Itinerary Advice: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

MSchalk

Hi, I`m an India-first timer and will be going to South India from 27th December 08 to February 2009. My itinerary will include Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and looks roughly like this (still open to change):

• Cochi: 2 days
• Backwaters: 5 days
• Vagamaon (plantation stay): 3 days
• Munnar: 3 days
• Coorg area (incl. Nagarhole, Wayanad): 4 days
• Mysore 4 days (incl. trips to Somnathpur, Ranganitoo, Sringapatnam)
• Hampi 3 days
• Bangalore 2 days
• Mamallapuram 2 days
• Kanchipuram 1 day
• Pondicherry 3 days (incl. daytrip Gingee Fort)
• Thanjavur 1 day
• Madurai 1 day
• Periyar 3 days
• Varkala 2 days
• back to Cochi

Is this circuit halfway realistic including travel time ? Please let me know your opinions ...

Jorge Reverter

MSchalk,

Probably too many days in several places like in the Backwaters, Pondicherry, Periyar, Munnar etc., obviously it depends what are your preferences.

From Mysore you should visit Belur, Halebid and Sravanabelagola. From Hampi will be interesting to vist Aihole, Pattadakal and Badami. In the other hand in Kumbakonam you can stay longer to visit sites like Dharasuram, gangaikondacholapuram..., form Thanjavur to Maduerai you must vist (is really a must) Srirangam in Trichur and is also a good idea to visit Rameswaram once you are in Madurai. Ost of this places are not far away each other.

Jorge