Help needed for my (6N/7D) Kerala Itinerary in September

Hi Folks,

This is my First post in IndiaMike. I have no words to express.. my thanks.. for the Fantastic & Commendable work.. you guys are doing.. I had been to Manali, Kashmir & Goa in '08, '09 & '10 respectively.. & I would like to thank Indiamike for making my tour so easy & comfortable.

Well as usual.. this year also I'm planning to Travel to The God's own country.. KERALA..! So I need the help/guidance from the (IM) Veterans & Travel-Experts.

To introduce myself.. I'm a Male Doctor from North India (UP) & I would be accompanied with my wife & my son (4 months old).

MY (TENTATIVE) ITINERARY for (6N/7D) Kerala Tour in September:

1. 11/Sep : Reaching New Delhi by Vaishali Express @ 6:30 am
2. 11/Sep : New Delhi to Cochin flight (Dep 12:10 , Arr 16:55)
3. 11/Sep : Transfer from Cochin to Munnar directly by Taxi. Night Stay @ Munnar
4. 12/Sep : Munnar Stay (In & around Munnar)
5. 13/Sep : Munnar (departure after breakfast) to Kumarakom. Night stay @ Kumarakom.
[I'm not very much interested in Backwaters, so I've given just allotted one day for the Kumarakom experience]
6. 14/Sep : Kumarakom (departure after b/f) to Kovalam. Night stay @ Kovalam.
7. 15/Sep : Kovalam to Kanniyakumari day tour. Return back to Kovalam after watching the Sunset at K'Kumari. Night Stay @ Kovalam.
8. 16/Sep : Kovalam-Trivandrum-Kovalam day tour.
9. 17/Sep : Kovalam-Cochin, after the breakfast. Return flight from Cochin-New Delhi; (departure at 11:50, arrival (Delhi) 16:45)
10. 18/Sep: Departure from New Delhi by Vaishali Express @ 19:50 pm.

This is my (Tentative) Itinerary. I would appreciate valuable inputs from your side.. regarding this itinerary.

I know that most of you would be thinking about the fact, why I've chosen to Catch my return flight from Cochin insted of Trivandrum.. well it was because I booked my flights lately & I was getting expensive tickets from Trivandrum than Cochin.. so I choose Cochin for my return.

Few Doubts that I have in mind..

1. Is this a Good Itinerary?
I've excluded the Thekkady part.. as I don't want the forest safari.. & it won't be comfortable with a small kid.

2. Which place is a better one for Backwaters.. Alleppy or Kumarakom? I think that Allelly has the sea-shore.. whereas K'Kom has the hills.. is it? Also I need to know that which place is nearer to Munnar? Please suugest.

3. Please suggest some good & famous Restaurants in Cochin, Munnar, Alleppy/K'Kom, Kovalam, Trivandrum & K'Kumari. I'm a foodie & would love to have the famous regional cuisine (Preferably NON-VEG )

4. Shall I go for..
Cochin-K'kom, K'kom-Kovalam, Kovalam-Munnar & Munnar-Cochin Route
or
Cochin-Kovalam, Kovalam-K'Kom, K'Kom-Munnar & Munnar-Cochin Route
or
Continue with this route only (given above). My only concern is that will I be able to catch the Flight from Cochin.. coming all the way from Kovalam? How much time does it takes to reach Cochin from Kovalam, if I start early morning?

5. Is is comfortable to do this route with a Kid.. & wouldn't the change of weather (from Cold to Humid: Hills-Backwaters-Beach) be harmful for the infant..?

6. I have booked an Indica Vista Car (Taxi) for my entire Kerala stay. Would it be comfortable to move.. by road in Kerala.. as per my Itinerary? How is the road condition in Kerala?

I understand that this is a Very Long ENQUIRY post.. but please bear with me guys.. need your Valuable help.

Thanks & Regards,
GKP.

My suggestion is, When you arrive spend the night in Cochin then take the train to Trivandrum next day.Spend 2 - 3 days Kovalam and
Kaniyukumari and then train back to Cochin then car and driver for a couple of days for Munnar,then back to Cochin.

As you are not interested in backwaters,leave out Kumarakom & Allepey.

Would have been Ideal if you could have flown into Trivandrum and
then did your Kovalam,Kaniykumari bit and then train to Cochin and
Munnar for a couple of days.No backtracking involved.

Kovalam to Cochin would be a good 5 -6 hrs by road.

vandy

Hi Vandy,

Thanks for your invaluable inputs.. it really helped.

Now I'm thinking as per your suggestions.. to stay O/N @ Cochin (Day1) & start in the morning by train for Trivandrum. Then 2-3 days in the southern circuit (KanyaKumari, Kovalam & Trivandrum).

After that I am planning to head to Munnar, by Road.. via Kumarakom/Alleppy. Actually I'm very keen for the River Cruise (Backwaters) for the 1-2 hrs boat ride.
So tell me.. is it possible/feasible to start for Alleppy/Kumarakom from Kovalam (Early morning), have the Boat ride.. & reach Munnar @ Night..? Would it be too hectic.. for a day..? If so.. then I would stay for a night @ Alleppy/K'Kom & then head to Munnar the next day (morning).

How much time does it take to reach Alleppy or Kumarakom from Kovalam & then to Munnar from these places? The shortest route from Kovalam to Munnar is via Aplleppy/K'Kom or some other route..?

I don't want to come back again by train from Trivandrum to Cochin.. as I'm interested to see the nature.. & that I would be able to appreciate.. only if I travel by road.. & would cover some good places en-route.

Looking for your suggestions..

Thanks & Regards,
GKP.

i had been there in the end of MAY, Trivandram to Cochin by road should take around 6-8 hrs, beautiful scenery all along the way, one night stay at Alleppy house boat is worth that way you can take a break in your journey too. it will will be too long a journey from Trivandrum to Munnar to be covered in one day, Food everywhere is good but if you take less spices you gotta tell them in advance. Cochin to Munnar should take around 5 hrs beautiful in hills

Gkp, you say in your first post that you have booked a car for
your Kerala stay.

From where have you booked your car booking to start ?
Trivandrum ?


vandy

Hi Vandy,

Yes, I've booked a car for my Kerala stay (6N/7D) & would start with its services from Cochin airport (Day1). Actually I've booked my Train & Flight tickets.. & now I have to finalize a good Itinerary accordingly. So I have to start & end my tour at Cochin only. I have not paid for the Taxi as yet.. so I can alter my plans in between.. like..to catch a train (from Cochin-Trivandrum-Cochin) & take the car from the respective station. The Taxi owner(Indica Vista AC) is asking for Rs 9/Km. (AC) (I have asked for Rs 8/km)

Vandy.. please go through my previous post & guide me.

Thanks,
GKP.

Hello Gkp

I guess it is wiser as you have such a young infant to use the car & driver.The hassle of getting train tickets and so on will be avoided.

As nitindara has pointed out the journey from Kovalam to Munnar is way too long to be considered in one go.

If you leave Kovalam (Tvndm) in the morning you should reach Allepey by around lunchtime, you can then do a short backwater
Country Boat tour for a few hours later on in the Afternoon and then stay O'night in Allepey before heading up to Munnar in the morning.

It is possible to go directly to the Airport from Munnar IF your
Flight Time allows, which should be possible If you leave Munnar by around 8 am as your flight is 11:50.You will need to be at the airport by 10;30am.

My reccomendations for place to stay in Allepey is Palmy Resorts
and in Munnar is Munnar Inn.Sorry can't help with suggestion for accom in Kovalam, go to Hotels section and see.

For Country Boat in Allepey,I use www.naturevisionkerala.com, guy's name is Praveen.BTW, Country Boat is NOT a Cannoe.

If your'e unsure about the car price,try getting a quote from
Fourens Travel,I have used them a few times, drivers are safe and can speak English.

Keep the contact numbers from Fourens Travel in your wallet, IF
you run into difficulties Jenny will assist you if she can.

vandy

Hi Vandy,

Thanx again for your valuable information.

I was also thinking as per my previous plan, with some modifications & would like to discuss it with you.

After reaching @ Cochin at 5pm, I might head to Munnar directly. Spend 2 nights over there; then towards Kumarakom/Alleppy, one night stay & then towards Kovalam (covering Kanyakumari & Trivandrum) for next 3 days.

Finally I was thinking to catch the Jan-Shatabdi Express on 17th September @ 6am from Trivandrum reaching Ernakulum @ 9.15am (This train is the FASTEST in this route, taking just 3.15 hrs). My flight is @ 12.35pm (Sorry it is not @ 11.50am).. so I'll have to report @ the airport by 11.30 am.

So, is this plan ok.. as per your experience.. or a risky stuff?

Please tell me which has a better landscape & good experience for the River cruise (that you've recommended) in the Backwaters..Kumarakom or Alleppy..?

I would appreciate if I can get to know some good Restaurants or Stop-overs for refreshments (en-route) in Cochin, Munnar, Alleppy/K'Kom, Munnar, Trivandrum & K'Kumari. I'm a foodie & love to taste the famous food (regional/specialty) @ the known restaurants. By famous I don't mean, that it has to be Expensive.. but serving good food.

Thanks,
GKP.

Hey GKP, If you leave Cochin at pm you would reach Munnar most probably by 10 pm, you would miss the entire beautiful landscape on the way at night. Stay overnight at Cochin, leave early morning for Munnar, like early morning so that you save on local traffic out of Cochin.
I have been to Alleppy and just a 2-3 hrs boat cruise would also be fine.
Food in entire Kerela is good. if you are taking a taxi the driver should be able to guide about good restaurants.
i took an entire package for Kerela but then re routed it on my own with the driver, i can provide you with the telephone number of the travels agency who provided me the car, you can check the rates from them.

Hey Thanks dude for your help & reply ,

I would appreciate, if you could give me the contact details of the Travel agency & also let me know, the (final/actual) rate you finalized their Taxi services.. was it per km or a round-off from one place to the other..?

Yes, I have modified my plan, as per your suggestions.. & now I'm staying O/N @ Cochin & would start for Munnar, early morning. Actually.. the main reason for choosing an exclusive Taxi for my Kerala stay is that, I want to enjoy & explore the Natural scenic beauty of 'God's own country'.. that I would miss.. if I catch a Train/Flight/Public transport.

Please tell me.. if my decision is wise or not.. to catch a train (Jan-Shatabdi Express) from Trivandrum Central (6am) to Ernakulam (Cochin) (9:15am) & have the return flight from Cochin Airport @ 12:35, so would have to report @ 11:30 am. Can I reach the airport in 2 hrs or would it be a Close call ?? I'll have a(Pre-booked) Taxi(Car) to drop me from Rly Station to Cochin Airport.

I have also dropped my plan to stay @ Kumarakom.. & now I'd be heading towards Alleppy backwaters. I searched @ Various forums.. & got a slightly better feedback for Alleppy.
One night stay @ Alleppy in a Resort.. & not in a Houseboat.. I think that a 2-3 hrs of River-boat cruise would be sufficient to enjoy the Backwaters experience + I can also go to the Cochin beach.

I am planning to do a Day tour of Kanyakumari from Kovalam (& return) & would cover Padmanabhaswami Temple en-route. Is it possible to return back to Kovalam, the same day.. after watching the Sunset..@ Cape?

Thanks,
GKP.

Hi Vandy, Nitindara & all IndiaMikers,

I would appreciate if you could spare some invaluable time & guide me for my Itinerary planning.

1. Well, I've booked my train tickets from Trivandrum Central(6am) to Ernakulum(9.15am) railway station, Jan Shatabdi Exp, which takes 3.15 hrs to go from Trivandrum to Ernakulum & the Fastest train communication, b/w these stations. So would it be a risky affair to catch my return flight from Cochin @ 12.30pm (Boarding @ 11.30am), after reaching the Cochin Rly station @ 9.15am?

2. Can you suggest an appropriate place to have a decent breakfast in Cochin.. which should be en-route from Rly station to Airport.. & with a Quick service :-/

3. How would be the weather in Kerala.. during Mid-September?

Thanks,
GKP.

HI! GKP

Well it seems risky to me, but i guess you do not have any options do you, so will have to take a chance with train timings, lets hope it doesn't get delayed.

2. as mentioned earlier food all over Kerela is good even the road side decent restaurant offers good quality food, your taxi driver should take you too good restaurants. i dont remember the name of that particular restaurant we had our breakfast in, well would let you know if i can remember, it is a good chain of restaurants in kerela.

3. Weather should be fine its after monsoon in Kerala.. during Mid-September?

4.i got myself a package for the entire stay but of course did not move as per plan they had, i visited less plasces only the ones i had in mind and what i had to see

mine was round off trip one place to another, started from Cochin-Alleppy-Poovar-Kanyakumari-Cochin (train from cape to cochin)-Munnar-Cochin.
the name of the taxi operator is Sisilly Travels i can give you the contact details of the driver he can provide you their office numbers - 09539965703 Prateesh,
i came to them through my travel agent, but i guess they should cheaper

one thing!! you might not get fresh food at airport i had a bad experience.

Hi Nitindara,

Thanks for the fantastic information.

Could you suggest me, what can I do in Cochin in the Evening.. after I land over there @ 5pm. I mean.. what is the 'Should not Miss' stuff @ Cochin. Anything/Anyplace to Relax..?

I will start for Munnar, next morning.

Thanks,
GKP.

Hi GKP,

I am going to visit Kerala for 6N and 6D in August. The itinerary is quite similar except the Cape. Could you please let me know the rate of the cab that you booked? Were you able to get the cab at your quoted rate? How was the service? Was their any restriction on timings like breakfast to sunset only?

Hi @nanya,

send them a message ( if the person whom you have posted this message is not a frequent visitor here) , so they might have set their alert on and they would receive an email