Help with Honeymoon Itinerary - Kabini, Coorg and in between !

All,

I am trying to come up with a 1 week honeymoon itinerary in Jan covering Kabini, Coorg and possibly Wayanad. Will be traveling from Cochin and will possibly take train to Mysore, from where I'd like to start to Kabini. This is what I have in mind so far.

Cochin - Bangalore - Mysore ( By Train)
Mysore - Kabini ( By Car )
Kabini - 2 Nights
Coorg - 2/3 Nights
Wayanad - ? - 2 Nights. Homestays or resorts ?

I'd like to fit in some good honeymoon/ scenic spots in Wayanad which will not fall too off the itinerary. Not sure if this could fit in between Kabini and Coorg or after Coorg. Not very familiar with the Wayanad attractions and how well they fit in the map between Kabini and Coorg. Would prefer it to be something different than more of the same I will get in Kabini/ Coorg.

I am open to suggestions and look forward to some valuable inputs / itineraries from IMers familiar with the area.

@pmvelu,

I came across several of your posts with advise on the region. Would appreciate if you could help me with a good itinerary.

Hi,

To Cover your itenary,My suggestions is as Follows :-

As you are more planning around nature and Scenery + Wildlife, you could do the following.

From Ernakulam Jn , get train to Calicut Jn
From Calicut Jn, Get Cab to Kalpetta [Wayanad Dt and 3 hours Journey]. If you are on High-end, Vythiri Resorts worth a try. There are many a lodges in Kalpetta with low-end / Budget lodges like PPS tourist home for 600 rs/ Night

Explore Wayanad for 2 nights with Soochipara waterfalls, Chembara Peak - View Point visit [ Extremely beautiful, Calm,Quiet, Uncrowded], Pookot lake.

You can plan based on your comfort and do the places above. [Other places of wayanad like Edakkal Caves, Meenmutti Waterfalls involves moderate trekking and may most suited to Bachelors / Groups].

On Third Day morning , Ask Cabwallah to crop you in Kabini . Enroute you visit, Thirunelli Temple[ Wayanad], Followed by a Visit To iruppu Falls [South Coorg, Karnataka],Do a Drive through Nagarahole NP and you will be in Kabini [ Jungle Lodges & Resorts , Karnataka Government's is best]. If you start by 6 am in Kalpetta on the third day morning, you will be in Kabini on the same day evening around 5 pm [ If you do visit the places enroute in a relaxed pace. Anyways Kms wise, if you take the shortest route, you will be in JLR Or Cicada, Kabini in 3 hours Flat]


Once Kabini is Done for 2 nights, you have to again get a Cab and you can reach Madikeri [ Coorg District] and the journey will take around 4 hours[ There are multiple Routes]


In Madikeri, Hotel Mayura Valley view[ Karnatake Govt Hotel] is worth the money for it's location and comfort and it's brand new and it's around 1200 Rs/ Night. You may visit Abbey Falls and Raja's seat on the first Day

On second Day, you may visit Talacauvery [Extremely scenic] and Bhagamandala back to Madikeri for night stay.

Last Day you can board Bus to Mysore[ Cab is not Required if you want to do point-to-point as buses are more and it's around 3 1/2 hours journey]. If you want to explore further, Start from Madikeri by 6 am in cab and visit Cauvery Nishadhama [ A Natural island formed by Cauveri] followed by a Visit to Tibetan settlements followed by a drop at Mysore Jn for your onward journey


My suggestion is :-

Wayanad and Coorg will be look alike and hence My suggestion is to Start from Kabini and Drive towards Mysore .

You may spend the 2 days in mysore [Climate will be Good, Cool and almost equivalent to coorg in January] exploring Palace, Karanji lake,Chamundi Hills,KRS Garden and Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.

My take is:-

Wayanad for Natural beauty
Kabini for Relaxed Stay with wildlife Sightings
Mysore for Pleasant stay and you will have Variety of places and it's a Green,Calm,uncrowded and unpolluted City.

If you need more info, Please post !

Have a Fantastic Trip Ahead

Regards
Velu

@pmvelu,

Thanks for your detailed feedback. Appreciate the time and effort you have taken to help me out. Few ?s and thoughts based on your feedback.

• Any pitfalls and drawbacks in doing the itinerary in reverse - starting from Mysore - Kabini - Wayanad - Calicut or Mysore - Kabini - Coorg - Wayanad - Calicut ?
  
  
• Having been to Coorg, I understand your thoughts about Wayanad being more of same with Coorg. Coorg was my fiance's choice and Kabini mine. So I am not sure if I could/ would be able to let Coorg go. If I end up keeping Coorg, what should the order of itinerary, if I were to start from Mysore instead of Calicut?
  
  
• Both of us have been to Mysore several times except Karanji lake.So my thinking is probably we will spend 1N in Mysore and save rest of the time for Wayanad. Based on your suggestion, I am considering Vythiri resort. Are the attractions in Wayanad ( Thirunelli Temple, Iruppu Falls, Kuruva Islands ) enroute Wayanad- Kabini?
  
  
• I am looking for a relaxed honeymoon with a visit to some really nice and scenic spots. Not very particular in visiting each and every attraction at the location. If time was a constraint,What would you recommend as the must see attractions in Wayanad and Coorg and fitting with my itinerary. I assume whatever to see and do in Kabini is standard.

Thanks a lot for all your help. Your posts and suggestions have been greatly helpful in shaping my itinerary and I do look forward to more of the same.

Hi,

No , There is no issue in doing it in a reverse way. My Personal feel is after visiting Wayanad / Kabini and some parts of Coorg , it may not be that much appealing when we visit Cochin [ Just a personal opinion].

PFB my responses inline.

[*]Any pitfalls and drawbacks in doing the itinerary in reverse - starting from Mysore - Kabini - Wayanad - Calicut or Mysore - Kabini - Coorg - Wayanad - Calicut ?

No issue in doing this way.

[*]Having been to Coorg, I understand your thoughts about Wayanad being more of same with Coorg. Coorg was my fiance's choice and Kabini mine. So I am not sure if I could/ would be able to let Coorg go. If I end up keeping Coorg, what should the order of itinerary, if I were to start from Mysore instead of Calicut?

Coorg / Kodagu as we know is a District and Madikeri / Mercara is it's headquarters / Main town. Lot of tourists generally refer Madikeri when they say Coorg. I did almost every km of coorg District and Madikeri is kind of very normal with climate almost Equivalent to Mysore and much of the Coorg's Beauty lies in South Coorg.

South Coorg , I mean Nagarahole NP, Iruppu Falls, Kutta [ Plantation town] and even Virajpet.

And all of south coorg especially Nagarahole NP , Iruppu Falls and Kutta are more nearer to Wayanad District of Kerala [Wayanad District is hardly 5 kms from Kutta / 15 kms from Nagarahole NP / 18 kms from Iruppu Falls].

Also other information which might help you is :-

Tholpetty WLS [Wayanad District] is 8 kms from Kutta and picturesque "Thirunelli Temple"[ Wayanad District] is around 15 kms from Tholpetty WLS .

Sorry for the boring topographical descriptions but What Iam trying to say is by visiting Kabini Backwaters + Nagarahole NP + Iruppu Falls , you are covering the virgin and beautiful part of Coorg and madikeri you can skip as well.


And I will come up with the sample itenary in reverse order which may address some of your questions.

Day 1 & 2 :-

Kabini JLR [ Hiring a Cab from Mysore is the best way to reach this destination and it will be 2 hours journey]

Day 3 :-

Hire a Cab from Kabini and proceed towards Nagarahole NP followed by Iruppu Falls Visit .You may plan a night stay at "Kutta Plantation Stays" [ I don't have any personal experience or recommendation. Please do a search on this] OR Plan a Stay at "Tamarind Resorts"[ Government of Kerala owned] in Thirunelli

Day 4:-

Visit Thirunelli temple , Tholpetty WLS [ optional and this will be more virgin and highly uncrowded but it's just a extension of Nagarahole NP] followed by Kuruwadweep islands visit and then proceed to Vythiri for night Stay

Day 5 & 6 :-


As said earlier, you may explore Chembara peak [By Jeep Or Mid sized car] followed by Soochipara Falls , Pookot Lake

Once done, you can very well disengage Cab and board a bus to Calicut [ It's just 3 hours journey from kalpetta in bus and bus frequency is high ]

From Calicut Jn, Board Train or Again Bus to Ernakulam / Cochin as the case may be !

General Note:-

1) Some of the homestays / Plantation stays in South Coorg will be Too deep in the plantations and might bring in "Fear-Factor" if you are not an experienced traveller and those will be more suited for Groups.
2) Kutta , Iruppu Falls and the route to Thirunelly & Tholpetty will be Deserted and very less movement [ Exploring by walk] is possible post 5 pm. Please Plan accorgingly. Kutta/ Iruppu Falls / Nagarahole NP / Tholpetty WLS / Thirunelli Temple / Kuruwadweep islands lack Hotels / Restaurants [ Only very basic things wil be available]. You can plan accordingly.

Hope this helps.Please feel free to post if you need more info !

Best Regards
Velu

@pmvelu,

Thanks a lot for your insights. With your help, our itinerary is taking better shape incorporating your suggestions. I am considering start from Calicut and skipping Madikeri as per your initial suggestion. Few ?s before I can put down a final plan.

How much time is needed for visit/ activities at Kurava Island?

Is Vythiri -> Kurava Island -> Thirunelli -> Iruppu Falls - > Kabini in the right direction w/o much backtracking ? Is Thirunelli the right place to stay for a night as a base to Kurava and Iruppu.


If your are familiar, any idea on the approx Driving time between
Vythiri - Kurava Island
Vythiri - Thirunelli
Thirunelli - Kurava Island
Thirunelli - Kabini


If I have skip any between the attractions in S.Coorg ( Thirunelli, Iruppu Falls, Kurava Island), which would you recommend skipping

Thanks again for all your guidance. After I hear from you I shall create a detailed itinerary and will look forward to your critique on that.

Hi,

PFB my comments inline.

How much time is needed for visit/ activities at Kurava Island?

It Depends.I would say 2 hours at the max there. People normally bring packed Food and try to have that in island after crossing the river by coracle.

Is Vythiri -> Kurava Island -> Thirunelli -> Iruppu Falls - > Kabini in the right direction w/o much backtracking ? Is Thirunelli the right place to stay for a night as a base to Kurava and Iruppu.

You are right. That's the route without any backtracking !. I would Say Mananthavadi is a better town to stay for Exploring Kuruwa and Iruppu. Thirunelli Temple Devasthanam lodge will be budget and good but Thirunelli in itself is a very small place with no much people and you may get bored after 3 to 4 Hours.


If your are familiar, any idea on the approx Driving time between
Vythiri - Kurava Island
Vythiri - Thirunelli
Thirunelli - Kurava Island
Thirunelli - Kabini

Vythiri - Kuruwa Island -> App.2 Hours
Vythiri-Thirunelli -> App. 2 1/2 Hours
Thirunelli - Kuruwa island -> App. 45 Minutes
Thirunelli - Kabini --> By shortest Route Which Only Jeep can handle the pathetic road --> 2 Hours . If you are planning to do by Cab , it will be around 3 to 3.5 Hours

If I have skip any between the attractions in S.Coorg ( Thirunelli, Iruppu Falls, Kurava Island), which would you recommend skipping

All are equally good under different perspective and as Thirunelli & Iruppu Are just almost opposite to each other with Brahmagiri Mountain ranges running in between it , you may opt for one among the two as the view will be almost same.

Hope this helps. If you need info , Please Post !

Happy Planning !

Regards
Velu

@pmvelu,

Thanks again and more ?s :-)

• 2 hrs for Kuruwa Islands;Is that for just walking around? read somewhere rafting is a nice experience there. Is it just hype or worthwhile experience? Can that be included as part of Kuruwa Island visit and how much time it takes?
  
• Drive Time between
  Mananthavady -> Kurava Island
  Mananthavady -> Tholpetty WLS
  Mananthavady -> Iruppu Falls
  
• Below is my current thoughts based on your inputs. 1 day between Vythiri and Kabini is the challenging part to finalize
  
  • Day 1 & 2
    - Vythiri
    
  • Day 3
    - Checkout Vythiri 10- 11 am; head to Kuruva
    - Kuruva Island sight seeing ( 2 -3 hrs)
    - Head to Mananthavady/ Thirunelli or is there anywhere closer to Tholpetty WLS where I could stay overnight?
    
  • Day 4
    - Tholpetty WLS Safari 7am - 9am
    - Visit Iruppu Falls if time Permits
    - Head to Kabini to reach there atleast by 2pm
    Is Iruppu Falls on the way from Tholpetty WLS to Kabini or do I have to backtrack or go out of the way to reach there? what would you suggest?
    
  • Day 5
    - Kabini
    
  • Day 6
    - Checkout by noon; Head to Mysore
    - Mysore sight seing
    
  • Day 7
    - Mysore Sight Seeing
    - Head back to Cochin
    
    What are your thoughts on Day 3 and Day 4 itinerary? Is it feasible in a relaxed manner or just too hectic?
  -

My comments in Red Color

2 hrs for Kuruwa Islands;Is that for just walking around? read somewhere rafting is a nice experience there. Is it just hype or worthwhile experience? Can that be included as part of Kuruwa Island visit and how much time it takes?

Rafting is possible in that river as Far as I remember. But it's more famous for exploring the island and picnics !

Drive Time between

Mananthavady -> Kurava Island -> 30 minutes
Mananthavady -> Tholpetty WLS -> 60 Minutes
Mananthavady -> Iruppu Falls -> 1 1/2 hours

Below is my current thoughts based on your inputs. 1 day between Vythiri and Kabini is the challenging part to finalize

Day 1 & 2
- Vythiri

Day 3
- Checkout Vythiri 10- 11 am; head to Kuruva
- Kuruva Island sight seeing ( 2 -3 hrs)
- Head to Mananthavady/ Thirunelli or is there anywhere closer to Tholpetty WLS where I could stay overnight? [ If you are particular to stay close to Tholpetty , you can try out Plantations/ home stays at iruppu Falls / Kutta Area Or Tamarind hotels in Thirunelli]
Day 4
- Tholpetty WLS Safari 7am - 9am
- Visit Iruppu Falls if time Permits
- Head to Kabini to reach there atleast by 2pm
Is Iruppu Falls on the way from Tholpetty WLS to Kabini or do I have to backtrack or go out of the way to reach there? what would you suggest?

It's just 15 kms Extra travel for visiting Iruppu.

Day 5
- Kabini

Day 6
- Checkout by noon; Head to Mysore
- Mysore sight seing

Day 7
- Mysore Sight Seeing
- Head back to Cochin

What are your thoughts on Day 3 and Day 4 itinerary? Is it feasible in a relaxed manner or just too hectic?

For Me , it Looks ok . As Nothing is out of the route you are planning, you can skip one or two places based on your comfort on the day of travel.

Hope this helps

Regards
Velu

@pmvelu.

Thanks again for your kind guidance!. With your help, I now have a much clearer pic on what can be done and not. I will now work to make the reservations and cab bookings.

Nice to know you got the required info !

After Mysore as you are heading to Cochin, best & Most comfortable option is to head to bangalore [ 3 hours journey] followed by train to Ernakulam Jn.

Buses from mysore to cochin will be tiresome [ 9 hours in Volvo A/c] and closer to 12 houses in other buses.

Have a Fantastic trip ahead and before or during your trip, if you need info, Please post here . I can share what I know on the subject !

Regards
Velu

I spent a 10 day trip to Wyanad and Nagerhole in Sep. Though not a honeymoon. To get away from my wife actually. lol

I stayed at Jungle Inn at Nagerhole will allowed me to do nagerhole, Wayanad, and souther coorg without having to shift places. Truly a relaxing place. There is another place next door as well called King's Check them out for prices as well. My feeling was JI was much much cheaper with everything *I needed for a relaxing get away.

Good luck planning the honey moon.

Thanks @pmvelu.

That's exactly what I had in mind for return to Cochin from Mysore. Anyday, I prefer train to road for long journeys, when it's possible. Appreciate all your help.

Any recommendations on reputed taxi operators in Wayanad/ Calicut who I can engage for the 4 days for pickup from Calicut railway station through drop off at Kabini?

Thanks for the suggestion. I did take a look at the place and it definitely looks interesting. Might not opt for it this time as I only have a quick night's stay in the area and might not get enough of a time to enjoy the facility.

Sorry , I do not have any personal experience on the same.Please wait , One of the knowledgable IMer may share this info.

Regards
Velu