4 Days in Kerala

Hi guys,

I'm going to be in Kerala for a few days in November, and would welcome some advice as to how to spend my time. I'll be heading down from Goa (by train) and will be heading off for Agra after 4 days or so.

Have spoken to some friends who spent some time in Kerala last year, who said a stay on a houseboat was a must? Would I need to book something in advance? Also, I'm not sure where to stay while I'm there, so would welcome your thoughts! Would love to visit Munnar while I'm there, but not sure if this is something I could do in a day from the coast, or whether it'd be recommended to stay...

Thanks

Tim

Backwater cruises are nice and relaxing - can be booked when you arrive or before.

I like the Taj Green Cove in Kovalam - but which part of Kerala are you heading to?

Thanks for the response.

I guess I’m not entirely sure yet, and am open to suggestions! I can pick up my train north out of Trivandrum, Quilon, Varkala, or Kottayam easily enough, so don’t have any pre-conceived ideas. As I said, I’d like to get up to Munnar, and have heard that Alleppey or Quilon are good places to pick up backwater cruises?

Where to stay depends, among other things, on your budget so it is difficult to provide any real help here.

Concerning houseboats, it is some people's idea of heaven, but to others it is hell. Essentially, there is nothing to do but look at the scenery (potential boredom), and if you choose a rogue boat you may end up circling in a lake, where everything looks the same, rather than going anywhere interesting. Add to this that it is a highly polluting business and part of the reason for the gradual destruction of the backwaters. An alternative to a traditional backwater cruise, and probably more suitable if you are travelling alone, is to choose one of the daily (8.30am till 5 pm) backwater packages offered by the tourist desk at the Main Boat Jetty in Ernakulam. I haven't been on one of these (not that keen on huge amounts of water ), but according to Rough Guide these include "hotel pick-up, transfer, a morning cruise on the open backwaters, a village tour, excellent Keralan lunch buffet on board ... and an afternoon trip through narrow waterways in a much smaller boat". This should cost you less than Rs. 1000. A houseboat in Kottayam or Allepey could, in November, set you back Rs. 10,000.

And I wouldn't recommend doing Munnar in one day from the coast. It doesn't make much sense travelling for so many hours to just take a peep and then head back to Kochi. Munnar and, more importantly, the surrounding areas have to be experienced, not just seen for a brief moment.

Hej!

I´m traveling to india on 27th september with mu husband (it´s the 1st time he´s coming to india!)

We are planning to stay in delhi just one night and then heading to Goa OR Kerla the next day...with domestic flight.

Can someone advice us which one is the best place to visit?

I dont know anything about Kerla....can some one tell me the basic stuff? Like i arrive at the airport...then where do we go...city? We want to have a budget place not those expensive treatments...and lux hotels.... would like to make a living in india on average 1000Rs/ day incl all....hotel,food...(excluding those boat trips)

what do you do in kerla....?
We´ve been to Thailand 12 times...phuket/koh Samui / Similans/ Bankok...it was quite cheap...stayed in good bunglows for 20 uds/night for 2 persons...

is it far from the airport in kerla to go to the beaches....where everyone stays???

We booked flight to kochin from delhi for 13500 rs / 2persons reurn...is that a good deal...???

I´m happy if someone can help me....

Pundabee is right the backwater package is good -went on it earlier this year. Cost about Rs320 which included lunch. It was interesting and we had a guide. Visited a lime works, coir workers ansd travelled along some of the narrow water ways in canoes. Good day out.
Kochi to Munnar is about 3-3.50 hours by car so an overnight stay to see everything is preferable. Plenty of good accommodation there to suit all budgets. We didn't book just arrived and asked.