Kerala backwaters, Periyar and Munnar 27.01 - 03.02 itinerary

Hello everyone

I have six days to spend in Kerala during my month in India trip and made an itinerary to cover backwaters, Munnar and Periyar.

Arriving in Kollam/Varkala on 27.01 at 5pm by train from Goa and then as follows:

27.01 - Varkala - accomodation - Shiva Garden
28.01 - Kollam-Allepey cruise 10am, accom in Al. - Johnson's Nest
29.01 - Houseboat cruise with overnight stay
30.01 - Kotayam to Periyar, evening boat, stay in park,
31.01 - Periyar - trek or bamboo rafting, stay in treehouse?
01.02 - am trip to Munnar - quick trek, accomodation there
02.02 - Munnar top station/tea plantations? overnight stay
03.02 - Kochi - flight to Delhi at 5pm to continue my trip

I have few questions about my plan. I would be grateful if any indiamikers could advise

1. I am arriving in Kollam and than to Varkala in the evening. Does it make sense to go there just for the sunset and overnight stay or should I get accomodation in Kollam?

2. What is the best way to get to Periyar on 30.01?
Will houseboat drop me off in Kotayam in the morning if requested? Does anyone know a houseboat which finnishes in Kotayam?

3. Indiamiker Vandy advised me to hire car and driver from Kotayam, but I do not need him when staying in Periyar. Is it possible to hire one from Periyar as well to get to Munnar? Any contacts?

4. How to book a treehouse accomodation and bamboo rafting in Periyar? I could not find it on the net. Is it worth going for it or should I choose a trek?

5. What is the best plan for 2 days in Munnar and what accomodation would you reccomend?

I know it's a lot of questions and I apriciate any advice.

Thanks a lot in advance

Only 40 days left... yuuppppiii

szparec

I cannot answer all your questions but I will help where I can.I asked the same questions about transport to Periyar last year. Vandy is quite right that you are best to hire a car and driver, you will not want to find another one for the return journey, just agree the rate in advance for the time you need the car / driver and hang on to him! The additional cost is not great and it is how things usually work. We found that even though we didnt need the driver at Periyar he was there to help us whenever needed, getting us sorted with the bamboo rafting etc.
The bamboo rafting is difficult to book from the UK as they do not respond to EMails. Suggest you get whoever supplies the driver to organise it for you. We used Fourens travel and thoroughly reccommend them. I posted a thread of our experiences which may help you. I am not aware of any treehouse accommodation in the park but there may be some outside in one of the hotels. Good luck and have fun.,Snonymous has also a very good article that covers Periyar and Munnar.
Our Kerala Holiday experience

Hi there,

As you have very limited short time, I advise the following.

Going all the way down to varkalha for a sunset in my opinion
is not worth it, you will see some good sunsets in Goa.

I suggest you get of the train in Kochi(ernakulam)and spend the night in Fort Cochin, there's a bit to see there,Good reviews for Beenas homestay there(meals included)If you can depart Fort Cochin by approx 8am and head for Allepey you will reach there in time for inspecting and organising a Houseboat by 10am.

Is there any specific reason for going to Kotayam, otherwise just do O'Night houseboat Allepey to Allepey and then head to
Periyar next morning after Houseboat.You can arrange for your car & Driver hire to commence after your Houseboat trip.I can
reccomend Mickeys Cottage in Thekady(Kumily - Periyar)Take note
that boat rides in Periyar park have been suspended due to boating accident recently.Bamboo rafting is still operating I believe.As you want to do a short trek in Munnar I suggest Rose Gardens Homestay, owner Tommy will take you on a private trek(4hrs)to a Tea plantation surrounded by Forrests, Highly reccomended(cost of approx 800rps)your car and driver will take you to Matupetty Dam and Top station inclusive of your daily car hire.You can head directly to Airport from Munnar(depart munnar at 1pm and you should reach airport by 3pm)no need to return to Cochin and then airport.

You can allways do Varkalha and further south to Kovalam on another trip IF you like Kerala.

Rgds

vandy