What Are The Unique Things To Do In Kumarakom? What Is Famous Of Kumarakom? (With Sightseeing Itinerary)
Kumarakom has been recently in the news for how it has taken its cultural tourism scene one step ahead. Home to the annual Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race, Kumarakom now has snake boat races for tourists throughout the year.
Two new snake boats have been added to the Kumarokom fleet, and the inauguration of these boats was held on 10th September 2025 in Cheepungal. So, you don’t need to wait for the Onam season to experience this rich tradition of Kerala.
However, Ayurvedic treatments, Kettuvallams, or houseboats floating in the Kerala backwaters are also very much a part of the tradition and culture of Kumarokom. Furthermore, as a biodiversity hotspot, it is home to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, spanning over 14 acres.
So, with added attractions, your trip to Kumarakom will now be full of culturally immersive experiences, historical explorations, and adventure. My days in Kumarakom have been so fulfilling that I have now started penning this Dream and Travel Guide.
In fact, I had prepared the draft at least a month back. But this time, my experience is finding the right words.
Where Is Kumarakom?
Kumarakom is a small village in the Kottayam district of Kerala. It is located on the eastern banks of the Vembanad Lake, just 14 km west of Kottayam, which was the first town to be selected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, for transformation into an eco-city.
Kumarakom is also part of the Kuttanad region, which is known as the “Rice Bowl of Kerala” and the “Wonder Land.” Kumarakom is below sea level, and it has many islands.
Also, among the 5166 Ha area of Kumarakom, 2413 Ha are occupied by the lakes, and the paddy fields here stretch over 1500 Ha. Moreover, it has only 1253 Ha of dry land.
Why Is Kumarakom Important?
Kumarakom is important as it is the heart of scenic Kerala. In Kumarakom, I felt like I was in a different world with vast mangrove forests, canals, and waterways. The white lilies in the water are so pure!
Furthermore, the green paddy fields add the perfect touch of color to this wonderland. Of course, it has the famous Kerala houseboats and snakeboats.
However, for me, Kumarokom is important for how it blends traditional and old-world ways of living and wellness with modern comforts and amenities. Today, there are many modern resorts in Kumarokom, where you can have Ayurvedic massages, practice yoga, and have the most advanced living facilities.
The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (K.T.D.C.) has developed KTDC Waterscapes resort in Kumarokom for the best backwaters experience. It now has AC cottages and a floating restaurant. You will also have boating facilities here.
Moreover, in the 19th century, Henry Baker received 104 acres of land in Kumarakom from the then king of Travancore. In love with the scenic beauty here, he built a bungalow.
The bungalow still retains its old architecture and was previously operated as a hotel called Taj Garden Retreat under the Taj Group of Hotels.
Now, the hotel is permanently closed, and you can visit the nearby Taj Kumarakom Resort & Spa instead.
October to March is the best time to visit Kerala. Kumarakom is not an exception. So, you can plan a trip in these months.
What Are The Things To Do In Kumarakom?
The things to do in Kumarokom will depend on the kind of experience you want. For me, the focus was on enjoying the tranquil nature, the Ayurvedic massage, and the local cultural experiences.
I also did not want to miss birdwatching. So, for me, these were the best things to do in Kumarakom.
1. Taking An Ayurvedic Massage
I tried a Shirodhara massage at Kumarakom. I needed that as a person who is always busy with her laptop. The therapy also covers the back.
Panchkarma is another popular Ayurvedic massage therapy in Kumarakom, relieving the body and mind.
2. Watching Sunset Over The Famous Vembanad Lake
You know, when you visit a place, some moments make you fall in love. When I visited Kumarakom, for me, it was watching the sunset over the Vembanad Lake.
I took many photos, but I don’t think they can fully portray the magic I saw and experienced.
3. Staying In A Houseboat In The Backwaters
My Kumarakom experience is all about my days in the houseboat. They have all the amenities, trust me! It has a kitchen, washrooms, a living area, and every basic amenity you need.
My houseboat also had a two-storied structure, and the bedrooms were on the second floor. If you are not even much of an explorer, you can spend the evening on the deck or the balcony gazing at the stars.
4. Birdwatching At Kumarokom Bird Sanctuary
Established by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary celebrates the biodiversity of Kumarakom. The Vembanad Lake, the longest lake in India, creates the perfect backdrop for the sanctuary.
On a guided birdwatching tour here, I could spot kingfishers, herons, and egrets. It is a seasonal refuge for the migratory birds between November and February.
I had to pay an entry fee of INR 100 and another INR 20 for parking. However, a mid-year review for the charges was about to happen. So, there might be variations in the fees now.
The sanctuary remains open from 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
5. Attending A Kathakali Performance
You cannot miss a live Kathakali performance when you are in Kumarakom or any other part of Kerala. So, I requested my guide to take me to a show in the evening.
I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the performance and even talked to the artists after the show. I am such a Golpobaaj, as they say in Bengali, meaning a person who loves stories, that we became friends for the evening, and they invited me to have dinner with them.
So, I listened to their stories carefully and heard how they are committed to the art form even today. I also learned how they wear the makeup for hours before going on stage.
6. Try Your Luck At Fishing
Catching a fish can be the best experience if you want to know about life in Kumarakom. Being from a state with rice and fish staples, I enjoyed every bit of it.
The best thing was that I did not need to manage any fancy equipment, and the cook of my houseboat also taught me how to cook the fish in Kerala style.
7. Kayaking And Canoeing
The rivers and inland channels of Kumarakom can be best explored by kayaking and canoeing. You will find coconut trees and palm trees making canopies as you explore through the inland channels.
I went kayaking early in the morning. You can also try it in the late evening.
8. A Visit To The Local Aymanam Village
I never miss these opportunities. From the Himalayas to the Kerala backwaters, my trip is never complete without my conversations with the locals. People here are well-versed in English. So, the language barrier will not be much of a problem.
I first heard about Aymanam from the famous novel, The God of Small Things, by Arundhuti Roy. The village gets its name from the Tamil words Ay and Vanam, meaning five forests.
Today, as one of the most important places to promote “Responsible Tourism,” Aymanam is also a part of the “Village Life Experience Tour Package” of Kerala Tourism.
I loved the bird-watching walks here and savored the local dishes rich in coconut. However, I was amazed to see the handicrafts made using coconut and palm tree parts. Furthermore, they have a unique and modern technique for climbing coconut trees.
9. Praying At St Mary’s Church, Kottayam
St Mary’s Church at Cheriyapally, Kottayam, was built in 1579. It is dedicated to Mother Mary and is well-preserved, featuring old paintings.
What attracted me the most about the church was its unique architecture. With its Dhawajastambh or the big pillar, it reminded me of some of the famous temples in Kerala.
So, it appeared that Kerala has been celebrating its culture of religious inclusivity even in its architectural forms for the longest time.
10. Exploring The Todi Shops In Kumarokom
My guide took me to a Shanti, or a local shop, where Palm Wine or Palm Toddy is served. It is sweet, and it made me a little tipsy.
You can also have a non-alcoholic version of the same, called Neera. I had the Todi just before returning to my houseboat.
11. Pray At The Thazhathangady Jama Masjid
I did not expect to come across a 1000-year-old mosque on the Meenachali River bank. It was near Kottayam and caught my eye with its traditional Kerala-style architecture. Unfortunately, I was unable to enter the mosque as it only allows men.
Still, I managed to hear the story about the church. Malik Dinar was the person who brought the Islamic religion to Kerala. Habib Dinar, his son, built this mosque.
12. A Day Trip To Maraikulam Beach
Maraikulam Beach or Marari Beach is located in the fishing village of Maraikulam. With white sands and coconut trees, it is an idyllic retreat less than 30 km away from Kumarakom.
Marari today has the most upscale fine dining restaurants. However, I chose to have interactions with the local fishermen and had lunch with them at a local eatery. I am happy that I made those choices.
13. A Trip To The Vagamon Hill Station
Vagamon, around 81 km away from Kumarakom, is one of the best hill stations in Kerala. It has mist-covered valleys and verdant hills. I also enjoyed kayaking in the Vagamon Lake here. If you want to be more adventurous, try paragliding and rock climbing here.
If you have time, you can also visit Munnar from Kumarakom, which is around 150 km or 5-journey away by road. Moreover, if you love the tea plantations of Darjeeling or Ooty, you will also adore magical Munnar.
Kumarakom Sightseeing Itinerary
Kumarakom is not a place where you need to rush to the best landmarks and follow a strict itinerary. Still, here, I have tried creating a sightseeing itinerary based on how I spent the five days at Kumarakom.
| A 5-Day Itinerary For Kumarakom | |
| Day 1 | Reaching Kumarakom, having breakfast. Visiting the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary in the late morning Fishing in the afternoon Watching the sunset at Vembanad Lake and taking a sunset canoe tour Spending the evening at the houseboat and trying authentic Kerala cuisine |
| Day 2 | Cruising through the lakes and canals on the houseboat Canoeing and fishing from late morning to afternoon Crusing near a village and having the famous Palm Todi Cooking the freshly-caught fish and having lunch with the houseboat member Attending a Kathakali dance performance in the evening and having dinner with the dancers Returning to the houseboat and stargazing |
| Day 3 | Visiting the Aymanam village Exploring the St. Mary’s Church and Thazhathangady Juma Masjid Spending the evening indulging in Tapioca and fish curry or Karimeen Pollichathu and Palm Todi. |
| Day 4 | Starting the day with an Ayurvedic massage A day trip to Mararikulam Beach Return to Kumarakom and explore the local shops |
| Day 5 | A day trip to the Vagamon Hill Station Returning in the eveningHaving dinner and off to the Cochin International Airport to catch the return flight |
Where To Stay In Kumarokom?
Waterscapes, a premium backwater resort inside the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and on the shore of the Vembanad Lake, is the best place to stay in Kumarakom.
You can contact Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. at 18004250123 / 9400008585 for reservations.
However, I stayed in a houseboat because I wanted the most authentic experience. Yes, it’s pricey, considering the charges per day will be around INR 10000-15000. However, it was a long-cherished dream come true, and it was worth it.
Which Is Better? Alleppey Or Kumarakom?
I have not been to Alleppey. So, I won’t be able to share a fair idea of which one is better. However, my research says that Alleppey, or the Venice of the East, is more touristy. It has a wider network of canals and a more vibrant backwater scene.
Kumarakom, as I explained, is a more tranquil retreat and is ideal for people like me who believe in slow and immersive tourism.
Additionally, Kumarakom is more of an eco-luxury hotspot, and due to the exclusive experience it offers and the international attention it received after The God of Small Things was published, Kumarakom is significantly pricier than Alleppey.
Is It Worth Visiting Kumarakom?
Yes, with backwaters, exclusive houseboat experiences, and the Aymanam Village, Kumarakom is an amazing place. Having the Palm Todi, birdwatching, catching fish, and cooking them make the days here all the more fulfilling. I am a big-time foodie!
Moreover, I never expected to come across churches or mosques that would be from a different century and tell the tales of the cultural inclusivity of the state. Kuniyuka, Kumarakom!
Unique Things To Do In Kumarokom: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about things to do in Kumarakom.
The name Kumarakom is a mix of two Malayalam words, Kuminja and Akam. Kuminja means small, and Akam means land. So, together, it means a small land.
Kumarakom, indeed, is an accumulation of small islands. These islands are formed by the sedimentation of mud and other materials due to natural and man-made processes.
Grass mats, wooden crafts, and handicrafts made with coconut and palm leaves are the best things to shop for in Kumarakom.
I collected some souvenirs from the Kumarakom Craft Museum.
Banana boat rides, kayaking, and speed boating on the Vembanad Lake are some of the best adventure activities in Vembanad.
Also, Vegamon, the nearby hill station, is ideal for activities such as paragliding, trekking, and rock climbing.
The Cochin International Airport (COK) is the closest airport to Kumarokom, and the distance of around 75 km can be covered in 2 hours by road.
Furthermore, Kottayam Railway Station is just 17 km away from Kumarakom, and you can take a cab or car from the railway station to reach Kumarakom in 30 minutes.
Kumarakom is also a popular destination for road trips from nearby locations, such as Munnar and Kochi.
Kadala Curry and Puttu are a staple combination in Kumarakom. However, I enjoy the fish and seafood here the most.
All the dishes are flavorful as they are cooked with locally grown spices. However, the presence of coconut and coconut milk in the dishes makes them well-balanced and creamy.
