[phamilyman]

Originally Posted by Tapish

This is bang on time. I am also planning a trek in early April. I have tried to find some numbers of people there. Will share as I get them.

In my opinion, you can reach Mcleod in the morning and arrange for a tent + porter there.

Best,
Tapish

If its a boys' group then DONT bother. You will get stuff there - no point over-planning and hence, over-paying. Land up there, ask around, bargain and move on. You'll waste more time planning esp if you are not going on the busy 27-31 march period.

[vu2pmc]

Try Carlton Kodai.

it is right on the lakefront. ample car parking too

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

Thekkady:
Spice Village : www.cghearth.com/spice-village.html
Spice Grove: www.spicegrove.in
Elephant Court: www.theelephantcourt.com

Kodai:

If you are ok with stretching your budget to 5-6k a night then Fern Creek is the best in Kodai.Otherwise Zest Coakers is good, www.theferncreek.com

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

In July 2009, I went there with my wife on a busy weekend (just as you are going). Triund has the govt rest house but it was full of foreign trekking groups who were camping in the open. There are tents for about 15-20 people there. Do enquire from others before you trek up. Regardless of load, hire a porter if possible. Do ask up in advance for booking the tents:
http://freerider.in/drupal/Travel/Triund has my experience.

You don't need a porter. I trekked up myself carrying a 3 man tent in addition to other regular things. We camped out there ourselves in the open. It is not a difficult trek at all.

However, if you are keen on supporting the locals, then its great to "hire" a guy and keep a conversation going through the 3+ hour climb.

[phamilyman]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

You don't need a porter. I trekked up myself carrying a 3 man tent in addition to other regular things. We camped out there ourselves in the open. It is not a difficult trek at all.

However, if you are keen on supporting the locals, then its great to "hire" a guy and keep a conversation going through the 3+ hour climb.

Good point. let's see- my weight fluctuates between 95-99 most days, and I am rather sedentary and am asthmatic.

I would much rather just tote my cam and let someone else make some money while I operate within my limits

I was definitely not fast enough to climb at the porter's speed. To each their own-if the OP can do it, power to them

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Good point. let's see- my weight fluctuates between 95-99 most days, and I am rather sedentary and am asthmatic.

Should have added that disclaimer!

I've dealt with my own knee problems while trekking as well, so a porter kid is always welcome. And they're usually very happy go lucky fella's who love to chit chat continually.

On one trek of close to 150 odd kilometres I did last year, I had a porter with me who uttered barely 3 sentences over the 10 odd day period. I loved him so much for that he got paid almost 30-40% MORE of what he actually asked of me! And I even told him why. He was a bit stunned

[phamilyman]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

On one trek of close to 150 odd kilometres I did last year, I had a porter with me who uttered barely 3 sentences over the 10 odd day period. I loved him so much for that he got paid almost 30-40% MORE of what he actually asked of me! And I even told him why. He was a bit stunned

In our treks, the porter is always miles ahead and looking bored waiting for me. The other thing is that me and wifey are always talking so there is no space for any porter to add his tuppence

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

In our treks, the porter is always miles ahead and looking bored waiting for me. The other thing is that me and wifey are always talking so there is no space for any porter to add his tuppence

Yeah, it also helps in my case that my Hindi is as bad as the porter's tamil.

[honeybee]

Just an update in case anyone needs it: In my recent trip to Ankola, I stayed at Hotel Rajat Executive, Kolhapur. It's on the station road. The standard room (NonAC) fare was Rs. 1035/- including taxes and complimentary breakfast. The AC room cost Rs. 1300/- odd. The service is good, staff courteous and parking ample. There's also a Bosch service centre right behind the hotel, sadly it's only open during daytime

[rajeshchand]

Offer for my tbhpian friends, if you guys are coming over to Gurgaon and looking for a star category hotel, then i personally know a place which can give you the rooms at Rs 2500 to Rs 3000 per night, it is a 4 Star Deluxe property, these rates go only when they have the rooms available, else the room rates are Rs 5500 per night. I cannot share the name of the hotel publicly due to various reasons, but it is a prominent hotel chain and i am sure you would like to stay there. So if your accommodation plan in and around Delhi is of the same budget and wouldn't mind staying at Gurgaon then you can PM me and i would give out the details. They also offer free kms on daily basis where you can use their vehicle to commute to your office or some other place for each of the day that you are staying, this is to connect you with Delhi.

[NGM]

Originally Posted by skdking

Am planning a self drive family trip to Kodaikanal and Thekaddy in Mid-April.

Can I be suggested a suitable accommodation at both places for 2 adults and two children (11 years and 8 years).

May be up to 2-3 kms from the lake in Kodai.

Will prefer to have a garden also in the property so that I can laze around.

Range - Around 4000/- per day.

All valuable suggestions are solicited.

Kodai:
Ferncreek and Carlton is good,but will be above your budget.
Try Villa retreat.
You can consider Hill country resorts also but it is a bit far from town/lake

Thekkady:
Heard good feedback about Greenwood's Thekkady.
If you are planning to do boating you can also consider KTDC hotel's(Aranya Nivas) so that they can arrange tickets for boating.There can be queue depending on the season.But service/facilities may not be top class.For KTDC hotels you need to reach before 5 PM as it is inside the sanctuary.

[AbhishekB86]

Hey Guys,

Unfortunately, the details given by you guys last time weren't put to use as my girlfriend cannot get her leave approved.

Now I have a new query. I want a good hotel (3 stars or above) around Colaba Causeway or Bandra in the first/second week of April. My budget can stretch to around 5-5.5 for a double room with breakfast. Any help will be much appreciated.

Cheers,

Abhishek

[ranjitp1]

Originally Posted by AbhishekB86

Hey Guys,

Unfortunately, the details given by you guys last time weren't put to use as my girlfriend cannot get her leave approved.

Now I have a new query. I want a good hotel (3 stars or above) around Colaba Causeway or Bandra in the first/second week of April. My budget can stretch to around 5-5.5 for a double room with breakfast.

Bandra does not have too many hotels,if you are ok with Parle,Santa Cruz areas,then plenty of them in that budget.Ibis on the WEH(highway) is good.Holiday inn,Fern Residency at Chembur,Novotel Juhu,Four Seasons Juhu.

For Colaba not many good hotels imho(too much of foreign touristy crowds and more of backpackers kind of accomodation on offer).The ones I would reccomend are Ascot,Fariyas is about ok,then there is Ascot.Taj President at Cuffe Parade if you get it within your budget.

[SILVERWOOD]

Originally Posted by AbhishekB86

Hey Guys,

Now I have a new query. I want a good hotel (3 stars or above) around Colaba Causeway or Bandra in the first/second week of April. My budget can stretch to around 5-5.5 for a double room with breakfast. Any help will be much appreciated.Cheers, Abhishek

Hotel Regal Enclave at Khar should fit the bill.The rooms are spacious, the b'fast spread is decent and you get complimentary pick up & drop at the airport.

Waseem.

[Tempelhof]

Can someone let me know a very good place to stay in Thiruvannamalai? Thanks.

Last time, I THINK I stayed at Hotel Arunachala (?) which was excellent, but now I'm unable to find it...I also need the website of the hotel so that I can see the facilities available.

And, yes, I don't want to stay at Arunai Anantha or Sparsha - both are far away from the Girivalam route.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Tempelhof

And, yes, I don't want to stay at Arunai Anantha or Sparsha - both are far away from the Girivalam route.

I thought Arunai Anatha is very close to Girivalam route. Are you looking at anything different? Sparsha is too costly for a day.