Suggestions needed for Kerala travel - Cochin, Munnar, Kumarakom, Alleppy

I am planning a trip to Kerala in December. Here is the Itinerary I have thought of:-

Day 1: (Munnar)
On arrival to Cochin, drive to Munnar. This hill station of Kerala is famous for its Tea Garden estates. En route enjoy beautiful streams, small waterfalls, rubber, pepper, cardamom and tea plantations and thick forests. On arrival at Munnar, check into hotel rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel in Munnar.

Day 2: (Munnar)
After breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Munnar covering Mattupetty Lake & Dam, Echo Point, Kundale Lake, Blossom Garden, Rajamalai and Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary famous for the Nilgiri Tahr and tea gardens. Return to hotel in the evening for overnight stay.

Day 3: (Munnar)
After breakfast, go on a sightseeing tour of Munnar visiting the Old Munnar Town and the town market. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight in Munnar.

Day4: (Kumarakom to Alleppy houseboat)
After breakfast ,drive to Kumarakom to enjoy backwaters of Kerala. Day at leisure to enjoy walks in the jade environs of the backwaters or go to watch migratory birds at the Bird Sanctuary, check in to the houseboat. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight at the houseboat.

Day 5: (Alleppy)
After breakfast, check out of the houseboat. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure. Visit the Alleppy beach. Stay overnight at the hotel in Alleppy.

Day 6: (Cochin)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Drive to Cochin and arrive by the afternoon. Check into the hotel and take a sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin visiting the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue and see the Chinese fishing nets on the harbour. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.


I need some suggestion from those who have visited these places and if there are anything else that we need to include in the trip. We need much time for relaxation than traveling...

Is there any other nearby places than the tourist destination around these locations where we can explore?

What would be good hotels in Munnar, Alleppy, Cochin to stay at and if we get any houseboats from Kumarkom to Alleppy. How much would that actually cost me? Any things to keep in mind when in that place?

I have been going through few of these hotels:-
Munnar:-
Deshadan Mountain Resort or Hotel Las Palmas or The Sienna Village

Alleppy:-
Pagoda resort

Cochin:-
Cochin Durbar

A/C Houseboat from Kumarakom to Alleppy

Which would be nearest hotel to the airport in Cochin?

Any suggestions please?

Your itinerary looks like it's copied straight from some travel agent's brochure, is that correct? That's fine, but assuming they have it all worked out for you as they seem to do, I'm not sure what you're really asking for? Looks OK I guess, as such tours go.

(I see now you have a thread running on it on this site too: http://www.raahi.com/index.php?optio...eply&qid=16570 . Didn't that help you out? Where did you get this itinerary from?)

Hi there, It shouldn't cost anymore to get dropped
off in Allepey after your O'Night Houseboat cruise
Just make sure you sort out before hiring Houseboat.

As far as Hotels go have not stayed in any you have mentioned,but have seen good reviews on Sienna
Village in Munnar area, I visited Deshadan for a look around,looked OK,there is another couple of places in that area worth having a look at,Olive Brook (good reviews) and Tall Trees resort which I also visited,nice chalets in well maintained gardens,did not stay there,just had a good look around.

vandy

Wordlife
We stayed at the Siena Village in May 2008. The rates are on the higher side but we enjoyed our stay. See my review in the Hotels section.

If you have an extra day in Munnar, do try and drive down to Marayoor and Chinnar. I found that route the most scenic, and least crowded in the region.

December is peak season so book early. Expect crowds at most of the tourist hot spots such as the Lakes and at Rajamala.

hi,

your tip looks very illustrious, you could include an overnighter in a tree house(eremadam) as it is called in malayalam. there are ones that are provided by the forest offices. as for the stay in munnar, KTDC munnar has the best hotel there, it cost around Rs6000-7000. one of the best in kerala.

On your trip from kumarakom to allepy be sure to discuss with the boat people of your intent earlier on cause they do not move the boat after sunset due to the fishing nets.

wish you a happy journey