7 Things to Do in Kumarakom, the Backwater Village on Kerala's Largest Lake

Kumarakom sits on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake, in Kottayam district, a landscape of interconnected canals, paddy fields reclaimed below sea level and coconut-palm-lined waterways that has made it one of the state's principal backwater destinations. Unlike some more built-up stretches of the Kerala backwaters, much of Kumarakom remains a working village landscape of fishing and rice cultivation alongside its resorts and houseboats. Here's how to spend a couple of days there.

1. Take a kettuvallam houseboat cruise

The kettuvallam, a traditional rice barge converted into a houseboat, is Kumarakom's signature experience, gliding through narrow village canals before opening onto the wide expanse of Vembanad Lake. Cruises range from a few hours to full overnight stays aboard.

2. Visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Spread across a former rubber and paddy estate on the lake's edge, the sanctuary draws both resident waterbirds and migratory species during the winter months, with a network of walking trails and a watchtower for viewing.

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3. Cruise out to Pathiramanal Island

A small, uninhabited island within Vembanad Lake, reachable only by boat, Pathiramanal is a further draw for birdwatchers and a popular half-day trip from Kumarakom's jetties.

4. See the Bay Island Driftwood Museum

A small museum built around driftwood sculptures collected and carved from wood washed up along Kerala's coast and backwaters, offering an unusual detour from the lake itself.

5. Walk or cycle through the village paddy fields

Much of the land around Kumarakom sits below the level of the lake itself, reclaimed for rice cultivation and protected by a network of bunds; several resorts and local operators run guided village walks or cycling routes through this working landscape.

6. Visit Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls

A short drive from Kumarakom, this modest waterfall set amid rubber and spice plantations makes for an easy half-day trip away from the lake itself.

7. Try an Ayurvedic treatment

Kumarakom's resort cluster has become known for Ayurvedic wellness programmes, ranging from single massage sessions to longer supervised treatment courses, a natural extension of Kerala's broader reputation for the practice.

Traveller tips

• Cochin International Airport, roughly a couple of hours away, is the nearest major airport; Kottayam has the closest railway station.
• The bird sanctuary is most active for migratory species between November and February.
• Houseboat cruises can be booked for a few hours or as an overnight stay; overnight cruises typically include meals cooked aboard.
• Monsoon season, June to September, brings the backwaters to their greenest, though with regular heavy rain.