Kumarakom,Kerala

Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam, in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala

Kumarakom is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish species and it teems with Karimeen (Pearl spot also known as Etroplus suratensis) shrimp (Metapenaeus dobsonii) common name Poovalan chemeen. The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m²), and came into existence following preservation efforts from the government. If you are lucky you will chance upon a Siberian Crane, a special visitor during the migratory season.[3]It is a very beautiful place to live. It is a major tourist attraction.

Kumarakom has a wide variety of houseboats and is well known throughout the world for houseboat experience. They are used only for tourists these days. A separate boat known as Kettuvallam is used by the people to go fishing or to transport goods. Apart from these, there are elegant special boats like Kochu-odi Vallam, Odi-Vallam, Iruttukutthi Vallam, Churulan Vallam and Chundan Vallam(Snake Boat), which take part in the boat races around Onam time. More than 1000 oarsmen in boats of different sizes and shapes will participate in this event. Even though Snake Boats participate in this race, the importance is given here is for iruttukuthi, in which about 50 oarsmen row. The Kumarakom boat-race is conducted in the big canal in the centre near the market. The Sree Narayana Ever Rolling Trophy will be given to the winner at the end of the day. There is a private sailing club in Kumarakom, located on the shore of the Vembanad lake.

WAYANAD

The northern district of Wayanad can be aptly called the abode of Kerala’s tribal population. The district, which forms an edge of the Deccan plateau of South India has a luxuriant forest cover and receives the maximum amount of annual rainfall compared to other regions of the State. Waterfall, mist covered valleys, spice plantations, hill ranges, wildlife sanctuaries, stone age sites are some of the popular attractions of Wayanad.

Chembra Peak (2,100 metres (6,890 ft)), Banasura Peak (2,073 metres (6,801 ft)), Brahmagiri (1,608 metres (5,276 ft)) are some of the important mountains in the district.The Kabini River, one of the three east flowing rivers of Kerala, is an important tributary of the Kaveri River. Almost the entire Wayanad district is drained by Kabini and its three tributaries, the Panamaram, Mananthavady, and Kalindy rivers. The Banasura Sagar Dam is built on one of the tributaries of the Kabini River

ATTRACTIONS IN WAYANAD

• Pakshipathalam (7.5 km from Thirunelly): This place can be accessed only by trekking. Rare species of birds can be sighted from the watchtower of this bird sanctuary.
• Kuruvadweep (15 km east of Mananthavady /58 km northwest of Sulthan Bathery): This 950-acre, uninhabited island on the eastward bound Kabani River is an ideal picnic spot.The wooded stretch of land is home to rare species of birds, orchids and herbs.
• Boys town (15 km north of Mananthavady): Herbal garden, nature care centre, sericulture unit, perma culture centre etc., established by the Wayanad Social Service Society and Gene Park (the Indo-Danish project for promoting herbal gardening) are situated here
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  Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary (20 km east of Mananthavady): This sanctuary has a wide variety of animals.
• Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary (40 km from Mananthavady): This sanctuary in Karnataka state extends over an area of 643.39 sq. km. The park houses diverse species of plant and animal life.
• Chembra peak (18 km west of Kalpetta): At 2100 m above mean sea level, Chembra is the highest peak in Wayanad and is an ideal area for trekking.
• Banasura Project, Padinjarathara (25 km northeast of Kalpetta): A mini hydel project with the largest earth dam in India and the second largest in Asia is built here. A sprawling sanctuary and park with ever flowering trees are major tourist attractions.
• Meenmutty Waterfalls (29 km from Kalpetta): An interesting 2 km jungle trek of the main Ootty road, Meenmutty is the largest most spectacular water fall in Wayanad. A unique feature is that water drops about 300 m over three stages.
• Kanthanpara Waterfalls (22 km away from Kalpetta): Smaller than sentinel rock, Kanthanpara and it's surroundings make for an ideal picnic spot.
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  Sentinel Rock Waterfalls (23 km away from Kalpetta): Locally known as soochipara, the pool at the foot of the falls is ideal for a quick dip. The more restrained can have equally good fun just taking in the scenery.
• Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (17 km from Sulthan Bathery): Established in 1973, the Sanctuary is contiguous to the protected area network of Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka on the northeast and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu on the southeast. Rich in bio-diversity, the sanctuary is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The management lays emphasis on scientific conservation with due consideration for the general lifestyle of the tribals and others who live in and around the forest region.
• Lakkidi (55 km east of Kozhikode/ 5 km south of Vythiri): Lakkidi, the gateway to Wayanad, is situated 700 m above mean sea level, at the crest of the Thamarasseri Ghat pass. Lofty peaks, gurgling streams and luxuriant forests add magic to the journey up the winding roads to this hill station.
• Pookot Lake (15 km away from Kalpetta): This perennial fresh water lake, nestled among wooded hills, is the only one of its kind in Kerala. Boating facilities, a children's park, a handicrafts and spices emporium and a fresh water aquarium are among the tourist facilities available here.
• Chethalayam Waterfalls: 12 km from Sulthan Bathery
• Karalad Lake: 16 km west of Kalpetta
• Sunrise Valley at Kadasseri: 20 km south of Sulthan Bathery
• Kaduva Kuzhi at Ambalavayal: 15 km south of Sulthan Bathery
• Karappuzha Dam: 13 km northeast of Kalpetta