juliajane

We are arriving on a Friday night in March. I know it will be hot. We spend our 1st night near airport as we arrive around 10 pm. Next day we arrive at Malabar House for 2 nights. So we have full day sayurady and Sunday. Was thinking of going to Kumarakom lake resort for 1 night and then next day fly to Kolkata. Problem is flight is very early in am. Should we jsut do 3 nights, 2 full days in Cochin and then have more time in Kolkata?

Our trip is 7 weeks away!!! So excited:
So far Itinerary is as follows:
NYC to Singapore-4 nights Singapore
Singapore to Siem Reap- 3 nights Siem Reap
Siem Reap to Cochin-3 or 4 nights Cochin
Cochin to Kolkata (this part of trip only part not confirmed) 2-3 nights Kolkata
Kolkata-Delhi (meeting DH there) 1 night Delhi
Delhi to Amritsar- 2 nights Amritsar
Amritsar-Chandigarh- 2 nights
Chandigarh-Shimla 3 nights
Shimal-Chandigarh-Delhi
Delhi 1 night and back to USA!!!

Kolkata still up in air...could go elsewhere but have never seen ganges
will it be too cold in Shimla? I think not!!

Can't wait..still would love suggestions or feedback!!

MmePerdu

I should probably just keep my mouth shut. But. This looks like a nightmare itinerary to me. In my experience, India is a quintessential slow-travel opportunity. Since your trip seems fixed I hope you love it, but if you find it's a blur, you can consider it reconnaissance and promise yourself a return visit.

I loved Fort Cochin/Kochi and hope you're there for a performance here: http://www.kathakalicentre.com/

MmePerdu

Just had another look. Why on earth would you fly Siem Reap to Cochin on the west coast, then back as far as you can go and still be in India to Kolkata? Then cross-country again? If you stayed in the NW of the country, go into Delhi and proceed from there it would all make a great deal more sense. See Kerala & Kolkata another time. But I imagine any advice of this sort is too little too late. In any case, I do sincerely hope you love your time in India. It just isn't my kind of trip.

juliajane

I have not booked Kolkata yet..so please offer suggestion from Cochin, I need to be in Delhi for the 16th to meet my husband. I potentially leave Cochin on the 13th. I have never been to south of India before. I can skip Kolkata and go elsewhere. Any suggestions? Very appreciated.

juliajane

I could also change my flight from singapore and skip cochin..is that what you suggest?

juliajane

I have not booked Kolkata yet..so please offer suggestion from Cochin, I need to be in Delhi for the 16th to meet my husband. I potentially leave Cochin on the 13th. I have never been to south of India before. I can skip Kolkata and go elsewhere. Any suggestions? Very appreciated.

MmePerdu

Yes, do skip Cochin this time as well as Kolkata, and fly directly to Delhi. I like Delhi very much, it's a fun city to explore. While you wait for your husband to arrive, book taxis or a guide from a travel agent by the day or half-day to visit monuments, see neighborhoods, go shopping. If you decide to do it I'll give you links to my personal favorites. You'll enjoy time in Delhi, I think, and at least a couple of unstructured days in a nice hotel, go out when you feel like it, stay in when you don't and just relax. India can be an excellent place for relaxing if you let it.

juliajane

Thank you. See we have been to delhi twice already so that why I was trying something different. Also the smog in delhi is intense right now. I love relaxing...not opposed to it at all.....any other suggestions?
We have been to delhi, Mumbai, jaipur, udaipur, Agra and ranthambore already!!

MmePerdu

Okay, how about flying Siem Reap to Kolkata. I liked Kolkata very much, then on to Delhi for your rendezvous. There's logic in that progression.

julies

MmePerdu and I differ on our thoughts about Delhi. We've spent four months in India and we are not Delhi fans. For us, we saw a sufficient amount of Delhi in four different half day segments. I have not been to Kolkata.

I envy you the opportunity to visit Amritsar because that is tops on my wish list. Have you been to Varanasi? To us, it is the quintessential India. We also went to Haridwar (another holy city) and enjoyed our time there.

Kerala in March will be devastatingly hot. I agree you should skip it.

How about Uttarkarhand and the foothills of the Himalayas?

juliajane

ok so I am in back in singapore on the 10th and dont have to be in Delhi til 16th.
That potentially gives me 5-6 nights to play with that are unplanned at this point. We have seen so much of india...

Thinking after reading this board maybe Malaysia- 3 nights Penang
3 nights Langkawi??? Thoughts?

Would this be easy? which place do I go to first? I see there are flights to both places from Singapore. Do you suggest flying between Georgetown and Langkawi or ferry?

Anyother ideas..I have 5-6 nights!!

ileen

I am planning a trip to India, but having trouble with the visa web site.
Could you share your experience on obtaining visa for India travel.
Appreciate your time.
Enjoy planning your trip.

vinodpj2000

There are places like Allepey and Munnar not very far from Cochin

dgunbug

I am not a big fan of Cochran but loved my time in Varanasi and hope to get to Calcutta one day.

dgunbug

Sorry - that would be Cochin. Hate this autocorrect!