KUMARAKOM

Kumarakom is a cluster of small islands on the Vembanad lake. The nearest airport Kochi is 110 kms away from where it is an 85 Km delightful ride by road to the Muhamma boat Jetty. The closest railway station is Kottayam 14 kms away. An option is to go to the place through the backwaters via Alleppey from Cochin or Quilon. The peak tourist season is from November to March.
History - In 1878, the marshy mangrove on the bank of the Vembanad Lake was got cleared and replaced by coconut plantations by George Alfred Baker of Essex who had arrived in India sixty years earlier to take up missionary work in Kottayam. The Englishman was so awestruck by the splendor of Kumarakom that he settled here and made Kumarakom his abode.
Enjoy - The place is a paradise for backwater lovers as it is surrounded by calm and serene backwaters, meandering lagoons, green paddy fields, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred vareities and streams. You could spend some moments in the spice and coconut plantations or cruise in the narrow backwater channels. The backwater houses a vareity of species of both fauna and flora. They are rich with marine life namely the exclusive 'Kumarakon Karimeen' (pearl spotted fish), Konju (tiger prawns), Nandu (crabs), Chemeen (prawns) and many more.
House Boats - House Boats (Kettuvallom) were traditionally used to cargo tones of goods across Kottayam, Kollam and Kochi, with a portion covered with bamboo and coir serving as a restroom and kitchen for the boatman. These vessels are built entirely without the use of nails. Planks of jack-wood are joined together with coir rope and coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance they last for generations. Kumarakom is one of the very few places in the world, where mode of transportation is through the water ways. Small canoes to very large 'Kettu Valloms' are used for transportation. One can find boats filled to capacity with families travelling to different destinations and also bigger boats carrying goods such as rice, coconut etc. Today, widely and appropriately called houseboats, they carry furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen and even a balcony for angling. Sections of the carved roof of wood or plaited palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. Most of these boats are poled by local oarsmen while some are powered by a 40 HP engine. Boat trains- formed by joining two or more houseboats together make a convenient mode of sightseeing when the company is large. Other activites include angling, cruising. The adventurous could indulge in water sports such as windsailing and waterskiing. Vembanad Lake - The Vembanad Lake is the largest backwater stretch in Kerala, where a network of rivers and canals empty into the great expanse of water. It is an enchanting picnic spot, provides boating, fishing and sight seeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets. It is incredible experience to cruise in the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala villages. The scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of breath-taking greens and deep blues. Boat rides, houseboat cruises and holiday packages are available for tourist and others at nominal rates.
Boat races - The serene lake comes alive during Onam, the harvest festival in August/September, with a spectacular water regatta-the snake boat races. Scores of long snake boats and other smaller crafts participate in these events. The boat races are preceded by colourful water parades. Usually a snake boat is manned by four helmsmen, 25 singers and 100 - 125 oarsmen who row in unison to the fast rhythm of the vanchipattu (song of the boatman). Thousands of people crowd the water's edge to cheer the huge black crafts as they slice through the waters to a spectacular finish.The oldest of these events have curious legends and myths attached to their origin.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary - This is a must-visit. It is located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake and spread across 14 acres. It is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal and also the native kingfishers, waterfowl, cuckoo, water duck etc. Pathiramanal (sands of mignight), an enchanting island on the lake, can be accessed only by boat from here. This 10 acre island on the backwaters is home to many varieties of birds. According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below. The green island thus forms an ideal place for a break in the journey while on a backwater cruise. Best time to bird watch is between June and August and to watch migratory birds between November to Febraury. Houseboats and motorboats are available on hire for bird watching cruises on the lake.