South India - So much to do, not enough time!

Smilez · Feb 20th, 2009, 19:42

Hello!

I'm a newbie who is going to Ooty/Vellore in August for a wedding.

Rather than just spend three days there, I'm going to be in India for a whole four weeks!

I'm going to book this tour - http://www.shoestring.co.uk/web/site...sco de=GRISIZ

but have a week inbetween the end of the tour and the wedding and am looking for ways to while away my time.

I'll be travelling by myself and this is something that worries me slightly

. I guess one of the plus points is that I can speak and understand Tamil so hopefully travelling in South India shouldn't be too hard!

What do you guys think about the tour? What would you advise me to do during my week? Should I go back to Chennai? Ultimately (and this could be unfortunate depending on how you look at it!

)I've grown up watching Kollywood films and love the way the countryside is portrayed! Would love to spend some time there and visit a whole load of temples.

Any advice would be appreciated. And the forum is awesome by the way!

Moderator Note : I have modified the title of your thread to better reflect your query. I have also moved the thread to the itinerary forum so that our south India travel gurus will be able to help you.

Smilez · Feb 26th, 2009, 19:32

*bump*

Did I come across as rude in my post?

That wasn't my intention. It seems like there a load of people who could probably give me very good advice. Even if it's just whether the tour would be worthwhile?

New-South-Welshman · Feb 26th, 2009, 19:38

Well, depends where you'll be landing from overseas, and what you enjoy to do. I'm no expert on Tamil Nadu/Kerala, but I'm pretty sure if you browse those states in the "Forums" section, you will find a lot of information.

chAos · Feb 27th, 2009, 18:16

Welcome to IM, Smilez.

I checked out the tour and although I haven't been to all (many) of these places, it looks like you'll be able to see the main sites in the area. I don't have any experience with the company, but if you're more comfortable going with a group and notice all that the package doesn't include, then I don't see why not to book it.

About the week after the tour is over, my thought is that you could wait and play it by ear when you get here.
Maybe you'll hear about something while you're travelling that you'd like to see, or decide you want to go back and see more of a place.
Or even, if you're willing to fly, you could have a total change and see a different part of the country.

As for ideas in the south, there are 3 places on steven_ber's list of Top 10 in India that your tour doesn't cover.

Quote:

Originally Posted by steven_ber

Hampi
Amritsar
Bodh Gaya
Varanasi
Alleppey-Kollam backwaters cruise
Jaisalmer
Kovalam
Chetinad
Godavari river cruise
Bhubaneshwar

You could also add parts of Karnataka: Coorg is a hill station, you could visit Mysore, and if you're not OD'ed on temples, there are Halebidu and Belur.

Hope this helps a little.

ps: I don't think you were rude or that nobody wants to help, but your title was probably a little too vague to get the people reading it that could be more helpful. I think that if it had the words "South India" you'd get more applicable advice. Maybe a mod could change that for you?

Akila · Feb 27th, 2009, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smilez

Hello!
I've grown up watching Kollywood films and love the way the countryside is portrayed! Would love to spend some time there and visit a whole load of temples.
Any advice would be appreciated. And the forum is awesome by the way!

As you mentioned Kollywood films, may be you could spend two/three days around "pollachi", lot of these films are shooted here. Visit Valpari, the waterfalls , dams around the place , sanctuary, also the Anamalai Hills. The temperature will be very pleasant throughout the year in this area.

http://www.coimbatore.com/pollachi/pollachi.htm

Smilez · Feb 27th, 2009, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by chAos

Welcome to IM, Smilez.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chAos

Hope this helps a little.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chAos

ps: I don't think you were rude or that nobody wants to help, but your title was probably a little too vague to get the people reading it that could be more helpful. I think that if it had the words "South India" you'd get more applicable advice. Maybe a mod could change that for you?

Thank you Chaos! It was very much appreciated.

I'll look into that list. I've still got another few months to go so hopefully can make my mind up between now and then. Bless your heart!

Thank you Akila - There are some awesome palces here. Maybe a week just isn't enough time!

And to the moderator - thanks for changing that for me!

pibikay · Mar 4th, 2009, 11:56

Hi
If you want to see locations portrayed in the films the ares around Erode Bhavani and Palani will be attractive.Or you can visit the Chettinad houses.Have a nice trip

Smilez · Mar 17th, 2009, 20:36

Thank you so much!

I am looking into everything.

santos_g15 · Mar 18th, 2009, 00:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by chAos

Welcome to IM, Smilez.

I checked out the tour and although I haven't been to all (many) of these places, it looks like you'll be able to see the main sites in the area. I don't have any experience with the company, but if you're more comfortable going with a group and notice all that the package doesn't include, then I don't see why not to book it.

About the week after the tour is over, my thought is that you could wait and play it by ear when you get here.
Maybe you'll hear about something while you're travelling that you'd like to see, or decide you want to go back and see more of a place.
Or even, if you're willing to fly, you could have a total change and see a different part of the country.

As for ideas in the south, there are 3 places on steven_ber's list of Top 10 in India that your tour doesn't cover.

You could also add parts of Karnataka: Coorg is a hill station, you could visit Mysore, and if you're not OD'ed on temples, there are Halebidu and Belur.

Hope this helps a little.

ps: I don't think you were rude or that nobody wants to help, but your title was probably a little too vague to get the people reading it that could be more helpful. I think that if it had the words "South India" you'd get more applicable advice. Maybe a mod could change that for you?

i read in some post that there is no enough water in godavari river for boating and boat trips are being cancelled.some thread about araku valley.just my two cents.

Feb 20th, 2009, 19:42	#1
Smilez Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London Posts: 12	South India - So much to do, not enough time! Hello! I'm a newbie who is going to Ooty/Vellore in August for a wedding. Rather than just spend three days there, I'm going to be in India for a whole four weeks! I'm going to book this tour - http://www.shoestring.co.uk/web/site...sco de=GRISIZ but have a week inbetween the end of the tour and the wedding and am looking for ways to while away my time. I'll be travelling by myself and this is something that worries me slightly . I guess one of the plus points is that I can speak and understand Tamil so hopefully travelling in South India shouldn't be too hard! What do you guys think about the tour? What would you advise me to do during my week? Should I go back to Chennai? Ultimately (and this could be unfortunate depending on how you look at it! )I've grown up watching Kollywood films and love the way the countryside is portrayed! Would love to spend some time there and visit a whole load of temples. Any advice would be appreciated. And the forum is awesome by the way! Moderator Note : I have modified the title of your thread to better reflect your query. I have also moved the thread to the itinerary forum so that our south India travel gurus will be able to help you. Last edited by nayan : Feb 27th, 2009 at 18:36.

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Feb 26th, 2009, 19:32	#2
Smilez Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London Posts: 12	bump Did I come across as rude in my post? That wasn't my intention. It seems like there a load of people who could probably give me very good advice. Even if it's just whether the tour would be worthwhile?

Feb 26th, 2009, 19:38	#3
New-South-Welshman Drunk Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, NSW Posts: 1,574	Well, depends where you'll be landing from overseas, and what you enjoy to do. I'm no expert on Tamil Nadu/Kerala, but I'm pretty sure if you browse those states in the "Forums" section, you will find a lot of information.

Mar 4th, 2009, 11:56	#7
pibikay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 372	Hi If you want to see locations portrayed in the films the ares around Erode Bhavani and Palani will be attractive.Or you can visit the Chettinad houses.Have a nice trip

Mar 17th, 2009, 20:36	#8
Smilez Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London Posts: 12	Thank you so much! I am looking into everything.