Kumarakom is situated in Kottayam district in Kerala. It is in the banks of Vembanad Lake. Kumarakom is a very popular tourism destination in Kerala. You can see a wide variety of flora and fauna in this place. It is also home to large varieties of birds. Many different species of migratory birds visit the Kumarakom bird sanctuary every year and it is a paradise for an ornithologist.
The Vembanad Lake is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala and it is the habitat for many different species of marine and fresh water fishes. In the migratory season you have a good chance for seeing the rare Siberian crane in the bird sanctuary. The bird sanctuary is also home to birds like darters, waterfowls, herons, cuckoo, wild ducks and teals. The climate here remains moderate through out the year.
The tourism in kumarakom mainly revolves around the Vembanad Lake. This place is famous for its houseboat tourism. Many varieties of houseboats are available for the tourists in the entire year. Many of the holiday packages include one to five days stay in the houseboats with all type of local delicious foods, mainly fish dishes.
There is a cook in every house boat dedicated for this purpose and also an oarsman and a man to serve you all the time. Spending night in the lake inside a houseboat is really a fascinating experience. Modern houseboats are usually 80 feet long and are well furnished inside with one or two bedrooms and all other facilities needed to stay with comfort.
There are also traditional kettuvallams available for the tourists. The tourists can choose from many luxury and budget resorts on the shores of the lake. These resorts provide facilities such as fishing, boating, yachting and sight seeing.
Another main attraction for the tourists is the bird sanctuary. Many of the tourist packages provide a trip to the bird sanctuary in canoes rowed by the local fishermen. A two or three hour canoe trip is also arranged by them. It is best to go for the canoe trip in the morning or in the evening to avoid sun.
The God of Small Things written by Arundhathi Roy is set in the village of Aymanam, which is near Kumarakom. Aymanam attracts a lot of tourists you may also get to visit this village. Arundhathi Roy spent her childhood days in the Aymanam house. You can reach the house through the Meenachil River by boat. Another main attraction where the holiday packages may take you is the pathiramanal.
Pathiramanal is a small island in Vembanad Lake and also a small wild life sanctuary which is home to a variety of animals and birds. The packages may also cover Aruvikuzhy waterfalls which is a beautiful and soothing place.
It is a natural waterfall falling from a height of 100feet. The nearest airports are Cochin and Trivandrum and the closest railway station is Kottayam. The Government of Kerala has declared Kumarakom as a special tourist zone.
