Kumarakom is a breath-taking natural cluster of tiny islands floating dreamily on the Vembanad Lake in Gods Won Country. Home to the famed 14 acres bird sanctuary, Kumarakom, it is a place for admiring nature at its best. But you dont have to forego comfort and luxury to explore the verdant surroundings. Kumarakom is a well developed tourist destination that offers all the facilities for a memorable holiday. It is one of the most popular destinations for backwater cruises in Kerala. This water land is part of Kuttanad, called the Rice Bowl region about 15 km from Kottayam.

Explore this verdant haven abroad a traditional country boat. Let the slow-sailing Kettuvallam transport you to a magical place of dense hills and rustic villages hidden behind dense coconut coverage, to a habitat of birds, the mangrove forests and emerald green paddy fields that are a constant sight along the enchanting waterways and canals littered with white lillies and enlivened by the gleeful call of birds. This is Kumarakom and a whole lot more.

Along the way, try your hand in angling at Vembanad Lake where numerous types of marine life thrive such as the Karimeen (Pearl Spotted Fish), the Chemeen (Prawns) and the Konju (Tiger Prawns). They might even become a memorable dinner. Hire a canoe and watch the mesmerising scene of the setting sun. Sunset cruises are another highlight of the place. There are also facilities for water sports such as windsailing and waterskiing. However, bird watching will be your favourite past time here. Dont forget your binoculars and get your camera on the ready because birds from the Vembanad Sanctuary such as terns, gulls, herons, lapwings, kingfishers, stilts and Brahminy Kites, will glide past your boat. And if you are a nature lover, you will compelled to visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary where the native multi-hued kingfishers will welcome you. You can also watch fly-catchers at some dexterous acrobatics and the lonely woodpeckers perched on a tree, apart from egrets and night herons and migratory birds in winters.

You will definitely stay longer than youve planned. So book yourself into the plush island resorts. Immerse yourself in the comfort of the opulent rooms and pamper yourself with an ayurvedic massage at the spa and make time for meditation.

However, dont go back without sampling local cuisine essentially meaning rice and fish in accompaniment with a rich dose of coconut and lots of spices. The best time to visit is during the traditional festival of Onam during the month of August.