Kumarakom

The backwaters have been the lifeline of Kerala, stretching a network of lakes, canals, and lagoons. The Vembanad Lake is the largest backwater network covering several districts, including Kottayam, Alleppey, and Kochi. Kumarakom is a small village close to Kottayam, famous for its beautiful backwaters, migratory birds, and lakeside resorts. At GT Tourism, we offer a wide range of customized Kumarkom travel packages that are curated to match your vacation expectations.

The word Kumarakom is derived from the presiding deity of the Subramanyan Temple, believed to be the oldest temple in the village. Kumarakom comes from two words: Kumar and akam or home – when combined it translates to home of the Lord Subramanya. To the uninitiated, Lord Subramanyan is also called Kumaran.

The village stands on manmade land that was reclaimed from the Vembanad Lake. The fertile lands were ideal for paddy and coconut cultivation and were part of the Vadakkancore Kingdom until captured by Marthanda Varma and annexed to be part of the Travancore Kingdom.

An Englishman, Alfred Baker, instantly fell in love with the place and purchased over 500 acres of land from the Maharaja to create the Baker House. Today, the house is part of the Taj Group, which runs a heritage hotel.

Kumarakom is a beautiful paradise home to mangrove forests, lush paddy fields, and enchanting waterways that are the lifeline of the people living here. There are plenty of resorts and luxury hotels offering the best in class accommodations and leisure options. At GT Holidays, we provide a range of Kumarakom tour packages for families and honeymoon couples. You could also choose an Ayurveda resort or go cruising on a houseboat to experience authentic backwater life.

There are plenty of Kumarakom tourist destinations that help you understand life as it happens in a quaint little village of Kerala. You can also admire the multiple natural wonders of this place. We have listed some areas integral to our Kumarakon travel packages.

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary was established in 1847 when Alfred Baker, an English man, developed the wetlands near the Vembanad Lake. Today, the place covers over 14 acres of wetlands, offering sanctuary to over twenty-five thousand migratory and native bird species, including kingfishers, Northern Pintail ducks, whiskered terns, whistling teals, and egrets. Some birds, like the Siberian stork and brahminy kites, fly thousands of miles from regions like Siberia and the Himalayas. If you are an avid birder, we suggest choosing Kumarakom travel packages that help you explore the best the place offers. While June to August is ideal for bird watching, November to February is the best time to view migratory birds. You could ride a motorbike or cruise along the Vembanad Lake for a great view of the birds.

You cannot travel to Kerala and miss a houseboat experience. Traditionally, these houseboats or kettuvellams were used to transport rice, spices, coir products, and other products. Today, these houseboats serve as cruise boats where guests can stay overnight for a firsthand experience of the backwaters. Most houseboats are made using locally available wood-like jackfruit but are equipped with all modern amenities, including electric fans, television, and even hot water. You can cruise on these houseboats, catching a glimpse of village life in Kumarakom and the bird sanctuary.

This is a unique and only museum in the world with over 100 driftwood sculptures carved out of woods that drifted out of the Andaman sea. The museum is curated by Mrs Raji Punnoose, who could imagine various shapes from these drifted woods and set about transforming them into meaningful sculptures. The museum was featured in several international travel magazines, including Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, and Onlook Traveler.

Boat races are a common feature of Onam festivities held across the state. Kumarakom also organizes two main boat races; the Sree Narayana Jayanthi Boat Race and the Kavanattikara Boat Race. These boat races are times of great festivity and revelry. And to add to the fervor, the participants sing the vanchipattu, encouraging the oarsmen. People, irrespective of religion and caste, participate in the race and participating for a few months before the boat race. If you are visiting the place, make sure you choose Kumarakom travel packages around this time.

The Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls is located close to Kumarakom and is loved for its natural beauty. The waterfalls have their unique charm thanks to the surrounding rubber plantations and the calm waters that fall from over 100 ft. You could either camp at this place close to nature or visit St Mary’s Church, situated atop the waterfalls.

Ayurveda is an age-old system of medicine focusing on holistic healing and mental wellness. There are multiple resorts around Kumarakom offering a range of packages that help relax the mind and body. Some common treatments offered at these resorts include panchakarma, abhyangam, kati vasti, and shirodhara, depending on the Ayurvedic practitioner’s diagnosis.

Kumarakom is equally famous for its flora and fauna, where you can admire the various mangrove species, including the Brugiera Gymnorrhiza and Avicennia Officinalis. These mangroves offer an excellent habitat to hundreds of varieties of plants and animals.

Visit us if you are looking for affordable Kumarakom travel packages.