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!!

There is a train from Bangalore to Mysore, you don't have to go by bus.

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

some time you may need a holiday from a holiday

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!

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!

.. 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 !

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?

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.

Personally I am a little underwhelmed by Kerala. I just don't get it.

But I love Karnataka, so I would rec option 2.

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.

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

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!)

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.