Southern India - Kerala - Itinerary Help
Jun 8th, 2014, 03:58 AM
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Southern India - Kerala - Itinerary Help
Hello Travellers
we are thinking of visiting Kerala for around 2-3 weeks at the end of this year.
We like wildlife/nature/boutique hotels/indian cuisine/Temples.
Since we are not that young anymore, we would love to hear a suggestion for an itinerary which allows us to stay in places for at least 2-3 days until moving on to the next place.
We would love to see the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai & Peryar National Park. I have chosen Kerala because the Malaria Risk is low (allergic reaction to malaria prophilaxes). We enjoy walking through nature and like photography but are also interested in getting to know the Indian culture. This would be our first trip to India.
Which are the MUST SEE sights in the area?
Which are the best hideaway nature places?
Any Itinerary suggestions?
ANY help would be greatly appreciated even if suggesting a different area (remember it has to be malaria free) to visit - I haven't yet made up my mind completely and are open to any good ideas!
Many thanks in advance, looking forward to hearing from you.
Manu
we are thinking of visiting Kerala for around 2-3 weeks at the end of this year.
We like wildlife/nature/boutique hotels/indian cuisine/Temples.
Since we are not that young anymore, we would love to hear a suggestion for an itinerary which allows us to stay in places for at least 2-3 days until moving on to the next place.
We would love to see the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai & Peryar National Park. I have chosen Kerala because the Malaria Risk is low (allergic reaction to malaria prophilaxes). We enjoy walking through nature and like photography but are also interested in getting to know the Indian culture. This would be our first trip to India.
Which are the MUST SEE sights in the area?
Which are the best hideaway nature places?
Any Itinerary suggestions?
ANY help would be greatly appreciated even if suggesting a different area (remember it has to be malaria free) to visit - I haven't yet made up my mind completely and are open to any good ideas!
Many thanks in advance, looking forward to hearing from you.
Manu
Jun 8th, 2014, 05:42 AM
#2
The malaria risk is low? The CDC says, about malaria in India, that the risk is "moderate" for travelers, and:
"All areas throughout country including cities of Bombay (Mumbai) and Delhi, except none in areas above 2,000 m (6,562 ft) in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Sikkim."
How many kinds of anti-malarials have you tried? I can't take Lariam, but am fine on Malarone. Even if the risk is "low" that doesn't mean "non-existent".
In any case, Madurai is in Tamil Nadu, not Kerala. So are the temple towns of Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) and Thanjavur (Tanjore). All three have great temples, but Madurai's is perhaps the most impressive. (See http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...3/temple-town/ for Madurai.)
In Kerala I loved Kochi (I stayed at the Malabar House, a splurge for me), and I enjoyed a couple of nights on a houseboat on the backwaters, but I hear that has become much more popular since I did it in 2001, and the waterways can be too crowded.
I didn't get to Periyar, I went to Kodagu (Coorg) and the Nilgiri hills (Ooty and Coonoor) instead, both recommended, as is Mysore.
"All areas throughout country including cities of Bombay (Mumbai) and Delhi, except none in areas above 2,000 m (6,562 ft) in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Sikkim."
How many kinds of anti-malarials have you tried? I can't take Lariam, but am fine on Malarone. Even if the risk is "low" that doesn't mean "non-existent".
In any case, Madurai is in Tamil Nadu, not Kerala. So are the temple towns of Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) and Thanjavur (Tanjore). All three have great temples, but Madurai's is perhaps the most impressive. (See http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...3/temple-town/ for Madurai.)
In Kerala I loved Kochi (I stayed at the Malabar House, a splurge for me), and I enjoyed a couple of nights on a houseboat on the backwaters, but I hear that has become much more popular since I did it in 2001, and the waterways can be too crowded.
I didn't get to Periyar, I went to Kodagu (Coorg) and the Nilgiri hills (Ooty and Coonoor) instead, both recommended, as is Mysore.
Jun 8th, 2014, 09:04 PM
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Hello Thursdaysd,
thank you for the good advice regarding Malaria, I actually used the UK NHS page to look at the malaria map:http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/desti...laria-map.aspx here it states that the area has LOW to NO RISK. I have used Malerone for years but had a bad reaction a year ago, I then tried another one and had an even worse reaction. I now have checked other travel advice pages and yes, some advise to take prophylaxes so I will have to re-think my travels. Thanks also for the travel tips, I definitely had planned to do the backwaters house boat trip. I will check Kodagu and Nilgiri Hills too - what did you do there?
thank you for the good advice regarding Malaria, I actually used the UK NHS page to look at the malaria map:http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/desti...laria-map.aspx here it states that the area has LOW to NO RISK. I have used Malerone for years but had a bad reaction a year ago, I then tried another one and had an even worse reaction. I now have checked other travel advice pages and yes, some advise to take prophylaxes so I will have to re-think my travels. Thanks also for the travel tips, I definitely had planned to do the backwaters house boat trip. I will check Kodagu and Nilgiri Hills too - what did you do there?
Jun 8th, 2014, 10:10 PM
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A night in the houseboat is best avoided if you are afraid of mosquitoes. Not that malaria is common, but there are better places to stay and keep a calm head about you.
I would definitely suggest Munnar. It is a beautiful hillstation.
I would definitely suggest Munnar. It is a beautiful hillstation.
Jun 9th, 2014, 10:26 AM
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Jun 9th, 2014, 02:05 PM
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We really enjoyed Kochi, this past March. I think we could have been happy staying there 3 or even 4 nights. Do not miss a houseboat trip, through the backwaters, even if only for one night. Yes it is popular, but it is still beautiful, quiet and you will not regret it. Mosquitoes were everywhere down south. In fact, my husband, who rarely gets bit ANYWHERE, was more bothered than I. We took Doxycycline. (I had a bad reaction to malarone last time we went to Africa, although previously had not had a problem at all.)
I think the tea plantations, up in the hills, were extremely beautiful. We were only in the south for 5 days, and I could easily see spending more time there.
I think the tea plantations, up in the hills, were extremely beautiful. We were only in the south for 5 days, and I could easily see spending more time there.
Jun 14th, 2014, 11:52 PM
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Hello All,
Thank you so much for all of your help. I enjoyed reading your Travel Blog thursdaysd and will have a good look at your Itinerary raj ! Also big thanks for sharing your malaria experiences Busted. At this stage I am uncertain if I should travel india without Malaria Prophylaxes. Wishing you all a nice day.
Thank you so much for all of your help. I enjoyed reading your Travel Blog thursdaysd and will have a good look at your Itinerary raj ! Also big thanks for sharing your malaria experiences Busted. At this stage I am uncertain if I should travel india without Malaria Prophylaxes. Wishing you all a nice day.
(It makes it easier on your stomach)
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