The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world 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 There 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 unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lillies - this is Kumarakom
Important places:
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
A trip to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary what you shouldn't miss. The best time for this is between November and March,when a range of migratory birds from Siberia make it their winter home. Some of the species include the Snake bird, Little Cormorant, Crow Pheasant, White-branded water Hen and Tree pie. Occasionally you can catch the native kingfishers setting the waters ablaze in a psychedelic flash of colours. The night herons, the Golden-backed woodpeckers are added delights. At the fourteen-acre bird sanctuary one can glimpse many a rare bird – some of which, sadly, may not be around forever Kettuvallams : Kettuvallams are huge, tapering barges which were traditionally used to cargo rice and other goods across Kerala. It has a portion covered with bamboo and coir serving as kitchen and rest rooms for the crew. These boats are entirely built without the use of nails. Planks of jack wood are woven together with coir ropes and coated with a black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. '.
Ilaveezhapoonchira
About 70 km from Kumarakom, Kottayam district, central Kerala. Spread over a thousand acres, this beautiful land locked by green hillocks skirts the Kottayam district. The place gets its name from the fact that there's not a single tree in the vicinity and hence no leaf falls there (literally ila - leaf; veezhuka - fall; chira - height). The verdant landscape, punctuated by four gigantic hills named Mankunnu, Kadayathoormala, Thanippara etc., each rising to around 3200 feet, is ideal for trekking. During the monsoon when the valley gets filled up to form a scenic lake, Ilaveezhapoonchira unveils yet another beautiful slice of God's Own Country. This is also one of the best places in Kerala to enjoy both the sunrise and sunset.