The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad lake and Kumarakom backwaters is a well known tourist spot in Kerala. Kumarakom Village is a peaceful , green and quiet region with numerous coconut palms and shallow waterways and is located at a distance of 15 kilometers from Kottayam town. The most famous tourist attractions and places to visit in Kumarakom are the Bird Sanctuary and backwaters. The place is just the perfect choice for a traveler to enjoy the beauty of nature and you can enjoy the Kumarakom sightseeing while relaxing amidst tranquil backwaters if you choose to visit the best places to visit in Kumarakom.

List of Best Places to Visit in Kumarakom

1. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Kumarakom bird sanctuary stretches over an area of 14 acre land and is located on the eastern side of Vembanad backwaters.Siberian storks are among the migratory birds in Kumarakom bird sanctuary and it has a large variety of birds of different species like water duck, owl, egret, cuckoo, kingfishers and woodpeckers.

2. Kumarakom Backwaters

Kumarakom backwater cruises are a unique experience, which would leave a person thrilled and overjoyed. The tranquility of the waters and the freshness of the greenery around would give a lasting impression in the minds of the visitors. The place offers a variety of backwater tourist attractions including houseboat cruises, fishing, snake boat races and backwater tours .Vembanad lake is home to rich marine life and some of the famous food items in Kerala like the Karimeen (pearl spotted fish)and the Konju (tiger prawns) which can be enjoyed in a backwater cruise.

3. Vembanad lake

Vembanad Lake offers an enchanting experience to the tourists. The lake is the best picnic spot, where you can relax your mind and unwind.While the water gives the place a cooling effect, trees and shrubs act as a respite to the parched eyes. The lake is an excellent family-picnic destination too. While seniors can laze around the lake reading a book or talking, youngsters can opt for fishing and boating.

4. Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls

Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls are not strictly in Kumarakom but is located 18 kilometres from Kottayam town and are an absolute delight to watch, as water falls from the height of 100 feet to the ground.Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls fall in five steps and it is a great location for photography enthusiasts. There is also a church called St. Mary’s Church, which is located at the top most point of Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls.This is located in between rubber plantations and the streams flowing down make the place one of the most scenic waterfalls in this area.

5. Pathiramanal – Sands of Night

Pathiramanal which translates to ‘Sands of Night’ is a small island that is easily reachable using the water route. The journey to reach the island is an exhilarating one.Both sides of the lake have breath-taking views of the scenery and the pastoral ambience that would remain etched in the mind of the tourists. The island is home to some rare varieties of migratory birds, serving as a bird watcher’s paradise.

6. Juma Masjid

Juma Masjid in Kumarakom is 1000 year old mosque called Thazhathangadi Mosque which is considered t be among the oldest mosques in the country. The mosque has a magnificent architecture with exquisite wood carvings in the inner courtyard, windows and the bathing area . The mosque was built by Habib Dinar who is the son of Maliq Dinar who have believed to have introduced Islam in Kerala.

7. Bay Island Driftwood Museum

Bay Island Driftwood Museum houses unique items made of driftwood which includes twisted trunks of the trees, roots and stumps were deposited on the shores of Andaman and Nicobar and is one of the Best Places to Visit in Kumarakom. Some of these sculptures which uses modern art techniques resemble animals, fish and birds. Some driftwood articles can be really ancient old as some of the trees that were washed on to the seashore during cyclones and tsunami.

Everything about Kumarakom from the fishermen who may be fishing in backwaters to houseboats lolling across backwaters to the kerala houseboat ment is picturesque. If you want to take a break from the cacophony of the cities, then tourist places in Kumarakom may be the right fit for you.

Kumarakom’s soil is extremely fertile due to the proximity of the water source, this has resulted in the growth of the mangrove and coconut trees. Basking in the blissful glory of sunlight, fishing, canoeing or sightseeing, whatever you chose to do in Kumarakom, everything will add to its appeal and attraction.