- What – Road trip to Kumarakom in Kerala, Southern India. Backwaters, house boat stay and Bird Sanctuary visit
- When – Sept’2022.
- Travel –
- 590+ Km car drive from Bangalore.
- Road Taken -> Bangalore->Thekkady (2DayStay)->Kumarkom->Kochi->Palakkad->Erode->Bangalore
- Return Travel was direct from Kumarakom to Bangalore, started 10AM reached midnight.
- Roads are very good, however be careful from Palakkad to Coimbotore road for 50-60Km, double road with no partition, heavy traffic, accident prone while overtaking. Rest of the roads are very good and 4 Lanes most of the time.
- Highlights –
- Kumarakom and Alleppey are very well known for the back waters, boat stay among domestic and International travelers. Places, need no further introductions.
- Kumarakom is very small place, primarily mushroom with famous and big resorts. We stayed at Taj, Kumarakom. It is one of the old property. Hospitality, food and stay is well taken care of. (See photos). There are many other options, KTDS Waterscapes is just next to Taj and has perhaps better views than Taj, Kumarakom Lake Resort seem to be new property and there is Club Mahindra too. We just went by trusted name of Taj, was not disappointed overall. In terms of cost, KTDC is most cost effective.
- Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (Next door from Taj, inside KTDC Waterscapes, although very tiny (But long 2Km) patch, it has preserved how place must have been 25Km years back before resorts took over the place. Bird santuary has hardly any birds (was also warned at Ticket Gate) however very good to just take walk early morning. One can get really good photographs inside sanctuary as well.
- Kumarakom is also known for migratory birds, but we didnt spot any.
- We didnt do house boat stay from Kumarakom, however thats another thing must do if have never stayed inside houseboat.
- Lowlights
- We didnt took food package at the resort thinking to keep this option flexible. However outside there are no good restaurant as Kumarakom itself is not a big town, locals are mostly into fishing and paddy growing farmers. Make sure to take food package included when you book resort to make it cost effective.
- Back water Boat stay is fun and best way to enjoy the natural beauty of sunset and sunrise (Have stayed during earlier trip), however night time there could be lot of mosquitos around in boat as well as nearby. Make sure to carry repellent and ask the boat company to not park in tiny gorge and little away from village during night stay.
- General Location hints
- Covered above already
- Suitable Time Period
- Winters are best time to visit the backwaters.
- Monsoon – Actually can be good time as well if you make sure rain has subsided, also one get hefty discount for resort and house boat during monsoon.
- Summers – I wont advise due to bit humid and hot weather. Tourist still flock in large number due to vacation time. Make sure make best use of evening and morning during summer.
- Arrangements – Self.
- STAR Rating – 4/5 – Must visit for its natural beauty and experience of house boat stay
- Resort Link – Taj Kumarakom Resort & Spa, Kerala
