South India Trip : Fascinating South India

Kumarakom

The place Kumarakom is well connected with all possible means of transport. The nearest KSRTC stand is Kottayam and one can get frequent buses to Kumarakom and also to all major town and places in Kerala. There are also interstate buses connects Kottayam to other metro cities in South India.Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit
The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with KarimeenPearl spot), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m²), and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. It is a major tourist attraction.It is a unique experience that will beckon the visitors time and time again as there are several activities for visitors.The Bird Sanctuary can be visited by canoes, which can be arranged with local fishermen at the entrance to the sanctuary. A two-hour rowing canoe trip is quite cheap, and is best undertaken in the evening or early morning to avoid the afternoon sun.

Kumarakom has a wide variety of houseboats. They are used only for tourists these days. A separate boat known as Kettuvallam is used by the people to go fishing or to transport goods. Apart from these, there are elegant special boats like Kochu-odi Vallam, Odi-Vallam, Iruttukutthi Vallam, Churulan Vallam and Chundan Vallam(Snake Boat), which take part in the boat races around Onam time. The Kumarakom boat-race is conducted in the big canal in the centre near the market. There is a private sailing club in Kumarakom, located on the shore of the Vembanad lake. Kumarakom is one of the most beautiful villages in the world. Foreign visitors used to think that it is like a paradise.
How to reach kumarakom:
By Air:The nearest airport Kochi, 64 km away from Kumarakom Trivandrumi,152 kms away from Kumarakom
By Rail:Kochi is the nearest railway station, which is connected to all the major cities in India. However there are trains connected to alleppey
By Road:Kumarakom is accessible by road from most of the cities and town in Kerala.You can also reach Kumarakom from cochin by 2 hrs
Climate:
Being situated very close to the sea, Kumarakom has a moderate climate, with heavy rains during June-August due to the southwest monsoon. Winter starts from December and continues till February in Kumarakom. In summer, the temperature in Kumarakom rises to a maximum of 35°C and 25°C in the winters. Annual average rainfall in Kumarakom is 310 cm