Most believe that the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and backwaters are the only best places to visit in Kumarakom. They can’t be further from the truth! There are several alluring tourist attractions in Kumarakom worthy of your visit. From shimmering lakes to islands, ancient shrines, waterfalls, museums, and even a secluded beach, there are plenty of scenic and tranquil spots for you to explore in Kumarakom.
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.
The village of Kumarakom is a peaceful, green, and quiet region with numerous coconut palms and shallow waterways. It is located at a distance of 15 km from Kottayam town in Kerala.
A perfect blend of Kerala’s natural beauty, rich culture, and warm denizens, these mesmerizing tourist places in Kumarakom would spoil you for choice!
List of the best places to visit in Kumarakom
Based on your taste and preferences, you can pick from our list of Kumarakom tourist places to include in your Kumarakom tour itinerary.
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1. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
As the name suggests, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a birdwatcher’s paradise and one of the best tourist places in Kumarakom. It lies in proximity to the scenic backwaters of Kumarakom.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary stretches over an area of 14 acres and is located on the eastern side of Vembanad backwaters. The rare and fascinating Siberian Storks frequent this place in large numbers during the winter season before heading home to the north.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary also has other varieties of bird species, both endemic and migratory, that make this marshy terrain its home in the winter. Some of these include ducks, owls, egrets, darters, herons, Painted Storks, cuckoos, kingfishers, and woodpeckers.
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2. Kumarakom Backwaters
The backwaters of Kerala are one of the most sought-after destinations for sightseeing in Kumarakom. Houseboat cruises on Kumarakom backwaters are a unique experience that leaves visitors thrilled and overjoyed!
The tranquility of the backwaters and the freshness of its surrounding greenery leave an everlasting 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 on shikaras and canoes.
Kumarakom backwaters are home to rich marine life as well as several local restaurants and toddy shops which are well-known for serving authentic Keralan fare.
Items like the Karimeen Pollichathu (pearl spotted fish), Idiyappam, Lentil Stew, Malabar Parotta, Sadya, and the Konju (tiger prawns) are served across all Kumarakom restaurants and houseboat cruises.
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3. Vembanad Lake
The convergence point of ten rivers, Vembanad Lake is the glory of the city and undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Kumarakom.
Vembanad Lake offers an enchanting experience to tourists. The lake is the best place for a houseboat cruise, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and even coracle riding on rare occasions.
While the water gives the place a cooling effect, the surrounding trees and shrubs provide a respite to parched eyes under the blazing sun. if you choose to cruise Vembanad Lake during September-October, you’ll delighted to find the waters covered with radiant pink water lilies!
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.
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4. Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls
Aruvikkuzhi Falls is an utterly serene space located a little outside Kumarakom and about 18 km from Kottayam town. Cascading from a massive height of 100 feet into a refreshingly blue pool below, this waterfall is an absolute delight to witness!
Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls falls in five steps and is a great spot for photography enthusiasts and videographers.
The impressive waterfall is one of the best places to visit in Kumarakom, especially during monsoons when it flows in full force and covers the surrounding greenery with refreshing dew.
There is also a church nearby called St. Mary’s Church which is located at the topmost point of the Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls.
The waterfall is located between rubber plantations and shimmering streams, making the place one of the most scenic waterfalls in this area.
5. Pathiramanal Island
Heaven for thousands of migratory birds as well as travelers looking for a blissful stay, Pathiramanal is a beautiful island tucked in the middle of Kumarakom’s emerald-green backwaters and lush coconut groves.
Pathiramanal, which translates to ‘sands of the night’, is a small island that is easily accessible via a 3–minute speedboat ride across Vembanad Lake.
The journey to reach the island is an exhilarating one. Both sides of the lake have breathtaking views of lush greenery, an occasional thatched hut, and gently swaying palm trees – a visual that is sure to get etched in your mind forever!
The island is home to several rare varieties of birds, many of which flock here in the winter months of December and January. You can spot species like Pintail Ducks, herons, cormorants, darters, egrets, Painted Storks, kingfishers, and many more if you visit in the winter season.
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6. Juma Masjid
Juma Masjid in Kumarakom is a 1000-year-old mosque that is considered to be among the oldest mosques in the country.
Also called Thazhathangady Mosque, this holy sanctum has a magnificent architecture with exquisite wood carvings in the inner courtyard, windows, and the bathing area.
Famous for its mystical history and calm surroundings, Juma Masjid is one of the best places to visit in Kumarakom for pilgrims as well as lovers of history and architecture.
The mosque was built by Habib Dinar who is the son of Maliq Dinar, the man who is believed to have introduced Islam in Kerala.
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7. Bay Island Driftwood Museum
Bay Island Driftwood Museum houses unique items made of driftwood including twisted trunks of trees, roots, and stumps that were deposited on the shores of Andaman and Nicobar.
It is one of the most frequented tourist places in Kumarakom for its interesting articles on display and ancient architecture. One of the most interesting aspects of the museum is its sculptures made with modern art techniques to resemble animals, fish, and birds.
Another intriguing trivia about this museum is that most of the driftwood articles displayed here are the ancient trees that had washed up on shore because of the infamous tsunami of 2004!
8. Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple is an ancient shrine dating back to the 16th century.
It is said to have been built by the erstwhile king of Thekkumkoor and is home to several unique sculptures of deities and Gods, most of which are centuries old!
It is considered to be one of the 108 prestigious Shivalayas in Kerala and is adorned with breathtaking murals depicting ancient tales of Lord Shiva and Dashavathara.
Try and visit this temple during its annual festival of Phalguna Utsavam in March-April when this holy sanctum is lit up with a thousand diyas and is brimming with energy, colors, music, and festivities!
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9. Kumarakom Beach
While Kumarakom is known primarily for its backwaters, it also possesses a pristine and secluded beach that it keeps hidden from the eyes of the world!
Kumarakom Beach is among the most relaxed places to visit in Kumarakom with clean water and golden sands fit for a fun family picnic or a romantic stroll with your partner!
One can also enjoy various watersports at the beach like swimming, water polo, snorkeling, beach volleyball, jet skiing, boating, and more.
Ayurveda massages are also offered on the beach by some expert masseurs at rock-bottom rates. Don’t forget to check out the hip shacks lining the beach where you can gorge on fresh seafood and sip cocktails.
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Take a break from the cacophony of the cities by escaping to these Instagram-worthy places to visit in Kumarakom, Kerala! Basking in the blissful glory of scenic backwaters on a lavish houseboat, fishing and canoeing in the open waters, and visiting ancient churches, temples, and villages along the shores on your Kumarakom tour will surely be an enriching experience for you!
