Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Kumarakom is a picturesque village in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is situated on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the state. Kumarakom is famous for its backwater tourism, which offers visitors a serene and scenic experience of the Kerala countryside. Kumarakom is also home to a bird sanctuary, which is spread over 14 acres of land and attracts a variety of migratory and resident birds.

The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary was established in 1956 by the government of Travancore, and later developed by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. The sanctuary is a haven for bird lovers, as it hosts hundreds of species of birds, including the rare Siberian crane, the darter, the heron, the egret, the waterfowl, the cuckoo, the owl, the teal, and the flycatcher. The best time to visit the sanctuary is during the winter months, from November to March, when the migratory birds flock to the area. The sanctuary also offers boat rides, nature walks, and cottages for accommodation.

My Google Map Review:

Recently visited Kumarakom Backwater Lakes and its Bird Sanctuary last month and I was amazed by the beauty and tranquility of the place. The backwater cruise was a relaxing and enjoyable experience, as I got to see the lush greenery, the coconut groves, the paddy fields, and the local life along the lake. The bird sanctuary was a treat for the eyes and ears, as I saw and heard many different kinds of birds, some of which I had never seen before. The staff at the sanctuary were friendly and helpful, and the cottages were clean and comfortable. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who loves nature and wildlife. It was a memorable and refreshing trip for me.

Go there during the season to spot the migratory birds. Currently watch towers are closed. Entry is free if you stay at Waterscapes resort. One will have to walk 4 kilometres through the sanctuary. It's a nice walk through the forest with a walkway and narrow bridges. This is a hidden gem. It's a great walk that leads to a nice viewpoint. A lot of bird sounds as you walk. If you expect to see birds, make sure you have a lot of patience as the birds are within the foliage. Good way to spend some time in nature. A nice, peaceful, enjoyable walk with a lot of bird sounds all around you. Highly recommended. if you do not spot any birds, it's a nice experience

If you live nature, this place gives the calm and serene atmosphere. While entering the sanctuary, counter staff told us that no birds in this time. November 17. However since we love the greenery and calmness ,we have started our walk to the sanctuary. Even though no birds , the music of nature was worth feeling. A walk through this sanctuary will refresh your mind and body. Although it was a 2.5 km walk, we walked only 1 km and came back. Still our experience was great😊

Those who want to spend some time with nature can come here, the chance of spoting a bird is less.But you can see monitor lizard, turtles, insects... Etc. It's a nice place to visit.

If you are coming by bus, Private buses are available from Kottayam and Cherthala private bus stand. I prefer better to hire bus from cherthala .There is bus stop infront of the sanctuary

Absolutely stunning! The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a nature lover's paradise. The serene backwaters and lush greenery provide a picturesque backdrop for birdwatching. The sanctuary is teeming with a diverse range of avian species, and the sight of vibrant birds in their natural habitat is truly mesmerizing. The well-maintained trails and informative signage make it easy to explore the sanctuary, and the knowledgeable guides enhance the experience with their insights into the local ecosystem. Whether you're a bird enthusiast or simply seeking tranquility amidst nature, a visit to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a must-do when in Kerala. Highly recommended!

Excellent location. Unfortunately the time we visited is not a season. Therefore we could not see any birds. It is a lovely 2km walk in the nature. Recommended taking a country boat ride to the Vembanadu Lake which has superb views and you can spot many birds. Lotus flowers adds to the beauty. Better to visit early morning.

Good atmosphere. If u go that place definitely bring one bottle water🤣😅

Nice place to get close with the nature. As my trip was during off season, didn't see much birds. However got a surprising boat ride for an hour over the backwaters. Got glimpse of few birds and lovely sunrise. Definitely will go back during the season to catch more birds on to my camera. Great place for nature lovers.

It’s a calm and quite place, would be an interesting visit if you would like to enjoy nature, be silent. We may not see birds during the day time but we sure hear them, sometimes often larges branches and leaves wiggle indicating a presence. The paths are well paved, some even with bricks and stones. There are many interesting seatings that happens to be branches and roots of different types of trees, which I really like. One side of the sanctuary is embedded with small streams that links to the lake finally. But the house boat engines that go through the lake seems really annoying to me personally. It is a heaven for all the asmr video enthusiasts. Some lucky people would be able to see turtles taking a sunbath on top of a old floating wood trunk putting their neck out,amidst a very few and minimal Sunrays that reach beyond the thick canopy and get a click, as they would suddenly jump back to the water. I guess they have some kind of motion sensing sensors. But there are a lot of contamination even though they have mentioned many regulations. Cleaning could be better. We can definitely see a lot of romantic youth here and there as they offer picturesque views ,so definitely a great place for a date. At the tip there is a small seating, facing the lake and have the sunset and hear the waves. When I went the watch tower was in extremely dilapidated condition as the stairs were almost rusted and extinct. The walk is almost 45 min one way so to and for it would be 1.5 hours. The park closes around 4:00pm. A boating after this would be great it costs around 800 for an hour in a sikhara boat

This is a hidden gem. It's a great walk that leads to a nice viewpoint. A lot of bird sounds as you walk. If you expect to see birds, make sure you have a lot of patience as the birds are within the foliage. Good way to spend some time in nature. A nice, peaceful, enjoyable walk with a lot of bird sounds all around you. Highly recommended.

Embark on a sensory adventure at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, where the lush backwaters of Kerala unveil a symphony of rare birds and hidden mammals. As you navigate this avian haven, armed with your sound recorder, the air pulsates with the captivating melodies of cormorants' caws and kingfishers' sweet serenades. Amidst the verdant tapestry, elusive rare birds reveal themselves, turning your birdwatching expedition into a thrilling quest. Unexpectedly, the sanctuary surprises with glimpses of enchanting mammals, adding an extra layer of excitement for both bird lovers and backwater enthusiasts. It's not just observation; it's a dynamic journey through nature's harmonious theater.

Best place see birds, Morning time is recommended

Serenity at its best. Nestled between Vembanad lake and the backwaters, this serene place is a bliss to bird lovers. Either inside the sanctuary or from the boats on the backwater, you get to see so many migratory birds and the native birds in their natural habitat.

We had a good morning walk but rain started in the middle so we have to return back without having the lake view

Go there during the season to spot the migratory birds. Currently watch towers are closed. Entry is free if you stay at Waterscapes resort. One will have to walk 4 kilometres through the sanctuary. It's a nice walk through the forest with a walkway and narrow bridges. Even if you do not spot any birds, it's a nice experience.

Good walking trip even if you don't see birds as there sighting are season dependent.

This serene lake nestled amidst lush greenery is a hidden gem. A perfect escape into nature's embrace. The tranquility, the vibrant shades of green, and the crystal-clear water create a picturesque setting that soothes the soul. A true paradise for nature lovers and a haven for relaxation. Five stars simply don't capture the beauty and peace this place offers.

I went in the month of March when it was hot climate. Ideally one should go in December or April May. If you go there after a rain, then it will be like walking inside an Amazon forest.
If you are going with family, it is better to opt for boat ride at rs 750 from ticket counter. If you take this ticket then the family don't need to pay for entry ticket or car parking.
Inside the park walking will take more than an hour. At the end of the park boat man will come and take you for a 1 hour ride to Vembanad kayal. Kayal trip will make your day with different species of birds, fresh air and scenic beauty.
The boat staffs are very experienced and very polite. They will explain you about the place, birds etc everything if you ask.
Once you are back after park visit and boating, you can use the wash rooms at reception which is clean and maintained.

If you like nature and watching birds you will love this place. The trail through untouched nature will take you the view of the back waters and if you want to go further take the left turn and walk towards the 2nd watch tower from where you could watch the native and migratory birds. But be informed that they are seasonal.

Best place to see birds in open. Best time to visit is in morning 6: 00 am less hot and humid, better take somebody who has knowledge of birds as guide. Birds are more in month November to February. 2 km walking inside bird sanctuary on narrow lane and few bridges. Shops are at entrance open at 10:00 to 10:30am. At 6:30am no guided tours were available. There is entrance ticket for adult , children under 12 are free. You can reach here by boat also but at your own risk as there is no official jetty. There are two watch towers of which only one is working. Good place to listen chirping of birds and walking on narrow lane laden with tiles. On the way there are small pond with wild lotus flower near farm science sales park.