About Kumarakom

The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live here in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.

An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available.

History:
Earlier an old rubber plantation, Kumarakom was developed into a Bird Sanctuary. It is now a leisure retreat very popular with foreigners, who club a visit to the sanctuary with a ride on Kerala's houseboats, known as Kettuvalloms. An Englishman Henry Baker, fascinated by the beauty of the land, settled here in the last century. He made Kumarakom his home buying 104 acres of land from the then Maharaja of Travancore. Baker's bungalow has now been modified into the Taj Garden Retreat.

Best Season, Climate, and Clothing:
Being situated very close to the sea, Kumarakom has a moderate climate, with heavy rains during June-August due to the southwest monsoon. Winter starts from December and continues till February. In summer, the temperature rises to a maximum of 35°C and 25°C in the winters. Annual average rainfall is 310 cm.