Kerala Tours : Backwaters of Kumarakom

Wedged between the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west, Kerala is a destination of a lifetime. Also referred to as “God’s Own Country”, Kerala truly justifies this title due to all the peerless attractions sprinkled across the state. With its geographical diversity, natural abundance and gracious hospitality, Kerala tours offer some of the most mesmerizing vacations in India with its palm-fringed beaches, scenic hill stations, wildlife excursions and fascinating backwater tours.

Backwaters form the backbone of Kerala tourism. Lying on the shores of Vemband Lake, Kumarakom is an enchanting backwater destination in Kerala renowned for its paddy fields, highlands and beaches. The Vemband Lake provides tourists an opportunity to explore the scattered charm of nature. The unruffled ambience and breathtaking views are the most alluring aspect of the backwater trip in Kumarakom.

The backwaters of Kumarakom are extremely rich in marine life and consist of spectacular lakes, channels, rivers, canals and lagoons. One of the major attractions in Kumarakom is the bird sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to various birds such as waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron, cormorant, moorhen, darter, Brahminy kite, duck, parrot, teal, lark and flycatcher among others. Migratory birds also arrive here during winters for wintering and breeding.

One of the major highlight of vacations in Kumarakom is the houseboat tours. There are a variety of houseboats available to cater to the varied needs of the tourists on tours to Kerala. Traditional rice barges known as Ketuvallams which are refurbished into luxury houseboats meander the Vembanad Lake cruising down on the backwaters. In fact, it is often said that a vacation in Kerala is incomplete without a backwater cruise in Ketuvallams. And Kumarakom is one of the best destinations in Kerala for backwater holidays.

Owing to its huge popularity and appeal among tourists, both international and domestic, Kumarakom is housed with an array of resorts and hotels offering world class accommodation to the guests. With emergence of Kerala as the global tourism hotspot, a wide range of hotels and resorts in Kumarakom have come up and offer custom-made services with a promise of non-compromising experience.

Hotels in Kumarakom are available to cater to the varied need and budget of tourists from around the world. From plush properties by global players in hospitality industry to homestays and hostels, guests here are never short of options. Some renowned resorts and hotels in Kumarakom are Zuri Kumarakom Resort, Kumarakom Lake Resort, Taj Garden Retreat, Coconut Lagoon and Waterscapes.

Kumarakom is best visited in November and the peak season last till March like in most destinations in Kerala. Tours in Kerala are often skipped during monsoons. With plethora of attractions, host of activities and the unparalleled romance of the backwaters cruise, Kumarakom is one of the major destinations when it come to Kerala tours. With plenty of sightseeing and leisure activities on offering in this pastoral retreat and an array of hotels and accommodation facilities, Kumarakom is definitely a place to be this season.