Three weeks in South India. Is this doable?

jennywren

Would love some advice from the experts. We are planning to visit South India for three weeks over Christmas and New Year.

We’re flying into Mumbai and out of Kochi, so I tried draft a rough plan. Are we being too ambitious?

- Mumbai
- Goa
- Hampi
- Mysore
- Perimar wildlife sanctuary
- Fort Cochin

We’re also really interested in hiking and cycling if possible. Ooti looked amazing as well, but I was a bit worried it would be too cold and damp in December. Would Perimar be the best place for some hiking?

Thanks very much!

dhans

Hi Jenny,

Probably quite doable in three weeks (allthough four would ne better). Read the links below for some suggestions and post any additional questions you may have.

Hans

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santos_g15

You are missing a lot of stuff to be frank .considering your itenary as above mentioned you would miss munnar(one of best hill stations in south india),ooty,kodaikanal,coorg(a ll four are hill stations ,of which i would recommend munnar ),thekkady(periyar),bandipur,n agarhole,muthanga,tholpetty (all willife sanctuaries of which i would suggest you visit thekkady & nagarhole-if you r lucky tiger may get to see u (lol)),kumarakom,alleppey-the venice of east,temple towns in tamilnadu(thanjavur,srirangam, madurai,kanchipuram,darasuram, gangaikondacholapurm,mamalapur am ,mammalapuram-this alone could take three weeks lol),cities like thiruvanandapuram(capital of kerala),bangalore(capital of karnataka),sandy beaches of kovalam and varkala

i have listed all the places i have visited.there are hell a lot more.we could help if post detailed itenary like places you wish to cover and probably the days you spend on them.anyways WELCOME TO INDIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

wonderwomanusa

Jenny, this is definitely do-able, so long as you don't spend too much time in Goa.

I hope you will do some sidetrips from the places you name; many are listed in the guidebooks, and there are guided tours you can take.

For example, from Mysore, you can take a one-day tour to see Belur and Halebid, ancient temples in a style you will not see in other areas of India.

Three weeks is not very long, but don't try to do too much.

If you'll be in Goa for the time between Christmas and New Year's, you better book a hotel now!

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jennywren

Hi - thanks so much for all your tips! I'm feeling quite dizzy trying to pick where to go ...

I'm thinking now we might go to Munnar instead of Periyar. I just wondered what people thought would be the best place to stop off between Hampi and Munnar? I only picked Mysore because it looked halfway on the map!

wichy

I can't say about the way from Mysore to Munnar - but it's easy to get from Hampi to Mysore - an overnight train to Bangalore and than the bus to Mysore (you can go by train as well - there are lots of it, it takes a bit longer than by early-morning bus, but the country-side along the railway was spectacular enough). Mysore is a very pleasant green city and has a lot to see (don't miss Somnathpur's temple about 30-40 km to the east from Mysore, as you don't have time to visit Halebid and Belur). And Mysore maharaja's palace worth a visit too. I also like Mysore Zoo.

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Past the point of no return...

jennywren

Thanks wichy - maybe we'll stick to Mysore then. Here's a more detailed list of what we were planning.

Mon 22 Dec - Mumbai - arrive 3pm
Tues 23 Dec - Mumbai
Wed 24 Dec - Overnight Train to Goa
Thurs 25 - Goa
Fri 26 - Goa
Sat 27 - Goa
Sun 28 - Goa
Mon 29 - Hampi
Tues 30 - Hampi
Wed 31 - Hampi
Thurs 1 - ??
Fri 2 - ??
Sat 3 - ??
Sun 4 - Munnar
Mon 5 - Munnar
Tues 6 - Munnar
Wed 7 - Fort Cochin
Thurs 8 - Fort Cochin
Fri 9 - Fort Cochin
Sat 10 - Fort Cochin
Sun 11 - Cochin 4am depart

Also, we'd like to go the backwaters - can you do that from Fort Cochin? If you can think in a way to fit in more wildlife and hiking that'd be great, especially birds... I did actually think Gokarna looked amazing too agghh!

Thanks again!

wichy

jennywren, i cant say about the weather at Munnar in Jan - but last year I was there at the first decade of December and the weather was really pleasant - about 16-20 in the afternoon, a bit cooler at night - excellent weather for long walking and other activities And the place is beautiful. By the way, don't know how long is the Christmas holiday in Kerala - you'd better book hotel in Munnar in advance, as it's a popular place among Indian tourists (have seen lots of them and very few foreighner).

As for backwater from Cochin - I've head there are some facilities, but they're much poorer than at Allepey - which is only about 2 hours from Cochin, so I think you could go there. You don't need to get there very early - most houseboats start around the noon (but you'd better come 2 hours earlier - to make all arrangements).

vandy

Hi Jennywren,

From Hampi I would catch train to Bangalore and
then train to Kochi( Ernakulam)Kerala, it would be easier going to Fort Cochin First, spend a couple of days and arrange for a car & Driver to take you to Munnar and then head down to Backwater
Area, since you like Birds, there is a Bird Sanctuary in Kumarakom, you will also be able to arrange a O'Night Houseboat from that area, however
since you are going to be in Kerala during Peak Season, you should try and start making some accom
bookings,I suggest Homestays as a personal preference.Your accom choice may also be able to
arrange a Houseboat journey.It is better if you choose your own houseboat BUT the Peak season can
make things Difficult as far as Waiting & choosing
yourself.After your stay in Kumarakom area you should be able to catch train from Nearby town Kotayam to return to Cochin for a couple of more days to relax before heading home.

As far as car & driver hire goes, try and get a
Indica A/C car,Finish your hire at Backwaters and
either train it or get the driver to return and get you back to Cochin.There is also the Possibility of catching a Backwater ferry from Kumarakom to Cochin, then again you may be backwatered out by then.I have still yet to get confirmation about my last suggestion re:backwater
ferry from Kumarakom & Allepey areas to Cochin.

See Hotels section for Accom Reviews.

All the Best

Rgds

vandy

dhans

Don't miss Mysore; it's one of our Indian favourites. Munnar is also great, we were there over X-mas and the weather was very fine.

Hans

ramhegde

My suggestion

Mon 22 Dec - Mumbai - arrive 3pm
Tues 23 Dec - Mumbai
Wed 24 Dec - Overnight Train to Goa
Thurs 25 - Goa
Fri 26 - Goa
Sat 27 - Goa
Sun 28 - Goa
Mon 29 - Hampi
Tues 30 - Hampi
Wed 31 - Hampi
Thurs 1 - Mysore
Fri 2 - Mysore
Sat 3 - Bandipur (Wild life sanctuary)--Stay at Jungle Lodge
Sun 4 - Munnar(Stay at Club Mahindra or Sianna Village)
Mon 5 - Munnar
Tues 6 - Munnar (taxi to Kumarkom)
Wed 7 - Kumarkom ( too many hotels--My fav backwaterripples)
Thurs 8 - Kumarkom (On House Boat)
Fri 9 - Kumarkom (Speed boat to cochin from Alleppy near to Kumarkom)
Sat 10 - Fort Cochin
Sun 11 - Cochin 4am depart

jennywren

Thanks everyone...

We are now thinking about substituting Goa for Gokarna. Is it easy to get from Mumbai to Gokarna and Gokarna to Hampi?

wichy

As I know - there are some trains at Konkan Railway which go to Karnataka coast, and the nearest station to Gokarna is Karwar, so you can get there by train. As for Hampi - you can get to Hubli by bus (I think it takes 4-5 hours by local bus) and than catch a train to Hospet.There could be some direct buses to Hampi too, as it's not far, and is a very popular destination

dhans

And it is possible to do Hampi- Belur in a 8 hour long day by bus (three busses in fact).

Hans

manali4now

I may be criticized for this, but I thought Fort Cochin OVER-RATED!!!!!! However, The backwaters are lovely.