Kerala in January

anna43

Hi,
I'm spending January in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and playing afterward.

Two areas where I need more info:

1. For the Habitat group R&R, after two weeks of house building in Kanyakumari area, we will be doing a backwaters cruise, likely an all day cruise rather than overnite, for numerous reasons. Since we will be a party of 12-14, is it advisable to plan for this cruise in advance, and if so, how do we go about it? Do you know of vendors in Alleppey with whom we could make advance reservation?

2. For my personal R&R, I'm thinking to spend a few days at Amma Ashram and a few days in Munnar then to Trivandrum to begin the long trek back to USA. Is that a reasonable way to spend a week in Kerala?

anar

1) everyone i have spoken to who has been on a pre-booked backwaters cruise has complained about it (overpriced, indifferent service and food, not on time, etc - and all those who did not book in advance and just landed up at the boat jetty either in kollam or in alleppey have had positive things to say. here are the details of the government-run operation based in kollam:
contact@dtpckollam.com
www.dtpckollam.com
ph: 91-474-2745625 and (for international queries) 91-474-2745625
they may be able to help you organise this better.

2) munnar is stunningly beautiful (do visit eravikulam wildlife reserve about 13km away if you possibly can - the best organised wildlife place i have been to india, they should act as a role-model on how other reserves in india should be functioning). and varkala (if you like relaxing by the sea, beach, ayurvedic treatments/massage).

have fun!

(is this the same as the habitat technology group, a shelter ngo in trivandrum? g. shankar is their founder? very keen to get in touch with them - a website or email would be of great help, thanks.)

Bhairav

Munnar is lovely in January. Bloody cold though.. we went from 30 degree heat on Kovalam to 4-5 degree cold in Munnar in 2 days. Was a shock to the system!