Spread over 14 hectare, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is located on the banks of Lake Vembanad in Kottayam. It is a popular destination for birdwatching as migratory birds flock here in large numbers from Siberia and the Himalayas. The best season to visit the sanctuary is between June and August as it is the breeding season for wetland birds like white ibis, herons, egrets, little cormorants, Indian darters and kingfishers. Some other not-to-be-missed avian species are wood beetles, larks, flycatchers, parrots, teals, Siberian cranes, owls, water duck and waterfowls.

An intriguing way to visit the sanctuary is on a boat trip that gives a closer look of the birds flocking around the water body. For a more comprehensive experience, tourists can stay in independent cottages on stilts at the backwater resort of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC).

 

Tourists can also head to Vembanad Lake, which is one of the biggest freshwater lakes in Kerala. A serene spot for a family picnic, boating, angling and sightseeing, it makes for a perfect conclusion to your visit to the bird sanctuary.

Other Attractions in Alappuzha