Visit Kumarakom

Commuting within Kumarakom

Kumarakom Photos

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Holidify's Opinion

What's Great?

The place is cheaper compared to many famous tourists destinations, being a smaller town. Commuting within the town is easy, and the number of natural landscapes is a beautiful magnet for all the tourists looking forward to visiting Kumarakom. Also, the place is a rich spectrum of cultural and historical diversity.

What's not so Great?

The connectivity to Kumarakom is not direct and is majorly through Kochi and Kottayam. The place is also not a suitable pick to visit during monsoon because of the spontaneity and unplanned nature of the rains.

For Whom

People interested in witnessing the beauty of nature, along with the vibrant history and the culture, can be the most suitable for visiting Kumarakom. Families, couples, and a group of young people, Kumarakom is a suitable visit for all.

Hotels in Kumarakom

Top Hotels in Kumarakom

GK`s Riverview Homestay

INR 3,700 /night onwards
Hotel Anjali Park

INR 2,000 /night onwards
The Windsor Castle

INR 2,250 /night onwards

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Kumarakom Map

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How to Reach Kumarakom

The connectivity of Kumarakom to nearby cities through the various modes of transportations act as a perk for tourists planning their trip to the area. The city of Kumarakom is well linked to all t... (Read More)

Latest questions by travellers on Kumarakom

What are the approx charges of the backwater houseboats in Kumarakom?

Answer: Depends on season and quality of boat. 4k for good ac boat with all meals for a couple would be minimum.

6 months ago by Naman Sarawagi

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