Advice on two weeks in the South

giddyup07 · Jan 16th, 2008, 06:04

I have looked through previous posts and don't really see anything that fits the advice I'm seeking...hoping you good folks can point me in the right direction.
We arrive 04Feb into BOM at l0pm. We are two 40-something active/fit gals! My friend, is making this a short trip due to work and flies out late on 19Feb from BOM. Lucky me, I get to continue on up north and fly out mid-march from Delhi. For this two week period, we want to explore the south from BOM to Goa to Kerala and then head back up to BOM through Mysore/Hampi/??
We prefer a loose plan, usually without reservations if we can, but given the short time we'll probably be on a pretty tight sked. We don't mind doing a long train/bus ride to make it back to BOM in time for her flight out.
We want to see the Goa beaches but not plant ourselves there. Would like to squeeze in a tiger reserve somewhere and definitely do Kerala...beyond that we're open to suggestions.

Budget. (per person) We are hoping to average $50USD a day but can manage a tad more for splurges (car hire, plane, etc)

.Preferred mode of transport. –Any and all, planes tend to get pricey and we'd like to see the scenery..
Daytime or overnight travel between places? Either.

If one plane journey could make a huge difference to your itinerary, would you be prepared to pay the extra cost of a plane? YES

Would you be happy to travel between 2 places on a daytime train if the journey was a scenic route?MOST DEFINITELY!!

Would you be prepared to take a 2nd. Class, slow, crowded train or bus if it helped to fit your chosen itinerary? Yes, if it were a l/2 day or short route.

Travel background. First timers to India, but have travelled alot to other 3rd world countires.

How flexible are you regarding your itinerary? Yes, we're flexible like gumbies. We're not big on making reservations, thus wonder if the trains will be do-able for us?

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY IDEAS on this!

giddyup07 · Jan 16th, 2008, 06:07

Correction...my friend flies out 19Feb, not 19March.
woops!

giddyup07 · Jan 18th, 2008, 21:46

After reading the posts and seeing pics of Hampi, we REALLY want to figure out a way to go there. Wow, what a place!
Of course, time is very limited, darn.
We'll give Goa beaches a passs for Hampi (we'll have our dose of beach/water in Kerala) if we can figure out a way to to/fm there.
Is this do-able? Here's a loose plan.
05Feb arrive BOM at 10pm
06Feb BOM
07Feb head for Hampi by car/train/plane? Best/Fastest way?
08Feb Hampi
09Feb Hampi
10Feb leave for Mysore car/train/plane? Best/Fastest way?
(could go to Bangalore and fly to Kochi?)
11Feb Mysore (seems this is a favorite spot with IM'ers.)
12Feb head for Kochi car/train/plane? Best/Fastest way?
13Feb Kochi
14Feb Backwater cruise
15Feb Backwater cruise
16Feb Periyar
17Feb Periyar
18Feb Fly from Kochi to Mumbai
19Feb Depart 11pm Mumbai to USA

BTW, we are first timers to India, 40'ish, fit/active, 3rd world travellers.
Appreciate any ideas/help!
THANKS!
debi

Indizen · Jan 18th, 2008, 22:08

The nearest airport for Hampi is at Bellary. Air Deccan flies daily from Bangalore.

gobbledegeek · Jan 19th, 2008, 12:41

Yes
Please do not bother driving from Mumbai to Hampi - waste of time and roads are dangerous.

Get a flight to Bellary - Air Deccan has one I think. Else fly to Bangalore, and take a overnight bus to Hospet. Do not take the bust straight to Hampi.

We have 2+1 seaters where a middle seat is removed to make chairs wider and also some rows removed to give legroom. They are most comfortable for overnight journey - if you get your own fibre /foal pillow, nothing like it. Hampi bus is rickety. Hospet to Hampi is a pleasant early morning trip of 12kms only, no traffic.

Flying to Bangalore may save you a few days that you can use for Goa.

cheers

Also Do not Ever take a seat in a sleeper coach if sleeper berth is not avaialble - they are terribly cramped.

correction: I meant foam pillow.

Cheers

machadinha · Jan 19th, 2008, 13:06

On Hampi, I guess you've seen Hampi: Everything you want to know. ?

Shaktipalooza · Jan 19th, 2008, 13:16

Your travel plan seems to be more about planes, trains, and automobiles than traveling India.

None of these destinations are particularly convenient for traveling to/from. For example, check out your Backwater > Periyar > Cochin leg. I believe the road time from the backwaters to Periyar runs 3-4 hours. You'll be back tracking from Periyar to the Cochin airport which is well north of Cochin. So you're probably looking at oh, 6-7 hours of drive time, Make sure you leave early to compensate for congested roads, airport check in, etc, and a good part of your day is shot.

Mysore isn't really worth the effort if you're only making it a daytrip. Traveling all the way to Bangalore to catch a flight to Cochin? Your Feb 10-12 leg is looking like it will viewed entirely from the window of a moving vehicle.

I'm not sure where I'd start trying to make a sensible schedule. If you want to visit Hampi I'd put a few days in Goa to make it a little less hectic. Scratch Mysore/Bangalore completely. Cochin and backwaters are well worth seeing.

Sorry to come off so harsh. It's fairly common that people underestimate the time and effort required in getting from point A to B in India.

giddyup07 · Jan 19th, 2008, 22:09

Thank you all for your good info.
Alas, we are not going to Hampi...it's just too far and difficult for us to attempt with the time we have for the south region.
I previously read the thread "Hampi:everything you need to know" which is what piqued my interest in this incredible place.
I hope to see Hampi on a future trip.

dhans · Jan 20th, 2008, 00:46

How about

05Feb arrive BOM at 10pm
06Feb BOM
07Feb Fly to Bangalore Car to Sravanabelagola
08Feb Sravanabelagola then on to Belur and Halebid
09Feb Belur and Halebid
10Feb Mysore
11Feb Mysore
12Feb Ooty
13Feb Ooty
14Feb Cochin
15Feb Cochin
16Feb Backwater cruise
17Feb Backwater bak to cochin
18Feb Fly from Kochi to Mumbai
19Feb Depart 11pm Mumbai to USA

Hans

anubisgrau · Jan 20th, 2008, 01:15

IMHO ooty not worth of 2 days..... 1 night is enough

giddyup07 · Jan 22nd, 2008, 01:47

Thanks to all of your input.
I was trying to fit in Hampi somehow but it just isn't going to work...Belur looks great, but will do that with Hampi next time around.
We're going to stick pretty close to the west coast due to lack of time.
THANKS!
debi

iloveindia1234 · Jan 22nd, 2008, 17:15

5th - bombay
6th - bombay
7th - fly to bangalore
7th night - bangalore
8th - Bangalore
9th - leave bangalore in the morning to Mysore (about 3 hrs journey)
9th - mysore ( you can stay in "ginger" hotel .you can see the mysore palace and the zoo during day)
10th - mysore ( you can leave to chamundi hill in the morning and can go to KRS in the night)
11th morning mysore to ooty ( bandipur wild life sanctuary on the way)
11th night - ooty hill station
12th ooty
12th night -- ooty to bangalore overnight journey
13th morning bangalore (morning to night you can just stay in less expensive hotels in front of the railway station).
13th night at 10.30 PM - hampi link express train to hampi
14th morning - hampi
15th - hampi
15th night you can take an overnight luxury bus from hospet to goa
16th - goa
17th -goa
18th - take a flight from goa to bombay
19th - depart bombay to usa

If you feel the time is too short for goa you may have to cut out on ooty

dhans · Jan 22nd, 2008, 22:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by anubisgrau

IMHO ooty not worth of 2 days..... 1 night is enough

I agree.

Hans

Jan 16th, 2008, 06:04	#1
giddyup07 giddyup07 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: kansas city Posts: 7	Advice on two weeks in the South I have looked through previous posts and don't really see anything that fits the advice I'm seeking...hoping you good folks can point me in the right direction. We arrive 04Feb into BOM at l0pm. We are two 40-something active/fit gals! My friend, is making this a short trip due to work and flies out late on 19Feb from BOM. Lucky me, I get to continue on up north and fly out mid-march from Delhi. For this two week period, we want to explore the south from BOM to Goa to Kerala and then head back up to BOM through Mysore/Hampi/?? We prefer a loose plan, usually without reservations if we can, but given the short time we'll probably be on a pretty tight sked. We don't mind doing a long train/bus ride to make it back to BOM in time for her flight out. We want to see the Goa beaches but not plant ourselves there. Would like to squeeze in a tiger reserve somewhere and definitely do Kerala...beyond that we're open to suggestions. Budget. (per person) We are hoping to average $50USD a day but can manage a tad more for splurges (car hire, plane, etc) .Preferred mode of transport. –Any and all, planes tend to get pricey and we'd like to see the scenery.. Daytime or overnight travel between places? Either. If one plane journey could make a huge difference to your itinerary, would you be prepared to pay the extra cost of a plane? YES Would you be happy to travel between 2 places on a daytime train if the journey was a scenic route?MOST DEFINITELY!! Would you be prepared to take a 2nd. Class, slow, crowded train or bus if it helped to fit your chosen itinerary? Yes, if it were a l/2 day or short route. Travel background. First timers to India, but have travelled alot to other 3rd world countires. How flexible are you regarding your itinerary? Yes, we're flexible like gumbies. We're not big on making reservations, thus wonder if the trains will be do-able for us? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY IDEAS on this! Last edited by machadinha : Jan 19th, 2008 at 13:05. Reason: merged threads

Jan 16th, 2008, 06:07	#2
giddyup07 giddyup07 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: kansas city Posts: 7	2 weeks in South Correction...my friend flies out 19Feb, not 19March. woops!

Jan 18th, 2008, 21:46	#3
giddyup07 giddyup07 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: kansas city Posts: 7	High on Hampi...need help to/from. After reading the posts and seeing pics of Hampi, we REALLY want to figure out a way to go there. Wow, what a place! Of course, time is very limited, darn. We'll give Goa beaches a passs for Hampi (we'll have our dose of beach/water in Kerala) if we can figure out a way to to/fm there. Is this do-able? Here's a loose plan. 05Feb arrive BOM at 10pm 06Feb BOM 07Feb head for Hampi by car/train/plane? Best/Fastest way? 08Feb Hampi 09Feb Hampi 10Feb leave for Mysore car/train/plane? Best/Fastest way? (could go to Bangalore and fly to Kochi?) 11Feb Mysore (seems this is a favorite spot with IM'ers.) 12Feb head for Kochi car/train/plane? Best/Fastest way? 13Feb Kochi 14Feb Backwater cruise 15Feb Backwater cruise 16Feb Periyar 17Feb Periyar 18Feb Fly from Kochi to Mumbai 19Feb Depart 11pm Mumbai to USA BTW, we are first timers to India, 40'ish, fit/active, 3rd world travellers. Appreciate any ideas/help! THANKS! debi Last edited by machadinha : Jan 19th, 2008 at 13:05. Reason: merged threads

Jan 19th, 2008, 12:41	#5
gobbledegeek Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pune, india Posts: 100	Yes Please do not bother driving from Mumbai to Hampi - waste of time and roads are dangerous. Get a flight to Bellary - Air Deccan has one I think. Else fly to Bangalore, and take a overnight bus to Hospet. Do not take the bust straight to Hampi. We have 2+1 seaters where a middle seat is removed to make chairs wider and also some rows removed to give legroom. They are most comfortable for overnight journey - if you get your own fibre /foal pillow, nothing like it. Hampi bus is rickety. Hospet to Hampi is a pleasant early morning trip of 12kms only, no traffic. Flying to Bangalore may save you a few days that you can use for Goa. cheers Also Do not Ever take a seat in a sleeper coach if sleeper berth is not avaialble - they are terribly cramped. correction: I meant foam pillow. Cheers Last edited by machadinha : Jan 19th, 2008 at 13:05. Reason: merged posts

Jan 19th, 2008, 13:06	#6
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,155	On Hampi, I guess you've seen Hampi: Everything you want to know. ? __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Jan 18th, 2008, 22:08	#4
Indizen Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 588	The nearest airport for Hampi is at Bellary. Air Deccan flies daily from Bangalore.

Jan 19th, 2008, 13:16	#7
Shaktipalooza Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Portland Oregon USA Posts: 894	Your travel plan seems to be more about planes, trains, and automobiles than traveling India. None of these destinations are particularly convenient for traveling to/from. For example, check out your Backwater > Periyar > Cochin leg. I believe the road time from the backwaters to Periyar runs 3-4 hours. You'll be back tracking from Periyar to the Cochin airport which is well north of Cochin. So you're probably looking at oh, 6-7 hours of drive time, Make sure you leave early to compensate for congested roads, airport check in, etc, and a good part of your day is shot. Mysore isn't really worth the effort if you're only making it a daytrip. Traveling all the way to Bangalore to catch a flight to Cochin? Your Feb 10-12 leg is looking like it will viewed entirely from the window of a moving vehicle. I'm not sure where I'd start trying to make a sensible schedule. If you want to visit Hampi I'd put a few days in Goa to make it a little less hectic. Scratch Mysore/Bangalore completely. Cochin and backwaters are well worth seeing. Sorry to come off so harsh. It's fairly common that people underestimate the time and effort required in getting from point A to B in India. __________________ IndiaGroove - Train finder now in beta! Pics from India 2006 Traditional Indian Dance Last edited by machadinha : Jan 21st, 2008 at 06:42. Reason: removed full quote

Jan 19th, 2008, 22:09	#8
giddyup07 giddyup07 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: kansas city Posts: 7	Thank you all for your good info. Alas, we are not going to Hampi...it's just too far and difficult for us to attempt with the time we have for the south region. I previously read the thread "Hampi:everything you need to know" which is what piqued my interest in this incredible place. I hope to see Hampi on a future trip.

Jan 20th, 2008, 00:46	#9
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,449	How about 05Feb arrive BOM at 10pm 06Feb BOM 07Feb Fly to Bangalore Car to Sravanabelagola 08Feb Sravanabelagola then on to Belur and Halebid 09Feb Belur and Halebid 10Feb Mysore 11Feb Mysore 12Feb Ooty 13Feb Ooty 14Feb Cochin 15Feb Cochin 16Feb Backwater cruise 17Feb Backwater bak to cochin 18Feb Fly from Kochi to Mumbai 19Feb Depart 11pm Mumbai to USA Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Jan 20th, 2008, 01:15	#10
anubisgrau Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ser Posts: 122	IMHO ooty not worth of 2 days..... 1 night is enough

Jan 22nd, 2008, 01:47	#11
giddyup07 giddyup07 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: kansas city Posts: 7	Thanks to all of your input. I was trying to fit in Hampi somehow but it just isn't going to work...Belur looks great, but will do that with Hampi next time around. We're going to stick pretty close to the west coast due to lack of time. THANKS! debi

Jan 22nd, 2008, 17:15	#12
iloveindia1234 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 116	5th - bombay 6th - bombay 7th - fly to bangalore 7th night - bangalore 8th - Bangalore 9th - leave bangalore in the morning to Mysore (about 3 hrs journey) 9th - mysore ( you can stay in "ginger" hotel .you can see the mysore palace and the zoo during day) 10th - mysore ( you can leave to chamundi hill in the morning and can go to KRS in the night) 11th morning mysore to ooty ( bandipur wild life sanctuary on the way) 11th night - ooty hill station 12th ooty 12th night -- ooty to bangalore overnight journey 13th morning bangalore (morning to night you can just stay in less expensive hotels in front of the railway station). 13th night at 10.30 PM - hampi link express train to hampi 14th morning - hampi 15th - hampi 15th night you can take an overnight luxury bus from hospet to goa 16th - goa 17th -goa 18th - take a flight from goa to bombay 19th - depart bombay to usa If you feel the time is too short for goa you may have to cut out on ooty

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