Kottayam is a quaint city in southern India, blessed with nature’s bounty. It’s surrounded by lush paddy fields, rubber plantations and spice gardens. The Western Ghats and the serene backwater stretch also add to the beauty of this rustic town of Kerala. This One Day Kottayam Sightseeing Tour takes you to some of the most popular tourist spots in the region.
Even if this region isn’t famous, tourist places in Kottayam are no less beautiful than other tourist destinations. Kumarakom backwaters are the highlight of this Kottayam sightseeing tour. Its houseboat ride and the surrounding scenic beauty attract thousands of tourists every year.
Quick Menu
Highlights of Kottayam Sightseeing Tour by Cab
- Full-day Kottayam local sightseeing tour
- Duration: 8 to 9 hours
- Tour by Private Cab (not shared with others)
- Pickup & Drop: Kottayam Hotel / Home
- Places Covered: Kumarakom Backwaters, Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, and Bay Island Driftwood Museum
Package Price for 1 Day Kottayam Sightseeing by Cab
Amaze / Etios / Dzire
4 Seater / Sedan
₹ 2,999/-
Maruti Ertiga
6 – 7 Seater / SUV
₹ 3,499/-
Toyota Innova
6 – 7 Seater / SUV
₹ 3,999/-
Toyota Innova Crysta
6 – 7 Seater / SUV
₹ 4,499/-
Tempo/ Force Traveller
12 Seater / LCV
₹ 4,999/-
Mini Bus
21 Seater / LCV
Price on Request
Price Per Vehicle.
Not per person. Not per seat. One straightforward price covers the whole car. Load it up to its maximum capacity with friends or ride alone — the price never changes.
Just simple, honest value.
Book your 1 Day Kottayam Sightseeing Tour Package!
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Good to know
What’s included
- Pick and drop from Hotel / Home in Kottayam
- Cab for Kottayam sightseeing as per the above Itinerary
- Vehicle Parking Charges
- Toll-gate Charges if any
- Driver Allowance
What’s not included
- Entry Ticket Fee at tourist places in Kottayam
- Breakfast, Lunch or any meal
- Lodging / Accommodation at Kottayam
- Vehicle beyond the mentioned time duration
- Vehicle beyond the designated tour route
What to Expect on your Kottayam Sightseeing Trip
The one-day Kottayam sightseeing tour by car offers a delightful journey through this city’s cultural and natural gems. We’ll start the day with a morning pickup from your location in Kottayam.
Our first visit will be to Kumarakom for a peaceful houseboat ride on the backwaters. Then, we’ll head to Vembanad Lake, India’s longest lake, where you can relax and take in the serene surroundings. The next stop will be the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Later, we’ll go to the Bay Island Driftwood Museum, a unique showcase of driftwood sculptures shaped by the sea. Our last stop for the day will be Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple. We’ll drop you at your location by the evening, concluding this enchanting Kottayam city tour.
Itinerary of One Day Kottayam Sightseeing Trip
Pickup from your Hotel in Kottayam at 9:00 AM
| S.No | Sightseeing Place | Recommended Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kumarakom Backwaters | 90 minutes |
| 2 | Vembanad Lake | 60 minutes |
| 3 | Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary | 80 minutes |
| 4 | Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple | 30 minutes |
| 5 | Bay Island Driftwood Museum | 50 minutes |
Drop back at your Hotel in Kottayam by 5:30 PM
PLEASE NOTE: Guests can visit all the tourism places near Kottayam listed above or remove any of the places that they don’t want to visit. In order to include any other sightseeing place, guests can check with their cab provider while booking this Kottayam city tour by private car.
Similar Tours
- Kochi Sightseeing tour
- Wayanad Sightseeing tour
- Vagamon Sightseeing tour
- Calicut Sightseeing tour
- Thiruvananthapuram Sightseeing tour
Places to visit in one day in Kottayam by private car
This private sightseeing tour lets you explore some of the interesting Kottayam tourist places in one day.
1. Kumarakom Backwaters
Kumarakom Backwaters is the prime attraction of this one-day tour. A traditional houseboat cruise on the green backwaters is the best way to explore the wonderful rural and marine life. These waters offer an iconic Kerala experience, where palm-lined canals, lush greenery, and tranquil waters create an unforgettable landscape.
A houseboat ride offers a beautiful time to enjoy the calm views, gentle breeze and natural beauty of the area. The boat takes you through a cluster of little islands, drifting along serene waterways. You might also come across some rare migratory birds.
- Must See / Things to Do: Take a houseboat ride, observe local life, and capture the beautiful, lush surroundings.
- Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
2. Vembanad Lake
Next on our sightseeing tour is Vembanad Lake, India’s longest lake, is one of the most visited tourist places in Kottayam. Renowned for breathtaking landscapes, it’s a haven for travellers seeking peace and scenic beauty. You can spot lush paddy fields and many tiny fishing villages along its shores.
The lake is also a vibrant ecosystem, home to diverse species of fish, birds and plants. Every year, it hosts the famous Nehru Trophy Boat Race – a thrilling event where ornate snake boats race along its waters. It’s an ideal spot to relax by the water, take a peaceful boat ride, and enjoy a lakeside meal.
- Must See / Things to Do: Enjoy a boat ride, taking in the scenic views and tranquillity of Kerala’s longest lake.
- Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
3. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary (also called Vembanad Bird Sanctuary) is considered a paradise for birdwatchers. It’s situated on the banks of Lake Vembanad, covering around 14 acres of green wetland. The sanctuary provides a natural habitat to a plethora of local birds, as well as migratory bird species.
A stroll along the walking trails allows you to observe a variety of bird species up close. Among the many birds seen here are Siberian cranes, egrets and herons. Apart from the birds, you can also find small animals and reptiles spread across the lush fields.
- Must See / Things to Do: Take a walk along the scenic trails, enjoying the peaceful ambiance of the sanctuary.
- Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM
- Entry Fee: ₹100 for Indians and ₹200 for foreigners
4. Bay Island Driftwood Museum
Bay Island Driftwood Museum is a unique attraction of this one-day Kottayam local sightseeing tour. It’s the only one of its kind in this country. This museum holds an enormous collection of driftwood sculptures collected from the islands of Andaman and Nicobar.
The exhibits here are shaped from roots, trunks and driftwood pieces, depicting animals, birds and many imaginative forms. Among the most attractive driftwood sculptures exhibited here are tribal Jarva women. Sculptures depicting the India-Pakistan Kargil War are also here. The museum is a testament to nature’s power as well as human’s artistic excellence.
- Must See / Things to Do: Marvel at the unique sculptures and learn about the process of creating driftwood art.
- Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM (Closed on Monday)
- Entry Fee: ₹100 per person
5. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple
Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites near Kottayam. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it’s said to be among the oldest and most revered temples in Kerala. The temple was constructed in traditional Kerala-style architecture in the 16th century. And it boasts intricate woodwork, brass carvings and stunning murals.
It holds significant cultural and historical importance. The temple’s timeless beauty and serene atmosphere make it a must-visit destination. The oil lamp at the entrance is believed to have been lit for more than 450 years. Devotees continuously feed it oil every day.
- Must See / Things to Do: Admire the architecture and enjoy the peaceful setting of the temple surroundings.
- Timings: 4 AM – 12 PM and 5 PM – 8.30 PM
- Entry Fee: Free
Related Tours
- Varkala Sightseeing tour
- Alleppey Sightseeing tour
- Calicut to Wayanad One day tour
- Munnar Sightseeing tour with Attukad Waterfalls
- Munnar Sightseeing tour with Top Station
Things to Do on your Kottayam Sightseeing Tour
This one-day Kottayam sightseeing tour allows you to experience various activities around the city.
What to Shop during your Full Day Kottayam Sightseeing Tour by Car?
This one-day Kottayam tour provides you a chance to take home local treasures that capture the traditional essence of Kerala. Spices are a must-buy here. Fresh pepper, cardamom and cinnamon are world-renowned for their quality and aroma. You’ll also find authentic Kerala sarees made from kasavu (handwoven cotton with golden zari), perfect as souvenirs or gifts.
If you want unique mementos, buy coir products, coconut shell decor, or Kathakali masks. You might find driftwood art and carvings in the local markets as well.
What to Eat during your One Day Kottayam Sightseeing Trip by Taxi?
You can also enjoy the best of Kerala’s cuisine during your Kottayam sightseeing tour. Puttu (steamed rice cakes) with kadala curry (black chickpea curry) is a popular breakfast. Appam (rice pancakes) with coconut-based vegetable or meat stew is another local favourite.
Seafood dishes are a must-try while in Kottayam. Check out Karimeen Pollichathu (Pearl Spot fish marinated in spices and wrapped in banana leaves), served with rice, a Kerala specialty.
Apart from those, look out for crispy banana chips for snacks. For a sweet treat, you can have Palada Payasam, a traditional rice-based dessert cooked in milk and sugar. It’s often flavoured with cardamom and topped with roasted nuts.
Terms & Conditions
Travelers are requested to follow the given itinerary for 1 day Kottayam city tour package. Ideally this full day tour package cannot be customized, however if guests prefer to visit different set of places during this Kottayam sightseeing tour by private car, they can check the possibility of the same with the above listed car rental companies and request for a custom quote.
We recommend our guests to stick to the time spent at each tourist attraction in Kottayam as per the Itinerary schedule. In case of any delays or additional time spent at a particular place, driver or car rental company will not be responsible to cover all the places mentioned in the itinerary.
Please also note that if a particular sightseeing place is closed on the scheduled day of the tour, it may not be covered from the list of sightseeing places. Please check the possibility of visiting an alternate place with listed cab vendor before you book the tour.
FAQs
Ideally, no. However guests can check if it’s possible to customize the tour with the above listed Kottayam cab vendors before booking the trip. Additional charges might apply.
This Kottayam sightseeing tour offers a delightful blend of Kerala’s natural beauty, culture and heritage to explore. From the peaceful backwaters of Kumarakom to the artistic charm of the Bay Island Driftwood Museum, this itinerary covers Kottayam’s must-visit attractions.
A One-day Kottayam Tour by cab is the best way to enjoy this trip. It ensures a comfortable journey to each destination without transportation worries.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the day tour for a full refund.
Learn more about cancellations.