Mysore to Ooty....and onwards.
Replies: 28 - Last Post: Dec 5, 2012 5:49 PM Last Post By: chilipepper21
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The train from ooty to Metupalayam starts in the afternoon only. Since you want to do it in one day and leave early take a bus upto coimbatore.From Coimbatore to Ernakulam you have 4 options
1. Coimbatore - Ernakulam by KSRTC (Super Fast/ Super Express) bus.
These buses leave ever 2 hours. These are ordinary buses and would drop you off at the Ernakulam bus station in 6 hours.(timings like 9,11:30,13:00,15:00,16:30 so on)
2. Take the suresh Kallada volvo mutliaxle from coimbatore to cochin. This is an Volvo a/c multi axle comfy bus. Starts from Bangalore reaches coimbatore by afternoon around 2PM and reaches ernakulam by 7.You can book online on www.Kalladatravels.com
3. Take a bus up to Palkkad or thrissur and change buses from there to get to Ernakulam. This is sometimes better when direct buses are full. There is almost a bus every 15 min between Coimbatore -Palaghat,Palaghat-Thrissur,Thrissur- Ernakulam.
4.Take a train from Coimbatore Jn to Ernakulam South. There are multiple trains you can look up on http://indiarailinfo.com/search/41/0/52
Hope this helps...
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Ref the backwaters, I am planning on leaving Kochin by the train (apparently about 2+ hours) for Kottayam (they say there are 2 amazing Syrian Churches there), then take the ferry, which all the locals take, to Aleppey; there are about 5 a day, perhaps sleep over in Aleppey, and then take the Aleppey to Kollam govt ferry again (they are both cheap and just as good as private boats on the backwaters, I am reliably told) - you need to book this ferry the day ahead; then take the rickshaw to Varkala.17
tdra83 - thanks for the great, detailed info - much appreciated.zim123 - when are traveling this route?? would you mind posting back up how it went etc as i could be keen for that option leaving Kochin.
Cheers for all your help.
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Hi OP,I believe the little train journey leaves every morning for Kottayam from Ernakulam at about 9am to 10,30 am (Ernakulam is where the nearest station is for Kochin) - it's not far to Kottayam - you can also take a taxi or a bus. Then have a look at this link by a fellow TT subscriber, http://mecxko.wordpress.com and go to India, then south India, then look up Kottayam to Aleppey and Aleppey to Kollam; it's a pretty good description.
Hope this helps.
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sorry, its http://meczko.wordpress.com22
Thanks once again!The route is this - Mysore - Ooty - Coimbatore - Cochin - Allepey - Kollam - Varkala.
I'll use a local Minibus from Mysore to Ooty, Bus from Ooty to Coimbatore, Train from Coimbatore to Cochin, Taxi from Cochin to Allepey, Boat from Allepey to Kollam and another Taxi from Kollam to Varkala.
How does that stack up?? I only have 15 days and I would like at least 10 of those to be in Varkala working on my practice.
You've all been a huge help - thank you.
Cheers.
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I liked the scene in Varkala better but don't expect the yoga to be Ashtanga. Most yoga in India is not Ashtanga so you may or may not find that particular kind there. But I really enjoyed the yoga classes I did go to and they're easy to find. Just ask anyone with a mat strapped to their back.I'd stay in the tourist district in Fort Cochin. I think I paid maybe $14 US a night for a room with a TV and hot water on the main drag. I had stayed farther away but as a woman I needed to be back before dark and that time of year that's really early so it was much better staying in the main tourist area. Those do tend to book up in advance so just check TripAdvisor and email some of them. You can also rent a bicycle from one hotel there and that's the best way to see everything. You can plan a day trip to Alleppey from Fort Cochin as well. Also, finding folks heading in the same direction can make for a cheap car ride and so much better than the bus.
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Thanks blisspassport,There seems to be several Shala's in Varkala advertising Astanga Yoga....I will see what is available when I get there :)
Yes, I have found a Home Stay in the Fort Cochin area that has taken my booking - A bicycle sounds like a great idea to get around.
As above, I'll be doing Fort Cochin all the way to Varkala in one day, Via Allepey and the ferry through to Kollam.
Cheers.
