Kerala : Kochi-Alleppy-Kumarakom-Thekkady-Munnar-Kochi

Originally Posted by radical.yao

Hi all,

Greetings from singapore.

Planning a 8-days trip to kerala in Mid-May with my beloved girl friend and hoping to gather some feedbacks/answers on my itinery.


Day 1- Arrive in Kochi Airport at 11pm . Planned to stay in Fort cochi at Leelu Homestay/Beena Homestay

Qns: how much does it take for a taxi ride to fort kochi?
Get a rough idea from keralataxi.com Its a good 40km away from the airport so estimate not less than INR 500. You can take a pre paid cab from the airport.

Day 2 - Tour around Fort cochi. Santa Cruz Basilica
, Chinese fishing nets,The Dutch Palace, Jew town...
Take a harbour cruise which also shows you all these places. Watch out for dolphins in the harbour, they are very common and a delight to spot. If you have the time and inclination, take a 5min public ferry boat from Fort Cochin across the harbour to Vypeen island where you can take an auto to the lighthouse for great views, and much further on to Cherai beach.

Qns : Anyplace that we can catch a Kathakali say at night ? Or what time are they commonly available?
Every hotel / street corner travel agent will arrange it - bargain for a good price. Also check at keralatourism.org; ktdc.com

Day 3 - Take morning KRSTC bus to Alleppy. Shop for a houseboat departing to Kumarakom. Overnight stay on houseboat.
You will get better answers from other members on this. There is also a half day and full day KTDC tour of the backwaters nr Cochin but this doesnt make sense since you are going to Allepey & K'kom.

Qns :

Day 4 - Arrive at Kumarakom. Take bus to Thekkady.Probably arriving in evening. Planned to stay at Chrissie's

Qns : Are they direct buses from KRSTC from Kumarakom to Thekkady? Approx how long is does it take? What time and interval are they available? could not get much help from www.keralartc.com

Day 5 - Morning cruise along Periyar lake. Get your hotel to book it in advance.
Take the 7am Upper Deck seats. Bring a good pair of binocs along, you can rent them there but they are the cheap toy Chinese variety. Also bring a camera with a good zoom for you will surely sight elephants, boars etc along the shores. While walking around the sanctuary esp. along the road leading in, look up at the tree tops to sight the Malabar giant squirrel.

Jungle trekking in the afternoon/or spice plantation visit.
Do the 11am guided Nature walk or the 7am walk the next day. You will see lion tailed macaques, nilgiri langurs, friendly giant squirrels, all sorts of deer, birds and huge butterflies - look out for the bright yellow and black Southern Birdwing, the largest in India. The local guides are excellent. Ive been twice before in May and have been more than happy, got to see much more than what I expected. Also look out for wild orchids, its flowering season now.

The spice plantation visit should cost around INR 100, there are many in the district, ask your hotel.
Overnight Thekaddy

Day 6 - Depart to Munnar. Planned to stay at somewhere that offer treehouse for a night and normal room/cottage for another.
I just came across Ela Ecoland who have tree houses. Havent stayed there but you can check the website. www.elaecoland.com/

Qns: again..are there direct KRSTC bus from thekkady to Munnar?
any other alternatives? cost? Plenty of buses, shared taxis, pvt taxis etc. Public bus or shared taxi will be cheap. Get a rough pricing from kerala taxi site.

In addition, anyone can recommend a hotel that offers treehouse/normal room/cottage stay? contemplating on Spring Dale Resort at Devikulam (near to Munnar)
Check munnar.com for a good listing. Makemytrip.com; ezeego1.com etc all offer online bookings but you may get something cheaper.

Day 7 - Tour in Munnar. Madupetty Dam, Echo Point, Gundala Lake , Top Station, Photo Point, Indo-Swiss Project, Tea Museum , Pothamedu Sunset View .... overnight in Munnar

I have also just booked a Thekkady Munnar Thattekadu trip end may and accumulated a lot of info. After I sift through the Munnar sights, I will share my preferences with you.

Day 8 - Rest n easy in the morning .Prepare to depart to Kochi Airport.

Qns: is it better to get a taxi that directly transfer us to Kochi Airport? or back to Ernakulam to get a transfer to Kochi? cost from munnar to airport?
Go direct to Nedumbassery where the airport is. Again, get a quote from keralataxi and try and negotiate something better at Munnar.

Appreciate your valuable inputs.

Cheers