11 days in South India Itinerary help please :)

befrankiechan

My husband and I are coming to India for 11 days. We will fly to Hyderabad and visit a friend. We will arrive almost mid-night and wondering if it is safe to get a taxi to the hotel as we will stay in Golkonda Hotel? Also not sure if 1 day for a friend gathering with a quick visit of Hyderabad will be enough (or at least two full days)?

Afterwards, we want to go to Cochin for sometime. How many days do you recommend for Cochin? Is it better to travel along other areas of Kerala by car? Do you recommend we book a full-day driver at least for a day or two? what is the cost like and any recommendation on it? is it the best way or everywhere we want to see is pretty walkable? I want to take a visit of a good ayurvedic dotcor. Do you have a few recommendations for a doctor as well as ayurveda massage? We want to use the trip constructively without wasting too much time on planning what to do next esp we have only 11 days.

After Kerala/Cochin, we will go back to Bangalore. Is it a must to see Mysore at least for a day trip or even stay for one night? What about if we go to Vivenkananda ashram, then Mysore? is it a longer journey from the ashram instead of the city of Bangalore?

We appreciate your itinerary and advice. Thank you so much in advance!

A real Indian culture fan :P

Lord Average

Fort Cochin is the tourist area of Cochin, and you can see all of it in a day, alhthough it is such a relaxed place that two days are better.
There is also a nice beach approx 30km away (cherai beach) where you can stay. There are excellent ayurvedic massages there via the Cherai Beach Resort. I dont know about ayurvedic doctors, best to get a CLEAR reccomendation from someone you trust, as a lot of the centres in Cochin are just tourist traps.

If you can afford it, then travelling by car (with a safe driver!) is the best way to travel unless you have larger distances to go, then the train or plane wins.
For short distances it is fine to walk or take exciting rickshaws.

Taxi rates are around 7 rupees per km. As a general rule it is better to get your hotels to sort out the driver and cars as they tend to be better quality, although many on the street are also fine but it can be a bit of a lottery. Always agree on the price first and consider giving the driver a bit extra if they look after you.

I dont know about the ashram, but I do know about Mysore, and I would recommend it to anyone. A fairly relaxed smaller city with a great atmosphere, great markets and shops, plus lots to see in the surrounding countryside. Well worth a day in Mysore plus a day out visiting the smaller Jain statue, bird sanctuary and local temples the next day.

ENJOY

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dhans

Isn't 11 days not a tad bit too short for a trip like this? I would concentrate on one area. As the saying goes, it's better to see one place with a thousand eyes, than thousand places with one eye.

Hans

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befrankiechan

Thank you so much! Lord Average ... it's great ideas and we can plan my trip with this useful info.

Yes, 11 days is not long as my husband as to return home while I have to stay behind in Vizag for some meditation retreat with my guruji.

A big Indian Culture Fan

befrankiechan

One more question please: When we start travelling from Cochin along places in Kerala , it's better to get a private driver or let an organized travel agent for a tour? I can understand for a travel agent is the best for city sightseeing but not sure somewhere like Cochin as it's more relaxing places.

Thank you so much for your great help.

A real Indian Culture Fan

capt_mahajan

Hyderabad midnight taxi is safe. Should not take more than fifteen minutes at that time.



Trip seems a little rushed to me.

vandy

Few days in Fort Cochin & Cherai Beach area(vypeen island). Hire a Car & Driver(Indica/small car) to take you to Munnar (hill station) stay a few days,driver will stay with you and show you around and return you to Cochin.If you have spare time you can visit backwaters in Allepey area for a day or so.

rgds - vandy

machadinha

Getting to and fro H'bad, Mysore, Bangalore, ayurvedic retreat and ashram and whatnot though? Hmm... tell us how it was.

I'd personally think landing and taking off in H'bad with some sidetrips in the vicinity should be more than enough to keep you occupied, and those 11 days will be over before you know. Are you acquainted with India? Will help you in your traveling, although it won't cut down on distances.

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befrankiechan

Wow! How lucky I am you all have given us such good tips! Cheers!

I have viewed two websites Deccan & Jet airways, the 1st can be booked with each journey single-ly whereas Jetairways can be done in two ways of purchase of a pass for 7 days for multi usage or pay for each journey which cost $. After worked out the cost and I think the best is go for Deccan if the itineray like we planned as above Hyderabad - Cochin - Bangalore (+Vizag for myself) Shall I book it now or wait until I arrive Hyderabad and visit their office? Will it get full easily or more handy to confirm online with Deccan? I know I can book internal flight through travel agents as we are new in Hyderabad and we think it is better to go directly to the airline office for booking.

Thanks.

A real Indian Cultural Fan