Vembanad Lake
Vembanad Lake, one of India’s longest and largest lakes, forms the backbone of Kerala’s renowned backwater tourism. Encompassing a vast network of canals, streams, wetlands and mangroves, the lake brings to you the surreal tropical beauty of Kerala. The whispering coconut grooves and lush paddy fields fringing the lake further accentuate its scenic beauty. The best way to enjoy the backwaters is to rent a houseboat. Sit-back and relax as the beauty of the backwaters unfolds right in front of your eyes.
Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls
Enjoy a pleasant getaway to the beautiful Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls. The waterfall cascades down the rocky terrain from a height of 100 feet. Located at a distance of just 2 km from Kumarakom, the place is perfect for a weekend picnic trip. The rubber plantations near the falls add more charm to the beauty of the falls.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, spread across 14 acres and surrounded by lush wooded landscape, plays host to a diverse variety of avian residents. The sanctuary is a safe haven for the egrets, darters, golden backed woodpeckers, herons etc, just to name a few. It is also a favorite stop-over for thousands of migratory birds that flock from as far as the Himalayas and Siberia. A vibrant mix of colorful exotic birds and migratory birds makes Kumarakom an attractive destination for bird-lovers from around the globe. The sanctuary, accessible only through water, can be best experienced by renting a boat.
Aymanam
Arundhati Roy’s bestseller and 1997 Booker prize winner the ‘God of Small Things’ is set in Aymanam. The fame of the book catapulted Aymanam into a popular tourist destination – sought after by the fans of the book. Many places in Aymanam finds mention in the book like the ‘History House’, ‘Aymanam House’ etc. The ‘History House’, built by the British missionary Alfred George Baker aka ‘Kari Saipu’, is now a luxury hotel – The Taj Garden Retreat, managed by Taj Group of Hotels. The ‘Aymanam House’, connected with the childhood of the author, is situated on the banks of the river Meenachil.
Kottayam
Kottayam, the district headquarters, is a place famous for its many ancient Syrian Christian churches. Among the most famous of the churches are the Cheria Palli and Valiya Palli. Cheria Palli, under the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church, is renowned for its biblical murals done in vegetable dyes and exquisite altar paintings. The Valia Palli, under the Knanaya Jacobite Syrian Church, is famous for its ancient stone cross with Persian inscriptions. Kottayam is also famous for the shrine of Sr. Alphonsa, the first catholic woman saint of Indian origin, hailing from the Syrian Malabar Catholic Church.
Bay Island Drift Wood Museum
The museum houses a large collection of root-sculptures of different shapes and sizes. It is aptly named as the exhibits are mainly from the Bay Islands in the Bay of Bengal. The museum extols the creative and imaginative mind of a single artist – Mrs. Raji Punnose – a retired teacher from Bay Islands