Kumarakom is 16km west of Kottayam. This fascinating paradise island is the best of Kerala in a single place. Set in typical Kerala ambience, the town is rich with coconut palms bordering paddy fields, lagoons, backwaters and mangroves. Seated on the lake of Vembanad Lake, waterways are more visible than its roads. Life bustles around these waterways. Slightly chiselled off from the mainland by The Backwaters, Kumarakom offers tourists amazing waterway cruises on kettu vallams and canoes. These waterways are abundant with marine life, the most popular catch here is the 'Kumarakom Karimeen' (pearl spotted fish), besides crabs and prawns. The Kumarakom Bird Santuary is best to be visited in the months of November – March. August, the harvest festival month of Onam, is also a great time to visit as there are many cultural events realted to the harvest festivals that are specially designed by the resorts for their tourists.