Planning 2 months in India - help needed

beddie · Jan 6th, 2007, 21:06

Hi People,

Me and my girlfriend are off to India for 2 months on Feb 4th as part of a 7 months trip around the world. We'd both really appreciate any advice you guys could throw our way. Our work in progress itinery is a follows:

Mumbai - Goa - Hampi - Bangalore? - MySore - Alappuzha / Kerala backwaters - Kerala / Western Ghats - Delhi (fly) - Agra - Pokhara / Annapurna - Kathmandu (Himalayan Trek) - Darjeeling - Kolkata / West Bengal - Mumbai (fly).

We have about 9 weeks in total which I realize isn't a lot but we've done our best to try and be realistic in what we can/can't do. I know India can be unavoidably hectic at times, but we are in search of a relaxing time too. We want to see the main sights but I also like to get off the beaten track, does the itinery reflect this? Can anyone see any problems with our plan so far? Are we missing out on 'must see' places? I'm confident the route we're taking is a good one, but I'm unsure of exactly which places to visit in each state. Absolutely any comments/advice will be greatly appreciated...

Cheers

Matt

SANJAY_DEL · Jan 6th, 2007, 22:00

Kerala
Train no 6526 departs Bangalore at 21 45 to reach Ernakulam Town the next morning at 9 35.
Day 1: Cochin Fort
Day 2: Visit Kumbalanghy, a typical Kerala village 25 km away.
Evening - Jew Town, Kochi.
Day 3, 4 Houseboat cruise in the backwaters of Alappuzha
Pathiramanal
Kuttanad

Day 5,6 Varkala Beach
Day 7 Ponmudi hill resort

Day 8 Trivandrum
Flight to Delhi

machadinha · Jan 6th, 2007, 22:22

Sorry, but in 9 weeks I think Kerala could do with a little more than 8 days perhaps. Where did you get this itinerary anyway? Is this a trip you've done yourself?

beddie · Jan 6th, 2007, 23:42

I think I agree, Kerala seems a beautiful place and we want to avoid having a hectic itinerary (if this is indeed possible!).

thanks,

machadinha · Jan 7th, 2007, 02:15

Breaking this down into segments may help you along. You get roughly: Goa-Bit of Karnataka-Kerala-(Delhi & Agra)-Nepal where it looks like you'll want some time-Bengal. That's about 5 areas in 9 weeks (and bearing in mind that an "area" on the subcontinent is usually big enough to merit a holiday of its own, I mean I'm usually one to go off saying shouldn't you realize this is a state, not a place). Could be doable if you want it, you may have to economize on some of those destinations or skip them altogether. Don't be too optimistic about travel time involved, but if you keep a pace up you can cover quite some ground in 2 months I think.

I hope to be back on this, or hopefully others will.

robotvoice · Jan 7th, 2007, 02:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by beddie

Are we missing out on 'must see' places?

Matt

varanasi, bodhgaya

goagirlwannabee · Jan 7th, 2007, 04:36

There are some really beautiful places in the north of India that I loved - Rajasthan is such a lovely place.

A good tip is to go one a website like intrepid traveller and see where they go and the time scale they use and adjust it to suit you.
I did that with a few countries like China and it worked for me but I found that I needed alot more time in India than any other country cause I got hooked on the place and I kept wanting to see more & more!

beddie · Jan 7th, 2007, 19:46

Thanks for the tips so far - I think we will break our trip into mini segments but freestyle a bit through each state. Our main 'unsure-ness' is which parts of Kerala / Karnataka to see, and unfortunately, to skip. Hampi is a definite, but does anyone have any info on Mysore, Munnar, Kumily Region?

machadinha · Jan 8th, 2007, 04:19

Not asking you to give out more than we need to know, but if you could indicate where the other 5 months will be spent this might be helpful in thinking of highlights in India.

Mysore I thought was quite nice, but mostly for, er, just being nice. Not necessarily a highlight or anything, however there's no reason to miss it should you pass by there. Munnar and Kumily (Kumilly) have been covered here quite a bit so try to look for those posts. Munnar sounds most attractive to me, haven't visited either place.

You mentioned the Western Ghats which I think is a good idea. I've often mentioned how I bused through there roughly where Kerala meets Karnataka and regret not having just gotten out where I felt like it to have a look around. Beautiful area. I spent some hours in Madikeri and friends of mine stayed for longer (to their enjoyment), it's sort of a central town there I think and has received reports on this site. There are tinier places though which looked no less attractive. If there's a guesthouse or not always remains to be seen in such places, however going without a bed would seem difficult to me, or there'll be a next bus if need be.

I think these (lower) mountains stretch pretty much along the coast, going from Varkala or its nearest railhead to Madurai you likewise pass through this beautiful scenery, albeit different from the above. Again, I should have just gotten off there. Well, the grass is always greener at the other side kind of thing.

Doing impromptu stuff like that will take you some time by definition so it will reflect on your other plans though.

Jan 6th, 2007, 21:06	#1
beddie Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 10	Planning 2 months in India - help needed Hi People, Me and my girlfriend are off to India for 2 months on Feb 4th as part of a 7 months trip around the world. We'd both really appreciate any advice you guys could throw our way. Our work in progress itinery is a follows: Mumbai - Goa - Hampi - Bangalore? - MySore - Alappuzha / Kerala backwaters - Kerala / Western Ghats - Delhi (fly) - Agra - Pokhara / Annapurna - Kathmandu (Himalayan Trek) - Darjeeling - Kolkata / West Bengal - Mumbai (fly). We have about 9 weeks in total which I realize isn't a lot but we've done our best to try and be realistic in what we can/can't do. I know India can be unavoidably hectic at times, but we are in search of a relaxing time too. We want to see the main sights but I also like to get off the beaten track, does the itinery reflect this? Can anyone see any problems with our plan so far? Are we missing out on 'must see' places? I'm confident the route we're taking is a good one, but I'm unsure of exactly which places to visit in each state. Absolutely any comments/advice will be greatly appreciated... Cheers Matt Last edited by machadinha : Jan 6th, 2007 at 21:19. Reason: moved to itinerary forum

Jan 6th, 2007, 22:22	#3
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,581	Sorry, but in 9 weeks I think Kerala could do with a little more than 8 days perhaps. Where did you get this itinerary anyway? Is this a trip you've done yourself? __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Jan 6th, 2007, 22:00	#2
SANJAY_DEL Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA Posts: 1,351	Kerala Train no 6526 departs Bangalore at 21 45 to reach Ernakulam Town the next morning at 9 35. Day 1: Cochin Fort Day 2: Visit Kumbalanghy, a typical Kerala village 25 km away. Evening - Jew Town, Kochi. Day 3, 4 Houseboat cruise in the backwaters of Alappuzha Pathiramanal Kuttanad Day 5,6 Varkala Beach Day 7 Ponmudi hill resort Day 8 Trivandrum Flight to Delhi

Jan 6th, 2007, 23:42	#4
beddie Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 10	I think I agree, Kerala seems a beautiful place and we want to avoid having a hectic itinerary (if this is indeed possible!). thanks,

Jan 7th, 2007, 02:15	#5
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,581	Breaking this down into segments may help you along. You get roughly: Goa-Bit of Karnataka-Kerala-(Delhi & Agra)-Nepal where it looks like you'll want some time-Bengal. That's about 5 areas in 9 weeks (and bearing in mind that an "area" on the subcontinent is usually big enough to merit a holiday of its own, I mean I'm usually one to go off saying shouldn't you realize this is a state, not a place). Could be doable if you want it, you may have to economize on some of those destinations or skip them altogether. Don't be too optimistic about travel time involved, but if you keep a pace up you can cover quite some ground in 2 months I think. I hope to be back on this, or hopefully others will.

Jan 7th, 2007, 04:36	#7
goagirlwannabee Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: uk Posts: 124	There are some really beautiful places in the north of India that I loved - Rajasthan is such a lovely place. A good tip is to go one a website like intrepid traveller and see where they go and the time scale they use and adjust it to suit you. I did that with a few countries like China and it worked for me but I found that I needed alot more time in India than any other country cause I got hooked on the place and I kept wanting to see more & more!

Jan 7th, 2007, 19:46	#8
beddie Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 10	Thanks for the tips so far - I think we will break our trip into mini segments but freestyle a bit through each state. Our main 'unsure-ness' is which parts of Kerala / Karnataka to see, and unfortunately, to skip. Hampi is a definite, but does anyone have any info on Mysore, Munnar, Kumily Region?

Jan 8th, 2007, 04:19	#9
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,581	Not asking you to give out more than we need to know, but if you could indicate where the other 5 months will be spent this might be helpful in thinking of highlights in India. Mysore I thought was quite nice, but mostly for, er, just being nice. Not necessarily a highlight or anything, however there's no reason to miss it should you pass by there. Munnar and Kumily (Kumilly) have been covered here quite a bit so try to look for those posts. Munnar sounds most attractive to me, haven't visited either place. You mentioned the Western Ghats which I think is a good idea. I've often mentioned how I bused through there roughly where Kerala meets Karnataka and regret not having just gotten out where I felt like it to have a look around. Beautiful area. I spent some hours in Madikeri and friends of mine stayed for longer (to their enjoyment), it's sort of a central town there I think and has received reports on this site. There are tinier places though which looked no less attractive. If there's a guesthouse or not always remains to be seen in such places, however going without a bed would seem difficult to me, or there'll be a next bus if need be. I think these (lower) mountains stretch pretty much along the coast, going from Varkala or its nearest railhead to Madurai you likewise pass through this beautiful scenery, albeit different from the above. Again, I should have just gotten off there. Well, the grass is always greener at the other side kind of thing. Doing impromptu stuff like that will take you some time by definition so it will reflect on your other plans though.

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