Kottayam is situated on the foothills of the scenic western ghats having rubber, tea, pepper and cardamom plantations. The delightful backwaters are to the west of city. Termed as the Rome for the ancient Syrian Christian community, here you will see church founded by Thomas, the Apostle. For ancient murals, visit the Cheria Palli Church where the colours of the East merge with Western Coptic influence.

The word Kottayam is derived from the words Kotta (meaning fort) and Akkam (meaning inside). Kottayam is one of the exotic woodlands sites attracting tourists throughout the year with its mountainous region, scenic landscapes, backwaters, bird sanctuaries, temples and adorned churches. Some of its nearby places which can be found below the sea level is also a treat to the eyes. The best time to visit this place is during the months of August and March when the tropical climate is not so hot and humid. This makes traveling comfortable. Light winter sweaters and a shawl would be enough to meet the chill here.

Being composed of all the three types of land forms such as low, middle and high, Kottayam is a rich panorama of Mother Nature’s work. The land is located on the southern side of Kerala with beautiful landscape bordering the city. The extrinsic Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts signify the southern part while it has Ernakulam on its north. On the western side, the picturesque Vembanad Lake makes Kottayam even more striking with its beauty and connects Kottayam with a canal, while the east is protected by Idukki district. The Vembanad Lake is also famous for the seasonal migratory birds that come to this bird sanctuary in their respective seasons.