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Kumarakom slumbers on the banks
of the famous Vembanad Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala).
The Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its
banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green of
the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets.
 The water ways
of Kuttanad is now a big attraction for tourist. It is incredibly different
experience to cruise in the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the beauty of
Kerala villages. The scenery flashes up vivid contrasts of breath-taking greens
and deep blues.
The people on the banks of
Vembanad Lake are generally peace-loving and follow a neat and healthy
lifestyle. Their dressing is immaculate, usually spotless whites. They keep
their dwellings and surroundings very clean. The food mainly consist of rice and
fish. For breakfast it is usually 'Dosa' or 'Idly', both made from rice paste,
swallowed down with coconut chutney. Fish is a very important item in their menu
for lunch and dinner . 'Karimeen' a spotted fish is a special gift of the
backwaters.
TRANSPORT
Kuttanad is one of the very few places in the world, where mode of
transportation is through the water ways. Small canoes to very large 'Kettu
Valloms' are used for transportation. Everywhere in Kuttanad, one can find boats
filled to capacity with families travelling to different destinations and also
bigger boats carrying goods such as rice, coconut etc. The fact that even the
mail and morning newspaper are delivered by these boats complete the picture.
 The
traditional houseboat of Kerala is one of the most enduring images of the
backwaters. These houseboats are converted version of the traditional "Kuttanadan
Kettu Valloms", comfortably furnished and offer adequate accommodation for a
whole family, with a sitting room, a bedroom and a kitchen. These palm-covered
country boats were designed to carry cargo, such as coconut and spices, and to
provide a living accommodation for the boatmen. A few of them offer holiday
makers the ultimate backwater experience. Preserving the historic character and
style, our craftsmen have created a unique atmosphere on board, a luxurious,
self-contained world from which to observe rural Indian life flowing gently by.
The experience will be quite different from any other holiday.
HOW TO GET THERE?- 10 kms from Kottayam
- 8 kms from Cochin.
- You could also travel half-way by road and take the ferry from Thanneermukkam
jetty for Kumarakom.
- The Periyar wildlife sanctuary is 115 kms from Kumarakom.
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