Rookie Travelers at Christmas Time

Hess · Nov 5th, 2009, 05:58

Greetings everyone!

My wife and I are from Canada and are in the throes of planning our first stint in India. It will begin in December (2009) and last until April. My wife is well versed in international travel, though she's never been to India, and I am a rookie to all things overseas...

So, we've been reading our L.P. guidebook and have become slightly nervous at travel over Christmastime. Our plan is to be traveling through either Karnataka or Kerala between Christmas and New Year's, though we don't necessarily have to hold fast to this plan .

Our question is: Is it absolutely necessary to book ahead when traveling at Christmas time, or is it possible to find accommodation without a reservation? Also, what is a reasonable cost estimate for budget accommodation during Christmastime?

Many thanks.
This site is fantastic!

rondel · Nov 5th, 2009, 09:36

I think it really depends where exactly you are, or are going to be. In the more heavily traveled spots I think it's wise to book ahead. Where to you plan to be for Christmas/New Years?

puchoo · Nov 5th, 2009, 11:47

Rondel is right , you need to let us know where you are planning to head to , many many places will either be full up , or will be asking for premiums...

Hess · Nov 6th, 2009, 05:05

Well, being as our schedule is completely flexible, could you suggest any locations that would be less prone to premiums and necessary reservations?

At this point we'll be in Goa on December 13th, and will stay for a few days and then continue heading south. We've thought of staying in Mangalore from December 22nd onwards, but it seems that even there a premium is charged...

Any suggestions of places that would be both scenic and affordable?

MadinIndia · Nov 6th, 2009, 11:26

How about a Private Island with a Lagoon and a lake in the middle of the island where you can do Kayaking etc?

In the sea, which is very shallow and beautiful, you can see Dolphins quite close to you if you are lucky, do some snorkeling, para sailing etc.

This is just 2.5 hours drive from Goa and this is the place where Rabindranath Tagore wrote Prakritir Pratishoota.

When I was living in Bangalore, this was my favorite weekend retreat and a Loghut costs around $80-$100 per night for a couple which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner! There is a gazebo in the middle of the Island where you can party.

They will take you fishing with the locals, or you can visit the tribal village at one corner of the Island and see their handicrafts.

Hess · Nov 7th, 2009, 08:19

Hey, thanks for the info.

While this possiblity sounds very exciting, it's a little out of our budget... We're hoping to only spend $50(CAN)/day...

Nevertheless, where is this island you speak of?

sympara · Nov 7th, 2009, 09:13

Hess

you can think about of northeast india... the paradise unexplored..... i visited all places .... but northest is the heaven of nature...

rondel · Nov 7th, 2009, 11:49

Hess, how goes the plan? If you'll be in Mangalore, what about heading further south into northern Kerala. I'll be you can get a decent price with good things to do around Calicut. Another good option might be Wyanad. I'm much more familiar with southern Kerala, but these might work. Of course you could just travel further south...

anyway, I think you guys will do okay most anywhere unless it's a classic hot spot.

MadinIndia · Nov 7th, 2009, 12:36

Hess, you can check http://www.junglelodges.com/V2/Devbagh.htm

The rate for Indians listed there is around $60 USD and for Non-Indians is around $90, maybe you can work out a deal with them.

MadinIndia · Nov 7th, 2009, 12:40

Oops, and the price seems to be per person. Apologies for the over sight. But when I used to go there, I always used to work out a deal when booking in advance and learnt that they are very flexible with rates. Don't know how the situation is now but worth trying.

Hess · Nov 8th, 2009, 10:23

Thanks to all of you MadinIndia, Rondel and Sympara. Your advice is most appreciated.

I'm thinking of taking your advice, Rondel, and heading south. Mangalore was really only a possibility based on an assumption that it might not be oober busy there...
I think we'll just have to be content with not seeing all the touristy things during the Christmas season, and if we're bent on seeing them at all, then we'll have to come back in February or so... Any suggestions, then, in Southern Kerala?

MadinIndia · Nov 8th, 2009, 16:02

Kovalam Beach in Kerala - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kovalam

Chikmagalur in Karnataka, Near Mangalore http://www.chickmagalur.nic.in/

Chilka Lake in Orissa - http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/new/chilika.htm

rondel · Nov 9th, 2009, 00:54

Well I'm one of those people who prefer Varkala over Kovalam, but both are fab. You also might enjoy being in Fort Cochin. My advice would be to go ahead with going wherever it is you originallly wanted to explore in Kerala. Pick your spot, try to book ahead for the end of December if you can. You can always look around for something else if you want different accomodation.

Brisso · Nov 9th, 2009, 08:23

The budget approach of turning up on spec will usually work out, but can involve a lot of tramping about asking if accom is available. Touts can simplify the process if you are a bit discerning. Sometimes it is not a problem. Goa is busy in December, but most locations in Kerala should be manageable.

If internet booking tariffs are too expensive, book your first night and seek out cheaper digs the following day. Has always worked out for me (well, 95% of the time).

Hess · Nov 12th, 2009, 05:40

Perfect, thanks Brisso.

I think we'll spend a little time in Goa before Christmas, and then head to Kerala until the end of December or so.

Thanks, everyone, for your advice.

Nov 5th, 2009, 05:58	#1
Hess Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Rookie Travelers at Christmas Time Greetings everyone! My wife and I are from Canada and are in the throes of planning our first stint in India. It will begin in December (2009) and last until April. My wife is well versed in international travel, though she's never been to India, and I am a rookie to all things overseas... So, we've been reading our L.P. guidebook and have become slightly nervous at travel over Christmastime. Our plan is to be traveling through either Karnataka or Kerala between Christmas and New Year's, though we don't necessarily have to hold fast to this plan . Our question is: Is it absolutely necessary to book ahead when traveling at Christmas time, or is it possible to find accommodation without a reservation? Also, what is a reasonable cost estimate for budget accommodation during Christmastime? Many thanks. This site is fantastic!

Nov 5th, 2009, 11:47	#3
puchoo Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Delhi & Himachal Pradesh (Shimla) Posts: 5,411	Rondel is right , you need to let us know where you are planning to head to , many many places will either be full up , or will be asking for premiums... __________________ Cheers! Indiamike Mod team............ puchoo.wordpress.com

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Nov 5th, 2009, 09:36	#2
rondel Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 21	I think it really depends where exactly you are, or are going to be. In the more heavily traveled spots I think it's wise to book ahead. Where to you plan to be for Christmas/New Years?

Nov 6th, 2009, 05:05	#4
Hess Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Well, being as our schedule is completely flexible, could you suggest any locations that would be less prone to premiums and necessary reservations? At this point we'll be in Goa on December 13th, and will stay for a few days and then continue heading south. We've thought of staying in Mangalore from December 22nd onwards, but it seems that even there a premium is charged... Any suggestions of places that would be both scenic and affordable?

Nov 6th, 2009, 11:26	#5
MadinIndia Lost & Found Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 13	How about a Private Island with a Lagoon and a lake in the middle of the island where you can do Kayaking etc? In the sea, which is very shallow and beautiful, you can see Dolphins quite close to you if you are lucky, do some snorkeling, para sailing etc. This is just 2.5 hours drive from Goa and this is the place where Rabindranath Tagore wrote Prakritir Pratishoota. When I was living in Bangalore, this was my favorite weekend retreat and a Loghut costs around $80-$100 per night for a couple which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner! There is a gazebo in the middle of the Island where you can party. They will take you fishing with the locals, or you can visit the tribal village at one corner of the Island and see their handicrafts.

Nov 7th, 2009, 08:19	#6
Hess Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Hey, thanks for the info. While this possiblity sounds very exciting, it's a little out of our budget... We're hoping to only spend $50(CAN)/day... Nevertheless, where is this island you speak of?

Nov 7th, 2009, 09:13	#7
sympara Account Closed Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: INDIA Posts: 30	Hess you can think about of northeast india... the paradise unexplored..... i visited all places .... but northest is the heaven of nature...

Nov 7th, 2009, 11:49	#8
rondel Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 21	Hess, how goes the plan? If you'll be in Mangalore, what about heading further south into northern Kerala. I'll be you can get a decent price with good things to do around Calicut. Another good option might be Wyanad. I'm much more familiar with southern Kerala, but these might work. Of course you could just travel further south... anyway, I think you guys will do okay most anywhere unless it's a classic hot spot.

Nov 7th, 2009, 12:36	#9
MadinIndia Lost & Found Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 13	Hess, you can check http://www.junglelodges.com/V2/Devbagh.htm The rate for Indians listed there is around $60 USD and for Non-Indians is around $90, maybe you can work out a deal with them.

Nov 7th, 2009, 12:40	#10
MadinIndia Lost & Found Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 13	Oops, and the price seems to be per person. Apologies for the over sight. But when I used to go there, I always used to work out a deal when booking in advance and learnt that they are very flexible with rates. Don't know how the situation is now but worth trying.

Nov 8th, 2009, 10:23	#11
Hess Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Thanks to all of you MadinIndia, Rondel and Sympara. Your advice is most appreciated. I'm thinking of taking your advice, Rondel, and heading south. Mangalore was really only a possibility based on an assumption that it might not be oober busy there... I think we'll just have to be content with not seeing all the touristy things during the Christmas season, and if we're bent on seeing them at all, then we'll have to come back in February or so... Any suggestions, then, in Southern Kerala?

Nov 8th, 2009, 16:02	#12
MadinIndia Lost & Found Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 13	Kovalam Beach in Kerala - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kovalam Chikmagalur in Karnataka, Near Mangalore http://www.chickmagalur.nic.in/ Chilka Lake in Orissa - http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/new/chilika.htm

Nov 9th, 2009, 00:54	#13
rondel Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 21	Well I'm one of those people who prefer Varkala over Kovalam, but both are fab. You also might enjoy being in Fort Cochin. My advice would be to go ahead with going wherever it is you originallly wanted to explore in Kerala. Pick your spot, try to book ahead for the end of December if you can. You can always look around for something else if you want different accomodation.

Nov 9th, 2009, 08:23	#14
Brisso Specialist muddler Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,084	The budget approach of turning up on spec will usually work out, but can involve a lot of tramping about asking if accom is available. Touts can simplify the process if you are a bit discerning. Sometimes it is not a problem. Goa is busy in December, but most locations in Kerala should be manageable. If internet booking tariffs are too expensive, book your first night and seek out cheaper digs the following day. Has always worked out for me (well, 95% of the time).

Nov 12th, 2009, 05:40	#15
Hess Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Perfect, thanks Brisso. I think we'll spend a little time in Goa before Christmas, and then head to Kerala until the end of December or so. Thanks, everyone, for your advice.