We were in Kumarakom by Feb 2018. Kumarakom is a tiny village on the backwaters  of Kerala in southern India. It’s known for its beauty. And it is near a lot of beautiful places in Kerala. We chose to escape one weekend to Kumarakom and go lazy, literally! And it was just great.

We have visited so many other beaches in India that we have been to via 1 week one-week-long Goa trip, While things to do in Mahabalipuram, and Pondicherry in 2 days trip, Alleppey etc and many more beaches. But, Kumarakom was so calm and relaxed in comparison. … Well, we found plenty to do in Kumarakom that we had no idea about until arriving. So, here’s a list of the best things to do in Kumarakom, Kerala.

1 –  Relax In Luxury Resort

The tranquil environs of Kumarakom will tempt you for relaxation and a chilled-out holiday. This is, in fact, just the kind of holiday we had here. Meanwhile, we still attempt to add relaxing trips as we love during our vacations. As we did last year in Coorg, The Peepal Tree Kabini, As we did on our Yercaud trip. Okay, we did that in Kumarakom. Kumarakom backwaters, especially the shores of Vembanad Lake, are dotted with gorgeous resorts. And these come in everything from more economic to luxury. If you have trekked some of the lake treks in the Himalayas, India, you will note the diversity of the country’s terrain here when you see Vembanad Lake next!

The morning will bring you to Vivanta by Taj, Lemon Tree, Coconut Lagoon, and other resorts. The resorts have mostly sprawling green lawn settings with outdoor sit-outs, swaying coconut grooves with hammocks, a large swimming pool and charming cottages. Take it easy, sleep, listen to the birds, watch the boats go past on the lagoon, read a book, or don’t do anything at all. Here, relax, and you will be pampered like you are staying at the resort! The place is similar to heaven for those who want to escape life’s hustle and bustle. It is also popular amongst honeymooners. So, all in all, unwinding is one of the best things to do in Kumarakom.

2 – Houseboat Stay

Kerala houseboat experience is one of a kind in India. Also known as the Venice of India, towns such as Alleppey, Kumarakom, etc, are known for their backwater lagoons, canals and boats plying on the canals. But what sets them apart is the houseboat experience. You can also get many suppliers online for a day and overnight houseboat trips in Kumarakom. And most of the time, the resorts are  tied up to these providers. So that means the houseboat will come to your resort, and you can board from there. Years ago we did an amazing houseboat trip in Alleppey and loved it.

And we bet the Kumarakom houseboats were every bit as gorgeous and just as luxurious. The houseboats are available in several sizes, the number of bedrooms depends on size (from 1-6). And you can choose the one according to your use. During your stay you’ll have a cook and driver working for you on the house. Best of all – you can spend a leisure-filled day on board, perhaps on the deck or in your cabin, feeling the sun and the cool breeze as the houseboat takes you amidst the large lagoons. So, a houseboat trip is another necessary inclusion regarding things to do in Kumarakom.

3 –  Boating – Adventure 

If you aren’t staying overnight in a houseboat (even if you can, I highly recommend it) for want of time or any reason, there is no need to be disappointed. And Kumarakom Backwaters has something more in store for you. You can also take boat trips on the lagoons. Boats come in different sizes, and so do the rides. Your resort could provide you several alternatives and you may choose one from among them at your convenience. For a start, a boat bought to take you there may be as basic as a manual rowing boat or ”sikara” (as they are called), which are a little more comfortable and have seats and sometimes even a daybed.

Sikaras are primarily motor driven. You can review the entire lagoon on a ride on these boats in little to no time, like an hour. And the experience is unique. 

Especially when you get into the narrower canals, where the local houses are on either side, you are treated to life scenes in the villages as you row along the canal. You will watch people doing their housework, fishing, washing their clothes and utensils, and relaxing in their backyards near the canals. And this feeling makes this boat ride one of the must-do things in Kumarakom.

4 – Go For Fishing

Fishing This is one of the main livelihood activities in the backwaters of Kerala. So, you want to fish a little, come on down.” At houseboats, You can try fishing or stay at one of the resorts on the backwaters and try a hand at fishing. When we were in our houseboat, our cook had gone to the lake, caught fresh fish, and cooked for my husband. And he remembers that event fondly to this day, years later. So, in brief, if you think fishing is among the things to do in Kumarakom, you will enjoy it.

5- Enjoy Ayurvedic Massage

When you hear of massages, you will be hearing of Kerala. Specialist finds it in any corner. And almost all the hotels in Kumarakom have in-house spas. So, you cannot miss an Ayurvedic massage from your list of things to do in Kumarakom. Massages come in different forms. Most famous massage  are Shirodhara, Head Massage , Neck & Foot Massage, full body massage,, Back massage etc.

The oil applied for massage in Kumarakom is mostly coconut oil (mixed with other Ayurvedic oils) for massage. The aroma is shooting. The massage improves the blood circulation in the body. A lot of excellent acupuncturists are faculty at the OM schools. They will give you a very relaxed vibe. If your muscles are sore or tired or need a little pick-me-up, these massages are for you. So, I highly suggest including a massage in your list of things to do in Kumarakom.

6 – sunset over Vembanad lake

It seems we’re in for a year with heavy doses of effort at sunrises and sunsets. Hawk-eyed sunsets had spent much time watching the bespectacled sunsets in the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer and the one over the Jaisalmer Fort Earlier in the year, and now we were watching another from on top of the backwaters of Vembanad Lake. 

We were staying on the lake side of the lake at our resort (Cocobay Resort). And thus it made for one long sunset watching across the lake, across the horizon. If you are a sunset sort of a person, then do include watching a sunset to the list of your things to do in Kumarakom. Sit on the lawn and witness the sun descending gradually down the horizon, altering colours. And you could write down that it changes colours over the lake water and is nothing short of magical.

7 – Visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

In the town of Kumarakom and a hop away from most big resorts, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is known for its migratory birds. A large number of birds flock here, especially from November to February. The bird sanctuary is lush and plentiful, with trees of all sorts. You can see a few rare birds here. 

And even a glimpse of the elusive Kingfisher. So, include a trip to Kumarakom bird sanctuary in the list of things to do in Kumarakom when you are in the town. We just happened to go here on the last day of our trip before checking out our resort resorts are near the bird sanctuary. And it starts pouring as early as 6:30 in the morning. So it is best visited in the morning before the sun gets hot.

8  – Watch Aruvikuzhy waterfall

Kerala is also known for its magical waterfalls. If time allows, Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall should be on your what-to-do list in Kumarakom. The half-day trip of 1.5 hours is preferable because it is almost 1.5 half-days from the village of Kumarakom. Or an afternoon in the country over a picnic. There are other monstrous waterfalls in the region, and it is recommended to visit these after the Indian monsoon season as the amount of water during that time is at its peak. However, most of the other falls are a bit further from the town of Kumarakom. And if you want to experience them, you’ll want to allow extra time in Kumarakom.

9  – Visit To Village Kumarakom

Life in Kerala backwaters is unique in comparison with the rest of India. So it’s fascinating to go down to the village and see how the people live. The houses are mostly by some canal. And the backyards frequently front on the canal. Many locals own private boats to commute to work and for groceries. Fishermen have been sitting near the canal _ for a few hours on the weekend _ hoping to catch fresh fish for the afternoon meal. However, local women can often be seen washing at the side of the canal.

What doesn’t change, though, is the warm hospitality of India. When you walk the streets or are rowed through a canal in a boat, the locals will welcome you with such warmth in their eyes. And a beautiful smile on their face.” At least, I assume life would not be as easy here as in a mudbound town. But it’s great to see how well they have taken to it and how they’re converting whatever nature has given them into something useful.

10 – Visit In Vagamon Hill Station

The hill stations in Kerala are equally surprising as the beaches and the backwaters. We’ve been there in person, because we’ve been to Munnar years ago. And ever since, in all the raps on hill stations, we end up mentioning the beauty that Munnar is. Another scenic hill station of Vagamon is at a brisk drive of around 2.5 hrs drive from Kumarakom. 

So that being said, when you are in Kumarakom, if you want to try a different terrain for a day, you can do a day trip to Vagamon. The hill station is tiny, verdant and offbeat. So, you can anticipate crowd being on the lower side. Dine at one of the many restaurants here or stroll among the lush, green meadows. Picnic on the green plateaus and chat to some locals. So, you can even do a day trip to Vagamon in your itinerary of things to do in Kumarakom you if have enough time in hand.

Tips on visiting Kumarakom

• Kumarakom is ~70 km from Cochin. You can fly down to Cochin, get a train to Cochin, and get a taxi from there to Kumarakom.
• The closest railway station to Kumarakom in Kottayam, at a distance of 15 km.
• If it is of great concern to you && you want to be worry-free…most resorts have food and drinking water =). And they all have migrant foods (north Indian, south Indian, Chinese, real Kerala food, continental, Italian, etc….).
• From hotels, residents can mostly avail of boating, stay in a houseboat, Ayurvedic massage at a hotel etc. So, you have to get there and tell them what you have in mind. But these do come with some added expense.
• Carry comfortable cotton kurtis or summer wear. The place is a bit humid and hot. But not uncomfortable.
• Also include your basic travel accessories, travel essentials, and travel medicine kit. If you have babies or children in tow, don’t forget to pack your toddler’s must-have ‘travel essentials’ and plenty of light and breathable clothing for her. Last but not least, always carry a perfect digital camera to capture the beauty of the place! Good packing and happy travels.
• By the way, do not leave your swimsuits behind you.The staff can speak English and Hindi, the Official Indian Language, in most of the resorts. So, the bulk of communicating isn’t an issue.
• Two nights of stay is good enough to enjoy a leisure vacation in Kumarakom. It can involve boating, fishing, and visiting the nearby village and the bird sanctuary. Otherwise, you could add more nearby places to your itinerary when you have extra time. And you can go on a day trip to those places.