I'm debating between a two week trip to Thailand versus India with a potential few days in Sri Lanka. I'm not much of a fan of sitting on a beach for an entire vacation but really like to mix up history and activity feeling rushed from place to place (it is after all a vacation). Trip would be at the end of November in 2004 and with travel time would end up with about 11 days in country.

In Thailand I'd probably spend a day or two in Bangkok and then spend 3-4 days on 3-4 islands including Phi Phi Don and Phuket (preferably the less populated area). What appeals to me about Thailand are the activity options - kyaking, snorkeling, cooking classes, hiking and bird watching - with sitting on the beach and getting a massage in between.

On the other hand, I've been very interested in visiting India for some time. That trip would involve a few days on a kettuvallam, a few days in Periyar (after a trip to E.Africa last year the wildlife aspect is extremely enticing), two days in Cochin and then on to Sri Lanka to a game reserve (possibly Yala) and a day or two on a beach. Or potentially skip Sri Lanka and spend the last few days cramming in Agra and Mumbai (since we'll already be within reasonable flying distance). What concerns me though is the possible lack of physical activity for several days at a time (thinking in terms of the kettulvalam then Periyar).

Any thoughts or recommendations? From what I've read, the weather is pretty nice in November with either option. Are the bugs bad in either area that time of year? I don't them too much, but have had vacations ruined because of biting flies or swarms of insects.

Thanks!

Heather

Sorry for possible misspellings, I've just realized through online searches that there are quite a few ways to spell kettuvallom, etc. (I should just say "rice boat&quot.

HI there HEATHER. Well, having been to both Countires numerousof times,your two choices of destinations and itineraries are both excellent, but hard to reccomend one over the other, as they are completely and totally unique, and both worthy of a visit in due time! I WOULD SAY for the history, culture component, it is INDIA!, BUT as you seem to be an activity afficionado, then it would have to be Thailand! INDIA TRAVEL is really about experincing the people, culture, learning a bit about the history and religions,visitng Temples, PALACES, WILDLIFE sANCTUARIES, ETC..It is not a big activity Country in the outdoor sports arena,a lthough you can do some beach sports in Goa. HOWEVER, most of top HOTELS have pools, fitness Centers, Spas, etc, so if that is a concern, you can get activity on that end!..And yes, if you go to INDIA, i would add a few days at the end to go to Delhi and AGRA. Can fly to Delhi from Colombu, if you add Sri LANKA..okay, I guess i am impartial, i am all for INDIA, AND IF ya have any further questions or concerns about a trip there, feel free to drop me a line, as I am a American who lives on/off in INDIA..oh, about Sri LANKA!..YES, THAT too is fascianting, and if you do go to INDIA, you can later do your beachy-activity things in Sri LANKA! lovely beautiufl beaches, plenty of snorkeling and activities, etc..alright, happy planning [email protected]

Bonita thank you so much for your response. Knowing that we can do some snorkeling in Sri Lanka is very helpful, and we're very strongly considering doing the Tiger Trial in Periyar which would allow for a few days of walking after the houseboat. We're leaning strongly towards India right now.

HEATHER, happy to hear i was helpful!. i really think that is an excellent trip, comining South INDIA INDIA with Sri LANKA, and a very short flight to connect. And YES, many places to snorkeL in Sri LANKA, and also to dive. I saw groups going out all the time from my HOTEL window via speedboat. also, ample other water sports. A very freindly and hospitable Country too!..aLSO, a big YES to Periyar, kumakaron and Cochi in KERALA, INDIA!. OH, not sure if i mentioned it, but NOVEMEBER is a great month for the Trip!. feel free to drop me a line at [email protected]

Yep..Plenty of Places to Snorkel and Dive in Sri lanka. It?s a sort of place where you'll never be too far away from the beach. Though the best spots happen to be in the south and up in Trincomalee. And u can get plenty of bird watching in Yala?November / December happens to be the season. I?m not too sure about Hiking, but you can pretty much get anything in this Island.
Out of my Holidays in Thailand and India, I can?t say which Iv enjoyed the most. You get a lot of variety in India. It?s so Big. A 36 hour train trip from Bangalore to New Delhi will get you thinking a lot of things. The people and culture is unique to every state.
But then again nothing can be compared to the shopping in Bangkok. The foods great and the Hotels are really worth it. Haven been on the beaches much but they certainly look great. I suggest you try all 3.Just ask me anything about Sri lanka.. be glad to help you out on anything

You thoughts about what you'd do in Thailand make it less attractive than other options because you'd spend your time island-hopping which virtually eliminates the historic and cultural activities. There is much to do in Thailand other than beach/water activities. The North of Thailand offers lots of non-beach adventure activities (treking, elephant riding - even mahout training, marvelous Wats to visit, river rafting, etc) as well as cultural and historic sights.

I was in Sri Lanka recently and absolutely loved it. I wasn't there long enough but from what I saw I fell in love. I have not been to India or Thailand yet so I can't compare but I do highly recommend Sri Lanka. Here is a link to my site that has some info and pictures from my trip there. Hope it helps. http://www.bombasticlife.com
Andrew

I just went to Sri Lanka again and still love it! I was there for three week and got to do a good tour of a lot of the country. You can see our updated reviews and new reviews of many different luxury hotels at http://www.bombasticlife.com

I assume you mean November 2014 and not November 2004 for the trip. Here are my thoughts and suggestions:

1. For someone who likes history, your itin has you skipping virtually all the historical parts of India. If you “cram” in Agra, you may see something, but your schedule already looks very rushed and IMO fitting in Agra will be difficult. A day or overnight trip is not something I recommend as a way to “see” Agra. I also would not recommend Mumbai to a first-time visitor and for someone on such a short schedule. It also would not meet most of your preferred activities (it has little history, and most of that is British colonial). Cochin would offer the most history (of course Sri Lanka does too, but with only a “few days” concentrated on Yala, you may not be able to fit it in). For history in India, you need to go to northern areas like Rajasthan, a truly historical place like Varanasi, or southern temple areas in Tamil Nadu, IMO. Delhi also offers a lot in terms of Indian and British history.

2. I love India and travel there very often, but have to say that an African safari and an Indian one are <i>completely</i> different. To be frank, after Africa IMO you may well find the safari experience in India disappointing. In the first place, there are no private concession parks in India, so you are in public game parks and subject to their rules. No off-roading to follow game (elephant transport may allow this is a limited manner), no night drives and no crowd control. You simply cannot expect to go out on a drive in India and see anything like the amount of wildlife that you can see in Africa. In addition, there are no night drives, you return from the afternoon drive at about sunset and so will not see the animals hunting at night. (I can see that this may change over the years if private concession arrangements are set up as they are in Africa, but currently night drives are not allowed in the national parks, as is the case in Africa where these only occur on the private concessions). There is lots of birdlife and there are a good number of other wildlife as well; however, the wildlife is a bit less unusual, let us say, then the giraffes, zebra and rhinoceros that you see roaming the land in Africa. You also don’t see big herds of animals like you would in Africa. It can still be a pleasant experience, but with 2 weeks in India I would say to focus on the history and culture and do perhaps one safari as an add-on if it is close to other areas. Periyar would certainly work fro Cochin. Yala is also a good choice. (I think the Sri Lanka experience in Yala is better than an safaris I have done in India.)

If you really like birdwatching, then India would be a good choice, it’s just in terms of larger game that I think you will be disappointed. There are certainly many bird parks in India, there is one rather close to Agra, for example, called Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Ranthanbore also has good bird-watching.

3. There are lots of opportunities for physical activities in India. You may want to do more research on this, as it seems you have not considered these options. For example, you can whitewater raft in Rikisesh (very much worth seeing for its own sake), and there are numerous hiking activities. In the south, the Western Ghats would probably offer the best hiking, but even in the Periyar area you should be able to find hiking. There is snorkeling and diving off the Kerala coast. As mentioned, you can do this in Sri Lanka as well, but watch weather in November and avoid rainy beach areas, as that affects snorkeling. You can also take cooking classes, for an idea see something like Phillip Kutty’s Farm on one of the backwaters of Kerala> You can also stay there, see http://www.philipkuttysfarm.com/

4. With regard to massage, again India offers lots of options. Ayurvedic medicine, including massage, was invented in South India (as was yoga), and there are numerous excellent Ayurvedic massages (the foot massage, where the therapist massages you with <i>her</i> feet is something I would highly recommend!)

5. You are correct that the weather in November is very good in most places you mention. It is esp good in north India and the beach areas of Kerala and virtually all of Thailand (current flood situation not withstanding...). Sri Lanka will have rain, some of it heavy, mostly on the south east coast (where Yala is located), as that side of the island is getting the winter monsoon (as are parts of the east coast of India in Tamil Nadu). However other than affecting snorkeling, the rain should still be manageable. See weatherbase.com for an idea of weather, esp rainfall in Sri Lanka.

5. For Thailand, I would say to consider the north, like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in addition to, or in substitution for, the beach areas. . These would offer walking opportunities as well as some limited wildlife opportunities, mostly elephants (but still interesting). For hiking in the Phuket area, I think Krabi would be better than Phi Phi which is tiny and relatively flat (a few smallish hills). The Phuket/Krabi and Phi Phi area are good for sea kayaking.

6. Given your interests, a good add-on to Thailand would be Ankor Wat or possibly Luang Prabang in Laos. Easy flights from Bangkok. You can bike in both areas, as well as doing walks/hikes.

7. As you would be in these areas after the monsoon (other than parts of Sri Lanka), you should not find mosquitoes to be a major issue.

Bombastic is replying to himself from a post made 5 years ago and cicerone is replying to a thread made 7 years ago!

Ha, that would explain why she said 2004 for the trip.....did not look at the actual date of the post.

still, your info was helpful to other people - me specifically - so thanks, Cicerone!

Helpful to me too, especially the safari comparisons.

I was also searching suggestions for India&Sri Lanka vs. Thailand...Hmmm, couldn't decide for our next important vacation outside of Europe, but your exhaustive points Cicerone made my balance tilt towards India. Any tips for accommodation in Rajasthan?