North & south in 1 month - Is it possible or am I too ambitious...

Muikku

Hi there!

We are planning to go to India for 1 month on mid December-mid January and would like to reach the north as well as the south. This is what we have planned:

first two weeks:
Delhi-Sikkim-Darjeelin-Delhi (day trip to Agra, perhaps)

last two weeks
Delhi-Kerala-Goa-Delhi

The plan is to spend the forst couple of days in Delhi/Agra, about 9 days at Sikkim/Darjeeling and then go back to Delhi to catch a flight to to Kerala. A week relaxing and exploring backwaters, last 5 days at Goa visiting friends and then back home via Delhi.

We are plannig to travel mostly by plane (Delhi-Baghdora-Delhi, Delhi-Trivandrum, Goa-Delhi). I have found some cheap flights from Air Deccan webpage, but they don't seem to be selling the tickets for Dec-Jan yet. Anyone has an idea, when the tickets can be booked? Experiences in flying with Air Deccan or booking tickets via internet..?

I have many questions and any advice is welcome: Is the weather ok dec-jan up north? Is it possible to go to all these places in a month? Or should we drop something out..? Some advice on what to see in Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kerala..? Would it be better to go to Calcutta from Darjeeling and to south from there?

Thanks a lot for any tips!!!

India fan

2cents

The tickets on Airdeccan flights can be booked only upto October 29th as of now.However there is an announcement on their website that for those sectors served by Airbus planes tickets for dates till the end of January 2007 can be booked starting from August 13th.Since both the Delhi-Baghdora-Delhi and Delhi-Trivandrum route fall in this category you can book those tickets anytime on or after the 13th of this month.
There are numerous threads in this forum dealing with experience of those who have traveled with Airdeccan.Its a mixed bag with reactions varying from 'highly satisfactory' to 'never again'.In general though their flight cancellation ratio is higher than other private or budget carriers.Any disruption early in the day with one of the planes leads to a cascading effect delaying the rest of the scheduled flights served by it.This is true with all the carriers,but in case of Airdeccan this becomes a more acute issue as the planes are utilised or flown to the maximum possible extent.Thus the likelihood of cancellation of flights later in the day is much higher.
The major problem with air travel through Delhi airport during the winter is the disruption caused due to fog.So that's a big factor that you'll have to keep in mind while planning the various legs of your trip.This applies to only the airports in the north.The ones in rest of the country won't be as severely affected.

Muikku

Thanks so much for the advice 2cents!! Have to look for the flights again on the 13th! I've also heard before about the fogs in Delhi... Well, just have to prepare for that, I guess .

Do you have an opinion about the itinerary tself? Is it doable? Any suggestions, what to see/drop out perhaps..?

cmsach

hi there,
i have read your plan and it is easily feasable. I could maybe help you to plan your trip if you so require. I have helped many people plan their routings and trips.
in case you need any help please contact me on my mail id
chander_moni@yahoo.de
regards
sachdev

2cents

As I am not familiar with the Delhi-Agra and Sikkim/Darjeeling part,afraid I can't be of any help regarding the places to see or days to spend there.
Regarding Kerala,unless you have read up quite a bit about the backwaters and is keen to spend a week cruising the canals and exploring the surrounding areas, a week could get to be a bit of a drag.2 days and a night usually suffices to experience the backwaters in a Kettuvallom .
I would have suggested the beach at Varkala on your way up north from Trivandrum on the way to the Kollam/Alleppey for embarking on the backwater boat trip.However since you are going to spend 5 days in Goa ,Varkala could be given a miss.
That leaves other favourites with travelers like the Periyar Tiger Reserve.There are a variety of trekking packages one can choose from to experience the forest reserve.If you still have a day or two to spare,there are some scenic hill stations in the same district which often fall outside the usual tourist trail.One place that comes to mind is Kulamavu/Nadukani which can be clubbed along with a visit to the Idukki arch dam.

Muikku

Thank you 2cents for the valuable info!! We weren't thniking of spending the whole week in the backwaters, so the Tiger Reserve and Hill stations sound good...If we deside to go to some beach in Kerala, do you know any less touristic places (I understand that Varkala is for the chater groups..?)?

2cents

Yes,Varkala would be teeming with tourists during December-January ,both charter groups and others looking for an alternative to Kovalam.
The trouble with less touristy places,especially when it comes to beaches, is that there won't any of the trappings or useful amenities that a place like Varkala or Kovalam provides.So either there wouldn't be any reasonable accomodation in the vicinity or it would be the super-luxury kind priced to attract only the cream.This is the case with Maraikulam for instance.The stretch of beach there is one of the best along the Kerala coast(plus its quite close to the backwaters).So if price(200-300 euros) is not an issue then you can try the Marari Beach Resort.
Another stretch of beach that's relatively quiet,clean and with enough options to stay is the Kuzhippilly-Cherai area.This is around 25kms from Ernakulam city.During the weekdays there wouldn't be too many people about on the beach and its safe enough to swim.
Although I haven't visited the place personally,I have heard that Nattika beach is non-touristy.The website of one of the resorts located there would give you some idea of the place - http://www.kadappurambeachresorts.com/