State of Kerala Travel Forum

Hi,
I am bit confused with places to go in Kerala (I dont have the guide as yet..should arrive shortly).
I am solo woman in late 40s travelling alone to Kerala.
I arrive in Cochin pretty late at night and have 9 days to wander and need to fly to N Delhi thereafter.

Can you please (I know its too much asking and I should be reading on my own.. which I have and got more confused) help me in making itineary for 9 days and to fly to Delhi from the last stop.

I would love to backwater ; ashram ; ayurvedic treatment.
As I am arriving quite late at night in March bit worried as how to go from Cochi airport to city.

Any tips will be so much appreciated.

Cheers
Maya

Get a taxi from the airport, Cochin is a bit of a trail to get a decent few days on the backwaters and they seem to be geared up lately to sting tourists quickly with a 2 day turnaround, (one night and 2 days), Allepy is the place to head for if you want the backwaters, best to trvel by train. further down past Trivandrum there are a couple of really good ayerverdic resorts called manaltheeram and somaltheeram, but these have got to be a good 15hrs away by train.


Nick

If you have booked your hotel, you can ask them to arrange transport otherwise check this site out, there are also links for tour packages in the site.
http://www.rentacarkerala.org/rent-a-car-kerala.html
Kumarakom and Allepey / Allapuzha are best for backwater trips and houseboat stays. Not very far from Kochi. Ayurvedic treatment and spas abound everywhere but the authentic ones for therapeutic purposes are at or near Pallakad / Palghat - see Kottakal Aryavaidyashala website. From Cochin you can easily visit Munnar hill station and see tea gardens and spice plantations en route. From Munnar you can go to Periyar Tiger Sanctuary its one of the very best for wildlife. If you are interested in ashrams, Amrita ashrams hq is near Trivandrum down south but you can check their website for something closer. Christian ashrams are also aplenty in Kerala - check Vagamon. Try and get a copy of Outlook Travellers "Kerala and Lakshadweep" available at most bookshops cost around INR 300, its a comprehensive guide with photos and maps and correct and useful information.

Thank you both for your replies.
I am going with your suggestions and will make a itineary soon. Leaving on 13 March 2008 and have not booked anywhere as yet.

Just one query: I am arriving like 11.30 pm and would be okay to take a taxi to Fort Cochin (where everyone is recommending to stay). Any recommendation of a good hotel not 5 star but clean quiet.

Thanks again.
You both have given a bit of courage.
Cheers
Maya

I just returned from Kerala, traveling alone for 5 weeks and I'm 57. No worries and had a fabulous time. there are many Ayurvedic centers, Somathreem had a big fire about 2 weeks ago. If you are arriving Cochin there is an Ayurvedic center that will pick you up from the airport if they have availability. I think you need to stay for 7 days minimum but I don't know,, google,, Nilayoram Resorts & Ayurvedic Centre. The nearest airport is Cochin. I went to a center outside of Triavandrum for 26 days but that place was my second choice. My backwater trip was from Kottayam to Allepy and i just did the ferry. Great, local people, cheap and very few tourists. Ashram ? there are so many, what are your interests ? The hugging mother has one near Kottayam, you can research that, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has a nice weekend breathing meditation class outside of Bangalore. taking a taxi or tuk tuk if you can get a prepaid fare from a desk set up for that purpose you are guaranteed a set price. They had such a desk in Trivandrum airport, I don't know about Cochin.

this might be a bit late but if you are travelling alone at night it'd be best if u can get the hotel to send u a pick up

Backwater cruise - if u r not interested in spending a day or two on a houseboat there are a lot of cheaper options in cochin city itself.the KTDC (Kerala tourism Devpmt Corp)operates a few boats from marine drive jetty where they take you to forcochin,jewish synagogue etc.there are also one hour sunset cruises which are nice and cheap as well

I think while you are here you should go to a Kathakali(traditional dance) recital.Your hotel should be able to help u.in any case theres a place near the south railway station

Ashram - you can go to Mata Amrithanandamayi ashram at vallikkavu(max 3 hrs by car from cochin) but you have to find out if she is in town

there are a lot of ayurvedic hospitals in and around cochin itself.so that you can stay at your hotel and go there for the treatment

the other places that i'd recommend are Munnar(hill station),kovalam beach,Marari beach or cherai beach,thekkady for some wildlife spotting,athirampilly waterfalls(just 2 hrs away),Kodanad Elephant Kraal where they rescue elephants and treat them.....its a great experience to see the baby elephants being fed and bathed

Have a great trip