Goa-Allepey Need advice, pls

joesol

Our trip :
goa, badami , Aihole, Pattadakal, Hampi,chitradurga, Belur, Halebid, Sravanabelgola, Mysore, Somnaphur, Mudumulai, Ooty, Guruvayur, Kodanad, Ferry to allepey from Kottayam or Changanassery. We have a driver and 14 days. Could you advice me how we can manage that?
The first day, i know, it is a long trip (8H0) goa- Badami and the last day. we have 4 hours drive and ferry in the afternoon.
In the meantime, i don t know how many days for each destination ! Could you help me with this itinerary ?
Also, which is the best ...Kottayam - Allepey or Ghanganassery-Allepey ?
Thanks a lot
Joelle

vonkla

For road distances have a look at this site http://in.maps.yahoo.com/

Aihole and Pattadakal you can do as a day trip from Badimi. Take at least two days for Hampi.

We took the ferry from Kottayam to Alleppey, it was a very nice experience.

__________________
.
See our travel journals Mumbai-Dehli in three months; From Kochi to Delhi

joesol

Thanks, but can somebody help me about each day ...for example, how many nights it would be preferable in Hampi, Mysore and so...

rebeccam

Bonjour, Joesol!

Much depends on how relaxed you want the trip--you are covering a lot of ground. Also, re: number of nights depends on in your itinerary, how early you will get up and start traveling each morning?
So the number of nights is based on your arriving perhaps early afternoon, departing the next day.

Yes,i t's busy and full two weeks, but certainly do-able. My recommendations are from a trip last year, based how you can make the most of limited time in each.
One night is enough for area around Belur and Halebid--they are about 40 minutes drive apart (if i recall correctly). Sravanabegola does not require an additional night-- you can probably see it between destinations.

Mysore-- one night should be fine, if you want to hit the "highlights" only.

Ooty--I would say two nights because there is SO much loveliness around (not necessarily IN the town itself) in that area. Indentally, I'd recommend staying in Coonor instead, or at least spending part of a day there. Beautiful scenery and tea plantations. Perhaps work it out with your driver to take the little train between Ooty and Coonor, depending on which direction you're going.The driver can meet you at the other end.

Do you have a special interest in seeing elephants? I ask as you mention Guruvayoor and Kodanad. There is also a famous Hindu temple in Guruvayoor. We spent one night, but not right in the Guruvayoor area--in River Retreat Hotel, about an hour drive. If you stay there , you are very close (5 minute drive) the Kerala Dance Center where Kathakali is taught--it might be a nice addtion if in the area.
Mudumalai--recommend two nights. Why? Assuming you are there for wildlife, the extra time gives you another chance to see more animals. We saw the elusive tiger on the second day at Nagarhole (not far from Mudumalai).

How did you find your driver? if through a good travel company, they should have accurate advice on the itinerary and numbr of days at each.

Good luck and enjoy the planning!!

vonkla

If you are in in hurry you can do Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal in one day. Visit the caves in Badami early in the morning since it is quiet then. In the afternoon you can visit the other places.

As far as I remember Badami-Hampi is about 4 hours. If you have the time try to stay at least 2 full days in Hampi.

Try to plan a Sunday in Mysore, the palace is then splendid illuminated. Somnathpur is an hour driving from Mysore.

joesol

Both of you..thanks for your answers, and Rebeccam ..bonjour.. is very appreciated !

Below , i give you my project trip :
Nov 20: Goa/Badamior Hubli (if it is too long drive) night at Hubli or Badami
Nov 21:Badami and AIHOLE night at Badami
Nov 22:PATTADAKAL and road to Hampi, night at Hampi
Nov 23: Hampi.
Nov 24 Hampi
nov 25 Hampi/Belur , visit Belur
Nov 26: HALEBID and SRAVANABELAGOLA , night at MYSORE
Nov 27:Mysore/Somnathpur/Mysore and in the afternoon Palace and Market visit , night at Mysore
Nov 28 road to Mudumulai and night near Reserve
Nov 29: Mudumalai
Nov 30:Mudumalai/ooty , night mettupalayam or coimbatore
Dec 01 :drive to Guruvayur and night there (procession at temple each evening)
Dec 02: Punnathoor Kotta (elephants) and drive and night at Kodanad (elephants)
Dec 03:kodanad- Kottayam/ or Changanassery , ferry to Aleppey., night Allepey

The Mysore's palace is illuminated on saturday too ! It's recent..It' s why i don't know if it is better to stay one more night at Mysore for that ? in this case, i have just one night in Mudumulai.

So, it's why i need so much your advices about this trip...Do I have to forget some place ? Could you arrange this journey much better than me ?
Need your help !! again thanks a lot !

Joelle

rebeccam

Bonjour encore, Joelle!!

I too asked and researched if it was worth adjusting my entire itinerary to see the night lighted palace at Mysore. Most said "no." (HOwever, the interior Palace itself was fascinating ).

Thank you for info that it is now illuminated an additional night.

November 25: There is an evening puja at Belur or Halebid temple. Can't recall which (sorry--old age memory going). With your current itinerary, you could be there for that.

November 30: The morning drive from Mudumalai, up to Ooty, is beautiful: mists swirling 'round the mountains as you ascend into Ooty. Magical!! There can be a lot of morning fog, but hopefully you'll see the peaks above the mist and fog.
Joelle, again, I HIGHLY recommend you spend a bit more time in Coonor and driving a little out of town toward the tea plantations and mountain scenery. Don't take a "plantation tour" if insufficient time-- but the hillsides are lovely. The scenery is quite different from what you'll have seen up to this point in the trip.

There is no other time during your trip for a train journey-- a fun and interesting experience, even for a brief trip. So, do check into possibly taking the Nilgiri Mt railway form Coonoor to Mettupalyam. The driver can go ahead and meet you at the train station in Mettuplayam, and after all the car travel, this will be a nice break for you. I am posting a great web link with photos of the train and a link to the schedule, so you can see if it works for you. i hope it does! This will be a nice time to catch your breath from all the travel!!

If not possible between Coonoor and Mett'm, at least try from Ooty to Coonor. We did this stretch and the scenery, along with the other passengers we met, was a highlight of the trip!! Ayez confiance en moi (=trust me?) you will NOT regret this little detour off your itinerary. Some pix are below:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...t-d-again.html

The drive time between Mett'm and Coimbatore is short--about 45 minutes as I recall--so you could spend the night in either. Coimbatore is bigger and busier.

Au prochain ('til next time?)....Rebecca

joesol

Hello Rebecca

Nice to you for the long answer. When i read you, i know we have not enough time !!! There is so lot to do ! We'll try to do what you say for Coonor. depends the weather.. at this time, maybe, it will be rainy ! So, I am going to save your message. I bring a notebook with us, and it will be a great help for us. Thanks a lot for all, for Belur and so on...A great thought from Quebec !

Joelle

joesol

Thanks for you help.
Joelle

rebeccam

Joelle, Toujours, quand on voyage, il n'est jamais possible faire tout qu'on veux!! I hope this translates to always, when one travels, it's never possible to do all one wants.
Bon voyage. You will love this trip!

joesol

hello Rebecca

I know and it is difficult to accept ! But, the positive is to see and enjoy... We know too we are privileged to do that ! Thanks again for your kindness, Rebecca ! When we will be in India, I will have a tought for you.

Joelle