Halo Mani,

How are you ? I hope you’re doing good there and yes , I’m doing very well

here and its my pleasure to see you here in this summer fall and with due to

your request , I just made the enquiries and also some searches myself and

here I come with the trip dossier , I’d strongly advise you to take en route to

Cochin first , so you go to Kerala directly and enjoy some hot spots and here

is how you need to take to Kochi [ if you are planning via. By bus or via.

Train ], if you are going to catch the Kochi bus in Coimbatore , then you

have got to go to Gandhipuram other state Bus stand which is opposite to

the local bus stand.. or you can book the ticket directly from Singapore to

Kochi and then take the en route to OOty – Coimbatore.

Here I’ve just shared the map and en route details from Coimbatore – Kochi [

4-6 hours journey via. Bus or via. Train , 30- 55 mins via. Air ], I advise you

to take train or by bus , that will be more economic than taking local

chauffer cars

If you are planning to go by train , you have to go to the train station in

Coimbatore or if you are planning to go via. Air , then you have go to the

peelamedu airport and you have got to book earlier

Prefer yatra.com or goibibo.com for booking

When you get to Kochi , please go to the hotel , where hot spots are close by.

I recommend you to use this website -

https://www.redbus.in/hotels/search/Cochin?destId=82106665622865666

19&checkIn=2016-05-21&checkOut=2016-05-

22&noOfAdults=2&noOfRooms=1&noOfChildren=0&childrenAge1=0&childre

nAge2=0&sortType=mnp – which has offers also.. [ PROMO CODE :

REDBUSS60 ]

And please hang over to the places which I’m listing below :

In Kochi, there are lots of places that you should visit..

Marine Drive,

Jewish Synagogue,

Dutch Palace,

Chinese fishing nets,

Fort Kochi Beach,

Chottanikkara Bhagavathy temple,

Kaladi, Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary,

Ernakulam Shiva Temple,

Parishath Thampuran Museum,

Bolgatty Palace,

Our Lady of Ransom Basilica,

St.Francis Church,

Santa Cruz Basilica,

Hill Palace Museum &

Cherai Beach

Lulu Mall

And if you’re planning to visit other places in Kerala , you might have got to

stay for another few days to hung by.

Must Visit Places in Kerala

1. Munnar

2. Thekkedy

3. Alappuzha boat house

4. Kumarakom

5. Eravikulam National Park

6. Vagamon Hill Station

7. Wayanad

8. Poover

9. Cherai Beach

I hope this details can help !

Regarding Backwaters ; Backwaters in Kerala is a network of 1500 km of

canals both manmade and natural, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from

one end of Kerala to the other.Backwaters is one of the major tourism

product of Kerala, being unique to the state.

Here , I would like to share some screenshots of the backwaters that you

need to look at it..

Cruise through Kerala in a houseboat!

Have you ever gone cruising in a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala? If

you haven't, make sure you do. This one is really a wonderful and

unforgettable experience!

Present day houseboats are huge, slow moving exotic barges used for leisure

trips, and are in fact reworked version of kettuvallams of olden times. The

original kettuvallams were used to carry tons of rice and spices. A standard

kettuvallam can hold up to 30 tons from Kuttanad to the Kochi port.

The kettuvallam is held together with coir knots. Not even a single nail is

used during the construction of the boat.. The boat is made of planks of

jack-wood joined together with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black

resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, a

kettuvallam can last for generations.

A portion of the kettuvallam was covered with bamboo and coir to serve as a

restroom and kitchen for the crew. Meals would be cooked onboard and

supplemented with freshly cooked fish from the backwaters.

When the modern trucks replaced this system of transport, some one found

a new way that would keep these boats, almost all of which were more than

100 years old, in the market. By constructing special rooms to accommodate

travelers, these boats cruised forward from near-extinction to enjoy their

present great popularity.

Now these are a familiar sight on the backwaters and in Alappuzha alone,

there are as many as 500 houseboats.

While converting kettuvallams into houseboats, care is taken to use only

natural products. Bamboo mats, sticks and wood of the areca nut tree are

used for roofing, coir mats and wooden planks for the flooring and wood of

coconut trees and coir for beds. For lighting though, solar panels are used.

Today, the houseboats have all the creature comforts of a good hotel

including furnished bedrooms, modern toilets, cozy living rooms, a kitchen

and even a balcony for angling. Parts of the curved roof of wood or plaited

palm open out to provide shade and allow uninterrupted views. While most

boats are poled by local oarsmen, some are powered by a 40 HP engine.

Boat-trains - formed by joining two or more houseboats together are also

used by large groups of sightseers.

What is truly magical about a houseboat ride is the breathtaking view of the

untouched and otherwise inaccessible rural Kerala that it offers, while you

float! Now, wouldn't that be something?

DTPC House boat Pre-paid Counter

For booking houseboats, travelers can make use of the House Boat Pre-paid

Counter 'Trusted Service, Trusted Rates' managed by the District Tourism

Promotion Council (DTPC).

Contact details

Alappuzha - House boat pre-paid counter

Mobile: 09400051796, 09447483308, +91-477-2251796, +91-477-2253308.

Tourist can make advance booking by transferring INR 2500/- to the

account of the DTPC and send email to dtpcalpy@yahoo.com.

The account number of DTPC is A/c 10150100253203, Federal Bank,

Mullackal Branch, Alappuzha. Bank code is FDRL 0001015.

Tourist Visa on Arrival to Kerala

Yet another Happy news for the tourists to Kerala!!!! Now you can plan your

holidays in Kerala even on a short notice, with fewer hurdles! Apply for your

Visa Online, get the 'Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)' and fly to Kerala.

Tourist Visa on Arrival (T-VoA) enabled with Electronic Travel Authorization

(ETA) has been introduced for Foreign Tourists coming to Kochi and

Trivandrum from from 43 countries to from more than 100 countries

including Australia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Russia,

Singapore, Thailand, UAE & USA for a short stay of 30 days & Kerala

became the only state in India where two airports, having the T-VoA

enabled with ETA. Click here to know about e-Tourist Visa Facility available

for nationals from how many countries/territories.

Effective from November 27, the T-VoA enabled with ETA will allow tourists

to apply and pay the fee for the visa online, without having to travel to the

Indian missions in their home countries. Applicants who are approved will

receive the official travel authorization via email and only need to present a

printed copy of this to the immigration authorities upon their arrival in

India.

For details regarding Visa services please visit

Tourist Visa on Arrival-https://indianvisaonline.gov.in

Bureau of Immigration - http://www.boi.gov.in

For boat house bookings via. Online – please make sure you stay for a day

and this website will help you to glance at the cost -

http://www.keralahoponhopoff.com/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwvOC5BRCb_8yNmZ_ls

9IBEiQACTz8vuuyPG6kNSRR6tJ6ZVuRsBP2lf9jDii7pwbzC3lRK5waAvTS8P8

HAQ

If you want to go to Alapuzzha boat house from Kochi.. here is the route

map. There are many boat houses available and the price will vary according

to the bedrooms available . prefer the cheap and economic one. If you are

planning for one night and day..

Here is the en route map

And bus frequency for your perusal

Bus Timings - KSRTC

Destination Frequency Time allotted to

reach

Fare (Subject to

change)

Alappuzha every 20

minutes 1hrs 30 minutes Rs 25

Devikulam, (near

Munnar) - 6hrs Rs 45

Kannur -

7hrs (Express)

8hrs 30 minutes

for ordinary

Rs. 85 (express)

Rs. 75(ordinary)

Kottayam - 2hrs 15 minutes Rs. 35

Kozhikode -

5hrs (Express)

6hrs 30 minutes

(ordinary)

Rs. 65 ( express)

Rs.60 (ordinary)

Thekkadi (Kumily) 0630 6hrs 45 minutes Rs. 65

Thiruvanthapuram -

5 hrs (Express)

6hrs 30 minutes

(ordinary)

Rs. 60 (express)

Rs. 55 (ordinary)

Thrissur - 1 hour 45

minutes Rs. 30

And whence all these stuffs are over , you can get over to OOty via . car or

by bus or by train depending on your flexibility

If you are planning to take the bus from Kerala State Bus station, please

have a look , because that will be economic

Once you get to ooty , please stay in the hotel , where you can go to the

hotspots nearby quickly and also please find the ratings and economic one..

Please check this link for booking the hotel in ooty which you may find it

economic

https://www.redbus.in/hotels/search/Ooty?destId=889033689324744753

&checkIn=2016-06-09&checkOut=2016-06-

10&noOfAdults=2&noOfRooms=1&noOfChildren=0&childrenAge1=0&childre

nAge2=0&sortType=mnp

Best hot spots in and around OOTY that you need to view it for your best

experience

Also known as Udhagamandalam and sometimes Ootacamund, the hill

station of Ootylies near the Nilgiris in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The

area came under the occupation of the East India Company around the end

of the 18th century leading to its popularity as a hill station. The town is

famous for its tourism and attracts a large number of tourists. Apart from

tourism the major sources of the town’s economy are agriculture,

photographic film and medicine manufacture.

The Nilgiris lit. ‘The blue mountains’ are the major responsible factor for this

town’s popularity. The blue misty haze off the eucalyptus trees that cover

the area are considered the reason behind its name, many different possible

sources may exist however.

1. Botanical Gardens

Laid out in 1848, the government Botanical Gardens is located at the

slopes of the Doddabetta peak. The terraced garden is maintained by the

Tamil nadu horticultural society and covers an area of 22 hectares. The best

time to visit the place is anytime except the monsoons. Now this place will

be the first thing the people would mention when you visit ooty, and well, in

my opinion it is pretty awesome. Now be prepared for a long walk when you

visit this place, I would advise you not to get any kids or people who can’t

walk for long. The place is amazing for photographers and casual visitors

alike get a supply of food and drinks or you can also buy some snacks at the

gardens. I visited this place because of my photographer friends and was

totally amazed due to the amount of greens and flowers around me under an

amazingly cool weather.

2. Tea Factory

Small and nice, tea factory that is frequented by tourists who visit ooty,

although not much to do here, but it was quiet a new experience to me when

I visited the place. You can smell the aroma of the fresh tea leaves as soon

as you near the place. I love how machines process the fresh tea leaves and

package it. There’s also a shop where you can buy the tea processed at the

factory. They also provided tea prepared from the freshly processed leaves

and it tastes amazingly fragrant. This is a good place to show to the kids as

well and I’m sure they’d be delighted.

3. Doddabetta Peak

A visit to Doddabetta Peak was the reason I went to Ooty in the first place. I

had heard a lot about the picturesque Nilgiris and the amazing views this

place has to offer. The place stands at a height of around 8,650 feet and

makes it the highest peaks in south India. This place offers amazing trek

spots and plenty of quiet and picturesque locations to solitary wanderers

like me. You might want to pack some really good pair of binoculars when

you reach this place to enjoy it to the fullest. There is a small eatery placed

here courtesy of the tourism department of Tamil nadu that offers some

okay tasting food at a cheap price.

4. Hyderabadi Biriyani House

I was pretty hungry and was looking for a place where I could get a good

amount of food for a moderate price. While there are a couple of cafes in

ooty which offer some good snacks but I was looking for something more

solid. I reached the place, and I could smell the fragrant flavors of the

Biriyani. Some people might need to mention beforehand for the amount of

spice they want though. The portion they served was nice and did quiet a

great job at sating the munchies out of me. I have always been a Mughalai

food enthusiast and this place I must say did a fine job at delivering the

taste. Don’t keep your expectations too high and I’m sure you’ll come back

with a full tummy and no sweat. The place is located at Mysore Road, Hill

Bunk.

5. Avalanche Lake

The reason I came to ooty was to actually visit the aforementioned

Doddabetta peak but wasn’t quite satisfied with amount of indulgence I was

seeking with the nature. Although It was suggested by a local there and

wasn’t on my itinerary, this place made me love my visit to ooty. Located in

the heart of the Nilgiris 28 kilometers from ooty, Avalanche lakeis certainly

a wanderer’s haven. The surrounding landscape is simply mesmerizing. You

can camp beside the lake in tents and enjoy trout fishing. There’s also a

hatchery located nearby where you can get the fishing rod and other fishing

equipment at. It’s an amazing trek location that made me stay here for 2

days at this place. The place derives its name from a landslide that occurred

sometime in the early 1800’s.

And from there , if you would like to visit Kunoor , its just takes 75-80

minutes distance via. Train or by bus. I advise you to get via. Train ,so you

can enjoy the scenary of the mountain view ,

And the places to visit in Kunoor [ which takes a day long or two ]

High Field Estate/Golf Course

Sims Park

Lambs Rock

Dolphins Nose

Gymkhana club

Madras Regimental Centre(Lake)

Tiger Hill

Tamizhagam Coffee

Places close to Coonoor

Ralliah Dam - 15km

Upper Bhavani Dam - 60km

Glen morgan

Once you done with all these visits , please go to Coimbatore and here are

the direction by bus or by train as follows

And once all your trips are over , please hang out in Coimbatore to

brookefield mall [ take the Bus no. 7 from gandhipuram to Gandhipark ] and

if you want to visit the park , please walk away from gandhipuram or take

the bus from thudiyalur to gandhipuram and then walk away. Its V.O.C

park and nearby , Nehru stadium is there and you can have your food in

best places like Annapurna hotels or pizza burger centres nearby and then

take the noon or night train to Chennai or by bus or by flight as per your

convenience.

If you are planning to take the route via bus , then plan via. Redbus or via.

Setc

Note : Take local transits like Bus , if you want to hung around Coimbatore ,

ooty or Kunoor

And in Kerala – Kochi , ALLEPEY or wherever you go , you can either take

via. Local bus or via. Auto rickshaw [ the fares are quiet okay when

compared with Tamilnadu ].

I Guess as per your plans , I have detailed my best and hope this helps for

your journey , and please make sure that you turn on your GPS also , for

better route clarification …

I wish you to have a happy and pleasant journey Mani, Have a nice day .

Convey my regards to your family as well..

With warm regards and sincere ,

Ajay chander R.