Kerala backwaters & Munnar

[dark_horizon]

Hello Friends, am planning a vacation with my family(4 of us) to Kerala from 20th June to 28th June. As I am a first timer to this state, I want to know whether it is a good time to visit. Also, is Kerala enjoyable in the rains ?

My plan is for 2 nights in Munnar, 1 or 2 in Thekkady, 2 at kumarakom, 1 in houseboat, 1 in allepey. Have I missed anything, if yes, please let me know. We would be flying into Cochin from Mumbai on 20th morning. Also, how should i traverse the distances ? My plan is 2 nights at each place. So a tourist car for 8 days would be a wastage of money. What are the other comfortable travel options ? Are self-drive cars available in Kerala ? And taxi charges from cochin to munnar/ to thekkady etc ?

I am planning for Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom. Are there any other similar options in Kumarakom but cheaper than it ? Also, any good hotels in Munnar/Thekkady with scenic views from room ?

Would be grateful if some1 helps me with the above queries.

[dark_horizon]

Seems like TBHP Keralites are on holiday !

[oss]

As the monsoon is setting-in, it will rain like mad in Kerala. If you are looking to just kick-back and relax watching the rains, it will be a good option.

For backwaters, Allepey is a good option; the houseboat is normally anchored when it rains heavily; they move around only when it doesn't rain.

You might want to check with weather forecast before starting off.

[HotChillyPepper]

Originally Posted by dark_horizon

Seems like TBHP Keralites are on holiday !

We are always on holiday as every other day is a Hartal/Bandh here

Now its Mansoon season here so you will not be able to enjoy outdoor much. Its better to plan in oct-dec. That would be a great time to visit Kerala.

But the advantage of travelling now is Hotels stay will be cheapest as its off season.

[dark_horizon]

Originally Posted by oss

You might want to check with weather forecast before starting off.

Which website will give a forecast of the next 20 days ?

[s0uljah]

The monsoon hit Wayanad in full swing this weekend....

[pulsar56]

One of my colleague is planning for a Trip to Munnar on 24th June.
Now he is reluctant and planning to cancel due to the monsoons.
Is it better to avoid Munnar during monsoon?
(he was planning to visit Munnar via Cochin by cab)
I Need suggestions on whether he should cancel his plans or not?

[topedgemonk]

Originally Posted by pulsar56

I Need suggestions on whether he should cancel his plans or not?

I personally prefer visiting hill stations (including munnar) during monsoons. Only thing is he shouldnt mind getting wet if it rains suddenly. And be careful on rocks.

The advantages-
- the place is very crowded in summer. my colleague went to munnar during a long weekend last month (forgot the date), and could not go for boating because of a traffic jam in munnar!
- in summer you meet half of city people and the neighbours noisy kids in hillstations. I guess people usually go on vacation to relax
- you get best rates at hotels!

+ i love rains

[Spinnerr]

I had visited Alleppy during the monsoons. It just pours and pours. If you dont mind getting wet a bit, end of June - July is a good time to go to kerala. I like rains and had enjoyed that visit.

Carry a couple umbrella, and some rain wear, also water proof baggage, you will have fun.

Everything will be lush green and crisp.

And boats do go out in rain. There are a couple of pics that we had taken. The whole sky goes dark in a couple of secs and then it pours. The boats helpers would be running around to ensure the windows are closed and the tarpulin is down.



Thats our Captain, out there, all alone, braving the rains, steering the house boat

[dark_horizon]

Hey friends, I have planned the foll itinerary :

Day 1 : Arrival at cochin and proceed to Munnar. Sightseeing in Munnar

Day 2 : Sightseeing in Munnar

Day 3 : Relax at hotel in Munnar

Day 4 : Proceed to Thekkady, some sightseeing, night stay in Thekkady

Day 5 : Proceed to Coconut Lagoon in Kumarakom

Day 6 : Coconut Lagoon

Day 7 : Take a cruise from Kumarakom to Allepey (have to check if its available), overnite in Houseboat.

Day 8 : Same houseboat, take a cruise around Allepey backwaters, again overnite in houseboat

Day 9 : Arrive in Cochin by houseboat, Explore cochin in the afternoon, evening flight to Mumbai.

Have I missed anything significant in Kerala ? Or any other suggestions concerning the itinerary would be helpful.

[manavdotcom]

How did it go ? And what was the mode of transport between places. Any tour operator available for the trip ? I need to plan for Cochin-Allepy-Munnar-Thekkady-Cochin. Taxi for 7-8 days would be costly for all this .

[gadadhar]

Since you are not using own transport you can check some of the package deals, since it is monsoon you should be able to strike a good bargain. From the schedule looks like you will be covering the highlights of gods own country. One suggestion is when it rains, chances of sighting wildlife in Thekkady is less since there are abundance of water in the forest and animals need not come to lakeshore (but rule always don't stay good since I have seen enough of elephants even during the rains in Thekkady). I can give you pointers on the stay options in Munnar if required.

[dark_horizon]

Originally Posted by manavdotcom

How did it go ? And what was the mode of transport between places. Any tour operator available for the trip ? I need to plan for Cochin-Allepy-Munnar-Thekkady-Cochin. Taxi for 7-8 days would be costly for all this .

Hey, the trip went well. We hired a tourist car for the first 5 days, and then a local taxi for the remaining days for travel. Yeah, the car was quite expensive costed me around 10K, though it was a Non AC Qualis.

If you give me a detailed itinerary of the no of days you intend to spend at each location, I would be able to guide on the transport options.