Kerala & around in 2 weeks: New Traveller - where to go?

tstfs

I have seen aplace called High range club at Munnar it seems good. any information about it.

htid

Have a look at tripadvisor for reviews of hotels Here's the link for the top rated hotels in Munnar (and the surrounding area, I suppose)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g3...la-Hotels.html

We asked about prices for the Windemere in May and were quoted per night:

+15% luxury tax. I don't have any more information about Munnar hotels, unfortunately, so have a read around on Tripadvisor and you'll hopefully find something you like

tstfs

Thank you. have written to the high range club, they have a nice golf course, and as my wife, elder daughter and I all play Golf, it could be fun.
so have you updated your itenary

vandy

Saw a very good review for High range Club recently fro IM
member Grantaustralia, thinking of staying there myself next
time I visit Munnar, Rose gardens also sounds good.

vandy

tstfs

I dont think they have cottages available, but rooms are available, so there high chances of us staying there, will write about it when I get back from kerala in June. The idea of Golf in Munnar seems great

rebeccam

Htid, are you still planning to go to Wayanad also (tree house for your gf)?

If so...there are wildlife sanctuaries in that region...with jeep rides you mentioned as being something you wanted to do.

I'm enjoying this thread--the adventures of your trip-planning, and the helpful replies. I've been planning my two-week trip for months--and there are still 8 months to go 'til we leave!
It's finalized, at last...'til i change my mind again (-;

Good luck, and do please write a report of your May adventures.

htid

Unfortunately we won't be going up to Wayanad, it seems to far up.

Glad the thread has entertained you When I started it I didn't realise it would become so long! Scary that the time is approaching, only about 3 and a half weeks until we go, it still doesn't seem real! I do plan to write some sort of report when I return (I'll be taking a diary to keep track of what we did/saw each day) and also some reviews of the places we stayed, as I think there is a section on here for those.

Good luck keeping your trip to plan - I'm sure it will still change!

ipineindia

We flew into trivandrum, stayed in Kovalam for a for a couple of days (due to our hotel being there), went up to kumily and
peryiyar for three days (more than enough), onto kottayam, alleppey (where we did the backwaters, and stayed in alleppey for a couple of days), onto varkala where we stayed for couple of days and then back to Kovalam.

With days spent travelling, took near on two weeks.

If going to Alleppey - Look up Mathew Brown / Brown's residence, the guy is an absolute legend!

pundabee

Don't want to be the bringer of bad news, but according to the latest predictions (TV news report from yesterday), the monsoon is predicted to hit Kerala on the 20th of May, almost two weeks earlier than normal. Be prepared.

htid

Oh how unfortunate Thanks for the info anyway, we'll be in Kovalam then, so I guess a lot of our time will now be spent in the hotel rather than on the beach (if indeed we'd even be able to venture onto the beach at the end of May!)

tstfs

thats bad

tdmc

we just spent a week in Alleppey at the end of our India trip and didn't want to move around too much.
Do the houseboat - cost us 4500rps (incl meals for two), beer was extra, but cheap. Or as an alternative do three hours on a backwater canoe - you'll see heaps.

People friendly, and quick to smile!

We stayed in a "resort", cabins on the canal, near the lake, cost about $40AUD a night, including food/drinks/beer. Can give you details if you like. PM me

Make sure you get a massage when you're in Kerela - the best most relaxing we had in India - highly recommend this for relaxing and de-stressing

We didn't have time but a visting to hill stations was recommended - ahh, next time.....

pundabee

If the prediction holds, you will be in a location where you can see the arrival of the monsoon. People will congregate on the beach somewhere south of Thiruvananthapuram (described in the book Chasing the Monsoon). Apparently, it is spectacular and a worthwhile experience.

htid

Sounds good! Are there thunder and lightening in the monsoon or is it just heavy rain? I really like thunder storms so I hope we'll have amazing ones! I just hope that flights run as normal, I don't know how much the monsoon influences flights

pundabee

I am also a big fan of thunderstorm, and luckily there are plenty in Kerala, and all year round.

When the monsoon arrives it is normally accompanied by thunderstorms which will be particularly spectacular on the coast, and, obviously, lots of rain. The first two weeks of the monsoon provides the most rain. Therefore, it may be worth wishing for a normal arrival time, i.e. not a 20th of May arrival. Your wish for thunderstorms should be fulfilled even without the monsoon; in late summer, just before the monsoon, there will be pressures building generating these.

And no, flights rarely get cancelled due to heavy rain or thunderstorms. Instead, these weather conditions guarantee an entertaining flight.