Kumarakom Tour Packages
Kumarakom is a cluster of islands on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake, quieter than Alleppey and lined with lakeside resorts. Its bird sanctuary, sunset cruises and Ayurveda spas make it a favourite for honeymoons and slow stays.
Kumarakom at a glance
- LocationKerala, India
- Time zoneIndian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
- Driving sideLeft
- Calling code+91
- CurrencyIndian rupee (INR)
- LanguagesMalayalam
- Ideal stay1–2 days
- Getting thereCochin International Airport (COK), about 90…
Best time to visit: September to March
Top Kumarakom travel packages
A few of our Kumarakom itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Beach holidaysKochi · Kumarakom · Alleppey · VarkalaKerala Backwaters & Beaches7 Days | 6 Nights
Family holidaysKochi · Munnar · Thekkady · Kumarakom ·…Kerala & Kanyakumari Grand Tour9 Days | 8 Nights
Couples' holidaysKumarakom · AlleppeyAlleppey Houseboat & Kumarakom Weekend3 Days | 2 Nights
Cultural holidaysKochi · Kumarakom · ThiruvananthapuramKerala Heritage & Culture Trail5 Days | 4 NightsEssential tips for travelling to Kumarakom
UPI and cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels; keep some cash for small shops, rural areas, hill towns and tips.
Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
112 (all emergencies)
Languages spoken: Malayalam.
Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have the main airports; Kozhikode serves the north and Wayanad. Distances are short but hill roads are slow, so allow 3–4 hours for most transfers.
Houseboat cruises usually start around noon and end the next morning; overnight stays have the boat moored at night by regulation.
Carry light rain gear in any season; afternoon showers are common in the hills.
Pick a lake-facing room; the sunset over Vembanad is the highlight of a stay.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Kumarakom?
Who should visit Kumarakom?
Plan your Kumarakom trip
Everything you need to know about Kumarakom
Kumarakom is a cluster of islands on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake, quieter than Alleppey and lined with lakeside resorts. Its bird sanctuary, sunset cruises and Ayurveda spas make it a favourite for honeymoons and slow stays.
Highlights include Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Vembanad Lake, Pathiramanal Island and Bay Island Driftwood Museum. Local food worth trying: Karimeen pollichathu, Duck roast and Kappa and fish curry. Plan 1–2 days here; it suits honeymooners, wellness seekers. Our Kumarakom itineraries run from 3 to 9 days and every one can be changed to suit you.
When to go
September to March. Best for lake stays; migratory birds arrive from November.
How to reach Kumarakom
- By air: Cochin International Airport (COK), about 90 km
- By rail: Kottayam railway station, about 15 km
- By road: About 2 hours from Kochi by road
View all Kumarakom packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
7D / 6NKochi · Kumarakom · Alleppey · VarkalaKerala Backwaters & Beaches
Water all the way: Kochi's harbour, a lakeside stay at Kumarakom, a houseboat through Alleppey's canals and cliff-top Varkala to finish.
View itinerary →9D / 8NKochi · Munnar · Thekkady · KumarakomKerala & Kanyakumari Grand Tour
Nine days from Kochi to the tip of India through tea hills, spice country, Vembanad Lake and the Kovalam coast.
View itinerary →3D / 2NKumarakom · AlleppeyAlleppey Houseboat & Kumarakom Weekend
A two-night backwater taster: a lakeside resort evening in Kumarakom and an overnight kettuvallam cruise through Alleppey's canals.
View itinerary →5D / 4NKochi · Kumarakom · ThiruvananthapuramKerala Heritage & Culture Trail
Culture first: two nights in Fort Kochi for Kathakali and spice markets, Kumarakom's village life and Trivandrum's palace and museum quarter.
View itinerary →
7D / 6NMunnar · KumarakomKerala Monsoon Ayurveda & Hills
Built for the monsoon months: misty Munnar, then four nights of Ayurveda by Vembanad Lake when the treatments are traditionally most effective.
View itinerary →
8D / 7NKochi · Munnar · Kumarakom · KovalamKerala Luxury Escape
Plantation bungalows, a lakeside villa and a cliff-top beach resort, with private transfers and a premium houseboat cruise available on request.
View itinerary →6 itineraries
More places in Kerala
Top things to see in Kumarakom
KumarakomSunset cruises and houseboats
KumarakomSmall island reached by boat
KeralaDriftwood sculptures
KeralaSmall waterfall in rubber plantations
Wildlife in Kumarakom
KumarakomMangrove sanctuary for herons and migratory birds
Wildlife experiences
Sightings depend on season and luck and are never guaranteed. Keep your distance, stay with licensed guides and never feed wild animals.
Cultural experiences in Kumarakom
Heritage and landmarks
KumarakomDriftwood sculptures
On the menuFood to try
- Karimeen pollichathu
- Duck roast
- Kappa and fish curry
Outdoor activities in Kumarakom
Many activities are seasonal. Best time for Kumarakom: September to March. We check operating seasons for your dates.
Kumarakom travel tips
Visa and entry
Indian citizens do not need a visa; carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar or a passport for hotels and flights.
Health and safety
Travel insurance is a good idea, especially for adventure activities. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Best time to visit
September to March. Best for lake stays; migratory birds arrive from November.
Getting around
Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have the main airports; Kozhikode serves the north and Wayanad. Distances are short but hill roads are slow, so allow 3–4 hours for most transfers.
Local etiquette
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
What to pack
Pack a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and swimwear and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Mobile data is good in towns and cities. Coverage can be patchy in remote, hill and forest areas, so download offline maps before you set off.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Kumarakom FAQs
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Destinations near Kumarakom
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Valparai is a remote plateau of tea and coffee estates in the Anaimalai Hills, reached by a road with forty hairpin bends.
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Kodaikanal, the princess of hill stations, sits on a plateau in the Palani Hills around a star-shaped lake.
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Palani is one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan, the Arupadai Veedu.
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Coimbatore is a textile and engineering hub and the gateway to the Nilgiris, but it is worth a stop for the Isha Yoga Centre's giant Adiyogi statue at the foot of the Velliangiri hills and the Marudhamalai temple.
Tamil NaduMadurai
Madurai is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in India and grew around the Meenakshi Amman Temple, whose fourteen gopurams are covered in thousands of painted figures.
Tamil NaduCoonoor
Coonoor is Ooty's quieter neighbour, lower and warmer, with tea estates spilling down to the plains and viewpoints over the Nilgiri valleys.
Kumarakom guides and articles
Travel guideBest time to visit Kerala: a season-by-season guide
When to visit Kerala for hills, backwaters, beaches and Ayurveda, with what each season is really like and how to plan around the monsoon.
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Travel guideHow many days do you need in Kerala? 4, 6 and 9-day plans
Sample Kerala routes for four, six and nine days, with honest advice on drive times, where to sleep and what to leave out.
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Travel guideKerala houseboat guide: how to choose and what to expect
Everything to know before booking a Kerala houseboat: categories, air-conditioning, timings, food on board, private versus shared boats and where to cruise.
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Travel guideTravelling with infants and toddlers: a practical guide
How to plan holidays with babies and toddlers, from passports and flights to choosing destinations, hotels, food and daily pacing.
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Travel guideTravelling with elderly parents: planning a comfortable trip
How to plan a holiday or pilgrimage with elderly parents: choosing destinations, pacing, hotel rooms, medical preparation and airport assistance.
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Travel guideTravelling in India during the monsoon: where it works and where to avoid
Which Indian destinations are beautiful in the monsoon, which are best avoided, and how to plan safely around rain, landslides and closures.
Read →Plan your Kumarakom holiday
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