Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake

Kumarakom lies on the shore of Vembanad Lake, Kerala’s largest freshwater lake, and consists of a cluster of small islands. This combination of lakeside setting and island character makes the place a distinctive travel destination: nature, boating and history offer different ways to explore it.

The lake and islands as a travel focus

Kumarakom has facilities for boating. Ask locally about current availability if you want to make this activity a firm part of your plans. This means the lake is not just a landscape feature, but is also associated with a specific leisure activity. The island character complements this waterside perspective; together, the shore, lake and small islands provide a clear framework for planning your trip. For a family trip, it may help to consider whether you are more interested in nature and water or in cultural history. Your answer can help you set priorities when searching for a holiday rental.

Bird Sanctuary: Nature and history

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is also known as the Vembanad Bird Sanctuary and is considered India’s first scientifically established and maintained bird sanctuary. Its origins date back to 1847, when Alfred George Baker began reclaiming wetlands near Vembanad Lake; the area was previously known as Baker’s Estate. Nature and history come together here in a specific place. The wetlands, the history of the Sanctuary’s establishment and its connection to the lake offer different ways to discover Kumarakom.

Art and religious history

In the broader destination of Kottayam, the village of Kumarakom is home to the Bay Island Driftwood Museum. It displays a unique collection of driftwood objects of high artistic value, as well as root sculptures in numerous shapes and designs. Religious history offers another perspective: in the early decades of the 19th century, Jacobites from Kumarakom attended churches in Kottayam and wanted to build a church in their own village. There are about eleven historically significant temples in and around Kumarakom; this approximate number includes places in and around Kumarakom. A religious landscape in the surrounding area and the history of a community therefore sit side by side.

Kottayam in a broader context

In the broader destination of Kottayam, numerous rivers and canals flow into Vembanad Lake, which has developed into a backwater tourism destination. In the wider Kottayam context, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary covers 14 acres; the sanctuary is home to 91 native bird species and 50 migratory species. These regional details complement the sanctuary’s history with information about its area and biodiversity. Houseboats and motorboats can be hired for birdwatching trips on Vembanad Lake in the broader destination of Kottayam.

The boating tradition of the wider destination includes traditional Kettuvallam cargo boats, which have been converted into cruise boats and houseboats with kitchens, toilets, bathrooms and seating areas. The Kumarakom Boat Race is also part of this regional picture. Around 50 types of boats take part on the Kavanar and Kottathodu rivers, including Veppu, Ody and Churulan boats, as well as some snake boats. The recurring festival takes place during the Onam period. It offers a different perspective on water and boats from the birdwatching trips on the lake: here, the focus is on festival traditions and the variety of boat types.

Discover more destinations: Kanjirappally, Anthinad, Vazhappally West, Manimala, Vaikom, Puthuppally, Thiruvarpu, Pala

Back to the broader travel overview: Kottayam.