monsoon99

Hi Fodorites:

We are headed to Kerala in December arriving in Cochin at 3:30 am on December 21st. We are flying out from Cochin on January 1 at 9:30 am. We would like to visit Kovalam, do a houseboat overnight, see tekkady, munnar maybe and other worthwhile places. Can you advise what is the best itinerary, must see places and how long to stay in each place. We are two adults and a 13 year old boy. Thanks.

dogster

Those dates seem familiar to me... mmmm? What could it be? Ahhh! Christmas and New Year! I wonder if that means the height of the holiday season? Do you think the hotels will have doubled their prices? literally? Maybe Indians take a Christmas break too. Mmm. Didn't think of that...

lol lol lol. Relax - I'm talking to myself. I'm arriving in India December 11 and was heading to Kerala, same time as you so I've been deep into hotels and trips and stuff - just like you had better do, really really quickly. This ain't the time and place to cruise and groove

I think you are getting an idea of our dilemma. Better tell me what your budget is... then I'll tell you where you can't go. lol.

Have you made any plans at all? What does your son like? If he's anything like me at thirteen, unless you build the trip around him, he'll sulk and be a pain in the backside.

dogster

You might get some ideas from this. It's green and sustainable, very huggy and warm.

http://www.theblueyonder.com/kerala/keralapackage.htm

dogster

and this
http://www.mahindrahomestays.com/
Look at 'itineraries'

CaliNurse

Where are you coming from? The reason I ask is not to be nosy, but to get an idea of what is different in Kerala from what you can see in your own backyard. (For ex, if you've been to Hawaii, the beaches in the southern part of kerala are probably going to disappoint you.)

Also,knowing how long your flights to Cochin are will determine if you want to stay awake and hit the streets of Ft Cochin area on your arrival date. If so, you should be fine leaving your bags at the place you are staying that first night (Dec 21) Since you are on limited time, and unless you'll need to spend most of that first day sleeping, i'd say one night stay in Ft Cochin is adequate.

Do you have any preference for hotel vs homestay? As Dogster said, holiday period prices are always higher.

Dogster, YOU in one of my favorite parts of the world!!! Darn, why couldn't i have known this a yr ago? I 'd have done anything (well, almost) to be theree DO you travel incognito? It could've been fun guessing which eccentric looking Aussie is The Dog.