Last two weeks in India

asicola

So, my wife and I are finishing our five and half months in India on 14 Feb. We have been all over- crossed the country four times, seen more temples, churches and forts than you can shake a stick at, met incredible people, etc.

We just don't know what to do next...We are in Ft. Cochin and on our way north to leave from Mumbai. But where to from here? We've been to Goa and Varkala and are pretty much done with beaches. Done with big cities too as a matter of fact. And I think I'll scream if I hear "Yes sir, have a look my shop?" one more time.

We are thinking of Hampi and perhaps the Ajanta Caves but who knows? Maybe we are just sick of packing up all our shit and getting on some form of transport to get to the next place?

Any ideas anyone?

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jyotirmoy

Hampi, Ajanta & Ellora are definitely worth visiting.

asicola

Thanks jyotirmoy.

Any other ideas?

shashank.aggarwal

go to some hill station and chill out for some time..

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brishti

since you're in kerela now -
visit a coorg rubber plantation there is this place i know, that has accomodation in pitched tents - amazing home cooked meals - and the owner of the plantation takes you for a trek/look-see/ramble over the hills and dales in his plantation. great activity and a place to chill as well. google coorgplanterscamp and see for yourself.
easy on the pocket as well

since this is close to mysore/mangalore - you could make it to hampi as well...



:brishti

piran_e

You can come to Mumbai by visiting some places in Karnataka depending on what you like. If you want to see more temples the you can do Hampi, Badami, Aihole. Or if you like nature then u can go to Chickmaglaur , or Dadeli NP and from there visit the pilgrimage centre of Yana which is a very beautiful place.

steven_ber

I've not been to Ajanta or Hampi, yet I get the feeling that the above 2 lines shouldn't be in the same post.

I've kind of experienced what you describe, I wanted to go home, but couldn't afford to get my tickets changed, so carried on with another 3 weeks, but I done the wrong thing, I kept travelling (I had meetings) when I just wanted to find somewhere nice, empty my backpack onto the floor and chill for a while.

If I were in your position I think I'd look to find one place on the way back to Mumbai and just go there and stay till you're ready for your trip to Mumbai.

I've heard great things about Madikeri and surrounding areas and I think I'd head there, find a great place in the hills, settle down and do some nice walks each day or just chill out. (Belur & Chikmagalur would only be a couple of hours away as well)

(I know I'm taking a chance by providing the following info, you may have already been to the area, or you may not want to go, but I don't mind giving the info as I know how I was feeling, and I know I wasn't really in the mood to look for detailed info at the time)

The following trains will take you to Cannanore (now called Kannur), both trains run daily and often still have availability at the last minute, The Indian Railway website isn't working so I can't check, but if you don't find availability, try using the foreign tourist quota, if still no luck, try booking using the Tatkal quota, though the Tatkal quota would cost a lot more and you'd have to mention that you'll be boarding the train in Ernakulam and not Trivandrum.

Train 6629 departs Ernakulam Town at 23.45 and gets to Kannur at 06.40

Train 6604 departs Ernakulam Junction at 23.25 and gets to Kannur at 05.45

Ernakulam Town station is known locally as Ernakulam north, and Junction station is known as Ernakulam south.

Both trains have: -

2-tier air con = Rs 962
3-tier air con = Rs 690
First Class (not air con) = Rs 771
Sleeper Class (not air con) = Rs 256

Kannur is about 120kms from Madikeri and connected by a direct road, it's only a guess, but I think there should be a bus every couple of hours in the morning.

Madikeri is also very close to the Coorg Planters Camp mentioned by Brishti.

Madikeri (and surrounding areas) are about 130kms from Mangalore, if you choose this route back to Mumbai, the following trains run daily (though they get booked fast).

Train 2620, Mangalore 14:40, Lokmanya Tilak (Mumbai) 06:35
Train 6346, Kankanadi 00:25, Lokmanya Tilak 16:40

Both trains have 2 & 3 tier air con and Sleeper Class.

In case of any confusion, Mangalore station has just been re-named Mangalore Central, and Kankanadi station (a few kms outside of mangalore) has just been re-named Mangalore Junction, though Indian Railways still seem to be using the old names.

Good luck, and don't worry if this info is no use to you, others may find it useful.

Wherever you decide to go, let me know, and I'll see what I can find in the way of trains and availability, it's so much easier to do from the comfort of one's home than when you're on the road.

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