South India Itinerary: Advice

Hello,

We are starting our first travel to India on 16th August and we have chosen the South to start. We have only 16 days and we have searched for many informations in the LP, Indiamike, etc. We'd like to ask you advice for the itinerary. We have designed a pre-idea of what would like to visit in these 15 days, but we guess is not enough time. Moreover, is monsoon time and some people told us that is better to avoid Goa (despite we would like to stay there 2-3 days in our journey to Hampi). Our idea of itinerary is this:

15/08/2008 BCN-MUMBAI
16/08/2008 MUMBAI
17/08/2008 GOA
18/08/2008 GOA
19/08/2008 GOA-HAMPI
20/08/2008 HAMPI-MYSORE
21/08/2008 MYSORE
22/08/2008 MYSORE
23/08/2008 MYSORE-OOTY
24/08/2008 OOTY
25/08/2008 OOTY-COIMBATORE
26/08/2008 COIMBATORE-FORT COCHIN
27/08/2008 FORT COCHIN
28/08/2008 FORT COCHIN-THRISUR
29/08/2008 BACKWATERS
30/08/2008 FORT COCHIN-MUMBAI (by plane)
31/08/2008 MUMBAI-BCN

We are thinking that meybe would be wiser to fly on the first day from Mumbai to Bangalore and concentrate on Mysore, National Parks (perhaps Munnar,etc.) and Kerala. Then we would forget about Goa and Hampi :-(

Thank you

Might want to add a day to Hampi and loose a day in Mysore. Though it will be seriously hot at Hampi, you should stay at least a day more.There's soo much to see there. And why Coimbatore? Skip it and go straight to Cochin.

Hi enlluernar, I'm also from catalonia and planning similar rute but at the start of the month maybe we can share information.

Salutacions,

Albert F.

Hello Albert fa,

Im also using LP forum. What's your itinerary? Are you traveling also on August?

Enlluernar

Suggest you could reduce your time in Mumbai. You can fly straight out to Goa, spend a day there and drive on to Hampi.

Hampi is well worth a visit but you will need at least one whole day to enjoy it. After Hampi, you could also spend a day to see the beautiful temples of Belur and Halebid, before going on to Mysore. I agree with Ananda, reduce your stay to one day in Mysore and dont halt in Coimbatore, you can go straight on to Cochin via Pallakad and Thrissur, or to Cochin via Udumalpet, Marayoor, and Munnar - the second route is much more scenic and it will not be raining as such on the Udumalpet Marayoor stretch. Spend one night at least at either Marayoor or Munnar before going through to Cochin.

Alternately instead of such a rushed visit everywhere, narrow down your destinations to 2 or 3 places and spend a relaxing time there. Im sure you will get plenty of good ideas from our members.

Hello,
Thank you for your recomendations, especially to snonymous. Coimbatore is not an stop to visit anything, just to take the morning train to Cochin, since I plan to take the toy train from Ooty. The other route you mention is also interesting (I mean the stop in Munar in the way to Cochin)but the I suppose I will have to forget about Ooty and its toy train. You propose to spend only 1 night in Goa in the way to Hampi, but is it worth?
Thank you

1 night in Goa isn't enough. Whats the point then. I would suggest you do the opposite of your planned trip. Fly from Mumbai to Cochin and end in Goa-Mumbai.

Ananda 2193,

For what reason? Any benefit?

If you want some beach time, then why not forget goa, and stay at Cherai beach near to Fort Cochin.

OK its not as nice as goa, but its quieter and is still a great place to relax.

Well, you'll be headed back towards Mumbai instead of away. Your last days could be relaxing on a beach in Goa instead of hectically traveling around to get everything done. I think it might be nicer to see alot and be busy at first, and then have a peaceful last couple of days in Goa. It's only a 10 hour train or 50 minute flight from Goa to Mumbai. Just a suggestion, but It's what I would do.

But Goa has that big Portugese influence and food and there will be a few other travelers about at certain places. It's another facet of India that would IMHO make their trip more diverse and interesting.

On the 28th, I think you would want to go to Alleppey for the backwater boat trip, not to Trichur.

See the recent post South India Travel and Accommodation Details, Jan. 20 - March 27 2008
http://www.indiamike.com/india-artic...tions-details/
for useful information on Alleppey.

Thank you for your suggestions. As you say..."It's all part of the adventure of travelling!"

Hi enlluenar, sorry, but was means LP forum? I will attach my itinerary in another message below.

Regards (salutacions)
Albert F.

This is our Idea, more or less, we only have booked the planes and prebooked the Periyar NP.

BCN-DELHI
DELHI – BANGHALORE
BANGHALORE
BANGHALORE – MYSORE.
MYSORE – KOZHIKODE
KOZHIKODE (BANDIPUT N.P.)
KOZHIKODE – COCHIN (PERIYAR N.P.)
COCHIN(PERIYAR N.P.)
COCHIN(PERIYAR N.P.)
COCHIN–DELHI (by plane)
CORBETT
CORBETT - DELHI
DELHI
DELHI
DELHI-AGRA- DELHI
DELHI-BCN

Any suggestion ?
Regards,

Albert F.