South India - Itinerary advice

Lindocas

Hello,

We are a group of 4 and we are considering the following itenerary.
But reading so many tips in forum I am confused now.

Questions we have :
- is it worthwhile to go to Peryar-Munnar-Kummarakon and quit Kovalum and Verkala (once we go to Goa).
- but I heard that sunset in south is great!!!
- is it possible to drive directly from Rameshwaram to Kanya Kumari? Is there places to stay at Rameshwaram?
- is it worthwhile the blackboats in Allepey?
- does anyone recomend any local agency?

Day 1 (27/7) - Mumbai - Madurai
Day 2 (28/7) - Madurai - Rameshwaram
Day 3 (29/7) - Madurai - Kanya Kumari - Kovalam/Verkala
Day 4 (30/7) : Madurai - Kanyakuman- Trivandrum
Day 5 (31/7) : Trivadrum - Kovalum-Verkala
Day 6 (1/8) : Verkala (optional excursions?)
Day 7 (2/8) : Verkala - Alleppey - Cochin
Day 8 (3/8) : Cochin
Day 9 (4/8) : Cochin - Goa
Day 10 (5/8): Goa
Day 11 (6/8) : Goa - mumbai

Thanks everyone....

SitaParityaga

Hi Lindocas, and welcome to IM

Its going to be hot in July and August...perhaps it would be cooler, more interesting (lots of animals), being up in the big hills of Periyar and Munnar than spending time on the beach in Kerala, since you're going to Goa later.... Periyar is fun, and an easy two night stay...

BUT, the best thing to do with four people is to get a boat and do the backwaters, offseason! You'll get a great big boat, great big yummy Keralan meals, and lots of relaxation....If I were there offseason, I would take advantage of the big discounts and get a houseboat...chill out for a few days...better than the beach!

wonderwomanusa

There are quite a few hotels in Ramaswaram and I found the people very nice there. Sorry, can't give you a name of a hotel, as it was very long ago, but check our hotels section.

You probably will not do any swimming in Goa; the monsoon will have made the water very rough and very dirty... it's probably not a good time for a beach visit, and not going to Goa will give you a few days for other places.

__________________
The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

pmvelu

is it possible to drive directly from Rameshwaram to Kanya Kumari? Is there places to stay at Rameshwaram?

From Rameswaram , there is a coastal road to kanyakumari via Ramanathapuram-Keelakarai-Ervadi-Sayalkudi-Tuticorin-tiruchendur-Kanyakumari BUT BUT we took this route 15 years back [ In a bus]and the roads are pathetic, pathetic to the core in Ramanathapuram-Sayalkudi Circuit[ I would say around 70 km+ atleast but I forgot the actual distance but it's quite some distance] and the bad news is that the road conditions are similar even 3 years back !.

Even though a bit circuitous, try out coming to madurai in Ramewaram- MAdurai highway [excellent road] followed by excellent Madurai - Kanyakumari Highway [Excellent]

sahodaran

- is it worthwhile to go to Peryar-Munnar-Kummarakon and quit Kovalum and Verkala (once we go to Goa).

I would say Periyar-Munnar is better. Supposedly monsoon should be very active during these times, and the area would be very very green. If only the rains wouldnt be too harsh. BTW, Kovalam is just an average Goa beach, I would say. Surely can be missed if Periyar-Munnar is the alternative. But I've not been to Varkala.

-is there places to stay at Rameshwaram?

Yes, there are a few hotels. But there is heavy rush of pilgrims all the time , and the hotels are not very good. But with an advance booking, it should be OK.

- is it worthwhile the blackboats in Allepey?

Yes. I think its very nice.

sahodaran

BTW, what is your interest in Rameswaram? If it is the temple, then you might want to consider Thanjavur (~ 4 hrs from Madurai by road. Trains are also there)- you can visit Srirangam and Rock fort temples in Trichy as well ( 1.5 hr from Thanjavur, 3 hr from Madurai). All are marvelous ( and much neater than the one in Rameswaram) and are very well accessible, with lots of hotels around.

But there are additional experiences in Rameswaram- the Bridge across the sea, the Island viewed from "Gandhamadana parvatha", and may be the ghost town of Dhanushkodi. Just pointers, bear with me

dhans

I agree with Sahodaran. Trichy and Thanjavur should not be left out of a TN itinerary. Read our report (link below) for more tips.

Hans

__________________

Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids
Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Lindocas

Hi Saho,
thanks for the tips
Rameshwaram I have seen in the IM some good recommendations as the most spirity temple site...may be not??

Your thoughts are wellcomed...

Lindocas

Another question, does anybody experienced Inspire Kerala Holidays, as a local agency...??

sahodaran

Rameshwaram I have seen in the IM some good recommendations as the most spirity temple site...may be not??

Yes, praying there is supposed to have the effect of 10 times that of Haridwar, 100 times of Chidambaram etc (thats what I saw written in the temple). But not sure whether to take it at face value :-)

I had gone to Mahabalipuram, Trichy, Thanjavur, Srirangam, Madurai and Rameswaram as a single trip. Out of all these, Rameswaram stands out because it was dirty and very stinking :-) This is because, since Rameswaram is considered more important in the spiritual circuit, the visitors to the place are much more religiously inclined than being just tourists or travelers, and the rituals involve pouring water from the 22 small wells in the temple, which makes the floors wet and dirty 24 hours a day.

The other places are much more touristy, with well kept lawns and all. In my opinion, the ranking goes 1) Mahabalipuram 2) Thanjavur 3)Rockfort (Trichy) 4) Srirangam 5) Rameswaram. There is a great temple in Chidambaram as well, but I've not been there yet.