newbie seeking help - One week in Kerala

daxaj

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all your tips and advice. I like the idea of hiring car and driver. After your advice, I have reconsidered by itinerary and will not be going to Trivandrum and Kovallam, instead will splan around Cochin, Munnar, Kumily and Marari.
I let you know what I decide eventually.

Sounds like most of you have been to Kerala more than once!

Cheers

CliveG

Yep this our 6 visit in the same number of years! Can't seem to get away from Kerala! Currently in Kochi enjoying 32 degrees and lots of sun - apparently a lot better than the U.K. at present. Your plan sounds good. Please come back if you need any further help.

daxaj

Hi CliveG,

Kerala must have some sort of magic to draw you there again and again. The weather is UK is....well wet, dark, gloomy,miserable and cold, compared to Kerala.

I'm sure you're having a wonderful time with all that sun and hot weather.

Clive, being a peak season in Kerala, will I have problems booking hotels / car and driver when I get to Cohin? I'll have first night booked, but haven't booked anything else.
Did you have to pay for driver's meals and expenses on top of Rs4000 you paid for your trip to Munnar?

For flight I've been quoted £85 Mumbai-Cochin-Mumbai - is this reasonable?

vandy

Hope you don't mind me putting my 2 bobs worth,

That price will allready include drivers expences,

However,as I was travelling alone, I would invite
the driver for meals and pick up the tab,I found
it a great way of getting to know the driver better and gain some valuable local knowledge.

I treated the driver as a travelling buddy and had
a fantastic time,hopefully I'll be able to get same driver when I return & continue our friendship

Rgds - vandy

CliveG

Hi Daxaj,
Kerala as they say is God's Own Country - stunning.
Vandy is right the cost will include drivers expenses - don't be suprised if you find the driver sleeping in the car overnight.

While it is the 'busy' season it is always posible to find accommodation and drivers. You could use the Kerala Tourist Office (KTDC) which if I remember is in Shanmugham Road. I have used them in the past and they are very helpful and can suggest accommodation and arrange drivers.

Flight - can't really help as I do not use internal flights much but it does not sound excessive.

pundabee

Edit: Cross posted with Clive, but it seems like we are saying the same.

The main advantage of booking from home is that you are guaranteed to get what you want, and that you don't have to spend time trying to find somewhere else to stay. You can always find somewhere to stay, but it being peak season you may not be able to get what you want. Our approach to travelling in Kerala when the destination has many accommodations is to not book in advance; simply because it is easier. Instead we identify a handful of suitable accommodation in relatively close geographical proximity. This means that it shouldn't be a problem finding an available room.

You can always get a taxi. However, before making a deal with a taxi driver make sure that you inspect the tyres. If you deem the tyres to be of unacceptable standard (probably 8 out of 10 taxis), find another one. Chances are that a driver who doesn't change tyres when required is not maintaining other essential parts of the vehicle. Safety is paramount.

Also, try to avoid Ambassador cars. They are not comfortable. You will be paying 25% more for an A/C car (they use more fuel), but we have never needed A/C in a car; open windows give sufficient airflow.

If we are travelling long distance in a taxi, we will invite the driver for meals during the drive and pay the costs, but not after arrival if the driver has been hired to stay overnight. It is the driver's own responsibility to find accommodation (most of them sleep in their cars; either to save money or because they have a certain attachment to their cars). If you have hired a taxi overnight there is normally a Rs. 100-150 fee to cover the driver's accommodation costs (hence the possibility for the driver to save money by sleeping in the car).

Finally, taxi drivers have a bad reputation in Kerala. Bear this in mind. You may think he is your "friend", but chances are that he is trying to work out ways to get more money out of you, directly or indirectly. There are many ways of doing this.

federica

I found them very comfortable.... but of course that's my personal opinion...

backpakker

I know you have changed your travel plans but I would still suggest kanyakumari for what its worth..Its one and a half hours from Trivandrum by road and its the southern most tip of India.The sunrise and sunset is amazing ..its your call though

Cochin to Trivandrum is about 4 hours by road

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