A Quick Trip to Kumarakom

Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a tiny settlement comprising of several islets that lie on the banks of the lake. Today, the place is one of the major travel destinations in Kerala. Kumarakom and It’s Colonial Legacy In the 19th Century, a British Missionary, George Baker, cleared some of the marshland on the banks of the Vembanad Lake and settled there. Today, his house is a five star hotel in this small paradise. Kumarakom is now an endless vista of blue waters, verdant meadows, paddy fields, coconut groves and mangrove forests. The Vembanad Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala and Kumarakom is a small cluster of islands on the banks of this large lake which borders Allepey, Kottayam and Ernakulam. Its economy relies mainly on fishing, agriculture and tourism. The crisscrossing waterways and canals which irrigate the farms and the backwaters that are covered with hyacinths provide an enchanting spectacle, ideal for tourists to experience. The bird sanctuary in Kumarakom attracts a lot of migratory avian species and the backwaters, teeming with fish like shrimps and prawns, is a paradise for birds. The sanctuary provides a haven for birds like the Siberian Crane, waterfowl, egret, cormorant and moor hen. A Stay in the Houseboats and Resorts Kumarakom is an ideal place for a vacation spent on a houseboat. In fact, houseboat vacations are a specialty here and there are many kinds of houseboats exclusively for tourists. Traditional boats like rice barges are converted into luxury floating hotels, and tourists can enjoy the enchanting beauty of Kumarakom and the Vembanad Lake, cruising down the backwaters on one of these. There are also several resorts in Kumarakom, on the banks of the lake which also offer activities like boating, yachting and fishing. A canoe ride from one of these resorts can take you to the bird sanctuary, and this will be an amazing experience. The Very Popular Boat Races Kumarakom, like Allepey, also plays host to boat races during the Onam celebrations. The biggest canal here that hosts these boat races becomes a vibrant setting for the regatta of the snake boats or Chundan Vallams that take part in these races. Tourists often throng to visit these races, and even locals turn up in huge numbers to witness the spectacle. Getting to Kumarakom Kumarakom is now a Special Tourism Zone and so, it is well connected by trains to Cochin, Kottayam and other major cities. Cochin is the nearest airport. Kumarakom is also well connected through waterways to Cochin, Allepey, Kottayam and other backwater destinations. The best time to visit this place would be during the Onam celebrations. The boat races held in various parts of Kerala during this time attract a lot of tourists. The main boat races are held in nearby Allepey and Kumarakom also plays host to its own boat race. If you plan your trip to Kumarakom well, you’ll have a chance to catch a glimpse of everything that matters