Kottayam, Kerala

Kottayam is well famed as first district to achieve 100% literacy rate in the whole of India. Kottayam is srrounded by by the lofty and mighty Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west, Kottayam is a land of unique characteristics.Kottayam is also called as "Akshara Nagari" which means the "city of letters" considering its contribution to print media and literature.Kottayam is the first town in India selected by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India to be transformed as an Eco City.Kottayam is a gateway to the pilgrim centers of Sabarimala, Mannanam, Vaikom, Ettumanoor, Bharananganam, Erumeli, Manarcaud and few more. Kottayam Noted for rubber cultivation as well, the district has a good percentage of its area under cultivation

Major Tourist Attractions in Kottayam:

Vembanad lake:
green algae-rich Vembanad lake 15km from Kottayam. It is the longest lake in India. The famous Kumarakom tourist village is on the eastern coast of the lake, the bird sanctuary can also be seen nearby. The lake, an enchanting picnic spot and a fast developing backwater tourism destination, provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating.

Pathiramanal:
Pathiramanal is an island in the Vembanadu Lake. Pathiramanal Island occupies just about 20 hectares of land in the middle of Lake Vembanad. Pathiramanal Island, situated in a backwater hotspot, became a favorite stop-by location of boat rides.

Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls
Cascading from a height of 100 m, the waterfalls is one of the most admired sightseeing spots in Kumarakom.This beautiful picnic spot where streams jingle as they make their way through the landscape and waters roar as they flow down the mountains from a height of 100 ft. is 2 kms down a mud lane from Kumarakom. The green background of rubber plantations around is complemented by the glisten of meandering streams.

Kumarakom bird sanctuary
Kumarakom bird sanctuary spread across 14 acres,is a beloved haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Between the months of November and May, the bushes and woods of the sanctuary play host to some rare migratory birds. The Vembanad lake body attracts waterfowl like pin-tailed duck, garganey teal, spot-billed duck, birds of prey like osprey, marsh harrier, steppe eagle attractive sight The best way to watch the birds of the sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.