Kerala and Tamil Nadu- Itinerary Requested

Hi All,

I am planning to visit south India from my home town in Delhi. I have not visited Tamil Nadu or Kerala before. Thus, I am planning a vacation some where around last week of September 2012 along with my family. We will be a group of around 8 family members and 2 small children (less than 2 years).

I will be there for around 7 days and thus, would like to visit the best places there. My main preference is Kerala (around 3-4 days including one in houseboat) and also like to vist Kanyakumari and few religious places like Rameshwaram etc.

Also, how can I best travel from Delhi that is which place should I first go from Delhi and how (train/air), seeing the cost constraint i am thinking of one side by train and other side by air (going from Delhi to South by train and coming back by air or vice-versa), though i can even travel both sides by air if required because of less number of days being available.

Can you please help me make a perfect itinerary for that one week to make it one of the most memorable trip for my family.

Thanks a lot in advance!!
Dbhatia

If you're going for only one week, I'd recommend sticking to only one state - preferably kerala (I've traveled to both states but I was based in bangalore and then later, chennai so I always had ample time to explore). If you're going to travel all the way from Delhi, limiting yourself to one state and forming a trip appropriately will give you a chance to enjoy the attractions.

Please look at similar threads to the right to come up with some ideas and post here what you like. IMers can then refine the same.

Hi Vaibhav,

Thanks for your reply. I agree one week is too less to cover all the areas, but i really wish to visit Kanyakumari and Rameshwaram (i think one day each will be each, isn't it?) and then rest 5 days in Kerala where i can go to Munnar for around 2 days, one day in Allepey and one day in Periyar.

Please suggest is it doable?

Thanks again!
Dbhatia

If you indeed are particular of these places then you can do 1 day each in Kanyakumri and Rameshwaram, 2-3 days in Munnar, an overnight houseboat from Kumarokom to Allepey and 1 day in thekkady (Periyar)

@Dbhatia, your wish to see the places that you have mentioned will depend on the mode of transport you choose to travel between them. You most probably would have to travel by train or bus which have fixed departure time. A taxi might not make sense since you would need 2. A 8 seater vehicle would not make sense economically.

You would need to check if the train / bus departure time suits your schedule. If you talk about 1 day in Rameshwaram and 1 day in Kanyakumari it could mean more than a day in both the places if you consider the travel time between the places.

You also mention having 2 kids less than 2 years, so keep that in mind also.

Hello dhathia,

If you have full 7 days you can do the places and also you should keep the mode of transport in mind.

Rough itenary below

New Delhi-Allepey (Rajdhani)Visit Munnar/Thekkady (150+kms) stay 3 days

Allepey - Kanyakumari (around 6hrs by direct train) stay 1day

kanyakumari -rameshwaram (5-6 hrs by direct train)2days

rameshwaram-madurai(direct train) stay 1 day

(visit meenakshi temple) take a train to delhi.

I would suggest skip munnar/thekkady and visit kodaikanal(tamilnadu).