Kerala in October

riviresa

Hello Everybody,

I am planning a 10 day trip to Kerala around mid October. I was thinking of starting in Trivandrum and ending in Cochin. Let me say that we are nature lovers and would enjoy doing canoeing, kayaking and cycling whereever we can.

Tentative schedule is as follows:

Arrive Trivandrum and do half day sight seeing to Kanyakumari, etc.

Day 2 Kovalam
Day 3 Kollam to Allepey
Day 4 Allepey to Kumarakom in Houseboat/Country Boat
Day 5 Kumarakom
Day 6 Periyar
Day 7 Munnar
Day 8 Thetakkad - Hornbill Resort
Day 9 Thetakkad - Hornbill Resort
Day 10 Cochin

I will be travelling with children ages 12 and 15. Questions I have are as follows:

1. Would we be able to get a speed boat to go from Kollam to Alleppey? If so, where and how long would the trip be?

2. I would love to do a houseboat but don't think the kids would like sitting the whole on a boat to just enjoy the scenery. If I did a country boat, how long would it take to get from Alleppey to Kumarakom?

3. Any suggestions for accommodation in the mid range?

4. Would like to hire a car (preferably an Innova) and driver. Any recommendations?

5. Do I need to pre-book the Houseboat/Country boat as it will be Diwali season at that time?

6. What will the weather be like?

7. Is the above itinerary ok or too hectic? Should I cut something out?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Indizen

Trivandrun to Cape involves minimum 5 hours journey time, by train, add to that waiting and commuting times. I assume you will hire a private car but the 180 km journey may in fact be too hectic for the kids, that too on the very first day, and the sights in themselves involve just the sea shore and the sun sets!

riviresa

Hi,

Thanks so much for that info. On the map it looks so close. I think then that I will do a Cochin to Cochin trip and drop Trivandrum and Kovalam and add a beach stay somewhere in the remaining trip.

Any suggestions to revise the trip and where to add the days?

pmvelu

\


Trivandrum to Cape [Kanyakaumari] takes around 21/2 hours in Train and in Bus it will take 2 - 2 1/2 hours only and the distance is around 85 Kms only .


To OP:-

It's not a problem at all for Trivandrum - Kanyakumari Circuit and If at you plan to hire Cab,take Thirparapu Falls [Too good and Scenic] , Padmanabapuram Palace, Suchindram Temple route for Trivandrum to Kanyakumari Circuit and it's worth !

Velu

clivington

Which, times two, is the there-and-back journey quoted by Indizen.

Have to agree with Indizen. The cape alone would not be worth the trip and doing anything more on the first day would be exhausting. The Padmanabapuram Palace is fascinating but not on your first day (or half day).

I'd recommend more time in the hills.

__________________
Bring me sunshine, in your smile

kenneyjacob

About the speed boat ride you can enquire at the District Tourism Promtion office at 04742750170

Midway accommodations are done best at homestays. Just give a search for "<placename> home stay" in google anywhere in kerala and you will get affordable homestays

Forum rules wont allow me to recommend an Innova driver.

Prebooking houseboats is a good idea since its in hot demand these days.

October is rainy season in Kerala. You will enjoy it for sure.

The itinerary is perfect. Just make sure that you get good sleep everynight.

Nick-H

Established members may make recommendations for drivers, accommodation, etc. They may not advertise. That means they may not recommend their own business, their family business, or any business they are connected with.

If a member repeatedly mentions any particular person or business, they may be suspected of advertising.

The whole point of a forum is the exchange of information. The moderators work hard to keep this one non-commercial. Occasionally those two things are incompatible and, of course, mistakes can be made --- but I do know that the moderator team try very hard to be fair.

kenneyjacob

A small clarification. The number I gave you is not of any resort. Its the number of the district tourism council which is a government body for promoting tourism.

riviresa

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for your responses. Based on the info you have provided, I think I will drop Trivandum (save that for another trip )and do a Cochin to Cochin 10 day trip and make it more relaxed.

Any suggestions on where to add the days?

vandy

My Suggestion is;

Cochin - 2 days

Munnar - 2 days

Periyar(Kumily) - 2 days

Allepey(Backwaters) - 3 days

Cochin - 1 day

Hire a car & driver and away you go.Finish car hire when you get
to Allepey and take Taxi back to Cochin when you finish in Allepey.

vandy

riviresa

Thanks, Vandy. Sorry, it took so long to respond. I have been having trouble with my net connection.

Your plan looks good, but why so many days in Allepey? Is there a lot to do? I was planning on doing a country boat as opposed to a houseboat as my sons (13 and 16) would find cruising along the backwaters boring after a couple of hours. They would be happier doing their own canoeing in the backwaters.

vandy

Hi there,

My Computer also needs Sledgehammer Treatment.

When you depart Kumily (periyar area)you will not reach Allepey till after lunchtime, and you will
more than likely spend the rest of that day settling in for your first night.

Second day, arrange a country boat hire in the morning for same afternoon or next day morning cruise,4-5 hrs is ample.(300rps per hour)Cannoe rides are plentyfull,not too sure if kids will be able to take cannoes out on their own, cannoe owner
usually stays with cannoe,if kids are intending not going too far in canoe then owner will probably
allow.

Suggest taking the kids to Allepey beach on one
of the days,you may also be able to get a fisherman to take you out on a fishing boat ride
for 1/2hour(300rps)It is not very far to the Beach area.If you do decide to go to Beach,may I suggest having lunch at Raheem Residency on the
beachfront,there's also a good chance they may allow the kids to have a swim in their pool.

Attached Thumbnails