Itinerario Sur de India, Plan Resumido y Hoteles ✏️ Diarios de Viajes de India

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Mi plan inicial lo hice basándome en los itinerarios de otros viajeros, y mayormente lo saque de este hilo del foro:
Itinerarios Sur de India: Rutas, qué Visitar...
Y por supuesto, con la inestimable ayuda de los veteranos, que me ayudaron a limar las aristas de mi plan.

Una vez lo tenía más o menos claro se lo propuse a un guía de confianza (Prabhu) y a la empresa Indian Panorama, que eran los que mejores recomendaciones tenían. Ambos me contestaron muy rápidamente y la comunicación fue siempre fluida.

Itinerario Inicial - SKETCH PLAN
17 March: Arrive Bangalore 4am – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (350kms / 7-8hrs drive)
18 March: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (90kms / 2hrs drive)
19 March: Pondicherry – Gangaikondacholapuram – Darasuram – Kumbakonam (230kms / 5hrs drive)
20 March: Kumbakonam – Tanjore – Trichy (100kms / 2.5hrs drive)
21 March: Trichy – Madurai (135kms / 2.5hrs drive)
22 March: Madurai – Periyar (140kms / 4hrs drive)
23 March: Periyar – Alleppey (140kms / 4hrs drive)
24 March: Alleppey – Cochin (65kms / 90min drive)
25 March: Cochin – Munnar (120kms / 4hrs drive)
26 March: Munnar – Ooty (250kms / 6-7hrs drive)
27 March: Ooty – Mysore (160kms / 4hrs drive)
28 March: Mysore – Bangalore (145kms / 4hrs drive) and departure late night

Los precios eran similares. Me decanté por Indian Panorama, ante un problema de fechas que tenía Prabhu.

Esto fue lo que me plantearon desde esta agencia y el que seguimos en un 80%:

Detailed Tour Plan
17 March: Arrive Bangalore 4am – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram (350kms / 7-8hrs drive)
On your arrival at Bangalore airport you will be met and then take a drive to Kanchipuram. Here you can visit Kailasanathar temple, Ekambareshwara temple, later you can visit Silk Weaving Cottage. After visiting all these places drive to Mahabalipuram for night stay.

18 March: Mahabalipuram – Pondicherry (90kms / 2hrs drive)
Visit - the UNESCO monuments. Here are many beautiful sceneries like “Shore Temple”,” Five Rathas”, “Krishna’s butterball”, ancient monuments, historic temples for their unique sculptures and then move to Pondicherry. Here visit Aurobindo Ashram, one of the best – known landmark of the town. Founded by Sri Aurobindo in 1926 is considered to be a place of calmness and peaceful retreat where one can attain joy and wisdom. Overnight stay at Pondicherry

19 March: Pondicherry – Gangaikondacholapuram – Darasuram – Kumbakonam (230kms / 5hrs drive)
Visit – Auroville and then head towards Gangaikondacholapuram unique for its rock carvings which are bold and make an impact with their keen sense of detailing and style. Airavateshwara temple at Darasuram famous for its magnificent sculptors and later proceed to Kumbakonam for night stay.

20 March: Kumbakonam – Tanjore – Trichy (100kms / 2.5hrs drive)
Post breakfast drive to Tanjore. Visit Tanjore Big temple / Brihadeeshvara Temple a 1000yrs old temple built by Cholas, and then head towards Trichy. Here you can visit Sri Rangam Temple the Gopuram here are 237 feet high, The annual 21 day festival conducted during the December–January attracts 1 million visitors and later in the evening you can visit Rock fort Temple which is one of the famous land mark, The Rock Fort temple stands 83m tall perched atop the rock. Stay overnight in Trichy.

21 March: Trichy – Madurai (135kms / 2.5hrs drive)
Depart to Madurai. Here visit Meenakshi Sundareshvara temple which is built by the Pandyas during 07th century has impressive 12 gopuras within the temple complex. The huge architect attracts most of the foreign tourist, Gandhi Museum, The thousand pillared hall beautifully decorated columns built in the 16th century is now a museum called Thirumalai Nayak palace, displaying the bronze and stone images. Later explore the places on your own. Overnight stay in Madurai.

22 March: Madurai – Periyar (140kms / 4hrs drive)
Today morning after breakfast drive to the paradise of wildlife and spice kingdom Periyar. A beautiful place known for its natural and wonderful smelling spices. Visit - Periyar Wildlife Reserve, it is South India's most popular Wildlife Sanctuary. You can enjoy thrilling Optional activities such as Spice plantation tour visiting variety of spices like cardamom, Pepper, Coffee, and tea estate etc., You can also engage in optional activities like Nature walk (trekking), Boat ride, Kalaripayattu, the martial art form of Kerala and much more. Later you can visit the local market and pick up some fragrant spices & enjoy the beautiful view at Periyar lake. Stay overnight in Periyar

23 March: Periyar – Alleppey (140kms / 4hrs drive)
Today morning after breakfast proceed to the backwaters region of Alleppey also known as "Venice of east", around midday you’ll embark the traditional Houseboat, where you will be floating rhythmically to the waves and enjoy watching Kuttanadu farming, coir making, fishing, dish washing and day to day activities of the local village people. There is a Kerala that lives along these backwaters busy with its own unique culture, it will be incredibly different experience just floating in this backwater and absorbing unusual representation. You will be provided with welcome drink, lunch, snack, beverages, dinner and breakfast on full board. Stay overnight at houseboat

24 March: Alleppey – Cochin (65kms / 90min drive)
Today after breakfast proceed to the historical city of Cochin. Start the tour with a visit to Fort Cochin where there’re several historic sites. The Dutch Palace (closed on Friday), the main attractions has the outstanding collection of mural paintings found inside, Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays & Saturdays). Continue your day by visiting St. Francis Church, the first European church that was built in India. The Chinese fishing nets. Later in the evening you can explore the fragrant in spice markets of the Jew town. You’ll be ending the day by enjoying optional Kathakali show- the traditional dance of this part of India with wonderful and unique makeup and costume. Stay overnight in Cochin

25 March: Cochin – Munnar (120kms / 4hrs drive)
Post breakfast drive to Munnar. Sightsee - The Tea Museum showcases old photographs, machinery, curios and other artifacts that have been used since ancient times. Pothamedu, where you can enjoy watching the plantations of tea, cardamom, coffee and other spices. Mattupetty Lake & Dam where you can enjoy speed boating, Also visit Tea Estate, Echo Point, etc. Stay overnight in Munnar

26 March: Munnar – Ooty (250kms / 6-7hrs drive)
After breakfast take a drive to Ooty. On reaching check in at the hotel and relax. Overnight stay in Ooty.

27 March: Ooty – Mysore (160kms / 4hrs drive)
Visit - “Botanical gardens”, “Sim’s Park”, “Rose garden”, “Pykara falls”, and “Shooting spot”, “Dodabetta peak”, and “Dolphin nose”, and then move to Mysore for night stay.

28 March: Mysore – Bangalore (145kms / 4hrs drive) and departure late night
Visit - Mysore Maharaja Palace, St. Philomena's Church and later drive to the famous Brindavan garden. After visiting all these places, drive to Bangalore. Here you can have your dinner and later according to your flight schedule you will be transferred to Bangalore airport to board your flight. Fly back home with fond memories.

HOTELES

Los hoteles que elegimos son hoteles de gama media-alta (3-4 estrellas). Buscábamos habitaciones amplias que admitiesen cama extra y con parking, para que pudiese dormir el conductor.


Hoteles que nos propusieron
17-Mar Mahabalipuram Ideal Beach Resort
18-Mar Pondicherry Shenbaga
19-Mar Kumbakonam Paradise Resort
20-Mar Trichy Sangam
21-Mar Madurai GRT Regency
22-Mar Periyar Cardamom County
23-Mar Alleppey Deluxe Houseboat
24-Mar Cochin Arches
25-Mar Munnar Silver Tips
26-Mar Ooty Sullivan Court
27-Mar Mysore Regaalis
28-Mar Departure


Hoteles que hicimos:
17-Mar Mahabalipuram Hotel Grande Bay Resort **** (El mejor del itinerario)
18-Mar Pondicherry Hotel de Pondicherry
19-Mar Kumbakonam Mantra Veppathur **** (Me sorprendió positivamente, mucha paz)
20-Mar Trichy Sangam ***
21-Mar Madurai Sangam ***
22-Mar Periyar Beaumont Plantation Retreat (alejado, pero buena relacion calidad precio y vistas inolvidables)
23-Mar Alleppey Casablanca, Waves Shore, House Boat & Tours
24-Mar Cochin Hotel Arches *** (edificio historico, bien suituado en Fort Cochin)
25-Mar Munnar Parakkat Estate Resort (agradable staff, pero alejado de Munnar)
26-Mar Ooty Anmolscottage ooty (no tuvo gracia)
27-Mar Mysore Regaalis **** (buen hotel, bien situado)
28-Mar Departure


Los contraté por mi cuenta, a través de Booking, que es la página con la que estoy más familiarizado, aunque hay varias web indias que os pueden ser muy útiles y el hilo del foro:
Hoteles Sur de India
Buscadores indios:
www.Makemytrip.com
www.Cleartrip.com
www.stayzilla.com

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