Around south India with 2 kids

agatap

As the date for take-off gets closer, I am feeling light-headed, happy and on-the-edge - all at once ...
I am going to travel alone with my 2 kids (age 9 & 12), 3 weeks in South India, flight connection to Kathmandu, and then 3 weeks of trekking in Nepal.
I want to experience nature, wildlife, local traditions, local food, yoga, a new culture ...
The itinerary is going to be roughly:
Chennai -> Mamallapuram -> Mysore -> Madikeri -> Munnar -> Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary -> Allepey -> Cochin -> Mumbai -> Kathmandu.

We plan to splash out a couple of days - and get adjusted to the new country and culture in Mamallapuram (we have booked a room at Ideal Beach Resort).

Then I plan to go to Mysore, next to a coffe plantation near Madikeri, stay a few days, relax, do light trekking, see wildlife.
Around Allepey, I am looking for a nice home-stay in the backwaters, we want to go see local village life, learn to cook keralan food, and sail on a house boat.

From Cochin we catch the train to Mumbai ... Anybody can recommend a good (= quiet & clean & cheap) hotel in Mumbai

If Hampi is not to be missed - what is the best way of getting there?

Did I mention that we want to ride on some elephants?

Do you have suggestions - do's or dont's - I am very eager to hear some advice.

Best,
Agata

vandy

Hi Agata, your Itinery sounds Teriffic, I wish you and your Kids
a wonderfull & enriching trip.The only part of your itinery
which could be a problem because of the travel involved is,from
Mamallapuram to Mysore then Madekeri and then to Munnar
region, there is no easy direct route from Madekeri to Munnar.
From Madekeri you may have to get to Nth Kerala coast and catch train to Cochin and then head for Munnar, unless you can afford to pay for car & Driver to take you Direct to Munnar.
From Cochin the easiest option is to Hire car(indica)& Driver
to take you to Munnar then Periyar then drop you off at Allepey.
This way the driver will stay with you & show you the sights
of Munnar and Periyar Area.I stayed at Kaippallil Homestay in
Munnar, once again good location overlooking town, 5 min walk
into town.

Hopefully IM member dhans may be able to offer some advice as far travelling with Kids in India, he has a travel blog which should interest you.

If you go to Munnar, you can get an Elephant Ride, On the main
road between Matupetty Dam & Echo Point(picnic spot)there is a chap that provides elephant rides, If I may suggest for safety
reasons you sit with your kid(s)on the elephant at same time,

As far as homestays in Allepey, there are quite a few with
differing rates. If you go to Hotels section on Home Page you will see one which I have Posted, Malayalam Resort,very good
location on one of the major canals.

Another elephant experience I must mention is the helping of
washing elephants in the river at a place called Kodanand, where
there is an elephant training school, It is a 1 hour car journey
out of Kochi, If you and your kids like elephants this should not be missed, you need to go in the morning & you can be back by
lunchtime.

Rgds - vandy

BTW, not only is the houseboat cruise an experience, you can also hire a Country Boat(hire per hour)which will take you into
smaller canals where houseboats cannot go,3-4hrs is ample.I have attached some pics for you.Once again go in the morning while it is still a bit cool.

Attached Thumbnails

         

     

agatap

Hello Vandy
Thank you for your input. The pictures are great ... we will try to go for all the elephants we can find!
The hardest thing about planning a travel itinerary is choosing places not to go too - they all sound so exciting.
But i hate to rush, and will prefer to spent my time admiring wonders of nature, and local culture, than seeing temples and ruins (if i have to choose)!
Best,
Agata

steven_ber

Great post and pics Vandy, the look in the eyes of the little eli in the last photo almost says "you drink all or that and you'll feel the back of my trunk!!"

__________________
.
How to get helpful replies to your transport/Itinerary questions.



Train information.

agatap

Sunday gets closer and closer - time for the adventure to start ...
We will spend 3 weeks in India, and 3 weeks in Nepal.
I have done some small changes to my travel plans, also based on the input from IndiaMike (thank you guys!) - I thought you might be curious ... Please share your comments with me ...

So here is our adjusted travel itinerary:

Copenhagen -> London -> Chennai -> Mamallapuram (4 nights), we splash out 4 nights at Ideal Beach Resort.

-> Nilgiri express -> Mettupalayam, and then toytrain to Ooty (have not been successfull in booking the train tickets yet online )
We plan to spend 2 nights at an eco jungle resort in Mudumalai
(1 or 2 nights)

-> Mysore (1 or 2 nights) - havent found a nice place to stay yet, but have to go to see the palace, silk factory, and famous yoga chalas

-> Madikeri (3 nights) - we will stay at Golden Mist Plantation

-> Allepey (2 nights) - we will stay at a heritage home in the area

-> Houseboat (1 night)

-> Cochi (1 night) -> plane to Delhi
-> Delhi (1 night) -> plane to Kathmandu
... thats it folks ...

In my backhand I have left: Hampi and/or Munnar, both places that I would really love to visit ...

I am looking forward to meeting India

Best,
Agata

machadinha

I think this had already been pointed out to Agatap, but just in case & for the interest of others, Dhans's stuff:
Travelling in India with Kids
More in his journals: http://www.indiamike.com/india/journ...urnal&j=9 402

__________________
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

Laerke

Hey Agatap, I think your plan sounds great and I hope you will post a trip report once you get back! Do you have a link to the heritage home in the Allepey area?
Jeg håber i får en alle tiders tur - held og lykke og rigtig god tur :-)
Greetings from a fellow Dane who is also planning a trip to South India with kids

__________________
www.mytrails.dk

agatap

As for heritage home in Allepey are, I have decided to stay at Poppallys:
http://www.pooppallys.com/html/home.html

Vi høres ved, Lærke!

Best,
Agata

dhans

Hi Agata,

You have by now found the tips that vandy and macha pointed you to. For accomodation recommendations look in our report. Don't be afrai, there ois alwyas accomodation available if you don't arrive in the middle of a big festival.

Do climb up Chamundi Hill once in Myasore, for me its is still one of the nicest things I did (three times) in India.

Have Fun,

Hans

__________________

Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids
Stories about our travels in India: Journal

agatap

Well we have landed - everything went surprisingly smoothly at the airport in Chennai - where is the beaurecracy?
We were met at the airport at 2 am by Chandram, a taxi driver recommended by the owner of a coffe plantation in Coorg where we head next week - even the megasized bag with used clothes for an orphanage got into his car ...
I must defend myself: we have packed tried to pack "lightly" ... hm ... well it didnt quite work out, had to bring both mountainboots, sleepingbags, winterjackets for our nepal trek ...
Spent the first day & jet lag just relaxing - swimming pool, jumping waves, seeing a nearby village.
I am struck by the extreme friendliness of people - they can be annoying yes, the traffic is chaotic, yes we use antiseptic wetwipes before each meal - but the colors, sights, but sofar I really like to be here.

Best,
Agata

vandy

Hi Agata, Glad things OK so far.

Let kids know not to swallow water when in the shower & Bottled water for cleaning of teeth,important.

have a wonderfull trip.

vandy

Laerke

Hi Agata, great to hear you and the kids are doing well! Enjoy it all

machadinha

Nice to hear you had a smooth landing Agata, and thanks for calling in. Hope you guys have a great time

And yes, Chennai I remember as a very friendly place, easy to get around in and relatively hassle-free too.

tfrank

Hej Agata,
Jag undrar øver din rejse.
Ska selv rejse med 2 børn til nepal og indien i october 5 uger.
Var vandrade ni i nepal och har du några tips før indien
mvh Tommy

zoltan

> Mamallapuram (we have booked a room at Ideal Beach Resort).

Great place - have stayed there and was really happy with it (larger rooms are better than the smaller ones upstairs).

> Around Allepey, I am looking for a nice home-stay in the backwaters,

Agree with Vandy - go for the local boats that will take you through the side canals. BUT, do make sure you go with someone who knows the area & won't just take you through the main canals (plenty of touts who will do this and both waste your time and, spoil the experience).

> Anybody can recommend a good (= quiet & clean & cheap) hotel in Mumbai

Unfortunately, cheap & good rarely go hand in hand in Mumbai. Most of the hotels quote in US$ for rooms. I'd be suggesting that you have a look at the hotels section on this forum and see what's recommended there.

> If Hampi is not to be missed - what is the best way of getting there?

I believe that you can get a train from Cochin up towards Hampi (can't remember the name of the nearby station). And it is worth visiting there.

Cheers
Zoltan

__________________
India (and other) photos click here