Located in the Kottayam district of Kerala, Kumarakom is a bunch of small charming island villages clustered together around the “Vembanad Kayal”, a backwater body, which is also the largest lake in Kerala. Here, the ripples of the backwater ensure a spellbinding encounter with nature. Whether it is a montage of colors during sunset, the flurrying migratory birds in the evening, or the horizon garnished with the algae and lilies in full bloom, Kumarakom offers the most exotic experience in a tropical climate. The plethora of branched water bodies of Vembanad, dotted with thick lush greenery all over, embellishes the place further. Famous for housing the well renowned Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, the place also holds a rich heritage of flora and fauna. With the canopy of coconut trees, the snail-paced houseboats and the ever-changing colors of the backwaters, this mesmerizing piece of paradise truly gives the feeling of being in God’s own country.

The name of Kumarakom has been derived from the oldest diety of this place, Kumaran. It is his Akam(place), and hence the name Kumarakom. It has mostly been a tranquil place without any major uprising. The place today has its share of modern history because of the arrival of the English farmer, Alfred George Baker in 1847. He had taken an instant fancy for the place and had reclaimed almost 500 acres of land from the Vembanad Lake and cultivated huge expanses of paddy fields and gardens here. He even built the Baker House (also known as the History House) and eventually came to be known as “Kari Saipu” (Baker Sahab) to the natives. He even established the Baker Memorial School and brought about many reforms to this place.

Kumarakom scintillates with various species of tropical flora and fauna. This beautiful backwater is circumnavigated by a copious number of freshwater as well as salted water bodies. Fishes therefore are abundant and of a rich variety. Highly craved by the visitors, numerous fishing skiffs also adorn the place thus enhancing a typical tropical feel.

Migratory birds of countless variety also assemble in this verdant piece of earth, in the backwaters of Kerala. Most tourists come down with a strong aspiration of witnessing so many nomadic birds at the same time in one location.