5 day/4 night Kerala itinerary - Kochi, Allepey, Munnar

PearlyV

Hello IMers! A group of 4 of us will be travelling through India in December and are currently planning our Kerala leg and need some help.

We will be arriving into Kochi the afternoon of Dec 19 and need to leave for Goa on Dec 23 (still deciding whether to fly out of Trivandrum or Kochi).

Is there much to see in Kochi? Wondering if we should spend our first night there or go directly to Allepey. We really want to do a backwater cruise, but probably just a day trip instead of an overnight one.

We would like to see Munnar (we will not be visiting any hill stations during the rest of the trip, so this will be a nice change).

Also on the list is the Periyar Tiger Reserve. One of us really wants to do Kovalam beach, but we will be in Goa for 10 days and I figure will have plenty of beach time. Are the Kerela beaches very different from the Goan ones? I would really like to get an Ayurvedic massage while I'm in Kerala as well.

So, I guess my big question is: how do I travel between these places? Our budget is fairly low and I like the idea of booking my own hotels, etc. as opposed to booking a package tour. Can I just book a driver and van when I get to Kochi?

Also, any suggestions of an itinerary would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

snonymous

Kochi:
You could do a half day harbour cruise which is quite scenic. Time and interest permitting, you can also walk around the old Fort Cochin area.

The well run, government owned KTDC offers half and full day backwater [and other] tours from Cochin:
http://ktdc.com/tours.php

These are value for money, or you can do your own similar tour with a rented car and driver.

About Periyar, you need to check whether tourist programmes have resumed after the recent boat disaster. periyartigerreserve.org has contact details or you can find out from KTDC.

Munnar is lovely with a lot to see and do, try and stay at least 3 nights there.

The most comfortable and convenient way to get there is by rented car & driver, which as you intend, you can book directly after arrival. For 4 people plus driver, an Indica or Ambassador type vehicle will be uncomfortable, you can go in for a Tavera / Qualis / Xylo / Scorpio / Innova which will cost a bit more.

From Cochin you can do Cochin Munnar Kumily [Periyar] Allepey Cochin or vice versa. Even if a visit to the Periyar sanctuary is not viable, the route is scenic with spice plantations and forests. As an alternative to Periyar, you could visit wildlife sanctuaries close to Munnar - there are the Eravikulam, Pambadum Shola National Parks and the Chinnar Sanctuary near Maraiyur. The route from Munnar to Chinnar is extraordinarily scenic, and you could also see the prehistoric muniyara dolmens on the way.

Check hotels / lodges / home stays here on the Kerala forums or at
http://keralatourism.org/where-to-stay/index.php

Most hotels / home stays in Kerala will arrange an Ayurvedic massage for you, so that will definitely not be a problem!

As you will be spending more time in Goa, I suggest that you do not waste time on the Kerala beaches.

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vandy

Snonymous is spot on with her advice.

As you are not doing an O'night Houseboat journey, but still want that experience, If I may suggest you do a half day Houseboat trip, then lunch, then do a 3hr CountryBoat trip,Its
Fantastic.You should be able to arrange this through the same
Houseboat operator.


vandy

PearlyV

Thanks snonymous and vandy for your advice! Snonymous - I found a few of your previous posts that were very helpful. Looking forward to our Kerala trip!

PearlyV

Synonymous: I read on some of your posts that you were willing to share you contact for driver+car hire that you used in Kerala. I'm new to IM and couldn't figure out how to PM you! Are you able to figure out how to PM me with this info? Thanks so much!

snonymous

Pearly, these are the contact details of Murugesan at Inspire Kerala whose taxi and services we used on our holiday last year.

N. Murugesan
Inspire Kerala Holidays
Chummar Buildings, M.G.Road
Munnar, Kerala – 685612
Tel : +91-4865-209531, 232071
Mob : +91-9447877023 ( Round the clock help line)
Email : murugesh.hem@gmail.com; mail@inspirekerala.com, inspireholidays@gmail.com
Web : www.inspirekerala.com, www.inspiremunnar.com

santos_g15

Hey be careful,there are lot of negative reviews about this guy.i have travelled with him and found his driver and car to be ok because we spoke the same language.Dont expect multilingual driver .

It was ok but not very great.

PearlyV

Thanks so much synonymous and santos. By the way, our itinerary is arriving into Kochi, drive to Munnar, stay in Munnar 2 nights, drive to Allepey, stay in Allepey 2 nights, drive to Kochi airport. We are thinking of hiring a van/driver for the whole time, or do you think that we should only hire a van to take us from place to place but not to stay with us while we are in each of these places?

Newyorker2010

Hi,

Personally there is nothing much in cochin. I would suggest you to go to Fort kochi where you can see something interesting. Its all depends on your taste. But try not to miss Varkala beach its very beautifull. Every year I go to Varkala beach. I looking forward to go there on december mid. I will be in India on decmebr 12th. If you need any assistnace or help please feel free to ask me and dont hesistate. I live in Newyork. Native of India.

snonymous

You will have to pay the return mileage regardless, for example if you hire a vehicle for outstation use from A to B and leave it at B, you would have to pay the return mileage from B to A, so it may work out more expensive if you hire the van in segments, rather than for the entire trip. You can also check rates with KTDC at centralreservations@ktdc.com they offer vehicles on hire and they are prompt in answering e mail queries. Prices should be fairly competitive.

santos_g15

umm dont hire in segments.YOu will get ripped off .you will need a car to travel around the place.especially munnar.i guess you can take cochin-munnar-allepey in car.allepey to cochin by train/another car/public transport.Because the charm of allepey is its waterways i dont see a point in you retaining the car when you will be travelling in a boat or by walk.but around munnar its better to have a car so you can settle in a hotel outside town which is really peaceful and do your sight seeing according to your wish.


Another thing talk about drivers accomodation.i think you can reserve cab (tour operator based in munnar i meant) from munnar guys So that driver can sleep in his house and eat at his place..they can pick you up from cochin go around munnar drop you at allepey.

PearlyV

I received a reply from N. Murugesan that was very details and very well organized - the price was also very competitive; I'm very much leaning towards him. Santos: where are these negative reviews about him??? i'm a little worried that you say "a lot of people" had a bad experience with him.

Thanks for all the other replies. We intend to book the van+driver for our entire stay. I am making sure the driver's accommodation/food allowance is included in the price as well. I'm getting very excited about Kerala (and the rest of India of course!)

snonymous

Pearly, a word of general advice when booking travel arrangements through smaller agents:

Be very specific about what you expect, what is offered, and what you are paying for.

If you want to merely hire the car and do your own itinerary rather than the itinerary suggested by the agent, be very specific about that.

Ask for the Hotel confirmation voucher / number.

Ask for legally valid Invoices from the booking agent and make payments specifically against those Invoices [which should state every item that is included or not included].

Do not pay more than 20% of the total Invoice value in advance, and carry sufficient cash to pay the balance, as there may well be adjustments in the final amount payable, such as when you have to pay for petrol and so forth. Retain a small amount to be paid at the end of the trip or just prior, which can be handed over to the driver.

Do not hesitate to negotiate the final amount with the agent, prior to getting the Invoice. It is an acceptable practice in India as in many other places.

And finally, enjoy your holiday!!

santos_g15

Not a lot of people but a couple of them from india mike.My review is OK.

My experience using 'Inspire Kerala' tour operator - the good and the bad! Long ...

one another thread i couldnt find.Lets be fair its not many but 2-3 of our india mike members complained about him.petty complaints like car not being sparkling clean driver not being multilingual.etc.One complain i hear about him and happened in my tour with him is we were forced to use someother hotel than the one we were supposed to stay.Hotel guys overbooked and he could do nothing!

WeddingCrasher

Pearly - did you find out from Periyar/Kerala Tourism if the National reserve is open for trekking?

Haven't received a reply from either place about that

Cheers