Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kumarakom page 1

connect , and watchers throughout the year, who come to districts. Then, the king of spot migratory birds in the Kumarakom Bird Kumarakom granted 500 acres here to one AG Baker, Sanctuary. Visitors will find shrubs, trees The awe-inspiring backwater town later to become Kumarakom’s local legend. and mangroves, the area being still In his watery acreage, Baker reclaimed land, unexploited and fertile, particularly lush of , is known for its lush filled the marsh, made embankments for during monsoons, when the overflows green surroundings, majestic fields, planted mangroves to protect the soil, into little canals to irrigate the soil. Fishing is backwaters and unexplored natural and grew paddy and coconut. He also a popular activity here, with an extensive beauty. This picturesque cluster of retained some protected area for birds. And variety of fish, especially the "Pearl Spot" small islands make for a calm, Famous For : City today the little village by the vast lake teems fish, which is a delicacy in and around serene holiday amidst the bounty with water and palms, birds and fish, boats Kumarakom. Come here for an exotic of nature. Come bird-watching for This historical island-town in and rice, sun and breeze. And, of course, holiday, rent a floating in the rare, exotic migratory birds, Lake is named after Kumaran, the deity of high-end tourism. most picturesque of surroundings and hire especially the Siberian Crane, that Kumarakom's oldest temple. In the a chef to cook up some local specialities. of "God's Own Country", flock to this beautiful land during the cluster of islands were developed by the different seasons. When To English farmer, Mr. Baker and his family, whose old 19th Century house has been restored and renovated into a resort by Taj This is one destination where the hotel you VISIT hotels.  stay in will be a very large part of your

holiday. Most of the Kumarakom resorts http://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-kumarakom-lp-1138422 make excellent use of the Vembanad or its canals, revel in Kerala heritage furnishings Jan and offer great Kerala Ayurvedic treatments. Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. It’s easy to see why National Geographic They also take you on activities like watching Max: 31.5°C Min: Rain: Traveller would call Kumarakom “one of the traditional boat-building, cycling around 23.10000038 32.2999992370605 1469727°C 5mm ten paradises on Earth”. The backwaters nearby plantations, visiting the bird fishing village is indeed a haven, and has sanctuary. Also, houseboat stays, boat rides Feb had its attractions advertised by some and sunset cruises are a must. Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. Max: Min: Rain: stunning top-end resorts by the side of Lake 31.79999923 24.10000038 24.2999992370605 Vembanad. The erstwhile Prime Minister AB 7060547°C 1469727°C 47mm Vajpayee did his bit by retreating here and Mar This Pdf and its contents are copyright © releasing his ‘musings’ to the nation. Till 2013,ixigo.com, all rights reserved. ixigo logo, the Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. character and all other marks displayed herein are registered and/or common law trademarks of around 1880, this area was a marshy tract, Max: Min: Rain: ixigo.com and/or third parties. 32.40000152 25.39999961 39.0999984741210 part of the huge Vembanad Lake A popular honeymoon destination, 5878906°C 8530273°C 94mm ecosystem, itself part of the backwaters that Kumarakom is also thronged by bird- Kumarakom Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kumarakom page 2

Apr Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, backwaters, perch yourself at the species of birds. If you visit the bird umbrella. Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, for a tete-a-tete sanctuary during the month of November, umbrella. Max: Min: Rain: 135.0mm 31.10000038 24.10000038 with nature. The Bird Sanctuary nestles you can easily spot some migratory birds Max: Min: Rain: 1469727°C 1469727°C 32.79999923 25.70000076 103.699996948242 cozily along Lake Vembanad and is also which you wouldn't otherwise witness. A 706055°C 2939453°C 19mm Dec sometimes referred to as Vembanad Bird walk in the woods amidst the melodious May Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen. Sanctuary. Here, you'll be greeted by the chattering of elegant sky creatures await Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, Max: 31.5°C Min: Rain: local waterfowl, egret, duck, moorhen, you at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Head umbrella. 23.10000038 40.4000015258789 1469727°C 06mm cuckoo, owl, Brahminy Kite, Heron Darter here for an insightful peek into the ways of Max: Min: Rain: 32.20000076 25.60000038 270.799987792968 and Cormorant and the migratory Siberian nature.  293945°C 1469727°C 75mm Cranes as well.  Jun What To Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, 2 Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall umbrella.

Max: Min: Rain: SEE 30.10000038 24.29999923 615.900024414062 5 Sights 1469727°C 7060547°C 5mm http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-kumarakom-lp- Jul 1138422 Protected by a thick cluster of mangroves, Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, the bird sanctuary spreads across 14 acres umbrella. 1 Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and is home to over 180 species of birds. It’s Max: Min: Rain: 29.29999923 23.70000076 516.099975585937 best to visit on foot by a 11/2-km-long 7060547°C 2939453°C 5mm walking track, where you are likely to spot Aug heron, darters, storks, teals and common Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, egrets. Or take a boat ride, which brings you umbrella. closer to waders like waterfowl and ducks, Max: 29.5°C Min: Rain: 330.5mm Near , Kumarakom, and some fliers like parrots, larks and 24.10000038 Kottayam, Kerala 686563, 1469727°C flycatchers. In Nov-Feb, the sanctuary turns Sep into a transit lounge for migratory birds. Surrounded by rubber plantations, Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,   Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls is one of the most umbrella. popular sightseeing spots in this lovely Max: 30.0°C Min: Rain: town. Reached by a narrow, sludge path, the 24.20000076 283.799987792968 2939453°C 75mm first sight of these cascading waterfalls is Kavanattinkara Saktheeswaram Oct breath taking. Falling from a height of 100 Temple Road, Kavanattinkara, Pleasant weather. Carry Light woollen, meters, the falls join numerous smaller Kumarakom, Kerala 686563, India umbrella. There are also Teals, Larks, Parrots, streams. A perfect picnic spot, you can head Max: Min: 24.0°C Rain: here for a lazy afternoon complete with a 30.39999961 422.100006103515 Flycatchers etc. Stroll through the 14 acres 8530273°C 6mm in the morning or evening hours for bird hearty picnic basket. Enjoy the natural splendour of the place as the sun sets and Nov As you sail across the glistening watching and say hello to some of the rarest Kumarakom Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kumarakom page 3

the sound of the water soothes your senses. clear water, and you'll be able to spot little A quick 16 km from Kumarakom at Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple built by A must visit if you are in Kumarakom. Karimeen (pearl spot fish). What are you Thazhathangady (Kottayam town) is the Raja of Thekkumkoor is a splendid site. Over waiting for? Hire a houseboat and set out Juma Masjid. It's been said the mosque has 500 years old, the temple still retains its 3 Vembanad Lake sailing on the Vembanad Lake to experience now been standing there for over a grandeur. nature at its best. You can either hire a thousand years, along the River . The interiors of the ancient temple are houseboat which are more on the luxurious The mosque has an intriguing historical adorned by murals which are episodes right side with fancy bedrooms and bathrooms or background. At one point, the cemetery of out of the epics. Although the main deity is get a boat which looks like a passenger boat the mosque was used for cremations. It has Lord Shiva, there are shrines dedicated to and has a deck. stunning interiors with gorgeous Lord Ganesha as well. Thirunakkara architecture and detailed wood carvings and Mahadeva Temple celebrates three festivals 4 Juma Masjid traces of some historical cobwebs spun here with much zeal and fervour. The ten day and there. The members of this Mosque long festival called ‘Aaraattu’ sees the also contributed greatly to the freedom temple in a completely different light. From struggle. It is interesting to note the dazzling Kathakali dances to folk music, the different style in which the Muslim men temple is soaked in excitement. wear their munda (dhoti). The area around Kumarakom North, Kottayam, the Kerala, 686566, India Where To Juma Masjid is extremely well maintained Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands besides the mosque itself. A definite must situated in the Vembanad Lake. The longest visit if you are in this lively town. Eat lake in India, it is also the largest in Kerala 5 Places which falls on the northern extension of the 5 Thirunakkara Mahadeva backwaters. Known as Punnamada Lake in Temple http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-kumarakom-lp-1138422 (located in the Kuttanad region of 1 Ettukettu the district of Alappuzha) and Kochi Lake in Kochi ( located in and around the Kochi C/O Kumarakom Lake Resort, mainland), this lake plays host to the famous Kumarakom North, Kumarakom, . Identified under Kottayam, Kerala, 686566, India National Wetlands Conservation Programme by the Government, the lake is +91-481-2524900 a home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Hiding within the Kumarakom Lake Resort, These backwaters are very popular among Ettukettu is one of the most popular eating tourists and give its visitors a memory for a places in Kumarakom. The restaurant, lifetime. Here you can indulge in the Thazhatangady, Juma Masjid, Temple Road, Thirunakara, reminiscent of Keralan architecture is serenity of the backwaters when you sail Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala Kottayam, Kerala, India extremely warm and inviting. Apart from the through the lagoons and backwater lined 686005, India Bang at the centre of the city, the regular Chinese, Indian, Mughlai, with tall coconut trees. Look through the Kumarakom Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kumarakom page 4

Continental cuisines, it doles out some of special Malabar cuisine also includes pidi restaurant seems to do a little magic to the the best Kerala dishes. Fresh and and kozhi which is small rice balls and appetite. The outside seating is a wonderful 5 Cocobay Restaurant scrumptious seafood to Karimeen and chicken, something you only get in Malabar. choice. Overlooking the little pond with everything else. It’s a popular eating place If you are keen on trying something special, swans, your meal becomes a wee bit more for the people living in the adjoining areas talk to the manager or the chef at Cordon special. Apart from Keralan dishes, Grannery too. You can also request for the catch of Bleu and they’ll arrange for the best meal also serves Chinese, Indian and Continental the day and have your meal cooked right you’ve ever had. Also, if desserts are your food for those who don’t like to experiment infront of your eyes. Eat your stomach’s fill weakness, you are in for a wonderful too much. because your heart will keep longing for surprise. The have an array of sinful more. Duck Roast, parwns, Mappas, appams desserts which make your meal a wee bit 4 Llakesong and vegetable stew are a must try here at more memorable. Ettukettu. 3 Grannery Kavanattinkara, Kumarakom North, 2 Cordon Bleu Kottayam, Kerala

+91-481-2523200

Cocobay Restaurant is a beautiful restaurant located inside Cocobay Resorts. It is the best choice if you are looking for a memorable dining experience. Besides authentic treats, the restaurant is also known for its North Ammankari Road, Kumarakom, Indian spread. Kottayam, Kerala, 686563, India Head here for a lovely afternoon meal or a quiet dinner overlooking absolutely +91-481-2526300 Backwater Ripples, Kumarakom PO, Whispering Palms, New Nazarath stunning views. Kottayam, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Road, Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala, Overlooking a beautiful lake, Llakesong is a Amazing views and amazing food. Need we Kerala, 686563, India 686563, India wonderful choice if you are looking for say more? A must visit for food lovers for its ambiance and for the memorable +91-481-2565404 +91-481-2523820 delicious food. Amidst long sightseeing sprees, this restaurant is a blessing for experience. Cordon Bleu is the place to try authentic One of the most popular restaurants in those growling stomachs. From Chinese to Kerala food. The special Malabar cuisine Kumarakom, Grannery is known for its local delicacies, the restaurant churns out that includes unique recipes from Northern delicious local delicacies and grand buffets. quite a lavish fare. You can pick amongst a Malabar is something you must not miss out From soft and fluffy appams, spicy fish variety of cuisines and enjoy a relaxing meal on. They serve everything from Karimeen wrapped in banana leaf to other Keralan overlooking the lake. Polite service and (pearl spot fish) as starters, lobsters, regular delicacies, it has a feat awaiting you. The beautiful ambience make your meal all the rice and vegetable, mutton curry, chicken compact wooden setting in a spacious more special. curry crabs, prawns and so much more. The Kumarakom Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/kumarakom page 5

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See A: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary B: Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall C: Vembanad Lake D: Juma Masjid E: Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple Accommodation F: Saro Lake County G: Vinnca Lake House H: Soma Kerala Palace I: Saro Lake County J: Vinnca Lake House K: Soma Kerala Palace L: Saro Lake County M: Vinnca Lake House N: Soma Kerala Palace Food O: Ettukettu P: Cordon Bleu Q: Grannery R: Llakesong S: Cocobay Restaurant