About Kumarakom

Country: India | State: Kerala

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Kumarakom: Kochi (56 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Kumarakom: October to March

Peak Season: September & December to January

At a distance of 16 km from Kottayam, 36 km from Alleppey, 56 km from Kochi, 135 km from Munnar & 164 km from Trivandrum, Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Also known as the Queen of Vembanad, Kumarakom is the most famous Kerala backwaters destination for traditional houseboat rides and among the most visited Kerala tourist places.

The name Kumarakom was derived from the deity of an old temple Kumaran. Kumarakom is also one of the ideal weekend getaways from Kochi. Kumarakom is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields, and coconut groves. In order to protect the ecology of the place, the Kerala government has declared Kumarakom as a special tourism zone. Arundhati Roy, the author of the 1997 Booker Prize-winning 'The God of Small Things', was raised in the nearby Aymanam village.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kumaramangalam Temple, Vaikom, Pathiramanal Island, Aranmula, Vagamon, and Erumeli are the popular places to visit in Kumarakom. Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. Egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoo, wild duck, and migratory birds like the Siberian Stork visit here in flocks that fascinate the visitors as part of Kumarakom tour packages. Kumarakom is also famous for Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing, and swimming.

Vembanad Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India. The major sightseeing option at Kumarakom is a boat cruise in the backwaters of Vembanad. There are Country boats and Houseboats for the boat cruise experience. A Houseboat cruise along the backwaters is an amazing experience for every traveler to Kumarakom. Excellent marine and freshwater fish including tasty karimeen, shrimp, and prawns are available in the area. Kumarakom is the venue for Sree Narayana Jayanthi Boat Race held in September during the Onam festival. More than 1000 oarsmen in boats of different sizes and shapes will participate in this event. Kumarakom can be visited along with Alleppey tour packages.

Cochin International Airport is the closest airport at a distance of 74 km to reach Kumarakom. Kottayam is the nearest railway station to Kumarakom (16 km). Kumarakom is also accessible by boat from Alleppey. Kumarakom is connected by frequent bus service from Kottayam. KSRTC bus service connects Kottayam to all cities in Kerala. Private run deluxe A/C buses connect Kottayam with major cities like Chennai, Mangalore, Bangalore, and Trivandrum.

The best time to visit Kumarakom is from October-March while the peak season is from November to February. Post monsoon is the best season for bird watching. Backwater cruising is prohibited during peak monsoons. It usually takes 1-2 days to explore the important places in Kumarakom.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 0481
Languages Spoken: Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi & English
Major Festivals: Details Not Available
Notes/Tips:
Sree Narayana Jayanthi Boat Race (Sep)

How to Reach Kumarakom

By Air

Nearest Airport: Kochi - Cochin International Airport (79 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Kottayam Railway Station (13 Kms)
Ernakulam Jn (South) Railway Station (56 Kms)
Alappuzha Railway Station (58 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Kumarakom Bus Station (0 Kms)
Kottayam (13 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

Backwaters

#1 of 12 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

Kumarakom is the most enchanting backwater destination in Kerala. It is located on the banks of Vembanad Lake in the Kuttanad region of the Kottayam district. Vembanad Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India. Also known as the Queen of Vembanad, Kumarakom is the most famous places for backwaters in Kerala.

The major sightseeing option at Kumarakom is a houseboat cruise in the backwaters of Vembanad. Among the must things to do in Kumarakom, Kumarakom backwater cruises are a unique experience that leaves memories for a lifetime. There are Country boats and Houseboats for the boat cruise experience.

A Houseboat cruise along the backwaters is really an amazing experience for every traveler as part of Kumarakom holiday packages. Excellent marine and freshwater fish including tasty .....

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Nature

#2 of 12 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

At a distance of 12 km from Kumarakom Bus Station & 20 km from Alappuzha, Pathiramanal Island (meaning - Sands of Night) is a small & breathtakingly beautiful island in the Vembanad Lake. Situated on the border of Kottayam - Alapuzha districts, It is one of the popular places to visit as part of Kumarakom tour.

Spread across 10 acres, Pathiramanal Island is also known as Anantha Padmanabhan Thopu, and is about 1.5 km from Muhamma boat jetty. Among the famous Kumarakom places to visit, the island is home to hundreds of rare birds, including 91 local species of birds and 50 migratory birds. One can see Pintail Ducks, Common Teal, Night Heron, Cormorant, Darter, Indian Shag, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Indian Pond Heron, Little Egret, Bronze-winged Jacanas, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Watercock, Whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Little Cormorant and Whiskered .....

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Wildlife

#3 of 12 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

At a distance of 5 km from Kumarakom Bus Station, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a protected reserve situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Also known as Vembanad Bird Sanctuary, this is one of the best places of wildlife in Kerala, and among the must-visit places during your Kumarakom trip.

Spread across 14 acres, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is an amazing paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields, and coconut groves. It is one of the best sanctuaries near Kochi, the bird sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. In addition, visitors can get thrilled by the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed .....

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Pilgrimage

#4 of 12 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

At a distance of 1 Km from Kumarakom Bus Station, Sri Kumaramangalam Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Kumarakom. It is one of the significant places to visit in Kumarakom.

Sri Kumaramangalam Temple is dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya. Located on the banks of the Meenachil River, the main deity idol was consecrated in 1905 by Sree Narayana Guru, the great social reformer of Kerala.

Timings: 6 AM -5.30 PM

Entry: Free

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Heritage

#5 of 12 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

At a distance of 1 km from Kumarakom Bus Station, Kumarakom Boat Race, also known as Sree Narayana Jayanthi Boat Race is held in Vembanad Lake, one of the prime places of Kerala Backwaters. The race is held in September every year during Onam festival. More than 20 boats of different sizes and shapes participate in this event. Even though Snake Boats participate in this race, the importance is given here is for Iruttukuthi, in which about 50 oarsmen row. The successful Iruttukuthi win The Sree Narayana Ever Rolling Trophy.

The boat race is conducted to celebrate the arrival of Sri Narayana Guru, who visited Kumarakom in 1903 to inaugurate Kumara Mangalam Temple. The day will begin with special pujas at the Kumaramangalam Temple. Prior to the commencement of boat race, the grand procession of country boats carrying a portrait of Sri Narayana Guru from Kumara Mangalam Temple will .....

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Pilgrimage | Backwaters

#6 of 12 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

At a distance of 18 km from Kumarakom, and 35 km from Kottayam, Vaikom is famous as a temple town in the Kottayam district of Kerala. Situated on the eastern side of Vembanad Lake, popular getaway to experience beautiful backwaters in Kerala, and among the must-visit Kumarakom tourist places.

Vaikom is well known for the ancient Mahadeva temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be built by Parasurama, the founder of Kerala. The temple has a huge courtyard spanning over 8 acres of land and four towers on each side of the temple. Other major attractions of the Mahadeva Temple include the Garbagriha, a golden Stupa surmounting Garbagriha, 19.5m tall golden staff, etc. The exterior walls of the Garbagriha exhibit several pieces of artwork.

This is the place that had made a significance in Indian history with the Vaikom Sathyagraham in 1924, i.e the movement against untouchability in Hindu society. .....

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Pilgrimage | Backwaters | Nature

#7 of 12 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

At a distance of 48 km from Alleppey, 63 km from Kochi, 142 km from Munnar, 155 km from Trivandrum, and 240 km from Coimbatore, Kottayam is a city located in central Kerala and is also the administrative capital of Kottayam district. It is one of the well known places to visit as part of Kerala Tour Packages. The city is an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber.

Kottayam is bounded by the Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake on the west. Kottayam is well known as a beautiful Kerala backwaters destination with stunning landscape and beauty. Kumarakom, the most famous backwater destination of Kerala is situated very close to Kottayam. It is also a gateway to the pilgrim centers of Sabarimala, Mannanam, Vaikom, Ettumanoor, Bharananganam, Erumeli, Manarcaud.

Kottayam is the first town to have attained 100 percent literacy in .....

Distance (From Kumarakom Bus Station): 13 Kms
Trip Duration (From Kumarakom Bus Station - Including Travel): 1-2 Days
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Backwaters

#8 of 12 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

At a distance of 43 Kms from Idukki, 65 Kms from Kumarakom, 58 kms from Kottayam and 80 Kms from Munnar, Malankara Dam & Lake (in Idukki district) is a lovely place located at a distance of 7 Kms from Thodupuzha on Thodupuzha-Erattupetta route.

Malankara Lake, spread over 11 Kms is an artificial lake formed as part of Muvattupuzha Valley Irrigation Project. The Dam is constructed across Thodupuzha River for irrigation purpose. This place is a very good picnic spot with boating facilities in the lake.

It is located on SH8 and easily accessible from Thodupuzha by Bus, Auto & Cab. Thodupuzha is accessible by Bus from all parts of Kerala.

Thommankuthu Waterfalls is about 27 Kms from this place which is connected by Bus from Thodupuzha.

Distance (From Kumarakom): 65 Kms
Trip Duration (From Kumarakom - Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
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Hill Station | Nature

#9 of 12 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

At a distance of 36 km from Idukki, and 48 km from Kottayam, Ilaveezha Poonchira is a beautiful valley situated at Melukavu village in the Kottayam district of Kerala. It is one of the best places to visit near Idukki uring your Idukki tour.

The stunning valley of Ilaveezha Poonchira is spread across thousands of acres at the foot of three hillocks - Mankunnu, Kudayathur Hill, and Thonippara near Kanjar. During the monsoons, the valley between a complex of mountains fills up to form a large pond. Ilaveezha Poonchira means 'the pond of flowers where the leaves do not fall'. Legends say that the pool here was a bathing place for Draupadi, the legendary heroine of Mahabharata.

Surrounded by hillocks raised above 3000 feet from sea level, Ilaveezha Poonchira is an ideal place for trekking in Kerala. This is also one of the best places in Kerala to witness both the sunrise .....

Distance (From Kumarakom): 72 Kms
Trip Duration (From Kumarakom - Including Travel): 4 Hours/Half Day
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Heritage

#10 of 12 Places to Visit in Kumarakom

At a distance of 15 Km from Pathanamthitta, 53 Km from Alappuzha & 57 Km from Kumarakom, Aranmula is a Aranmula Snake Boat Race, also known as Aranmula Vallamkali is a popular boat race held in the never ending Kerala Backwaters. This is an annual boat race held in Aranmula district of Kerala during the Onam festival in the month of August-September. It is also known as Uthrittathi Boat Race.

Aranmula Vallamkali owes its origin to the Sri Parthasarathy Temple situated on the banks of the Pamba River. The Vallamkali, associated with the annual festival of Sri Parthasarathy, is usually held on the last two days of the festival. The event that attracts tourists from all over the world is conducted not to win any trophy or prize but to celebrate the anniversary of the Sri Krishna idol installation, the main deity at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. It is conducted in the Pamba River in .....

Distance (From Kumarakom): 57 Kms
Trip Duration (From Kumarakom - Including Travel): 3-4 Hours
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Top 3 Kumarakom Packages