Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, also known as the Vembanad Bird Sanctuary, is located in Kumarakom village in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is a popular spot for birdwatching and offers sightings of several migratory bird species and is an ideal place for leisure walks and short picnics.

If you’re a bird lover, then you’ll be thrilled to know that this area boasts a plethora of local and migratory species. Keep an eye out for Waterfowl, Koel, Owl, Egret, Heron, Cormorant, Moorhen, Darter, and Brahminy kites, as well as gulls, Teals, Terns, Flycatchers, and more during their respective migratory seasons. Interestingly, some of these migratory birds travel all the way from the Himalayas or even Siberia!

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake and covers an area of 14 acres. Visitors can rent houseboats or motorboats for birdwatching cruises on the lake. The sanctuary is open every day from 6 AM to 6 PM, the best time to visit is between November and February as this is the peak season for migratory birds. The entry fee for Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is INR 100 per head and INR 250 for foreigners, there is a special fee for visitors who want to bring cameras. The duration of the visit can range from three to four hours.

The sanctuary is easily accessible from Kumarakom, which is less than a 10-minute drive away. Visitors can take low-cost auto-rickshaws to reach the sanctuary and combine their visit with a tour of the Kerala backwaters, which depart from Kumarakom‘s lakeshore and explore Vembanad Lake, Pathiramanal Island, and lazy waterways. The nearest railway station is Kottayam located about 16.5 kilometers away and the closest airport is Cochin International Airport located 77 kilometers away.

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