3 Weeks in South India

In 2 weeks I leave Australia for South India. I have a rough travel itinerary sorted out and was looking for opinions or advice. I will be travel Tamil Nadu and Kerala for just under 3 weeks. I even made up this nice travel route on Google Maps here. Any must see cities I have missed, etc?

- Fly into Tiruchirappalli (2nd of March)
- Chennai
- Mahabaliparum
- Pondicherry
- Kodaikanal (reading these forums people have recommended Kodai over Ooty? Less crowded?)
- Indira Gandhi Nation Park (Is this a good national park to visit for wildlife?)
- Cochin & the Kerala Backwaters (Can you get cheap deals on house boat cruises in Cochin direct with the boat owners? all the internet prices are expensive)
- Madurai
- Fly out of Tiruchirappalli (25th of March)

I dont want to be rushing between cities, so I think this is enough for 3 weeks? I would like to go up to Bangalore but I dont think I will have time. Any advice? I will be traveling by bus or train. I was going to ask what is fastest and sort it out when I am there.

Never been there, but from what I've heard there's not a huge amount to see in either Chennai or Bangalore. I'd consider Periyar National Park and the hill stations in Coorg.

Perhaps you would like to visit one of the beaches in Kerala such as Varkala or Kovalam.

Just had a look at your map Miketv.

Agree with Hal about skipping Chennai and BLR. I would even skip Pondicherry unless you have some specific agenda there, and head to Kanchipuram from Mahabalipuram.

Kodai is a good choice off season [season commences mid April to first week June], Top Slip [Indira Gandhi NP] is good for wildlife - from Kodai you can get there via Palani / Pollachi - short route, or via Bodi / Munnar [tea estate country] / Marayur / Chinnar / Udumalpet / Pollachi - longer but more scenic route - in this case you can also see the Eravikulam and Chinnar Sanctuaries and skip Top Slip. Periyar as Hal suggests is excellent for wildlife - about 3hrs south of Munnar.

Madurai Meenakshiamman temple, by all accounts is still under restoration, consider spending a couple of extra days in Srirangam and elsewhere around Trichy instead, such as Tanjore, Viralimalai etc.

Trawl through the Tamil Nadu forums for more info about all these places.

For bus / trains etc in TN, get in touch with our member PMVelu.

Thanks for the advice. I'll do some more research and take into consideration what you all have suggested. Thanks!

I have updated my map. It is just the main travel paths, I may spend time in other small cities/towns around the areas I will be in.

I am having trouble figuring out where I can board/travel to on a houseboat on the backwaters. Is it possible to board somewhere near the Periyar National park and cruise overnight to Allepy? I would then get a train from Allepy to Cochin. Is this possible? Where should I board?

Is it possible to board somewhere near the Periyar National park and cruise overnight to Allepy? I would then get a train from Allepy to Cochin. Is this possible? Where should I board?

No, there are no backwaters from Periyar to Allepey. Im not a backwaters fan, but this I know for sure.

Suggest you go through keralatourism.org and also the Kerala forums here, there is a lot of info about houseboats, backwaters etc.