Experience Kumarakom, a picturesque lakeside village, 14 kms. from Kottayam, set alongside the Vembanad freshwater lake, one among the most beautiful spots in Kerala. Internationally renowned as a backwater tourism hub, enjoying a well-balanced tropical climate, it is about 85 Km from Cochin International Airport and 250 Km from Trivandrum International Airport.
This beautiful paradise stocks mangrove forests that nests birds of a hundred varieties, both water birds and migratory birds. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m²), and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. Kumarakom’s invigorating peace is safe home to many migratory birds like Siberian stork and the wild duck. They live with other birds in flocks such as darters, herons, egret, waterfowls and cuckoos.
Kumarakom also offers exotic sightseeing, boating and fishing experience. The emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves comprises zigzag water ways & canals are adorned with white lilies and hibiscus. In the olden days the water in the canals moved in and out with the sea tide and it was salty. After the Thanneermukkam bund separating the backwaters from the sea was built, the connection to the open sea was not free anymore, and so the tidal movement of the water in the canals stopped. It stagnated and then plenty of water hyacinths started growing densely in the canals, forming lovely green carpets with pale lilac flowers carpets.
Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the Chemmeen (Prawns), the Konju (Tiger Prawns) and Karimeen( Pearl Spot) and Crabs. This scenic lake also hosts plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes. Long back the boats known as kettuvallams were used to ferry grains from the fields to the mills and market. Waterways were the major mode of the transport in those days. As more and more roads started coming up, and the cultivation of rice dwindled, these boats were lying idle and the tourist industry found it lucrative to convert them into house boats.
The best part of an Unforgettable Houseboat holiday on the lake is that it provides you with the comfort and spaciousness of an exclusive living area where you spend time with your near and dear. Whether you are enjoying a gourmet meal from the kitchen or Karimeen and fresh toddy, the favourite fresh water food and local wine on the front deck, you can relax and enjoy at your leisure with no specific itinerary to follow. You feel you are in another world!
Exclusive leisure options like Ayurvedic massage, yoga or meditation are offered by comfortable resorts near by. For the more adventurous traveler, you may venture canoeing out into the quite lakes armed with a fishing rod, to catch your own supper. Make sure you do not miss out on and explore the backwaters in a dinghy. You can also roam the wetlands to enjoy the rustic Kumarakom life.
Kumarakom has been declared a Special Tourism Zone by the Kerala state Government. Other places of interest close by are Kottayam , an ancient town famous for its churches, especially the 700 years-old churches, Erumeli, an important pilgrim centre for the Hindus and Muslims, the spectacular Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls located 18km from Kottayam town, Aranmula, 50km from Kottayam, the site of the splendid Onam festival boat races, usually in early September, Vagamon, a trekker’s paradise ,64 km from Kottayam , situated at an elevation of 1100 meters above sea level and Vaikom, 40km from Kottayam, famous for the Shiva Temple.
So sit back, relax and let Kumarakom conjure up its magic on you!
