walking december/ january

pootlling

Hi there,

My partner and I are really into walking and nature and beautiful scenery...getting away from the droves of tourists etc... we are arriving in Delhi mid december and have five weeks to play with. We would have gone north up to the Himalyers if we weren't feeling so anemic and in need of the sun, and if the weather was better at that time of year. So we now have our hearts set on half the time in Rajhastan and half in Kerala. However, I am slightly worried that there wont be enough nature and hills for my bf's liking and kerala will be too much of a beachy affair. I know India is HUGE but can anybody recommend an amazing itinary for 5 weeks which incorporates nature, walking, sun, a bit of beach, a sense of the real India etc...etc...

Thanks,

Emily

pootlling

Just tidying up the forum!

cyberhippie

Rajasthan

Bharatpur : For the bird park here you can spend all day wandering around the park bird watching either with your bicycle or by foot!

Ranthambore : Go tiger spotting by jeep or cantor and spend some time wandering around the massive fort!

Bundi : A genuine Fort town with some really amazing Baoris (stepwells)

Bus to Udaipur : Another place full of forts and palaces

Ranakpur : Great Jain temple and lots of walking in any direction

Khumbhalgarh : amazing Fort perched on a hilltop in the midst of some great walking country, try the Park trip!

Kerala

Varkala : a beach but there's plenty to see besides the beach and following the coast provides for some great walking

Periyar National Park : You can go boating or indeed take a guide and take a jungle walk!

Munnar : Huge tea estate in the Hills four hours from Cochin, fantastic walking through teak forest with the smell of wild spices in the air!! Great view from the tea estate roads!

Thee that gives you something to go on, I'm sure there be more ideas along shortly!

seventies'hippy

The Real India is here and now, if you've not been before then the India you experience is the real one for you at this time.
As for droves of touists,,,,,,,,,, well unless you're in Goa which is OTT with tourists (along the beach strip especially) most other places are quite managable even in the 'touristy' places in rajasthan like Jaipur Udaipur & Pushkar you can find places to be with yourself.
Rajasthan has National Parks to explore both guided & off the beaten track, Or you can just pick an area or village & walk,,,,,,,,,,,
Kerala has far more going for it than just the beach strip.

And of course It's sometimes very nice to get back to a little civilised comforts,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Enjoy your journey
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Wazen

Aloha pootlling,
Kerala seems to have a lot of cool places to check out.
lately I have been planning my 3 months, and just like you, walking in nature is the meaning of travel. Kerala has so many cool places that seem good for a little journey into the wilderness.. Do a little search, including google, and youll find lots of places that seem interesting.

Silent valley has caught my attention, though, coming from hawaii I keep forgeting that India actually has tigers, heh
Let us know what your considering, I am interested in what other people find worthwhile aswell, its good for ideas


Aloha

SHIMLA

You can certainly visit the hills - you won't feel anemic at Kasauli or Shimla, in Himachal Pradesh. You can easily spend your first two weeks here and enjoy your nature walks. Then descend to the plains towards end-Dec., when the chill starts building up in the hills.

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