Traveling Solo from Mumbai to Kerala in July: Need Advice and Maybe Traveling Companions

Thorn Tree forumCountry forumsIndian SubcontinentIndia
Enter custom title (optional)
This topic is locked
Last reply was
38
…
Send as an e-mail
Send as an e-mail
Yogaismyreligion
Yogaismyreligion

Hello Fellow Travelers,

My partner and I will be traveling in India in New Delhi, Agra, Udaipur, and Varanasi for two weeks before we say goodby to each other (he's going to China and I'm staying back in India and ending my trip in Sri Lanka). I have booked a plane ticket to Mumbai on July 6 and reserved a hotel from July 6 to 8. I just read how bad the weather (heat, humidity and monsoon) can be in India (especially in Mumbai) and I want to be prepared. Also, this is the first time I travel on my own internationally. I have been to many developing countries (Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, etc.), just not on my own. My purposes of traveling in India are sight-seeing, practicing yoga (specifically Iyengar yoga) and getting Ayurvedic treatment. I am not a big party person. I have not booked anything yet besides the plane ticket and hotel in Mumbai and I am open to any ideas. Here's what I have in mind:

July 6 to 8: Mumbai (any areas of recommendation for sight-seeing? I will be staying at the Fort in Mumbai)

July 8: Leaving for Pune by hiring a driver (I know it takes less than 2 hours? Also, will the monsoon affects the drive?) or flight might be a better idea?
The reasons traveling to Pune are to visit Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (not practicing there since they only accept students who have been practicing for more than 8 years with letter of recommendation from a certified Iyengar yoga teacher) and Kare Ayurveda and Yoga Retreat for three days. That retreat center is about 1.5 hours drive from Pune so I will have to hire a driver to there.

July 11: Leaving for Goa.
I might consider staying for a yoga retreat at Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Center (5-day course) in Arambol. If not, I will spend 2 days the most in Goa. I know few people did not recommend Goa during monsoon and I am not a big fan of crazy "party town." So I am pretty flexible in Goa so I am open for suggestions.

July 15: Flying to Bangalore from Goa (either spending a day/night in Bengalore or going straight to Mysore by hiring a driver). My intention is to spend few days in the Indus Valley Ayurvedic Center and travel around Mysore to see palaces.

July 18: Flying to Kerala from Bengalore. I see there are many things to do in Kerala and I would like some suggestions of what to do, any good yoga/ayurvedic centers, and how many days to spend in Kerala? I plan to stay there for at least 5 days.

July 23: Flying to Sri Lanka for 4 days.

Does that seem doable? Is it too much in terms of traveling from one city to another city in India every few days? I heard sometimes the flights get cancelled or delayed so I have to put that into consideration. Also, is it better to stay in hotels or AirBnB? My concern with AirBnB is that there is no safe to store my passport and valuables.

Thank you!

Michael.

View last reply
Report
1
lifesupport
lifesupport
In response to #0

July 6 to 8: Mumbai (any areas of recommendation for sight-seeing? I will be staying at the Fort in Mumbai)

Head for the Gateway of India, a yellow basalt archway facing the Arabian Sea. Adjacent is the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Treat yourself to afternoon tea. Wander the hotel's shopping arcades.

Arrange a tour of Dharavi slum. http://youtu.be/Im0tHRs9Bng and http://youtu.be/l-yjpvzGKZQ

Visit Mani Bhawan, the house that Mahatma Gandhi stayed in whenever he visited Mumbai (or Bombay as it was).

Visit the Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai's open-air laundry which has rows of concrete wash pens, each with its own flogging stone. Arrange to get in - just don't look from the bridge above.

Visit the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India.
Visit the Haji Ali Dargah.
Visit the Hanging Gardens / Malabar Hill.
Check the bullet holes at Leopold's Cafe (from the 2008 attacks).
Take a trip out to Elephanta Island. Plus:

• Victoria Terminus (train station)
• Oval/Azad Maidan (downtown Mumbai’s only large park, which is often dominated by games of cricket)
• Crawford Market
• St Thomas Cathedral
• Drive through Nariman Point
• Colaba Causeway (tourist and market area)

July 8: Leaving for Pune by hiring a driver (I know it takes less than 2 hours? Also, will the monsoon affects the drive?) or flight might be a better idea?

Closer to three hours by road at a guess. I wouldn't recommend a flight for such a short trip. Train is probably a good option - purchase your tickets when you land in Delhi.
https://erail.in/?T=CSTM::PUNE

July 11: Leaving for Goa.

An overnight train journey. https://erail.in/?R=12780-PUNE-VSG

July 15: Flying to Bangalore from Goa

If you're moving directly to Mysore, then there is a FlyBus service - no need to hire a car+driver.
www.bengaluruairport.com/transport/flybus.jspx

July 18: Flying to Kerala from Bengalore. I see there are many things to do in Kerala and I would like some suggestions of what to do, any good yoga/ayurvedic centers, and how many days to spend in Kerala? I plan to stay there for at least 5 days.

Fort Cochin:
Things to see / do: Chinese Fishing Nets / Dutch Palace / Synagogue / Jew Town / St Francis Church / Dhobi Ghats / a Kathakali dance performance / Santa Cruz Basilica / Hire bicycles / Lots of shopping / window shopping / Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary / Cochin Club / Bishop's House / Great food / Take a tour to the backwaters: https://www.ktdc.com/tours.php#topn

Alleppey - overnight houseboat cruise http://www.evergreen-kerala.com/

Munnar - plantations; trekking https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/kerala/munnar

Varkala - beach https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/kerala/varkala

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
2
paul_vandy
paul_vandy

With only 5 days in Kerala try and keep your travel to a minimum, Fort Kochin & the backwaters should be sufficient.

From where do you intend departing Kerala for Sri Lanks ?

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
3
Yogaismyreligion
Yogaismyreligion
In response to #1

Wow thanks for the 411! I didn't know there's so much to do in Mumbai.

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
4
Yogaismyreligion
Yogaismyreligion
In response to #2

I have not decided where to depart from Kerala to Sri Lanka. Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you!

Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
5
paul_vandy
paul_vandy

Have read that most people fly from Trivandrum, Kerala's capital.

However, looking at this below, it states that Sri Lankan Airways fly in and out of Kochi, which will save you having to get down to Trivandrum to fly to SL. The Kochi to Colombo flight may possibly even call in at Trivandrum on the way to SL, not sure if Kochi > Colombo is a direct flight.

http://cial.aero/airlines/airlines.aspx?linkId=24&linkLvl1Id=2

Just had a look at Sri Lanka Airways website and it shows there are 2 flights per day Kochi > Colombo, one in the morning and one late afternoon, and they do look like direct flights.

Edited by paul_vandy
Copy and paste the url below to share the link.
Permalink to this post
Report
6
Thorn Tree

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.

This topic has been locked by a moderator.

Pro tip
Lonely Planet
trusted partner