Attractions

Champakara (Ayurvedic Centre)

18 kms from Kottayam is Champakara, which is an important Ayurvedic Centre for 'Thirummuchikilsa'. Sreerangam CVN Kalari Chikilsa Kendram attracts people from all over India and abroad.

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary  12 kms west of Kottayam town is this small village Kumarakom, which has a beautiful bird sanctuary on the banks of the Vembanad Lake and is an ideal place for backwater cruises. The 14-acre sanctuary is an ornithologist's paradise and a favourite haunt of migratory birds like Siberian stork, Egret darter, Heron and Teal. There are also different varieties of local birds like waterfowl, wild duck, cuckoo, owl, water ducketc. The sanctuary is open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm and the best months to bird watch are between June and August. Close to the sanctuary, in the beautifully wooded ground near the backwaters, is coconut lagoon heritage resort, which is one of India's most discrete holiday destinations. Guests stay in genuine 'Tharawad' (traditional wooden) cottages and love this unique culture.

Grampi hill station  The picturesque hill station of Grampi, situated 5 kms from Peerumade is also known as the Parunthupara, meaning the eagle rock.

Ilaveezhapoonchira  Located at distance of 55 kms from Kottayam and 20 kms from Thodapuzha, this is another picnic spot located in the midst of the beautiful hillocks near Kanjar.

Pala and Kanjirapally (Rubber Plantations)  Nourished by the Meenachil and Aanimala rivers respectively, these two placesare centers of Rubber Plantations.

Kesari Waterfalls  The Kesari waterfalls, also known as Valanjamkanam falls, lies between Kuttikanam and Murinjapuzha on the Kottayam-Kumaly route. Valanjamkanam is a 3 hr. journey from Kottayam by any bus to Kumaly; trek to Kuttikanan offers additional adventurous spirit and closeness to nature.

Maramala Waterfalls  This lies a few kms away from Eerattupetta. It is exactly 7 kms from Teekoy rubber estate. From here a private vehicle can take you further 2 kms after which the road is not motor able. To reach the falls one has to trek through the estate over the rocky path. The waterfall is about 60 metres in height, falling into a 12-meter deep pool and joins the River Teekoy way down.

Chandragiri Cruises This offers boat trips to the nearby islands and palm grove. The boarding point is Chandragiri Bridge and nearby, is a mosque and also the ancient Kizhur Sartha Temple.

Ayyampara  43 kms from Kottayam, this is a well known scenic spot of rocky plains, where a 100 acres of flat rock makes a natural granite stadium to enjoy the sunset and the view of the town below. It is a good place for trekking.

Elaveezhapoonchira (mountains)  Elaveezhapoonchira, formed of imposing mountain ranges with rocky cliffs is on the eastern periphery of Kottayam district. It is a beautiful picnic spot, accessible from Pala, located in the middle of hillocks. About 3000 feet above sea lever, the pristine beauty of nature is preserved almost intact here. There is also a famous ancient mosque at Thazhathanangady near Thalikotta Palace, which attracts many devotees.

Koottickal  Situated in the western ghats, 5 kms north of Mundakayam in Kottayam district, is Koottickal .The majesty of the mountain ranges combined with the beauty of the forest and the artificial lake created by the check dam of the River Manimala makes the spot linger in ones mind. Amruthameda, which is famous for medicinal plants, is nearby. Koottickal is well connected by roads to the main cities. The waterfall at Vadakkemala, near Kootickal is another attraction.

Panchalimedu  Situated 7 kms from Muundakkayam - Kuttikanam stretch on the Kottayam - Kumali road, lies Panchalimedu at an altitude of about 2500 feet above sea level. A 3-hour trek from Valliankavu, also connected by bus service from Kottayam. According to legends, the Pandavas had stayed here and the pond beside a small temple is where Panchali, their wife is said to have had bath.

Wagamon (Trekker's Paradise)  Situated at an elevation of 1100 metres above sea level, Wagamon is called the trekker's paradise because it is an ideal place for trekking and a beautiful tourist spot surrounded by the greenery of tea plantations, meadows, valleys and dales. It is about 60 km from Kottayam. The other attraction of this place is Kurisumala, a sky-scraping mountain with a small church on its peak. There is also a monastery on this hill, called Kurisumala Ashramam, which has a small community of ascetics who follow Christian faith but combines with it the Indian spiritual traditions and Gandhian thoughts. People of all faith are welcome to visit this place.

Vembanad Lake  16 kms from Kottayam town, is a vast network of rivers and canals, which empty into the great expanse of water called the Vemanad Lake, which is situated in Kumarakom village. The lake is an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourist destination. It provides boating, fishing and sight seeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The Kumarakom tourist village also offers houseboat cruises and holiday packages.