Cochin to Kodaikanal - route advice?

kalcorn

We are planning a trip to south India in January and want to start off in Kerala before moving up into the hills (Kodaikanal and Ooty) before going on to Mysore and Bangalore.

Any recommendations on:

a) places to stay in Cochin?

b) a good route from Cochin to Kodaikanal?

-m2-

hi calcorn

You're starting your travels in the south at a good time -- it should be fairly dry and not too hot. Lots to see in the area, particularly if you are interested in nature and wildlife, as there are several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries roughly between Cochin and Kodai. It is a bit difficult to access some of these places with public transport; nothing that money can't solve if that isn't a problem. A car and driver for a few days, or even a tour package, I guess. I had a motorcyle for getting around and it was ideal.

Place to stay in Cochin? there is everything from a Taj chain hotel (which I'm sure is very nice), to the traveller basic places (mainly on the Ernakulam side. Depends what you needs and finances require. Maybe if you give a hint as to your range someone might have a suggestion -- my only experience is with an ok, but unmemorable, place across from the RR station in Ernakulam and that was a few years ago.

My last time south, I approached Kodai from Kodai Road -- the closest railroad station but still a considerable (scenic) drive away. I shared a taxi with some Indian travellers as there didn't seem to be a regular bus up the hill. It was much easier leaving Kodai as travel agents can book a bus-train combo to pretty well anywhere. There are regular buses to and from Madurai as well, and I think that is probably the most 'normal' way people get there.

Kodaikanal has a pretty good range of accomodation from deluxe to basic. One of the nicest places to stay is the Youth Hostel which is spectacularly located near the end of Coaker Walk (probably the biggest attraction apart from the lake). It is perched on a breathtaking hillside and it has a variety of rooms including some with fireplaces. A fireplace is a very nice thing in winter as nights can be very cool and the days could be a bit misty-cool in January.

Have a good trip!

mike

mammen123

hi,
can anyone advice me how to go about from kottayam to kodaikanal by road....?As am planning to drive along, would be glad if anyone can help me with the route

Thanks & Regds
Mammen Parackal

vandy

Firstly kalcorn,have you had a look at Hotels
section at top of Home Page,there's a good variety
to choose from,one that springs to mind with good
reviews is Raintree Lodge in Fort Cochin area.

As far as I know you can get to Kodaikanal via the
Munnar road. Munnar is worth a short stay,a night
or two if you have the time.

Secondly mammen,are you intending on doing the
actual driving of the car yourself, as far as your
route inquiry Kotayam to Kodaikanal, I am pretty
sure this is possible.

Rgds - vandy

GauhatiBoy

Kodaikanal--my memories: beautiful misty cool place after being in Mahabalipuram, where I swam in the ocean.

Rode around the lake on horseback but the horse didn't cooperate when I stopped--horse walked off

vandy

Oh Poop !!!!!

I just saw the dates on these posts, Don't know
why posts 4 years old appear on Home Page.

I fail to see the Logic.calcorn post 2002

vandy

GauhatiBoy

fun anyway lol

traveller1981

From Kottayam

Kottayam-Kumali-Cumbum-Theni-Vathalakkundu-Kodai should be the ideal route.

The alternate is Kottayam-Munnar-Bodi-Theni-Kodai.. But i think its fairly longer than the former..