Kumarakom travel guide: Everything from unmissable spots to wellness options

For those who have only seen photos of Kumarakom, it might seem like just another beautiful Kerala village, with swaying coconut trees, paddy fields and backwaters. However, to understand its soul and draw on its serene spirit, one must visit Kumarakom with intent and awareness. While Kumarakom exudes abundant natural charm, it doesn’t advertise much of what it offers. Here, Onmanorama brings you everything you need to know about its best spots, hidden gems, food joints, museums, backwater exploration routes, yoga centres and more.

Kumarakom is home to a renowned bird sanctuary.
It's best visited between April and June's mornings.
The sanctuary is open for visitors from 6 am to 5 pm.
Kumarakom welcomes 180-plus types of birds.
More than 90 of them are migratory birds.
The local birds are year-round wetland species.
A few of them are the Grey-Headed Swamphen, Indian Pond Heron, Purple Heron, Black Drongo, Indian Cormorant, Lesser Whistling Duck, Asian Openbill Stork, Little Cormorant, Bronze Winged Jacana, Cattle Egret, Blue-Tailed Bea Eaters and Kingfishers.

Kumarakom has many rustic villages connected by waterways, such as Manchira, Aimanam, and Cheepunkal.
Tourists can experience Kumarakom's local life, culture, and cuisine here.
Kerala's Responsible Tourism initiative also offers a village tour with multiple attractions, including shikara boat rides, coir-making, rice pounding, birdwatching, coconut tree climbing, visits to Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy’s native village.
Those interested can also pair it with an ethnic food tasting. Book the tour via the website or through tourism desk (+91-96339-92977).

Tourists can experience Kumarakom’s water-bound life, lined with traditional homes, country boats and fishermen, while navigating its canals and lakes.
The Kavanattinkara–Thollayiram route, the Kumarakom Boat Jetty–Kottathodu route, and the Cheepunkal–Maniyaparambu–Mannanam route are among the most scenic.
The best part is that while private boats can be hired for individuals or groups, there are also government boats that ply in the routes at very affordable rates.
For instance, the 45-minute boat ride from Kumarakom Boat Jetty to Muhamma costs around Rs 20, while the 30-minute ride from Cheepunkal to Maniyaparambil costs just Rs 9, on government-run boats.

Hidden gems
1. Manjadikari
A haven for ornithologists tracking migratory birds, waterfowl, and other species, this village also offers much to photography enthusiasts. Sign up for village walks through serene lakes and paddy fields, and stay on for a glowing sunset.

2. Kannadichal
True to its name, this village is criss-crossed by narrow canals with mirror-like waters. Want to see fishing, coir-making, duck rearing and more up close? Kannadichal is where you should head. The best way to explore it is on a shikara boat.

3. Narakathara
This beautiful, tranquil village, free of crowds, showcases Kuttanad-style farming and abundant birdlife, including kingfishers, darters, herons and egrets. Nature lovers shouldn’t miss its refreshing appeal.

Other places to visit near Kumarakom
Within a 10 km radius, Kumarakom also offers several internationally renowned and emerging scenic spots. Here they are:
1. Malarikkal
Just about 5 km from Kumarakom, this pink waterlily haven comes alive between July and October. While it is beautiful year-round, it is best known for the season when its photogenic waterlilies bloom. Tourists can take canoe rides at nominal rates through these waterlily farms, enjoying the flowers, numerous birds, sunrise and sunset views, and other seasonal blooms amid the lilies. They look their best in the early mornings.

2. R Block, C Block fields
In endless green and golden hues, these expansive paddy fields offer a slice of Kerala’s Kuttanad-style farming. Walk quietly along the bunds, soak in the village air, strike up a quick chat with local farmers, and enjoy a rich cultural experience. Don’t forget your camera.

3. Aimanam
Outside Kerala, Aimanam is best known through Arundhati Roy’s Booker Prize-winning novel ‘The God of Small Things’ and her latest book ‘Mother Mary Comes to Me’. While tourists cannot access the private properties mentioned in the book, Aimanam still draws visitors with its beautiful stretches of Vembanad Lake and the Meenachil River, farming units, fishermen, traditional crafts and more. You can also see a handful of traditional Kerala houses, or tharavadus, here. Thanneermukkam Bund and Ezhumanthuruthu are also worth considering.

Other top attractions

Kumarakom boat race season
The Kumarakom–Kainakary–Punnamada stretch is renowned for boat races on local streams and Vembanad Lake from July onwards. The Sri Narayana Guru Jayanthi Boat Race on the 'Kottathod' stream, held around August, is quite popular among tourists. The race, which features small boats, is loved for its water pageantry or 'jalaghoshayatra,' complete with floats and colourful cultural shows. Meanwhile, the Thazhathangady boat race, held on the Meenachil River during the Onam season (August), features big snake boats or chundan vallams. Punnamada Lake, which hosts Kerala’s biggest annual boat race—the ‘Nehru Trophy Boat Race’—is about 34 km from Kumarakom and is usually held in the last week of August.

Ayurvedic massages
Resorts in Kumarakom, including KTDC-run properties, offer credible in-house Ayurvedic services. Authorities discourage responding to random roadside advertisements promising massages. For verified references, contact KTDC at +91-94400-008621.

Fishing at Kumarakom
Fishing experiences are part of both village tour segments and ethnic food services under the aegis of KTDC.
Contact: +91-96339-92977.

‘Duck parades’
To watch ducks parading in fields, visit between November and January. Book a village or agriculture tourism in Cheepunkal or Kaipuzhamuttu. Contact: +91-96339-92977 or the DTPC Tourism Office in Kavanattinkara, Kumarakom.

Shopping spots
For handicrafts:
a) Woodcastle, Kavanattinkara
b) Local stores

For clothes:
a) Local stores at Kumarakom market junction
b) Larger stores in nearby Kottayam town

Heritage walks
Curated walks at Thazhathangadi and Malarikkal include half-day tours covering temples, traditional houses, old mosques and churches, and other unique attractions.
Contact: +91-96339-92977.

Photoshoot spot options
a) Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
b) Nalupanku Boat Terminal
c) Cheepunkal
d) Malarikkal (during season)
Note: These are not arranged by Kerala Tourism, but interested visitors can seek directions and tips from the Responsible Tourism desk. Contact: +91-96339-92977.

Where to party?
Many resorts have party spaces. Other options include:
a) Kumarakom Park Resort Hotel, Chakprampadi
b) Lakshmi Bar, Kavanattinkara
c) Green Field, Kaipuzhamuttu
Where to jog in Kumarakom
a) Kavanattinkara–Manchira–Thollayiram–Parippu–Aimanam route
Tourists can enjoy a safe, scenic 10 km jog along this main road.

Places of worship
a) Churches
St. Mary’s Knanaya Syrian Church, Thazhathangady (locally known as ‘valiya palli’)
St. Mary’s Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (locally known as ‘cheriya palli’)
Note: Both are among the oldest churches in the region, built in the 1500s.

b) Temples
Sakteeswaram Temple, Virippukala
Sreekumaramangalam Temple, Kumarakom

c) Mosques
The historical Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid
The mosque, one of the oldest in India, is about a 1,000 years old.

Nearby hospitals
a)Government Community Health Centre, Kumarakom
b)SH Medical Centre near Kumarakom Boat Jetty
c)Kottayam Medical College, Gandhinagar

Kumarakom's museums
a)Travancore Heritage Museum, Kavanattinkara
A storehouse of traditional Kerala arts, crafts, woodwork, decorative items, sacred masks, historical records and more
Entry ticket: Rs 75
b) Bay Island Driftwood Museum, Chakrampady
A unique museum showcasing driftwood art collected by a schoolteacher from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Entry ticket: Rs 100
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays
11.30 am to 5 pm on Sundays
Monday holiday