KUMARAKOM

Kumarakom

Kumarakom in Kottayam is the most sought after backwater destination in Kerala. It has seen a boom in recent years with a large number of hotels and holiday retreats being set up there. Kumarakom is 15 km west of Kottayam District. Kumarakom is a bevy of islets on Vembanad Lake. The lush green area has wide expanses of mangrove forest that is home to many species of birds. There is a specially marked small bird sanctuary here that is about 14 acres. Many species of birds of passage visit here every year. It is also a well-known roosting place for Siberian cranes that flock here in hundreds.

Albert George Baker pioneered reclamation and cultivation of the land in the nineteenth century. The bungalow, belonging to the Baker family, has been transformed into a luxury hotel while preserving its traditional design. The network of waterways intersecting the coconut groves adds to the beauty of the landscape. These waterways and the surrounding areas can be explored in canoes. Kumarakom boat race on the Vembanad Lake, held during the August- September season, attracts a large number of visitors.

Best Season: An exciting time to visit is between August and September during the seasonal water carnivals, which involve the traditional snake boat races of Kerala.

Transport Terminals: Kottayam is 15 kms from Kumarakom and both State highway and National Highway connects it with the rest of the country.
How to Reach: Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam, about 15 km away.
Nearest Airport: Cochin International, 76 km from Kottayam.

aleppy backwaters

Backwater, Alleppey

With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty.

Referred to as the Venice of the East by travelers from across the world, this backwater country is also home ot diverse animal and bird life.

By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala.

Today, Alappauzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year.

Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad.

Kuttanad:

Kuttanad, known as the rice bowl of Kerala because of her wealth of paddy crops, is the very heart of the backwater. The scenic countryside here is a rich crop of bananas, yams and cassava.

This one of the places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Inland waterways which flow above land level is an amazing feature of this unique land.

Pathiramanal

(1 ½ hours by motor boat/30 min. by speed boat from alappuzha): According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the Vemabanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the water made way for land to rise from below, thus creating the enchanting island of Pathiramanal (sands of midnight).

This little island on the backwater is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different part of the world. The island lies between Thaneermukkom and Kumarakom, and is accessible only by boat.