Delhi, Agra, Kerala 1/3 to 1/15/09?

Fuzzynblue

I am an ABCD (American Born Confused Desi) who is planning to honeymoon in India with my American husband. He’s never been, but quite excited about going. Our trip has a couple of purposes 1) See my family in Mumbai and Baroda for 5-6 days since he’s never met them, 2) Travel around India and enjoy some of the non-religious sites--- my family is quite religious and most of my previous travels were focused on these sites.

We’ve purchased tickets JFK to Mumbai arriving on the 12/29 and departing on 1/17 at 1 AM. We plan to spend 30th & 31st in Mumbai, then head to Baroda on the 1st. On the 3rd, we’ll head to Delhi to begin our traveling. We’d like to keep the last two days of our trip in Mumbai to spend time with the family. I’ve done a lot of homework and thinking and I would love IMers opinions on what I’ve thought out so far. I am trying to cram things in a bit--- but it’s so hard to take anything out!

Itinerary is as follows:

1/3--- arrive in Delhi in the afternoon--- spend time going to visit old monuments, etc.
1/ 4 --- Spend the whole day in Delhi visiting the rest of the sites.
1/ 5--- Take early morning train to Agra (or perhaps hire a car). Is it possible to visit Agra and Fathepur Sikri in a day? When I went with my family we took 2 days, but I think that with a car and driver, one day might be possible. Possible return to Delhi at night or next morning.
1/ 6---- Travel by plane from Delhi to Kochi. Arrive in Kochi and do a 24 hour houseboat tour.
1/7 ---- Leave in the morning from Kochi to Periyar. Depending on arrival time visit spice plantations in Periyar and perhaps do evening boat tour or walk at the wildlife preserve.
1/8 ---- Spend whole day in Periyar checking out wildlife. Drive to Munnar around 5?
1/9 ---- Arrive in Munnar--- spend day there.
1/10 ---- Spend another half day in Munnar. Drive back to Kochi and spend the night there.
1/11---- Morning visit sites in Kochi—if possible. Take plane to Lakshadweep Bangaram Resort
1/12 --- Spend time in Lakshadweep
1/13 --- Spend time in Lakshadweep
1/14 --- Morning in Lakshawadweep--- afternoon head back to Kochi. Spend evening or Kochi or head back to Mumbai that night or very early next morning.
1/15 and 1/16--- Mumbai time with family


How many people in group, and what ages? – 2 people. We are 25 & 26

Budget:
We don’t mind high spending for certain parts of the trip ( like Lakshadweep)… I think our budget would be about $50 a day per person. I wouldn’t really mind spending more though. We generally don’t mind staying in less fancy places ( particularly in cities like Delhi or Kochi where there’s lots to do), but in places where this is less to do and we might spend more on a hotel. So far I’m considered the Lake Palace hotel in Periyar and the Olive Brook in Munnar.

Preferred mode of transport. – Whatever is fastest. We don’t have much time, so convenience and speed is paramount. We are strongly considering getting a driver for the Kerala trip.

Daytime or overnight travel between places? Whatever works.

Travel background. – I’ve traveled to India about 7-8 times, he’s a first timer. I can speak a smattering of Gujarati, so I’m hoping to figure out Hindi. I’m excited to do things like seeing wildlife, hanging out on the beach, and having some non-temple related experiences. I’m not anti-religion, but my father planned all our previous trips solely based on religious sights.

How flexible are you regarding your itinerary? They all look so good! If anyone suggests cutting something please do. I know that it might be silly trying to do Delhi & Agra along with Kerala, but since my fiancé has never been I figured he’d really like to see those places.


Some thoughts and questions I had:
1) Is it wise to use the houseboat/backwater tour as a form of transport? Perhaps to take us from Kochi to Allepy or the reverse.
2) Am I ordering my trip in the best way possible? I had some different orders before. Like adding in Allepy for the backwater tour.
3) Is it possible/advisable to do Agra and Fathepur Sikri in a day?
4) Is there lots to see and do in Kochi?
5) Are Periyar and Munnar quite similar in regards to the spice gardens?



I really appreciate everyone’s help and input. I look forward to getting your feedback and ideas.

Thanks a bunch!

Isha

Fuzzynblue

Clearly I wrote too much the first time around--- apologies. Here's a shorter version. I'd still love to hear opinions from anyone.


Delhi, Agra, Kerala 1/3 to 1/15/08?

Itinerary is as follows:

1/3--- arrive in Delhi in the afternoon--- spend time going to visit old monuments, etc.
1/ 4 --- Spend the whole day in Delhi visiting the rest of the sites.
1/ 5--- Take early morning train to Agra (or perhaps hire a car). Is it possible to visit Agra and Fathepure Sikri in a day? When I went with my family we took 2 days, but I think that with a car and driver, one day might be possible. Possible return to Delhi at night or next morning.
1/ 6---- Travel by plane from Delhi to Kochi. Arrive in Kochi and do a 24 hour houseboat tour.
1/7 ---- Leave in the morning from Kochi to Periyar. Depending on arrival time visit spice plantations in Periyar and perhaps do evening boat tour or walk at the wildlife preserve.
1/8 ---- Spend whole day in Periyar checking out wildlife. Drive to Munnar around 5?
1/9 ---- Arrive in Munnar--- spend day there.
1/10 ---- Spend another half day in Munnar. Drive back to Kochi and spend the night there.
1/11---- Morning visit sites in Kochi—if possible. Take plane to Lakshadweep Bangaram Resort
1/12 --- Spend time in Lakshadweep
1/13 --- Spend time in Lakshadweep
1/14 --- Morning in Lakshawadweep--- afternoon head back to Kochi. Spend evening or Kochi or head back to Mumbai that night or very early next morning.
1/15 and 1/16--- Mumbai time with family

Budget:
We don’t mind high spending for certain parts of the trip ( like Lakshadweep)… I think our budget would be about $50 a day per person. I wouldn’t really mind spending more though. We generally don’t mind staying in less fancy places ( particularly in cities like Delhi or Kochi where there’s lots to do), but in places where this is less to do and we might spend more on a hotel. So far I’m considered the Lake Palace hotel in Periyar and the Olive Brook in Munnar.

Daytime or overnight travel between places? Whatever works.
Some thoughts and questions I had:
1) Is it wise to use the houseboat/backwater tour as a form of transport? Perhaps to take us from Kochi to Allepy or the reverse.
2) Am I ordering my trip in the best way possible? I had some different orders before. Like adding in Allepy for the backwater tour.
3) Is it possible/advisable to do Agra and Fathepur Sikri in a day?
4) Is there lots to see and do in Kochi?
5) Are Periyar and Munnar quite similar in regards to the spice gardens?

vandy

Hi there,

In answer to your questions in Order.

1) Houseboats usually travel around Lake Verband
area, as far as I am aware they do not travel to
Cochin or Vice Versa.Motorboats do,Houseboats NO.

2) My suggestion for order is as Follows,hire car
and driver in Cochin,head for Munnar - Periyar -
Allepey - Cochin, then Lakshadweep then home.

3) Agra & Fathepur Sikri can be done in 1 day,IF
you hire car & driver.

4) More things to do in Fort Cochin then in Ernakulam(Kochi).Reccomend you get accom in Fort Cochin when you first arrive and spend couple Nghts
You can take short ferry ride from fort cochin across the Harbour to Vypeen island and visit Cherai Beach for half day visit.

5) The spice town of Kumily is near Periyar,Kumily
has lot more range of spices than Munnar which is
more of a Tea growing area with a Few spices.I believe travelling from Periyar area to Munnar or
vice a versa at Night time would deprive you of enjoying the wonderfull scenery compared to daytime

Your choices of Accom have very good reviews,eventhough I have not stayed at either.

Have you had a look at Indian States(Kerala)in the
Forums section.lots of similar Honeymoon Threads.

rgds and apologies for late responce to your Post.

vandy

Fuzzynblue

Thanks for your helpful message, Vandy. I also enjoyed reading your other posts on Kerala.