Our Kerala Holiday experience

rebeccam · Jan 27th, 2009, 04:38

Thanks for your detailed report, Tripsammy! I LOVE reading about Kerala!!!

You've inspired me to soon put my recent trip into words.

Interesting description of the Lake Palace at Periyar. I had reservations there, before changing our route and deciding that destination would wait for another trip. When trying to chose accomodation for Periyar, and after reading mixed reviews of LP especially given its high price, I wondered if it was a good choice. Jenny said we "deserved to treat ourselves" to Lake Palace. Hmmm...now I wonder how that was meant.

Bradwellboy · Jan 29th, 2009, 01:44

Hi Outandabout. My wife and I are also going to Kerala Via Mumbai first 2 weeks april. We fly X Heathrow to Helsinki with a 2 hour lay over paid 316 x 2 and 75 x 2 Jet airways to Cochin. My first trip Jan 08 flew air india heathrow/mumbai for 319. I am planning soon our kerala trip and would welcome any suggestions. I have been reading all the reports including tripsammy (thanks) but have still to come to a definite plan.

I noticed recently in some mails I got from BA that they had dropped there price to 398 for the same dates as we are going.

Cheers

tripsammy · Jan 30th, 2009, 05:37

Hi OutAndAbout, you certainly paid much less than us as we treated ourselves to BA world traveller plus seats this year.

Rebeccam please do not be totally put off the Lake Palace, Whilst as a hotel in it's price category it is decidedly mediocre in many ways, it does have things you dont get elsewhere. The views are awesome and the peace to watch the wildlife in the evenings and early morning without the tourist boats is worth the drawbacks. We sat for ages watching black monkeys playing in the tree next to the hotel. Just dont expect all mod cons!!!

snonymous · Jan 30th, 2009, 13:32

Rebeccam, if budget is a constraint, the much lower priced Periyar House is excellent value. It has its own fair share of "black monkeys" aka Nilgiri Langurs as well as Malabar Squirrels on its own trees and plenty more wildlife to surprise on the road just outside. Pretty birds sit on your balcony in the morning and plenty more of them in the hotels hedges and trees. If you leave crumbs in your balcony, you can be sure the birds will be there.

Admittedly, you do not get the lake view from your room, but you can walk 5min from the back of the hotel down to the lake shore, or from several short trails leading from the road outside the hotel.

rebeccam · Jan 30th, 2009, 17:03

Thanks for the tip, Snonymous. I'm dreaming of another trip in a year.
i've no regrets about skipping Periyar on this past trip (Dec 2008) as the Nagarhole/Kabini Lake area was fantastic. We stayed at Cicada Kabini, did boat and jeep safari. Ciciada is a wonderful place!!! Saw lots of animals--even a tiger! The day before we were there, one of the guests saw a leopard in a tree--amazing (we saw the photos)!!

pontesnm · Jan 30th, 2009, 19:40

Thanks for giving me ideas.

Sadanand Kamath · Jan 30th, 2009, 21:02

One should plan for at least 2 days for Periyar if interested in bamboo rafting. we could not do it for lack of time.

In Nov.'08, I could not get accommodation in any of the three KTDC properties located inside the Periyar sanctuary as they were fully booked. It is advisable to book Periyar House well in advance as this is the cheapest amongst the three KTDC properties.

I entirely agree with snonymous's recommendation mentioned somehwere in this forum that one should stay inside the Periyar sanctuary. A mere passing through the sanctuary gave me the glimpses of what I had missed by not getting acommodation in the sanctuary.

Sadanand

life_is_journey · Feb 1st, 2009, 14:36

hey hopw u had a great time in kerala and in india. you are lucky that u saw a leopard live . i am jelous.i had been ther but not able to see it. just satisfied by seeing the pics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebeccam

Thanks for the tip, Snonymous. I'm dreaming of another trip in a year.
i've no regrets about skipping Periyar on this past trip (Dec 2008) as the Nagarhole/Kabini Lake area was fantastic. We stayed at Cicada Kabini, did boat and jeep safari. Ciciada is a wonderful place!!! Saw lots of animals--even a tiger! The day before we were there, one of the guests saw a leopard in a tree--amazing (we saw the photos)!!

snonymous · Feb 2nd, 2009, 12:29

Rebeccam
Please post about your Nagarhole Kabini trip. Thanks.

Lifeisjourney
If you want to see leopards, visit the Sanjay Gandhi NP in Mumbai in the dry season near a watering hole, early morning or late evening, pretty good chances of spotting them.

rebeccam · Feb 2nd, 2009, 13:17

Life_is, we saw the tiger at Kabini , at edge of the lake(dam). The leopard was in the forest and was seen by other guests at Cicada, who showed us their photos of the creature hanging out of a tree!

Cicada Resort is small and friendly enough so that if on one of the safaris (boat or jeep) a rarely seen animal is spotted, e.g. tiger or leopard, all of the staff, and guests who've heard the news will sincerely and enthusiastically congratulate you on your great luck!

Synonymous, you've "busted" me. Have been very lazy about getting it all typed out. I had an amazing trip. Cicada--the resort and the location was one of the top highlights of many amazing highlights . I promise to post more soon. Meanwhile, feel free to IM if any specific questions. Many of the lodging we were stayed at, are reviewed oin tripadvisor if you search under "calinurse"

life_is_journey · Feb 2nd, 2009, 13:51

i was in mumbai for 8 years. i have een there twice. well never encounteed a tiger. ony have seen on tv when some tiger attacked the slums inside the reseorver.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snonymous

Rebeccam
Please post about your Nagarhole Kabini trip. Thanks.

Lifeisjourney
If you want to see leopards, visit the Sanjay Gandhi NP in Mumbai in the dry season near a watering hole, early morning or late evening, pretty good chances of spotting them.

snonymous · Feb 2nd, 2009, 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by life_is_journey

i was in mumbai for 8 years. i have een there twice. well never encounteed a tiger. ony have seen on tv when some tiger attacked the slums inside the reseorver.

The only [self proclaimed] tigers in Mumbai are of the Shiv Sena variety! I think you meant leopard / panther.

life_is_journey · Feb 2nd, 2009, 15:15

ha hahh a.. u r right absolutely...

Quote:

Originally Posted by snonymous

The only [self proclaimed] tigers in Mumbai are of the Shiv Sena variety! I think you meant leopard / panther.

tripsammy · Feb 5th, 2009, 20:44

I completely agree that it is worth staying in the sanctuary. The Lake Palace was great in terms of the views etc. Yes is some ways it is rather basic, cretainly for the price and it is a bit of a drag having to get the boat to take you back to the starting point for any trips. That aside I would stay there again.

Mermaid · Jun 10th, 2009, 23:23

Hi Just had another look at your report. We are also planning to do the Periyar Tiger reserve but are still not sure if the bamboo rafting or two day treck will be the best option for spotting elephants? Anyone care to advise?

Jan 27th, 2009, 04:38	#16
rebeccam Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oakland, California, USA Posts: 336	Thank you! Thanks for your detailed report, Tripsammy! I LOVE reading about Kerala!!! You've inspired me to soon put my recent trip into words. Interesting description of the Lake Palace at Periyar. I had reservations there, before changing our route and deciding that destination would wait for another trip. When trying to chose accomodation for Periyar, and after reading mixed reviews of LP especially given its high price, I wondered if it was a good choice. Jenny said we "deserved to treat ourselves" to Lake Palace. Hmmm...now I wonder how that was meant.

Jan 30th, 2009, 13:32	#19
snonymous xxx Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,749	Rebeccam, if budget is a constraint, the much lower priced Periyar House is excellent value. It has its own fair share of "black monkeys" aka Nilgiri Langurs as well as Malabar Squirrels on its own trees and plenty more wildlife to surprise on the road just outside. Pretty birds sit on your balcony in the morning and plenty more of them in the hotels hedges and trees. If you leave crumbs in your balcony, you can be sure the birds will be there. Admittedly, you do not get the lake view from your room, but you can walk 5min from the back of the hotel down to the lake shore, or from several short trails leading from the road outside the hotel. __________________ Some of My Tall Tales at http://www.travelpod.com/members/indianature My Flickr photos at http://www.flickr.com/groups/snonymous/

Jan 30th, 2009, 19:40	#21
pontesnm Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bardez/Mumbai/New Jersey (USA) Posts: 418	I plan to do this area on my next trip Thanks for giving me ideas.

Jan 30th, 2009, 21:02	#22
Sadanand Kamath Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,044	One should plan for at least 2 days for Periyar if interested in bamboo rafting. we could not do it for lack of time. In Nov.'08, I could not get accommodation in any of the three KTDC properties located inside the Periyar sanctuary as they were fully booked. It is advisable to book Periyar House well in advance as this is the cheapest amongst the three KTDC properties. I entirely agree with snonymous's recommendation mentioned somehwere in this forum that one should stay inside the Periyar sanctuary. A mere passing through the sanctuary gave me the glimpses of what I had missed by not getting acommodation in the sanctuary. Sadanand __________________ http://www.sadanandsafar.blogspot.com/

Feb 5th, 2009, 20:44	#29
tripsammy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Preston England Posts: 42	I completely agree that it is worth staying in the sanctuary. The Lake Palace was great in terms of the views etc. Yes is some ways it is rather basic, cretainly for the price and it is a bit of a drag having to get the boat to take you back to the starting point for any trips. That aside I would stay there again. Last edited by tripsammy : Feb 5th, 2009 at 20:44. Reason: spelling error

Jan 29th, 2009, 01:44	#17
Bradwellboy Running the only way Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Great Yarmouth Posts: 65	Hi Outandabout. My wife and I are also going to Kerala Via Mumbai first 2 weeks april. We fly X Heathrow to Helsinki with a 2 hour lay over paid 316 x 2 and 75 x 2 Jet airways to Cochin. My first trip Jan 08 flew air india heathrow/mumbai for 319. I am planning soon our kerala trip and would welcome any suggestions. I have been reading all the reports including tripsammy (thanks) but have still to come to a definite plan. I noticed recently in some mails I got from BA that they had dropped there price to 398 for the same dates as we are going. Cheers

Jan 30th, 2009, 05:37	#18
tripsammy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Preston England Posts: 42	Hi OutAndAbout, you certainly paid much less than us as we treated ourselves to BA world traveller plus seats this year. Rebeccam please do not be totally put off the Lake Palace, Whilst as a hotel in it's price category it is decidedly mediocre in many ways, it does have things you dont get elsewhere. The views are awesome and the peace to watch the wildlife in the evenings and early morning without the tourist boats is worth the drawbacks. We sat for ages watching black monkeys playing in the tree next to the hotel. Just dont expect all mod cons!!!

Jan 30th, 2009, 17:03	#20
rebeccam Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oakland, California, USA Posts: 336	Thanks for the tip, Snonymous. I'm dreaming of another trip in a year. i've no regrets about skipping Periyar on this past trip (Dec 2008) as the Nagarhole/Kabini Lake area was fantastic. We stayed at Cicada Kabini, did boat and jeep safari. Ciciada is a wonderful place!!! Saw lots of animals--even a tiger! The day before we were there, one of the guests saw a leopard in a tree--amazing (we saw the photos)!!

Feb 2nd, 2009, 12:29	#24
snonymous xxx Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,749	Rebeccam Please post about your Nagarhole Kabini trip. Thanks. Lifeisjourney If you want to see leopards, visit the Sanjay Gandhi NP in Mumbai in the dry season near a watering hole, early morning or late evening, pretty good chances of spotting them.

Feb 2nd, 2009, 13:17	#25
rebeccam Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Oakland, California, USA Posts: 336	Life_is, we saw the tiger at Kabini , at edge of the lake(dam). The leopard was in the forest and was seen by other guests at Cicada, who showed us their photos of the creature hanging out of a tree! Cicada Resort is small and friendly enough so that if on one of the safaris (boat or jeep) a rarely seen animal is spotted, e.g. tiger or leopard, all of the staff, and guests who've heard the news will sincerely and enthusiastically congratulate you on your great luck! Synonymous, you've "busted" me. Have been very lazy about getting it all typed out. I had an amazing trip. Cicada--the resort and the location was one of the top highlights of many amazing highlights . I promise to post more soon. Meanwhile, feel free to IM if any specific questions. Many of the lodging we were stayed at, are reviewed oin tripadvisor if you search under "calinurse"

Jun 10th, 2009, 23:23	#30
Mermaid Mermaid Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 3	Hi Just had another look at your report. We are also planning to do the Periyar Tiger reserve but are still not sure if the bamboo rafting or two day treck will be the best option for spotting elephants? Anyone care to advise?

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