Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a paradise for people who are in search for migratory birds. This bird sanctuary is spread across fourteen acres, and provides seasonal home to Siberian stork, heron, darter, egret, and teal.

Set within the lush acres of wooden land nearby, a visit to the bird sanctuary makes you familiar with wide variety of birds that come here in thousands. Some have come from another part of India, such as Himalayas and others come from as far as Siberia.

Apart from this, you will be thrilled to see the native kingfisher that zooms around in psychedelic colours, take a unique type of walk under the rookeries of egrets, and lone golden backed woodpeckers and night herons. You will be delighted to see the acrobatics of the paradise fly catcher.

An enchanting island on the lake, Pathiramanal (sands of midnight) is easily accessible through boat from here. Some of the rare varieties of migratory birds who fly from different corners of the world make this ten acre island on the backwaters their home. According to an old story, a young Brahmin boy performed his evening ablutions by diving into the Vembanad Lake and the land from below rise above and water gave way to it.

One of the biggest attractions of this place is the local birds like heron, egret, owl, cuckoo, waterfowl, and the water duck. And the attraction of this place is increase multi-fold by migratory birds. During their respective migratory season you can see wood beetle, flycatcher, larks, teal, parrots and other birds.

This sanctuary was originally known as Baker’s estate and was developed by an Englishman as a rubber plantation. Located on the bank of the Kavanar River, this sanctuary covers an area of around 14 acres. Tourist can move around in the sanctuary very easily as it has well laid out paths. If you want to move beyond the sanctuary, boat ride can be taken along the Kavanar River and in Vembanad Lake.

Kottayam is around fourteen kilometres from Kumarakom. State Highway number 1 takes you to Thiruvanthpuram and Kochi in opposite direction. Kumarakom is around 106 km away from Kochi International airport at Nedumbassery. Bird lovers have options in the form of Poothanpandikayal, Thollairamkayal, Narakathara, and Pathirmanal. All these places are neighbouring areas of Kumarakom bird sanctuary. This place has tropical climate just like the whole of Kerala.

Timings and Entrance Fee

The sanctuary can be visited on any day of the week from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm. It takes around two to three hours to visit the whole area.
For Indian nationals the entry fee is Rs. 50 per person. For foreigners, the entry fee is Rs. 100 per person.

How to Reach

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary can be reached easily as it is well connected through rail and road. If you want to come by air you will have to travel from Kochi International Airport.

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