Kumarakom
Kumarakom is set on a cluster of islands on Vembanad Lake in Kuttanad region. One of the most popular backwater destinations, there is so much here to attract and occupy holiday makers. There is a vast array of accommodation to suit everyone, some hotels are truly magnificent and of course there is the happy option of a Kerala houseboat.
The 14-acre bird sanctuary is a bird watcher’s paradise due to its staggering number of native and migratory birds. Visitors can spot exotic species like the Siberian crane, kingfishers, egrets, and herons, especially during the migratory season from November to February. Early morning walks through the sanctuary offer a symphony of bird calls and the chance to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.
Many of the hotels have panoramic views of the backwaters, paddy fields and coconut groves, a rewarding place to spend some time. The luxury resorts here blend traditional Kerala architecture with modern comforts, featuring private villas with infinity pools overlooking the water. Waking up to the gentle sounds of the lake and watching the sunrise over the coconut palms is an experience unlike any other.
No visit to Kumarakom is complete without a houseboat cruise through the tranquil backwaters. These floating Kettuvallams, once used to transport rice, now offer leisurely journeys through a maze of canals and lagoons. Guests can watch villagers going about their daily lives—fishermen casting nets, women washing clothes by the water’s edge, and farmers working in the lush paddy fields that lie below sea level.
The culinary experiences in Kumarakom are equally memorable. Freshwater delicacies like karimeen (pearl spot fish) pollichathu and chemmeen (prawn) curry are must-tries, best enjoyed on a banana leaf with steaming appam or rice. Many resorts offer cooking demonstrations where guests can learn the secrets of authentic Kerala cuisine.
For those interested in local traditions, visits to nearby villages reveal age-old crafts like coir-making and toddy tapping. The annual Kumarakom Boat Race during Onam festival is a spectacular event, where long snake boats manned by hundreds of oarsmen race to the rhythm of traditional vanchipattu songs.
