Solo Woman Traveler: Kerala

Hello!

After months of dreaming about Kerala, I'm finally going to make it there in August 2009, courtesy my school friend's wedding at a place close to Chengannur!

The wedding is on the 22nd and i'm on my own 24th August onwards. I'm traveling alone and am on a shoestring budget. Really.

Even as i'm trying to read up as much as I can about the state, I would really appreciate if you could help me out with any of the following to help me plan my trip

1. I know Trivandrum is closer to Chengannur, but I will be flying from Mumbai to Kochi. My plan is to get to Chengannur from Kochi by train.

- How far is the airport from the Kochi train station?
- How much would it cost to get to the train station?
- The best train from Kochi to Chengannur? IRCTC.com doesn't show Kochi, but Ernakulam in their train schedule for the same (am I missing something here?).

2. 24th onwards till around 5th September, it's mostly me and my camera. As they all say - I want to keep my trip as 'less touristy' as possible.

- Keeping me, a single Indian woman traveler in mind, could someone elaborate on an unhurried itinerary that includes everything local and anything beautiful.

- While I don't want to 'cover Kerala', I think it'll have to include Kovalam, Munnar, Periyar, backwaters, Kathakali, and the popular ayurvedic massage.(where, how, how much?)

What do you say?

- I hope I could get some elaborate replies on this with ideas, directions, accommodation suggestions, and a rough cost structure wherever possible.

3. And yay!!! I'll be around for Onam too. What is the best way/place to experience Onam for a tourist?

***Quite a few questions to start with. More will follow as we start talking here Thankss!!

Check with station codes ERS - Ernakulam Junction / ERN - Ernakulam Town / CNGR - Chengannur.

Kochi and Erankulam are the same place. Kochi is near the coast and Ernakulam is inland.

From the airport Ernakulam Town station is around 20 kms and Ernakulam Junction is around 30 kms.

For selecting trains you can use erail Ernakulam Chengannur

Thanks @bonded and @vonkla. I've now figured the Ernakulam-Chengannur train travel bit!

Cost of taxi from airport to station using the pre-paid taxi at the airport will be about RS450.

hi Punk, I will be based in Varkala from August 30 till I leave for some ayurvedic treatment on September 3rd to Trivandrum. If you are in the Varkala area at that time, we maybe can team up for some exploration day-trips, backwater cruise, elephant ride, onam festival, or whatever.

After months of dreaming about Kerala, I'm finally going to make it there in August 2009, courtesy my school friend's wedding at a place close to Chengannur! Good Idea KOLLAM, 23rd August 2009. GANAPATHY TEMPLE,
KOTTARAKKARA .
The temple is situated 35kms away Kollam. Ritual feeding With 3
elephants with temple drum ensemble panchavadyam.
Time: 9 to 11 am
Tel: 0474 2450555. an option around Chengannur

The wedding is on the 22nd and i'm on my own 24th August onwards. I'm traveling alone and am on a shoestring budget. Really.

Even as i'm trying to read up as much as I can about the state, I would really appreciate if you could help me out with any of the following to help me plan my trip

1. I know Trivandrum is closer to Chengannur, but I will be flying from Mumbai to Kochi. My plan is to get to Chengannur from Kochi by train.

- How far is the airport from the Kochi train station?
To go to Chengannur it is better to go to the Alwaye Railway station which is only less than hanf an hour from the airport and around 15 kms Cost will be around Rs.250 and Alwaye is better because all the trains to south will pass thorough it . If you go to Ekm you have two stations and all trains do not stop in both stations
- How much would it cost to get to the train station?

- The best train from Kochi to Chengannur? IRCTC.com doesn't show Kochi, but Ernakulam in their train schedule for the same (am I missing something here?).

2. 24th onwards till around 5th September, it's mostly me and my camera. As they all say - I want to keep my trip as 'less touristy' as possible.

- Keeping me, a single Indian woman traveler in mind, could someone elaborate on an unhurried itinerary that includes everything local and anything beautiful.ATHAM DAY CELEBRATIONS At
Trippunitnura
on 23rd August

The colourful procession marks
the beginning of the Onam festival
(Kerala's harvest festival).
The procession starts from
the Royal Palace around 9 am with
caparisoned elephants, varieties
of folk art forms, floats, musical
ensembles etc,. It is a great
occasion to witness almost all the
folk art forms prevalent in
different parts of Kerala.
Tel: 0484 2780318


- While I don't want to 'cover Kerala', I think it'll have to include Kovalam, Munnar, Periyar, backwaters, Kathakali, and the popular ayurvedic massage.(where, how, how much?)

What do you say?

- I hope I could get some elaborate replies on this with ideas, directions, accommodation suggestions, and a rough cost structure wherever possible.

3. And yay!!! I'll be around for Onam too. What is the best way/place to experience Onam for a tourist?

***Quite a few questions to start with. More will follow as we start talking here Thankss!!
Punk is offline Report Post Reply With Quote

Also Vonkla and Clive,

I figure 'Angamali' railway station is approx 3km from Kochi airport where I can get a train to Chengannur. So, now I won't have to go to Ernakulam for the same!

Hey!

That sounds nice! I will note down your plan and buzz you if I'm around or once i know.

What ayurvedic treatment is this? Where exactly in Varkala?

Hey that's great, but i'll be with friends till 23rd and we already have plans for the day!

Could you suggest something 24th August onward?

Thanks

I will spend 1 week in an ayurvedic hospital, the treatment will be according to my condition when I arrive, nothing special arranged, probably some detoxifying and rejuvenating.

In Varkala I will be staying at Shiva Garden (arriving August 30 in the morning)
http://http://www.varkalahomestay.com/

Hey Punk,

I have just returned from Kerala and we were 2 women plus an infant. For the backwaters, I can recommend Mr Sasidharan of the Lakshmi hotels and resorts, Kumarakom. He was extremely helpful to us (my mom, my daughter and me) and helped us out with the backwater cruise, houseboat stay, etc. You can check out the site and get his contact details at http://www.lakshmiresorts.com/index.html.

Hey Girl from Venus,

I'm now in Kanyakumari, heading towards Kovalam tomorrow (26th). Shiva Garden seems nice. Hope our stay coincides!

@Punk .... Well I was going through your post and found that you were covering Munnar during the trip and are there any places that you think we could visit that are near Munnar (I meant waterfalls )... or on the way to Munnar from Kodai ....

Also if you have already visited then any suggestions for the accomodation ... are there any accomodation that we can get in the houses ... with home food .. or maybe any cottages @ affordable cost ...

hi ,
i could help u with kathakali.there is a temple called sre vallabha temple in tiruvall which is very close to chenganoor.its the only temple in kerala which has kathakali every day .so thats a golden chance for u.it happens at night.so just take a auto or bus and reach there by 7.its a good big temple .