Kacenka

We're planning to go to India in February 2008 - Golden Triangle + Kerala and at the moment we're also looking into adding Maldives into our itinerary.

Hi,

Please suggest an itinerary for 6 nights in Kerala. We'd be flying to Cochin and after 6 nights flying out from Trivandrum. Is it difficult to organise a car + driver once we arrive in Kerala or is it better to arrange this prior to our trip?

How long should we stay in Cochin - is it worth staying for 2 nights? We would also like to include stay in Alleppey. Then possibly continue to Munnar or Kumarakom or Thekkady...??? - not too sure about this part. And then finish in Trivandrum/Kovalam for our last night.

Any other useful tips e.g. accommodation in each location would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

agtoau

It is always better to book your car/driver in advance since February is still peak season.

My recommendation for Kerala would be -

2 nights at Fort Cochin (if your budget allows, stay at the Brunton Boatyard hotel - see http://www.cghearth.com).

2 nights in Alleppey or Kumarakom, where you can sample the backwaters.

1 night in Varkala, 1 night in Kovalam.

Kacenka

Many thanks for your reply. What is the difference between Varkala and Kovalam?

How about I spend 2 nigths in Cochin, 2 nights Alleppey and included Munnar for 1 night and do just Varkala or just Kovalam for the last night? Is this feasable?

Cheers.

agtoau

Munnar is a good 3 to 3.5 hours drive from Cochin. So it would be a tight schedule.

Varkala is an interesting beach and town. If you had to choose between it and Kovalam I would probably say Varkala. But then, you may want to spend some time in Trivandrum, too, and Kovalam is much closer to it.

Kacenka

Hi,

Please can anybody tell me how far is Varkala from the airport in Trivandrum?

Cheers.

agtoau

Varkala is about 60-75 minutes drive from Trivandrum.

agtoau

Varkala is 60 minutes by car from Trivandrum.

sydney_k

What is a good hotel in Kumarakom? We booked the Brunton Boatyard in Fort Cochin for 2 nights. 4 nights in Kunarkom. Too much-during New years weekend.

agtoau

There's the Taj Garden Retreat in Kumarakom -

http://www.tajhotels.com/Leisure/Taj...OM/default.htm


Or, for the backwaters experience, you could try the Coconut Lagoon run by the same group that owns Brunton Boatyard -

http://cghearth.com/coconut_lagoon_backwaters_2.htm

I have not stayed at either, but these are highly rated by those who have.

indiancouple

The "Coconut Lagoon" is a fantastic resort, located on a small island which is completely owned by the hotel. The only access is by boat (provided by the hotel), and the boat docks straight into the hotel lobby ! The rooms are made to look like huts from the outside, although they have all the luxury trappings inside. Would highly recommend this hotel. The Taj hotel is also fantstic. Can't go wrong with either hotel.
Enough good hotels in Cochin, including one of the Taj. Depends upon your budget.
As for car+driver, I am sure your hotel will be able to arrange it easily. Pretty cheap, and the best way to travel in Kerala IMO.