Just opposite to Alappuzha, the backwater village, Kumarakom, is on the banks of Vembanad Lake,the largest freshwater lake in the state. The former Prime Minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee had holidayed here in 2000. His ‘Musings from Kumarakom’ were penned while he was here.

The tiny village, Kumarakom, was unknown to the people beyond Kottayam. A British man ,Henry Baker, purchased some land from the erstwhile Travancore Raja to build a house. Later this house was purchased by the Taj group of Hotels and converted into a tourist resort.

Today luxury resorts and hotels line its palm fringed banks to accommodate the swelling numbers of tourists.

It is the ideal place to get the best out of the backwater experience: sail on the backwaters, see coir retting in water, boats sailing by laden with pots and pans - their customers live on the banks of the river - fishing boats returning with their catch, women rowing by in small canoes, birds swooping into the water or just the landscape floating by.Houseboats are the best way to explore Kumarakom,The houseboats slide past paddy fields, coconut groves, houses on the banks and other boats, making it an unforgettable experience.Karimeen (Pearl spot), shrimp (chemmeen in the local language) and prawns are most demanded by the tourists visiting Kumarakom..