Kumarakom in Kottayam is the most sought after backwater destination in Kerala. It has seen a boom in recent years with a large number of hotels and holiday retreats being set up there. Kumarakom is 15 km west of Kottayam District. Kumarakom is a bevy of islets on Vembanad Lake. The lush green area has wide expanses of mangrove forest that is home to many species of birds. There is a specially marked small bird sanctuary here that is about 14 acres. Many species of birds of passage visit here every year. It is also a well-known roosting place for Siberian cranes that flock here in hundreds.
Albert George Baker pioneered reclamation and cultivation of the land in the nineteenth century. The bungalow, belonging to the Baker family, has been transformed into a luxury hotel while preserving its traditional design. The network of waterways intersecting the coconut groves adds to the beauty of the landscape. These waterways and the surrounding areas can be explored in canoes. Kumarakom boat race on the Vembanad Lake, held during the August- September season, attracts a large number of visitors.
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