a 3 week trip around Kerala....

ellac · Jul 31st, 2006, 19:24

Could anyone give their opinion on the following itinerary? It's for 3 weeks, starting mid October:
fly into Cochin staying at Fort House
train up to Kannur, staying at Costa Malabari for 3 days
bus to Wayanad (Mananthavadi) to stay at Fringe Ford for 3 days
bus/private car to Thrissur to stay for 2 days
bus/private car to Munnar for 2 days at John's Homestay
bus to Periyar to do the Tiger Trail for 3 days
bus to Alleppey to stay at Arakal Heritage for 3 days & go on an overnight rice boat
then back to Cochin for 2 days...

My main queries are:
Is this reasonable time-wise?
Would I have to use a private car to get from Wayanad down to Munnar (stopping off in Thrissur), and how much is this likely to cost?
Any hotel recommendations in Thrissur, & any opinions on the other hotels?
Anyone know anything about the Tiger Trail camping trip?

Many many thanks.....trying to organise a backpacker trip in 3 weeks is pretty hard without insider knowledge!!!!

Lord Average · Aug 4th, 2006, 18:15

Can only give you advice about Periyar

We did our trekking through the wonderful guest house we stayed at: Mickeys Cottage in Kumily

Run by a lovely couple (Murali and Sujah), they can also sort out your trekking requirements in the park. Treks range from one day to one week. This was one of the highlights of our trek (ask for Narayan the guide as he is "The Man").

Enjoy

Bigzero · Aug 4th, 2006, 19:58

I think thats a fairly relaxed schedule. You are giving a good 2-3 days at most places!

You have buses from Wayanad to Trichur, but cars will be more comfortable and will offer you more flexibility as well. The same applies from Trichur to Munnar as well. I dont know about the current rate for cars though.

Since you are taking a break at Trichur, it wont make sense to book a car from wayanad upto munnar. you can get another cab booked at trichur for the munnar trip. Unless of course you want to keep the car with you for local sightseeing around trichur while you are there.. You will have to pay a minimum fare per day for the car even if you are not going anywhere.

Bigzero · Aug 4th, 2006, 19:59

Oh you said backpacker trip? car?

capt_mahajan · Aug 4th, 2006, 23:29

if you can have carjackers, i guess you can have carpackers too.

Neelan · Aug 5th, 2006, 00:06

Since you plan to backpack,try the bus for Trichur and Munnar.Car can be quite costly.

cdrake · Aug 5th, 2006, 00:20

I have two questions for you...

1. why aren't you doing the backwaters?
2. why aren't you doing Trivandrum/kovelam/ cape comerin?

ellac · Aug 5th, 2006, 01:15

Thanks for everyone's replies! Am very excited about going now...
Lord Average, did you just sort out your trekking when you got there? D'you think I can do the same or might it be a bit of a risk given that I don't have much flexibility as per time...? But might it be like the rice boats where you are likely pay over the odds if you prebook from abroad...? How much did yo spend? And.....did you encounter leeches in the forest? Am a bit sqeamish about them and have been told that at that time of year they'll be there!

Sounds like I can play the bus/car thing by ear. Am happy to splash out for a car if it's necessary, though will take local transport if it's there.
cdrake, I decided that it might be a bit more interesting to go to the north of kerala rather than the south, as I don't have time to do both. I get the impression the north is a lot less touristed, so far...As for backwaters I am definitely hoping to do a rice boat stay. Does Alleppey not count as backwaters? I know Arakal is on the beach...do you think it's better to stay inland a bit?
SO MANY QUESTIONS!!

PS Perhaps I'm a backjacker!

cdrake · Aug 5th, 2006, 01:19

LOL Allepy is the backwaters but you indicated train journeys to and from cochin, cannanore and alleppy, so i wondered why you didn't do a rice boat trip through the backwateers to kottayam instead.

there's also mahe and mangalore if you want ot check out northern kerela.

palmlandtours.net · Aug 5th, 2006, 02:07

A Non Ac Ambassador car would costs Rs 5.50 / km subject to a minimum of 200 kms / day. Driver's night halt: Rs 150 / night. We have Island Guesthouse in the backwaters in Trichur - Coconut Island.http://www.keralaislandresort.com

TimMakins · Aug 5th, 2006, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellac

And.....did you encounter leeches in the forest? Am a bit sqeamish about them and have been told that at that time of year they'll be there!

I got bitten by leeches whilst wandering through tea gardens in Sri Lanka. I didn't even know they had been there until I got back to the planter's house and saw my sock covered in blood.

Apparently the locals coat their ankles with soap to deter the leeches.

There is an IndiaMike thread on this here:

Leeches

though some of its ideas are refuted in this Wikipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leech

Tim in Ireland

ellac · Aug 10th, 2006, 01:41

Thanks again for all the info
Especially the Wikipedia article about leeches - though I think possibly on this front ignorance is bliss!!! At least I'll be able to inform & entertain everyone whilst we are getting our blood sucked

vandy · Aug 18th, 2006, 19:02

Hi ellac, have sent you PM re kerala in october,

rgds vandy -

dhans · Aug 18th, 2006, 20:07

If you need help in Cochin contact Jenny. She has a lovely guesthouse and runs a small travel company. Highly recommended.

Hans

Email: fourens@eth.net

Website: www.cochinkerala.com

Indiamike: http://www.indiamike.com/reviews/sho.../cat/21/page/1

Tel 0484 2394989 or 0484 2436280
Mobile 94473 77788 or 94473 70707

rmj · Sep 12th, 2006, 23:05

Really

Do they give good food too

Heard that in Costa Malabari you go for the great food and the guy there has wonderfull info on Theyyam .

And is it really cheap

Jul 31st, 2006, 19:24	#1
ellac Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oxford,UK Posts: 7	a 3 week trip around Kerala.... Could anyone give their opinion on the following itinerary? It's for 3 weeks, starting mid October: fly into Cochin staying at Fort House train up to Kannur, staying at Costa Malabari for 3 days bus to Wayanad (Mananthavadi) to stay at Fringe Ford for 3 days bus/private car to Thrissur to stay for 2 days bus/private car to Munnar for 2 days at John's Homestay bus to Periyar to do the Tiger Trail for 3 days bus to Alleppey to stay at Arakal Heritage for 3 days & go on an overnight rice boat then back to Cochin for 2 days... My main queries are: Is this reasonable time-wise? Would I have to use a private car to get from Wayanad down to Munnar (stopping off in Thrissur), and how much is this likely to cost? Any hotel recommendations in Thrissur, & any opinions on the other hotels? Anyone know anything about the Tiger Trail camping trip? Many many thanks.....trying to organise a backpacker trip in 3 weeks is pretty hard without insider knowledge!!!!

Aug 4th, 2006, 18:15	#2
Lord Average Giant Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Glastonbury Posts: 116	Can only give you advice about Periyar We did our trekking through the wonderful guest house we stayed at: Mickeys Cottage in Kumily Run by a lovely couple (Murali and Sujah), they can also sort out your trekking requirements in the park. Treks range from one day to one week. This was one of the highlights of our trek (ask for Narayan the guide as he is "The Man"). Enjoy __________________ Live your life. Be Free

Aug 4th, 2006, 19:58	#3
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,443	I think thats a fairly relaxed schedule. You are giving a good 2-3 days at most places! You have buses from Wayanad to Trichur, but cars will be more comfortable and will offer you more flexibility as well. The same applies from Trichur to Munnar as well. I dont know about the current rate for cars though. Since you are taking a break at Trichur, it wont make sense to book a car from wayanad upto munnar. you can get another cab booked at trichur for the munnar trip. Unless of course you want to keep the car with you for local sightseeing around trichur while you are there.. You will have to pay a minimum fare per day for the car even if you are not going anywhere. __________________ miles to go.... Bigzero's Photo Gallery

Aug 5th, 2006, 00:06	#6
Neelan Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 1	Since you plan to backpack,try the bus for Trichur and Munnar.Car can be quite costly. __________________ [FONT="Book Antiqua"]Neelan Trivandrum[/FONT]

Aug 18th, 2006, 19:02	#13
vandy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: perth-australia Posts: 557	kerala in october Hi ellac, have sent you PM re kerala in october, rgds vandy -

Aug 4th, 2006, 19:59	#4
Bigzero back to my old ways Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,443	Oh you said backpacker trip? car?

Aug 4th, 2006, 23:29	#5
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 9,478	if you can have carjackers, i guess you can have carpackers too.

Aug 5th, 2006, 00:20	#7
cdrake I want my baby back babyback babyback babyback Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: United States of America Posts: 640	I have two questions for you... 1. why aren't you doing the backwaters? 2. why aren't you doing Trivandrum/kovelam/ cape comerin?

Aug 5th, 2006, 01:15	#8
ellac Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oxford,UK Posts: 7	Thanks for everyone's replies! Am very excited about going now... Lord Average, did you just sort out your trekking when you got there? D'you think I can do the same or might it be a bit of a risk given that I don't have much flexibility as per time...? But might it be like the rice boats where you are likely pay over the odds if you prebook from abroad...? How much did yo spend? And.....did you encounter leeches in the forest? Am a bit sqeamish about them and have been told that at that time of year they'll be there! Sounds like I can play the bus/car thing by ear. Am happy to splash out for a car if it's necessary, though will take local transport if it's there. cdrake, I decided that it might be a bit more interesting to go to the north of kerala rather than the south, as I don't have time to do both. I get the impression the north is a lot less touristed, so far...As for backwaters I am definitely hoping to do a rice boat stay. Does Alleppey not count as backwaters? I know Arakal is on the beach...do you think it's better to stay inland a bit? SO MANY QUESTIONS!! PS Perhaps I'm a backjacker!

Aug 5th, 2006, 01:19	#9
cdrake I want my baby back babyback babyback babyback Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: United States of America Posts: 640	LOL Allepy is the backwaters but you indicated train journeys to and from cochin, cannanore and alleppy, so i wondered why you didn't do a rice boat trip through the backwateers to kottayam instead. there's also mahe and mangalore if you want ot check out northern kerela.

Aug 5th, 2006, 02:07	#10
palmlandtours.net Account Closed - Travel Agent Join Date: May 2005 Location: Trichur, Kerala, India Posts: 130	A Non Ac Ambassador car would costs Rs 5.50 / km subject to a minimum of 200 kms / day. Driver's night halt: Rs 150 / night. We have Island Guesthouse in the backwaters in Trichur - Coconut Island.http://www.keralaislandresort.com

Aug 10th, 2006, 01:41	#12
ellac Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oxford,UK Posts: 7	Thanks again for all the info Especially the Wikipedia article about leeches - though I think possibly on this front ignorance is bliss!!! At least I'll be able to inform & entertain everyone whilst we are getting our blood sucked

Aug 18th, 2006, 20:07	#14
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,394	Contact Jenny If you need help in Cochin contact Jenny. She has a lovely guesthouse and runs a small travel company. Highly recommended. Hans Email: fourens@eth.net Website: www.cochinkerala.com Indiamike: http://www.indiamike.com/reviews/sho.../cat/21/page/1 Tel 0484 2394989 or 0484 2436280 Mobile 94473 77788 or 94473 70707 __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Sep 12th, 2006, 23:05	#15
rmj Account Closed Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: keral Posts: 18	Really Do they give good food too Heard that in Costa Malabari you go for the great food and the guy there has wonderfull info on Theyyam . And is it really cheap

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

User Name		Remember Me?
Password

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
manali trip(1st week of feb)	rishabh6296	Himachal Pradesh	22	Feb 25th, 2006 16:51
to ambitious two week trip???	Brucegrn	Delhi	5	Feb 13th, 2006 16:09
4 Week Backpacking Trip	ayaytch	India Travel Itinerary Advice	6	Aug 17th, 2003 00:17
if kerala is so great, how would you spend a week?	hoosier	Kerala	5	Jan 21st, 2003 14:15
two week trip?!?	tanpopo	Chai and Chat	5	Dec 17th, 2002 15:43