Hassan-Mysore-Coimbatore area advice?

Melanie

I am planning on traveling from Varanasi to Cochin in March.

Rather than flying straight to Cochin, I am thinking of flying into Bangalore, driving to Shravanabelagola and Ooty, then taking the train to Ernakulam.

Are there any other special places that I might stop to see in the general Hassan-Mysore-Coimbatore area? Any places worth stopping between Coimbatore and Ernakulam? I'm especially interested in lifestyle/culture/ritual/history.

Anyone here have an favorites? Thanks so very much.

Melanie

2cents,



That's fabulous ... just the kind of thing I'm looking for!

LindaK

Hi 2cents,
How can I get to the museum from Cochin? Is it possible by bus or should I take a taxi?

vandy

hi melanie,if you intend going to coimbatore try your best to get to hill station called ooty(ootacamund) its called UDHAGAMANDALAM nowadays but
is still widely reffered to as OOTY,you can catch tourist train from place
called Metapalayam,its a fantastic journey,on way to ooty there is also
another interesting hill station called coonoor,train is called Nilgiri Blue
Mountain Railway,its worth the effort,hotel reccommendation is Sullivan Court.if you need any more info,send me a private message,happy travelling

paul vandy

getgopi1

I hope that you are taking a taxi to Ooty instead of driving by yourself! It is better to hire a driver like I did last time (and I am an Indian guy) when I was in India to tour the southern states. It is extremely convenient that way. It is worthwhile to do some research on the travel agency you plan to use to rent a car/driver. Safety isn't a big problem for non-Indian women in southern India but it helps to stay safe. Travelling with a friend helps. You should be fine by yourself in public transportation (which is actually a better way to mingle with local folk).

You will find all of Kerala enchanting. There aren't that many festivals and such in March (most festivals happen in central and southern kerala) but the festivities should start sometime in April (peaking in August & September).

__________________
- Gopi

Melanie

Thanks, Everyone!

Can anyone recommend a driver/guide for Bangalore to Ooty?

maggie65

the drive up to ooty will be hair raising. i went from ooty down to mysore and it was the ride of my life - maybe going uphill will be more sedate

goldistan

As said, north of coimbatore are Ooty, Conoor and Kotagiri, all worth a visit and a drive-around.
These are roughly 30 km apart.
Mysore itself is a great site, the palace and the overlooking hill, incense factories (all manual) and roof-top restaurants.

Now, since your`e interested in history, I have another recommendation: Hampi.
This will prolong your trip, hospet (the town near hampi) is a night train away from bangalore and worse: it`s north of bangalore.
(perhaps you can fly to hospet? it has an airport)
That said, Hampi is one of India`s most fascinating historical sites, It`s huge, well preserved and located on a moon-surface-like landscape. It looks like a fairy tale.
Extremely recommended!

Melanie

Maggie -

I was planning on driving to Ooty from Shravanabelagola, then taking the train down to Mettalum. I assume the train portion is the part you drove?

Goldistan -

Thanks for that suggestion ... I've heard great things about Hampi but I'm not sure I can fit it into the itinerary because it's so far from my route....

Getgopi - I will certainly be hiring a driver!

vandy

hi melanie,another place I forgot to mention in my earlier reply rgds mysore &
surrounding areas is an area called coorg,I ran out of time to get there on my last visit to sth india,its sounds like an interesting area with hotels set
amongst coffee plantations,I am sure ther are some india- mikers who have
been to this area and could give some info,I believe it's not that far from
mysore,in case you are not aware,there is no direct train from ooty to
ernakalum(cochin),will need to catch train from coimbatore,also from bangalore there is a good private deluxe bus service which goes o'night to
cochin via coimbatore,only thing is that bus stops in coimbatore late at night
if your travelling with someone,ok, or maybe ring hotel in coimbatore before
you leave bangalore(make sure you speek to manager) and request they
arrange taxi to wait at bus drop off point in coimbatore,tell hotel manager
you will need same taxi driver to take you to metapalym train station early
next morning for train to ooty,or alternately use taxi to ooty,as i also said
in last reply,the train journey to ooty is something special,the name of deluxe
bus company is SHAMA,they run reliable & comfortable volvo deluxe buses,
when I used this bus service (bangalore - cochin)it cost 650rupees,50 rupees
was the booking charge by travel agent,ground floor - hotel bangalore
international,you''ll find even the bangalore hotel manager will contact hotel
manager (coimbatore) and help arrange late night taxi pick up,most hotel
managers in india are willing and pleased to help,happy travelling

paul vandy

john.sw

George Hawkes Tours & Travels, Charing Cross, Ooty.

+91 423 2442756

They charge Rs.3,000/- for a non a/c Indica.

Ask if Matthew is available - he's a great driver and his English is good.

__________________
www.nilgiris.asia your guide to the Nilgiris, Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur

Melanie

Thanks for all your wonderful suggestions. Here's my rough plan. I would really appreciate suggestions - The folks in Planes, Trains, Autos were very helpful in advising on the train connections:

Day 1: Fly in and overnight in Bangalore (Hotel Bangalore
International? Thanks, Vandy)

Day 2: Drive (George Hawkes Tours & Travels? Thanks, John S.W.) to Shravanabelagola (if I can ever remember how to spell it )./ Overnight? Mysore? Help!

Day 3: Drive to and overnight in Ooty

Day 4-5: Afternoon trains to Ernakulam or Kottayam:

UDAGAMANDALAM METTUPALAIYAM PASSENGER
Train Number
661

From
UDAGAMANDALAM
(Dep. 15:00)

To
METTUPALAIYAM
(Arr. 18:35)

METTUPALAIYAM CHENNAI CENTRAL NILGIRI EXP

Train Number
2672

From
METUPALAIYAM MTP
(Dep. 19:45)

To
COIMBATORE JN

TIRUCHCHIRAPALI ERNAKULAM EXP

Train Number
6865

From
COIMBATORE JN
(dep. 00:40)

To
ERNAKULAM JN (ERN)
(Arr. 05:40)