| India Travel Itinerary Advice - Questions about trip iteneraries and advice on the best to get from point A to point B. |
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#1 |
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Member
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Tamil Nadu to Kerala or Karnataka?
I’ve gone back & forth on my itinerary so many times it’s ridiculous! I’ve always wanted to see Kerala but I’m afraid after a few hrs I’ll want to move on. Plus I’ll arrive the day after xmas & I’m not into big tourist scenes. So I’m contemplating Mysore->Halebid/Belur/Sravenabelogola. I’d prefer Hampi but it seems like it would take too much time to get there.
Here’s the basics: I’ll be there 12/10-1/1. I’m a female traveling by myself. I was in north India 13yrs ago as a poor student. This time I’ll stay in some cheap places but I'll spend the money for a nice place if its worth it. I’m interested in temples, Hindu art & culture. (Love it so much I got a bachelor’s in South Asian Studies!) (“>” refers to traveling) 1: Arrive in India & then immediately fly to Bhubaneshwar 2: Hire a car to take me to Puri & stop at Konark 3: Puri 4: >Bhudaneshwar in am & sightsee till 5pm Chennai flight 5: Chennai>Mahabalipuram 6: Mahabalipuram with a day trip to Kanchi 7: >Tiruvannamali 8: >Chidambaram I might do the next 3 days as day trips from one location 9: >Gangakondacholapuram 10: >Kumbakonam 11: >Thanjavur 12: >Madurai 13: Madurai Here’s where I need help Option 1 14: & 15: add 2 days anywhere from Tiruvannamali-Madurai 16: Railroad to Thiruvananthapuram 17: >Alleppey & get a houseboat for the night (this is Dec 26th will they be avaible?) 18: >Cochin 19: Cochin>Aurangabad 20: Ajanta 21: Ellora 22: >Mumbai 23: fly home Option 2 14: Fly to Bangalore then bus to Mysore 15: Mysore Find a base to day trip for next 2 days 16: Sravenabelagola 17: Halebid & Belur 18: Mysore 19: Bangalore>Aurangabad 20: Ajant 21: Ellora 22: Mumbai 23: Fly home I'd love ANY advice/comments!! |
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#2 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 116
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There is a train from Bangalore to Mysore, you don't have to go by bus.
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#3 |
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Compulsive India traveller
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Oslo/Trondheim, Norway
Posts: 229
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You're moving really fast! I get tired from reading your itinerary... But if you think you're up to it - why not? Good luck! ![]() I can't help you with the two options, they both look stressing... I mean good to me.C |
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#4 |
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Account Closed
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holiday from a holiday
some time you may need a holiday from a holiday
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#5 |
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Member
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I wasn't thinking about the pace too much but I think everyone is right. I'll try to cut down on some of the stuff in south tamil nadu.
Thanks! |
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#6 |
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Hastings
Posts: 69
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Ajunta and Ellora are stunning we were there a few years ago over Xmas itself and accommodation was easy to find, the places themselves were pretty chilled out and not packed out - particularly Ellora, so if you don't want to spend time somwhere busy and crowded / touristy I'd recommend these 2 over the Xmas period. And getting back to Mumbai from there is fine too.
re the rest of the itinery - good luck at that pace! |
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#7 |
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Mine's a Haywoods...
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: London.. sometimes..
Posts: 689
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.. Option 1
There will not be a Christmas 'rush' anywhere... I just think the Kerala schedule really DOES live up to it's reputation.. But don't break your neck trying to do it all ! ![]() |
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#8 |
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Member
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Would I totally regret it if I cut out Mahabalipuram/Tiruvannamali and just fly directly into Madurai and spend more time there and in Thanjavur area?
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#9 |
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Maha Guru Member
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you just need to resign yourself to making multiple visits to india
![]() sravanabelagola is a very very unique and interesting town. get there before dawn and you'll have stair climb all to yourself. halebid and belur are quite nice too. |
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#10 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: London
Posts: 410
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Personally I am a little underwhelmed by Kerala. I just don't get it.
But I love Karnataka, so I would rec option 2. |
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#11 |
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Aircraft Service Engineer, Astronomer & Traveller
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Mumbai, India. (Lat 18.967 N, Long 72.833 E, Alt 11 m)
Posts: 2,038
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Hampi is a not to be missed place and Belur, Halebid, Aihole, Badami and Pattadakal are great too so if you are interested in the old temples then these are the best places you can see in a single state with most of them being near each other. I saw all of these in a few days so it was not all that rushed as it sounds. I got loads of pictures from these places and almost about 30 rolls of 36 exposure film in just these places!!! HAHAHA!!!
Ajanta and Ellora are also not to be missed places before you come to Mumbai and see the Elephanta and Kanheri caves too!!! All very spectacular to see and enjoy if you love Indian temples of the ancient times!!! Fantastic sculptures and architecture of different styles and eras that give the place a real sense of awe and wonder!!! Hope this helps!!! Cheers, Aadil.
__________________
Climb high; climb far; Your goal, the sky, Your aim, the stars!!! |
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#12 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 170
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I havent seen the places in option 1 but if you are going for option 2 and havent seen Hampi, i would say dont miss it
I would suggest this itenary 15 - Sravenabelagola 16 - Belur & Halebid 17 & 18 - Hampi 19 - Aurangabad If you finish Hampi quickly/have more days on hand on the way to Aurangabad you can also visit Pattadkal/Badami caves. I know its a bit of a streatch. But you can drop places depending on your comfort levels. This map of Karnataka tourist places might be helpful. http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/karn...travel-map.htm |
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#13 |
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Lord of Kalinjar
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it's all good, no bad spots on your route, so just take it easy and enjoy. India cannot be rushed, unless you want to have a miserable trip!
(Mahabs is for the beach, Tiruvanmalai is one of a dozen temple towns in TN, all wonderful, but a few each trip is enuff. Kerala is low on my list too, Kiwi, and Adil, you're right on the money!)
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lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/ Utube fuzzy logic: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bijapuri&p =r |
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#14 |
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Maha Guru Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 1,498
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In Tamilnadu - visit Madurai, Tanjore, Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry. Ignore the rest of tamilnadu.
In Karnataka - there r a lot of awesome places. Mysore, somnathpur, belur, halebid and shravanabelagola and awesome places. Instead of Thiruvannamalai, Kumbakonam and Chidambaram...u can visit Hampi, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal in Karnataka...they are world heritage sites and are out of the world. |
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