Kumarakom is situated on the banks of the beautiful Vembanad Lake in Kerala. It is a peaceful village with serene backwaters and lush landscapes about 30 kilometres from Kottayam This destination attracts visitors with its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Kumarakom is famous for its diversified list of places near Kumarakom, from colourful sanctuaries like Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary to majestic islands like Pathiramanal Island. This region has much more in store for its visitors in the form of appealing places to visit near Kumarakom.
Top 8 Places To Visit Near Kumarakom
From historical marvels to wildlife sanctuaries, the list of places to visit near Kumarakom is endless. Here are some described in detail:
1. Vembanad Lake
Photo: Vinayaraj / Wikimedia Commons
Vembanad Lake is the largest lake in Kerala and the longest in India, extending into several districts such as Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam. The view and tranquil atmosphere of the place have set it as the central landscape of Kumarakom. Sailing on the lake in traditional houseboats is a magical way to relish the experience. Additionally, it hosts several fish and bird species, serving as a biodiversity hotspot and one of the prime attractions near Kumarakom. The Vembanad Lake is dotted with fishing communities where you can watch local fishermen practice conventional fishing methods.
Distance From Kumarakom: Approximately 1-2 km
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Kumarakom
2. Pathiramanal Island
Photo: Vis M / Wikimedia Commons
Pathiramanal is about 1.5 kilometers from Muhamma Boat Jetty and about 13 kilometers from Alappuzha. Hundreds of rare migrating birds call this little island their home. You can get here from Alappuzha by a 1.5-hour motorboat ride or by a 30-minute speedboat trip. This island is surrounded by the Vembanad Lake and the Kayamkulam Lake and is accessible only by boat. It is an excellent midpoint stop during a houseboat cruise. Estimates say that this site inhabits birds of around 91 local species and even 50 kinds of migratory birds.
Distance From Kumarakom: Around 13 km
3. Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall
Photo: Alv910 / Wikimedia Commons
Situated 30 kilometers from Kumarakom, Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall is a beautiful place enveloped by rubber plantations and greenery. This waterfall has a height of around 100 feet and presents the most breathtaking scene that exists in the surroundings. Picnics and leisurely walks will be perfect in this ideal setup. It is one of the best places for trekking enthusiasts as they can experience nature at its best, thus making it a must-visit attraction near Kumarakom.
Distance From Kumarakom: Approximately 30 km
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Kumarakom
4. Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple
Photo: Vis M / Wikimedia Commons
Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple is a must-visit place near Kumarakom. This is an ancient temple of Lord Shiva, situated in the heart of Kottayam city. Huge crowds visit this temple for its architecture and mural paintings that convey the stories of Lord Shiva and the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. Within the temple is a Koothambalam, a traditional temple theater for staging performances of different cultural art and dance forms. It is believed that the King of Thekkumkoor built this temple 500 years ago.
Distance From Kumarakom: About 12 km
5. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
Photo: Ms Sarah Welch / Wikimedia Commons
The famous Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is in Ettumanoor, a small village-like town. This ancient Lord Shiva’s Temple is known for its traditional architecture and religious importance. The exterior walls of the temple reflect beautiful sculptures of various mythological scenes and different gods and goddesses. One of the salient features of the Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is its intricate wood carvings. It has an elaborately adorned ceiling and pillars depicting mythological stories of celestial beings and intricate patterns.
Distance From Kumarakom: Around 25 km
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Kerala
6. Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
Photo: Georgekutty / Wikimedia Commons
Located about 30 kilometres from Kumarakom, the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is one of the oldest and most famous temples in Kerala. This Lord Shiva temple is an architectural delight with intricate woodwork and stone carvings that speak of artists’ ingenuity from old times. The sprawling courtyard of the temple provides a serene environment for the devotees and visitors. The temple has towering gopurams at the entrance to welcome visitors approaching them and set the stage for the sacred experience of waiting inside.
Distance From Kumarakom: Approximately 30 km
7. Marari Beach
Photo: Mahendra M / Wikimedia Commons
Marari Beach, or Mararikulam Beach, is a beach village in Mararikulam in the Alappuzha district, Kerala. The beach is relatively quiet and is 11 kilometres from Alleppey and 60 kilometres from Cochin. Marari Beach is among the top five hammock beaches in the world in a survey by National Geographic. This beach, with coconut palm trees and golden sand, is perfect for swimming and surfing. If tourists visit here in August, they may indulge in Snake boat racing.
Distance From Kumarakom: About 40 km
Suggested Read: Waterfalls In Kerala
8. Alleppey (Alappuzha)
Photo: Sravanbaddi / Wikimedia Commons
Around 33 kilometres from Kumarakom, Alleppey is famous for its intricately woven backwaters, houseboat cruises, and the stern Nehru Trophy Boat Race that happens every year. Known as the “Venice of the East,” Alleppey is blessed with natural beauty and cultural richness. You can explore the backwaters on traditional houseboats, visit village coir-making units, and participate in the local culture. Alleppey is one of the quintessential tourist attractions near Kumarakom that gives an insight into the heritage of Kerala.
Distance From Kumarakom: Approximately 33 km
The surroundings of Kumarakom are rich in tourist spots, which will suit varied interests and tastes. Spanning from the serene backwaters of Vembanad Lake to the dynamic biodiversity present in the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary and cultural richness in temples like Vaikom Mahadeva, there is everything that each backpacker would love to explore and enjoy. Book your Kerala adventure with Trip XL to explore these places to visit near Kumarakom.
Cover Photo: Rison Thumboor / Wikimedia Commons