To Goa or Not To Goa (vs Mumbi or Kerala)

spittymcgee

Hello All;

I'll be traveling to Cochin for a conference From July 28th till Aug 5th. Afterwards I have 12 days to taste a bit of india before my next trip back.

I'm planning on making my way from the south to Delhi via plane, but want to know about Goa, I've heard its beautiful and seen great pictures, but I may have to strike it from the intinary to make room for more time at other places.

So is it worth it, or would you spend more time in Kerala (backwaters, hiking, Trophy boat race on the 9th etc) or is best to spend some time in Mumbai flying from there to Delhi as opposed Cochin/Banglore to delhi?

I'm a normal 27yr traveler, like a good beer, great conversation, and just exploring the world. To me Goa seems like a bit of a backpacker scene and while I like a good dance party, I'm not into the drugs and the "I can live cheaper in this developing country then you" scene that sometime proliferates at backpacker type locations.

Please help educate me as I'm mostly likely wrong on this self-admitted naive impression.

Thanks all!

vandy

Good day,

My suggestion is to hire a car(indica) & driver and
head for Munnar hill station for a couple of days,
then go to Backwaters.The coldest beer I have ever had in India was at the Taj Garden Retreat in Kumarakom.Whilst in backwater area,hire a country
boat(not houseboat)and explore the smaller canals,
highly reccomended experience.

As for car & driver,he will show you around Munnar
area and then get him to drop you in backwater area
he can then pick you up in a few days time and return you to Cochin or take you direct to airport.

This will leave you with some days in Delhi,and also enable you to take a day trip to Agra and check out the Taj Mahal,if that takes your fancy.

All the Best

vandy

Fan of India

Skip Mumbai !
It's a like any other cosmopolitan city and would not fit into your short India itinerary. Moreover the rains could hit the city hard during that period and you could end up spending most time indoors or stuck in traffic.

Personally I would go to Goa only to relax. The place is great indeed but may not suit your 'short' india tour.

Have you considered Rajasthan? If not - give it a hard look.

I'd say spend 4 days in Kerala then head northwards to Rajasthan (Udaipur and surroundings) for 4 days and then to Delhi for the remaining days.

Whilst in Delhi you can plan an overnight trip to Agra and Fatehpur Sikhri as well.

ronsaik

if you like hiking, then there's no way on earth you can give ladakh a skip.