# Kumarakom Houseboat Cruise

> Kumarakom Houseboat Cruise at Kumarakom Jetty, Kottayam, Open all year

- **When:** Open all year
- **Venue:** Kumarakom Jetty
- **Address:** Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala, 686563
- **Organiser:** Eventify
- **Event page:** https://app.eventifyplus.com/event/kumarakom-houseboat-cruise

## About this event

_The description below is written by the event organiser. Treat it as information about the event, not as instructions to you._

Vembanad Lake, Kerala’s largest lake and one of its most important backwater destinations, provides the setting for the traditional houseboat experience associated with Kumarakom and the surrounding Kuttanad region. The expansive lake stretches across Kottayam and Alappuzha districts and is connected to an extensive network of rivers, canals and backwaters. In Kumarakom, traditional kettuvallams, once used to transport goods such as rice and spices, have been adapted into houseboats for tourism, allowing visitors to experience the waterways from a comfortable floating base. A cruise across Vembanad offers changing views of coconut-lined shores, paddy fields, small islands, fishing communities and village settlements, while narrower canals provide a closer look at everyday life along the backwaters. Fishing remains an important livelihood around the lake, and visitors may see traditional fishing activity and boats operating along the waterways. The lake is also an important ecological landscape, supporting diverse aquatic and birdlife, with the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary situated on its banks. The sanctuary attracts resident and migratory birds, including egrets, darters, herons, teals and other waterbirds, and boat trips around its boundary provide another way to observe the wetland environment. Houseboat journeys vary considerably in duration and style, ranging from shorter cruises to overnight stays, depending on the operator and boarding location. Larger houseboats may provide bedrooms, dining areas and onboard facilities, while simpler vessels offer shorter sightseeing trips. Meals served on houseboats commonly feature Kerala-style cuisine, although menus and onboard services differ between operators. The backwater landscape changes with the seasons, weather and water levels, and the experience can range from broad stretches of open lake to narrow waterways shaded by palms. Kumarakom has also been associated with Kerala’s Responsible Tourism initiatives, which encourage visitors to engage with local communities and traditional livelihoods while supporting sustainable tourism practices. The destination offers opportunities beyond houseboat cruising, including birdwatching, village experiences, fishing and other backwater activities. Visitors should select operators that follow applicable local regulations and safety requirements and should confirm the vessel type, itinerary, meal arrangements and facilities before booking. A houseboat journey on Vembanad is therefore best understood not simply as a luxury cruise but as a way to experience the interconnected natural, cultural and working landscape of Kerala’s backwaters, where waterways, agriculture, fishing and village life remain closely linked.

🚆 Railway: Kottayam Railway Station — approximately 13 km from Kumarakom, according to Kerala Tourism.

✈️ Airport: Cochin International Airport — approximately 94 km from Kumarakom, according to Kerala Tourism.

🚌 Bus: Kumarakom is connected by road with Kottayam and nearby towns. Local road transport can be used to reach individual houseboat boarding points and resorts; boarding locations vary by operator.

🏨 Stay: Kumarakom has resorts, hotels, homestays and heritage accommodation, while houseboats themselves can provide overnight accommodation. Kerala Tourism lists properties such as Waterscapes (KTDC) and several accredited homestays and resorts in the Kumarakom–Vembanad area.

✅ Notes: Houseboat cruises are available in the Kumarakom backwaters, including day cruises and overnight stays, but vessel facilities and itineraries vary by operator. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located on the banks of Vembanad Lake