Help- Suggestions for 20 days in kerala in May

tstfs

I have to leave whichever place I am in on 18th early morning to make it back to Cochin, for a wedding, and as kerala weddings are in the mornings, I want it to make it back by 12:00 pm if not earlier, and munnar cochin is less of a distance.

I will be spending 2-3 days in Cochin, but not simultaneously

planning to spend a couple of days at leela too, in the end of May, was wondering if they have a private beach, though the hotel says they do, but their pictures dont show it

tstfs

how is the high range club at Munnar?

tstfs

it seems my plans are more concrete now for the areas around Cochin

13-15 - periyar- chrissies Lodge
16-18- Munnar- High Range Club
18th night at Cochin ( a friends place
19-22- Kumarokom- Coconut cree
22 nd at Quilon again a relatives house
23-29- varkala/Kovalam/Kanyakumari
30-1 june- leela kovalam
1st cochin at a friends place
is that okay? Just have to plan out the places to stay at Varkala and the other days at kovalam,kanyakumari ( one night?)

rebeccam

Sounds wonderful, TSTFS; looking forward to hearing all about it after your return!

what is coconut cree?

tstfs

sorry missed out the k,

http://www.keralahomestaysonline.com...ho mestay.asp

tstfs

how does this place sound:
sea pearl varkala

http://www.seapearlchalets.com,
its cheap, and looks good and close to the beach. and I avd 7 days for Varkala, Kovalam. Is kanyakumari woth it?

and

rebeccam

Coconut Creek looks lvoely! And excellent prices for that area.

Near Kovalam, what about Bethsaida Resort? Check out tripadvisor reviews. Also recommended by Jenny, the Kochin hotelier and travel agent recommended by several IMers . It cost less than many other resorts in the area, and the tariff helps support several nearby orphanages and schools.

tstfs

Go air has cancelled my return flight. I now have to rpelan my itenary and book my return trip accordingly

snonymous

It was in the newspapers last week that Go Air and Spice Jet are withdrawing their flights from Cochin due to very high landing charges. Go Air ought to have informed you earlier as this was very much in the pipeline and not an overnight decision. I trust you will get your full refund.

I hope you are able to get an alternate flight. Try makemytrip.com; cleartrip.com ezeego1.com etc.

tstfs

They say they will give back my full refund.

I am now flying out of Madras.
Plan to take a train from kanyakumari to madras, see madras/chennai for a day, hacent been there again for 17 years.

tstfs

FINAL PLANS and a few questions

12TH MAY - Arriving at Cochin Airpot - late evening
13th - leave early morning for thekkady - staying at Chrissie's on 13,14 and 15 May.
Q1) What time do I leave for thekkady from Cochin to reach thekkady and how much does the taxi cost- We are 2 adults and 2 kids
Q2) How does one plan their wild life sightings there?
16 May travel to Munnar stay at High Range club on 16 and 17 by cab. Play Golf, do some sight seeing.
Q3) do I take one cab from Cochin or hire separate ones? the costs?
18th - travel back to Cochin, stay 2 nights there.
20th- go to kumarakom, stay at coconut creek for 3 days, plus a night at a houseboat
Q4) houseboats?- costs. choosing one etc
24the May travel to varkala, stay at Sea Pearl Chalets for 24,25,26 and 27 nights. Visit Kollam for a day from varkala.
Q5) How do I travel to Varkala, should I take a train from Kottayam?

28th May go to trivandrum, stay there
29th May-----???/
q6) I have a night free would like to spend it on a beach- very very close to the beach,if not on it - someplace not expensive

30- 1st June - leela Kovalam
1st june travel to Kanyakumari spend the night there
Q6) where do I stay in KK, again would prefer a place on the beach
2nd - catch a train to Madras, and fly back on the 4th early morning


WHAT ABOUT ATMS in Kerala? are they there everywhere or only in Big Towns? State Bank of India/ citi will do?
would really appreciate an answer to these so many questions. I know am being a pain

rebeccam

This sounds like a WONDERFUL trip!!! As I currently plan my first to the area for 7 months from now, I'm envious you've not ong to wait!!

The only answers i can give to a couple questions are based on 'net resech and forums like IM:

Question 2--The folks at Chrissie's, or at least in Kumily town, should have info on wildlife trips

Are you SURE about 3 days ther? Nearly Everything on this site and others says two days nr Periyar is PLENTY--even considering that you'll have just half a day upon arrival from Cochin.

Question 6-- Check Bethsaida Hermitage Hotel--it is on the beach, and while not sure of what is "expensive " (that varies so much with each of us!) for you, it is far less than other nearby beach resortts, but with similar facilities (pool,. beachside restaurant, etc).

Good luck, and "Happy Trails To You"

tstfs

I will check out the Hermitage hotel. infact I had bookmarked thier site,but some how have misplaced it.
Best of Luck for your trip

rebeccam

it's
http://www.bethsaidahermitage.com/

That, and the following homestay in Trivandrum, are where i'd emquired and planned to stay, before plans changed. ( Something for the future? )
The prices at this lovely-looking hillside homestay which gets great reviews, are about $40 for 2 people, per night:

gracefulhomestay.com

The owner emailed back within a day or two.

Thanks for the good wishes. Looking forward to your trip report, so i can learn a thing ro two, and share in your fun.

snonymous

If you want to give yourself a good chance of spotting wildlife, a 3 night minimum stay is recommended. The 7am U/D boatride is a must, as is a 7 or 10am jungle walk or the night walk. If you do the whole day Bamboo rafting programme you get the boat ride plus a few hours hike in the core area, where you are bound to spot a huge variety of flora and fauna.