Ettumanoor Mahadevar Temple · Rklystron · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Kumarakom
Quiet backwater villages and a bird sanctuary on the shore of Vembanad Lake
4 things to do
Things to do
What to do in Kumarakom
Pick an experience to see every verified operator who runs it, with prices and open dates.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary walk
An early walk through the sanctuary on the lake shore, best for migratory birds in winter.
Coming soonDetailsVembanad Lake houseboat cruise
A day or overnight trip on a houseboat across the lake and through the canals.
Coming soonDetailsVillage life tour
Spend time with local farmers, fishers, toddy tappers and coir makers.
Coming soonDetailsCountry-boat canal ride
A paddled boat through the narrow village canals that houseboats cannot enter.
Coming soonDetails
Before you go
Plan your visit
Best time
September to March
Climate
Tropical (23°C - 33°C), heavy rain from June to September
Nearest airport
Cochin International Airport (COK) - about 85 km
Nearest railway
Kottayam Railway Station (KTYM) - about 16 km
Good to know
Visit the bird sanctuary early in the morning; migratory birds are best seen from November to February
About Kumarakom
On the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake near Kottayam, Kumarakom is a cluster of backwater villages, coconut groves and paddy fields crossed by canals. It is known for the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, houseboat and country-boat trips on the lake, and village experiences run with local communities under Kerala’s responsible tourism programme. Kottayam town, with its old churches and temples, is close by.
Don't miss
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary on the lake shore
- Houseboat and country-boat trips on Vembanad Lake
- Village life tours with farmers, fishers and coir makers
- Old churches and temples of Kottayam, Ettumanoor and Vaikom
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