Kerala for noob to India

linnaen

I've decided to go to Kerala over the Christmas period this year, and am planning on using it as an easy intro to India with the possibility of going for a much longer trip later.

I arrive at Kochi on 20th December, and leave on the 30th, and would like some suggestions for an itinerary, and where to stay for this period.

I guess a few points as to what I like would be helpful at this time.

• I'm not much of a beach goer - I'd be scared of them trying to drag me back out to sea.
• The backwater cruises don't have a huge appeal to me - I could see myself doing a short trip, but nothing that long.
• I generally prefer to settle into somewhere for a few days so that I can get a feel for the area
• I'd like to do a cooking course somewhere
• I'm on a fairly tight budget - but willing to spend up to around 1000r per night on accommodation, which seems to be a bit of a problem at the moment as the first 3 homestays I have contacted don't have rooms available when I arrive
• Not sure on the cost of Spa's so haven't thought that much about it.
• The wildlife park and Munnar (or similar) sound appealing - however I think I have read on a previous thread that trying to do both in the short time I have

So far, I have considered staying around 3 nights in Kochi , but what would you suggest from there?
I obviously realise I am going to be paying more for accommodation during this period as it is the peak season.

vandy

G'Day & Welcome to IM.

You have enough time for a decent look around.

My suggestion is to get a car and driver and consider the following itinery, Cochin - Munnar(Hills)- Thekady(Kumily)- Allepey(backwaters) - Cochin.

You don't have to incorporate a houseboat with the Backwaters,
you can do a 3-4hr Country Boat trip into the smaller canals.

The road journey between Munnar & Thekady(Kumily) is a Ripper.


vandy

Brisso

Places that take bookings are more expensive. If you are budget conscious, book one night and look around the following day.

Clean rooms from 400rps up if I recall.

Keith H

Hello Linnaen,
We stayed in Cochin last year at the White Rose, very comfortable, in the region of 1100/-. I'm not suggesting you spend your whole Cochin visit there but its a good spot to catch your breath and look for something less expensive if needs be. It is just a short walk to the restaurants, shops, sea/ river etc.
We did two or three hours on a back water canoe trip and that was very interesting - I thought that was enough time though.
Cochin is a nice, gentle introduction to India although I would suggest you don't spend all your time there - get out and have a look at the hills, spice plantations etc. I'm not sure if you are flying into Cochin or not; if so make sure that you fit in a trip on the trains ( possibly to Trivandrum) as they are an essential part of the Indian experience and there is some beautiful track-side scenery to be had along the coast.
Have a great trip.

linnaen

Thanks for the info so far everyone.
I tried to add all the relevant info, but managed to forget one of the important bits of info - thanks to Keith H for reminding me.
I fly in and out of Kochi (thanks be to AirAsia for Aud$150 return flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kochi).

Vandy: I understand that hiring a car is going to cost in the region of 1500R per day, and another 150-200 for the driver. Does this amount also include his accommodation?

vandy

The 1500rps per day should be ALL inclusive,This means the drivers Meals and Accom have allready been factored in.

The car & driver I hired last year cost me 1400rps per day all
inclusive, this was also for an A/C car.If you are on your own
a small car like an Indica or Indigo is fine.At the end I tipped the driver 800rps for his good service.

Wow !!!! that Air fare sounds pretty good.Please let us know how the Air Asia flights went.Have heard mixed reports about them


vandy

linnaen

I've flown with them before (Gold Coast - KL, and within Asia), and they've been fine. Certainly no worse than Virgin Blue or Jetstar. You just have to take into consideration that like those two low-cost airlines everything is extra.
In fact, I think there might even be more room in their seats than on a recent Qantas trip I took.

linnaen

Thanks for the replies, and for all the other posts in the Kerala forum. Through your responses to this thread, and all the others I am starting to get a feel for where I want to go, what I want to see, and how to go about it.
I think I will more or less follow Vandy's suggested itinerary, but might have to miss out on one of the suggested stops (which I haven't decided yet).

chackmatha

look for cooking holidays in kerala You will have interesting options though pricey

citybell

OP:

Since you are on a tight budget, it is not advisable to use taxi. Suggest you to use buses.They are not only cheap but frequent too in Kerala.

Regarding accommodation, stay in Ernakulam(cochin is an island).You can find many economy guest houses or lodgings near Ernakulam South station,near Ernakulam Junction, and along Chitoor road and even in MGroad.You can get a room below 1000 rupees.No reservation is necessary.
From Cochi, you can go to Munnar by bus (about 4hrs), then to Kumily(Thekkady) Alleppey and Trivandrum.And come back to Cochin by bus from Trivandrum.You can also takes trains between these places considering your budget.

For cooking classes, sorry no idea.

linnaen

Again, thanks to all for the reponses so far.

I have managed to book a homestay in Kochi (on recommendation by friends who I discovered had been there) which also does a cooking class.

Based on fairly recent recommendations from here (and due to the timing being right over Christmas) I have also booked the Kaipallil homestay in Munnar for a few nights.

Now to hunt through the forums for somewhere to stay in Thekady (or Kumily?), and maybe Allepey. Coincidentally this takes me beyond the 10 posts to PM limit, so if any higher posters have recent recommendations for those places, please PM or post away

vandy

Stayed at Kaippallil in 2006, it was pretty good, as well the location is also good with a 5min walk into town.The stairs down
and up From town will surely give you a workout.I only had light
breakfasts there,Toast & Coffee.They will do meals on requests.
I had quite a few meals in town at Raphsy Restaraunt, located in a small mall, everyone knows this place, good cheap meals.

As far as Accom in Kumily & Allepey goes, I can reccomend Mickeys Cottage in Kumily and Malayalam Lake Resort in Allepey.
Both of these places are in the Hotels Section.

When staying at Mickeys in Kumily I would walk couple of Hundred
meters down the road to Ambadi Hotel for my meals,really good
restaraunt there.Malayalam Resort will do meals for you.

To contact Malayalam resort you will need to ring, they are not
on the net.The location is just special as are the hosts.


vandy