Kerala tour operator : Advice

Hi All,

Me and my spouse are going to Kerala for Honeymoon during mid of February 2011. Our preference is leisure and luxury but also we want to cover a few places within 6 night and 7 days.
I have done a meticulous research on choosing several Kerala tour operators like paradise holidays, Iris holidays, Kerala holidays etc. The best rate that I am getting is from Kerala Holidays. The itinerary is as follows :

13th Feb: Cochin. ( Emerald Isle )
14th Feb: Thekkady ( Green Woods )
15th Feb: Munnar ( Blackberry Hills Resort )
16th Feb: Munnar ( Blackberry Hills Resort )
17th Feb: Alleppy (A/C deluxe houseboat ) with Candle light dinner and flower decoration
18th Feb: Kanyakumari ( Sparsa )
19th Feb: Drop to Trivandrum airport.
Package includes :
Travel: A/C Indica
Meal: With breakfast in all hotels, houseboats - all meals
All Sightseeing
Cost: 35K

I have a few questions :
1. This itinerary is fine? or should we remove Kanyakumari ? Please suggest whether visiting Kanyakumari which is quite far away from Alleppy would be too much hectic keeping note that this is a Honeymoon trip? Please note that we are not interested about kovalam / verkala. In that case we will cut short the duration of stay from 6nights/7days to 5 nights/6 days.

2. Please suggest whether the choice of my hotels are good or not.

3. Package cost is 35 K keeping in mind all hotels are high range hotels. Is it fine?

4. Can anybody tell me whether these travel operators are safe? We are almost finalizing Kerala holidays. Rest of the operators are charging quite high.


Thank you,
Atanu

The price sounds OK, I suggest not pay the Total cost up front,
Maybe 50% Downpayment, you will have bargaining power IF you are not Happy with how things are going during your trip.

I would not bother with going all the way down to Kanyakumari,its a long drive from Allepey.

Are you able to return home from Cochin (Kochi) Airport ?

I suggest an extra night in Thekady(Kumily).

Cochin to Thekady is a Long drive.My suggested route which can be done in reverse is,Cochin > Munnar > Thekady > Allepey > Cochin.

Can't comment on Greenwoods in Thekady as I never stayed there but can reccomend Ambadi Hotel in Thekady(Kumily).

vandy

Hey Vandy,

Thanks a lot for your reply. Yes I am also thinking to remove Kanyakumari as it would be a hectic travel. Most of the tour operator's policy is to take 50% amount in advance and rest to be paid in cash while reaching.
Thanks for your advice I will try to bargain on these matter so that I can have something in my hand.But I would like to go with Green woods in thekady. I know Ambady is a good hotel with descent remarks in trip advisor review, But I guess its a mid ranged hotel and I prefer to stay in more luxurious hotel considering the Honeymoon factor in mind.[] I am yet to receive quote for these new itinerary. Lets see.

My final itinerary is :
13th Feb: Cochin Emerald
14th Feb: Munnar Blackberry Hills ( Garden Studio )
15th Feb: Munnar
16th Feb: Thekady Green Woods ( Kanana )
17th Feb: Thekady
18th Feb: Alleppy A/C Luxury houseboat + candle light dinner and flower decoration
19th Feb: Cochin Drop to Cochin airport

Mode of Travel : A/C Indica

Does anybody has any other suggestions ?

Hi All,

Sorry for this super late reply. My honeymoon trip was just superb..I can't thank enough 'kerala holidays' the travel operator for their hasle free warm cooperations. They have provided our driver Madhu who is a very nice guy well behaved fun loving and most importantly he knows the places like the back of his palm including where to eat,places to visit etc. All the hotels i have chosen was with excellent hospitality,luxury and comfort.
My itineary was:
13th Feb: Cochin Emerald ( Great hotel, superb rooms and food..nice stay )
14th Feb: Thekady Green Woods ( Kanana ))( Best hotel in the lot almost a 5 star experience i wish I could buy a day more to stay here )
15th Feb: Munnar Blackberry Hills ( Garden Studio)( Amaizing valley view from the resturant excellent staying experience )
16th Feb: Munnar Blackberry Hills ( Garden Studio)
17th Feb: Alleppy A/C Luxury houseboat + candle light dinner and flower decoration ( good crew members,nice stay
18th Feb: Cochin Drop to Cochin airport

Mode of Travel : A/C Indica
Total tour cost: Rs 31000
( All hotels are 3*/4*)

I highly recommend 'Kerala holidays' as the best tour operator for me as they provide the cheapest quote for all excellent and best hotels for the aforesaid places. Thanks.

Best Regards,
Atanu Mukherjee

Atanusmile007,

Great to see you had a good holiday in Kerala and thanks for
comming back to IM and posting your Information.

Hope you can put your Accomodation reviews in the Hotels section
for future reference for travellers.

vandy

BTW, I was recently in your home city of Kolkata and enjoyed it very very much.

Hey Vandy,

Thanks for pointing out. I would definitely post the experiences in the hotel section in case if it helps the future travellers. It's good to hear that you have enjoyed Kolkata..Have a great time..

Cheers,
Atanu

Duration – 3 nights and 4 days

· Munnar – 1 night and 2 days – Igloo Nature Resort with breakfast

· Thekkady – 1 night and 2 days – Oasis Home Stay with breakfast

· Alleppey – 1 night and 2 days – Coir Village Lake Resort with breakfast

· Vehicle – AC Indica from Kochi to Trivandrum for 4 days for all sightseeing and transfers including driver charges, parking, toll taxes

Package price per person on twin sharing basis – Rs. 11950/-

Package does not include:-

· Any air/rail/coach/ferry fares.

· Any meals apart from those included.

· Any personal expenses, TIPS, porter charges, entry fees (except those included), camera charges, guide charges (except those included)


I need suggestion

Vandy n experinces members awaiting your suggestion of my itineary

I think the trick to maximise the chance of useful help is to do as much of the footwork as possible yourself.

In this case you could find the tariffs for the the listed accommodations.

Essentially, you should be paying for 1) accommodation and 2) the taxi. The travel agent should be making his money from the commission that he receives from the accommodation, and maybe a bit from the taxi.

If all the numbers add up, it's a good deal, if not, it's not.