6 Things To Do In Kumarakom India: A Captivating Backwater Destination - Updated 2024

things to do in kumarakom india
Venkateshwar
Venkateshwar 
Updated
| 5 min read

Kumarakom, a captivating backwater destination, is situated 13 km (8 miles) away from Kottayam and is a paradise on earth. Located on Vembanad Lake, in Kerala, Kumarakom is comprised of island clusters and is a picturesque tourist spot and a joy for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers. The legendary backwaters of Kumarakom have enticed visitors from across the globe. Boating through the backwaters of Kumarakom is quite fascinating and you’ll never be able to get enough of it. Even during a short vacation, one can enjoy the peace of the pristine backwaters.

Besides the unparalleled beauty of Kumarakom, the city offers pleasant activities for families, couples, and friends including boating, angling, strolling, and trekking. You can spend your evenings in Kumarakom listening to birds at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and enjoying Kerala cuisine, walking through the lush green estates or exploring the Arruvikuzhi Waterfalls - don’t miss the amazing places near Kumarakom. A crown jewel of Kerala tourism, Kumarakom will just mesmerize your senses.

1. Houseboat ride in the backwaters (Houseboat Overnight Stay from 8000 INR (122.35 USD))


Ranked as one of the ‘Top 50 Destinations of a Lifetime’ by National Geographic Traveler, the Kumarakom backwaters are surrounded by lush golden bowls of rice paddy fields and deep green branches of palm trees, along with picturesque fishing villages, lining the canal banks.

Cruising on a Kumarakom Houseboat is an exotic feeling that is romantic and thrilling and will not easily fade from your memory. It is one of the best ways to enjoy a close-up view of Gods Own Country and its panoramic backwater stretches. Travelers get a chance to explore some of the very few areas of the world where farming is done below sea level when the cruise proceeds towards the famous C and R Block. During the month of July, in the morning, you might get a chance to witness trials and practicing for snake boat races, at close range from your boat deck.

August to September is the best time to explore the calm beauty of Kumarakom. At this time Onam, the National Festival of Kerala, is celebrated. During this time, the locals busily welcome and feast for the demon king Mahabali, who is believed to bring prosperity and joy amongst the people.

Houseboat Ride in the Backwaters

Address: Backwater Retreat House Boats (see map) Near Kavanatinkara, Kumarakom, 686563 Kumarakom

Price: Houseboat Overnight Stay from 8000 INR (122.35 USD)

A. Houseboat cruising for 2 hours through the lake 2500 INR (38.24 USD): Covering Kavanattinkara, Pathiramanal Island, Coconut Lagoon, Taj Garden Retreat, Birds Sanctuary, Fish Sanctuary, 11amKumarakom Lakeside Resort etc.

B. Houseboat Cruising 5 hours 6000 INR (91.77 USD): Through R Block, C Block, canals, Kumarakom Backwaters and Alleppey Backwaters

C. Full-day Houseboat Cruise 6 hours 7500 INR (114.71 USD): Lunch and evening tea/snacks provided with extra charge for 350 INR (5.35 USD) per person

Opening Hours: 10 am daily

Duration: as per program above

Access: Kumarakom Lakeside Resort, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala, India Pin:686563

Contact: +91 481 2524234, 2523282

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2. Pathiramanal

Must see places #1 Pathiramanal - "Sands Of Midnight" A beautiful island nestled at the Vembanad lake at kumarakom.

Posted by Aqualillies Kumarakom Homestay on Wednesday, 28 January 2015

Pathiramanal, implying ‘Sands of night’ is a haven for migratory birds and a hangout zone for the locals. With a zoo and an aquarium on the island, there is ample scope for the entertainment of children. You can enjoy a boat ride on this beautiful island. The cool breeze and the golden sand will give you a glimpse of God’s own country. According to mythology, a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for the land to rise from below.

A perfect place to relax and rejuvenate, on Pathiramanal Island, you will have an experience of a different world altogether. It takes 40 minutes to reach the island from Alappuzha and 30 minutes from Kumarakom. Better take a speedboat, as it is faster. The ideal time to visit is in the morning or the late evening hours, when the sun isn’t too hot.

Pathiramanal Island

Address: Pathiramanal Island, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala, 686563, India

Price: Free

Opening Hours: 9 am - 8 pm, daily

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Access: Pathiramanal is accessible only by boat. You can reach there in 1.5 hours by regular motor boat or 30 minutes by speed boat from Alappuzha. The nearest railway station is in Alappuzha, around 16 km (10 miles) and the closest airport is Cochin international Airport, about 85 km (53 miles) north of Alappuzha

Contact: +91-471-2321132

Nearby Food: Local resturants and cafeterias available

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3. Feel refreshed with the Ayurvedic aromas at the Maya Spa (from USD 103)

Ayurveda defines health as the purity of the body, mind and soul and means ‘life-knowledge’ in Sanskrit. Ayurvedic therapies rose from Vedic traditions in the Indian subcontinent. With a plethora of Ayurvedic massages, the Maya Spa at The Zuri Kumarakom Resort & Spa in Kerala is, quite possibly, the most peaceful rejuvenation destination.

Be it for medical reasons or pure wellness, you have the option to choose from over 10 traditional and authentic therapies. As a prestigious winner of Green Leaf certification for its authenticity and excellence, the spa offers expertise and professional service in the Ayurvedic traditions of Padabhyanga, Ksheeradhara, Shirodhara, face massage, Patra Potala Swedam, Njavarakizhi, and Udwarthanam.

Tip: The Maya Spa is quite popular so a prior reservation is a must.

Feel refreshed at the Maya Spa

Address: Maya Spa at The Zuri Hotel

Price: From 2000 INR (30.59 USD)

Contact: +91 481 252 7272

Book Now

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Zuri Hotel

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: Benigno Aquino Avenue
1.79 km (1.2 mi) from Jaro Plaza

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Fitness centre Non-smoking rooms

4. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary


The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is nestled along Lake Vembanad and is home to over 180 species of birds. Protected by a thick cluster of mangroves, the bird sanctuary will greet you with its local waterfowl, such as the heron darter, cormorant, egret, duck, moorhen, cuckoo, owl, Brahminy kite, and the migratory Siberian cranes. You can also find teals, larks, parrots and flycatchers in this 14 acre (5.7 hectare) sanctuary. If you visit the bird sanctuary during the month of November, you can easily spot some migratory birds which you wouldn’t otherwise witness.

A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary.

Tips: If you take the 1.5 km (.9 mile) walking trail, you are likely to spot darters, storks, teals heron, and common egrets. A boat ride will bring you closer to waders like waterfowl and ducks, and fliers like larks, flycatchers, and parrots. From November to February, the sanctuary turns into a transit lounge for migratory birds.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Address: Kavanattinkara Saktheeswaram Temple Road, Kavanattinkara, Kumarakom, Kerala 686563, India

Price: 50 INR (0.76 USD) per person

Opening Hours: 6 am - 5 am, daily

Duration: around 3 hours required

Access: The bird sanctuary is 5 km (3.1 miles) from Kottayam city and about 15 km (9.3 miles) from Kottayam junction, along the shores of the beautiful Lake Vembanad.

Contact: +91-481-2525864

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5. Enjoy Keralan cuisine at the Granary, Cocobay, and Baker’s Gourmet

Sadhya DSW
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Augustus Binu used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Cocobay Resort: Experience the special taste of Kerala in this restaurant, with some of their mouth watering dishes, together with sweetened coconut milk. They also have an open-air restaurant that serves international cuisine

Granary Restaurant: This popular restaurant in the Abad hotel serves grilled fish wrapped in banana leaf, palatable appam, Karimeen Pollichathu, and many more Keralan delicacies - a very reasonably priced restaurant in a scenic location.

Baker’s Gourmet: Many varieties of mouth watering cookies, bread, buns, hot dogs, chocolates, cakes, Indian sweets and many others.

There are other restaurants in the area, as well, like Lakshmi Restaurant and Lakesong Restaurant.

Enjoy Keralan cuisine in Kumarakom

Address: Kumarakom North, Near Taj Vivanta Kottayam,, Chakrampady, Kumarakom, Kerala 686563, India

Price: From 100 INR (1.53 USD)

Access: This relaxed waterfront resort is 2.1 km (1.3 miles) from the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and 15 km (9.3 miles) from the Thirunakkara Sree Mahadevar Hindu temple.

Contact: +91- 423 - 2443904, 2443580-82 & 2440978-83, e-mail: reservations@cocobayresort.net

Book Now

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6. Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls


The picturesque Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls are surrounded by rubber plantations and located 2 km (1.2 miles) from Kumarakom and 18 km (11 miles) from Kottayam town. You can listen to the music of the streams as they make their way through the landscape and the waters roar as they cascade down the mountains from a height of 30 meters (100 feet).

Enjoy the natural splendor of the place as the sun sets and the sound of the water soothes your senses. A perfect picnic spot, Aruvikkuzhi is a must visit if you are in Kumarakom.

Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls

Address: Near Pallickathode, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala 686563, India

Price: Free

Opening Hours: 6 am - 10 pm daily.

Duration: around 3 hours required.

Access: 18 km (11 miles) from the main town, the waterfalls are reached by a narrow path. You can hire a cab to reach them.

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How to reach Kumarakom?

By Air: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport and is located 85 km (53 miles) from Kumarakom. Cochin is well connected to domestic and international destinations.

By Rail: The nearest railway station, Kottayam is 16 km (10 miles) from Kumarakom.

By Bus: Buses of KSRTC (Kerala State Run Transport Corporation) run between Kumarakom and Kottayam. Just 16 km (10 miles) from Kumarakom, Kottayam is well connected to other cities of south India, by bus.

By Boat/Ferry: State-run boats and private ferries run across Vembanad Lake and are available from Muhamma, a small town located near Alleppey.

A jewel in the crown

Best time to visit Kumarakom: November - February is the best time to visit Kumarakom. The temperatures are moderate and the climate is ideal for sightseeing, houseboat rides, and to enjoy the scenic beauty of the region.

Kumarakom is the crown jewel of Keralan tourism, with its captivating backwaters, waterfalls, bird sanctuary, famed Keralan cuisine and much more. It will surely leave you with cherished memories.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Journalist and a freelance writer based in India, traveling for K.Venkateshwar.Rao means exploring the world in search of arts and culture, interesting people, great food, and hidden gems. He has...Read more

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