| Kumarakom, an exceptionally lovely heaven of | | | | bird, Little Cormorant, Crow Pheasant, White-branded |
| mangrove forests, rich green paddy fields and coconut | | | | water Hen and Tree pie. Intermittently one can catch |
| groves intermingled with charming waterways and | | | | the resident kingfishers setting the waters ablaze in a |
| canals decked with white lilies. Positioned on the | | | | psychedelic flash of colors. The night herons, the |
| Vembanad lake, in this small water world one will be a | | | | Golden-backed woodpeckers are also there. At the |
| spectator to the boundless beauty of Mother Earth. | | | | fourteen-acre bird sanctuary one can have a sight of |
| The resorts in the proximity provide excellent | | | | many a rare bird - some of which, unfortunately, may |
| accommodation and outstanding leisure choices like an | | | | not be around forever |
| Ayurvedic massage, yoga, meditation, boating, fishing, | | | | Kettuvallams: Kettuvallams are enormous, tapering |
| angling and swimming. | | | | barges which were conventionally used to cargo rice |
| Kumarakom depicts nature in its best form with its | | | | and other goods across Kerala. It has a portion |
| virgin forest backwaters. | | | | sheltered with bamboo and coir serving as kitchen and |
| There are many amazing things that one can do at | | | | rest rooms for the crew. These boats are completely |
| Kumarakom. Wake up in the early hours of the | | | | built without the use of nails. Planks of jack wood are |
| morning for the grandest show on earth, the sunrise. In | | | | woven together with coir ropes and covered with a |
| the mornings, the lake is tranquil, misty and simply | | | | black resin made from boiled cashew kernels Present |
| sensuous. And the sun comes out with a smile and | | | | -day Kettuvallams called houseboats; carry finished |
| draws out its arm across the river to wish you a very | | | | bedrooms, modern toilets, comfortable living rooms, a |
| pleasant good morning. Take out a ride in one of the | | | | kitchen and even a balcony where tourists can lounge |
| boats and watch life in its true colors. | | | | on cushions. Part of the carved roof of wood and |
| Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: A trip to Kumarakom Bird | | | | plaited palms open out to offer shade and allow an |
| Sanctuary is what one shouldn't miss. The ideal time | | | | incessant view. Most of the boats are poled by |
| for this is between November and March, when a | | | | resident oarsmen. Some are motorized by engines. |
| group of migratory birds from Siberia make it their | | | | Gliding on tranquil backwaters, visitors can be a |
| winter home. Few of the species include the Snake | | | | spectator of an un-spoilt Kerala. |