Just returned from Varkala - Sivagiri, Kerala. Beautiful place. This is one of place where there is a cliff and a beach next to each other.
Day 1:
Bangalore - Kollam by train
Travelled by 16315 KOCHUVELI EXP
Note: This train doesn't stop in cantonment or any other station. After Majestic, next stop is Salem.
Day 2: Varkala - Check-in to hotel
Reached Kollam around 7:50 AM and there came the next train at 8:15AM. Kanyakumari-Trivandrum express. The ticket costs around 17rs for adult. There is also something called sleeper ticket which costs almost double, with that ticket you can get into any coach. Reached Varkala at 9 AM. From there we went to Akhil beach resort where we had booked rooms already.
Note: Taxis and Autos in Kerala are very reasonable compared to Bangalore. Taxi costs around Rs.150 from railway station to Akhil beach resort, auto cost about Rs.80.
Akhil beach resort, Varkala,Kerela:
Value for money. Friendly staff, neat room, decent food. You cannot ask for more. The bathroom and fittings are very nice. Also I love the balcony on every room. We took a deluxe room which costs Rs.1000.
In Varkala all the food is made to order, so have loads of time to have food or plan and order early.
After breakfast at Akhil we headed to beach. Around this time of the year(Sep-Oct) the beach is a good 1-2KM walk down the hill, but that adds to the vacation. You can take an auto to reach helipad and walk from there as well.
The day we went was a full moon day and the waves were ferocious! We all enjoyed the massage in water and then returned to Akil for a lunch. Again lunch we had ordered upfront and everything was nice.
Note: If you are not a big fan of coconut oil, tell specifically not to add.
Post lunch we went to see Janardhana swamy temple, this walk is a mini trek again. The temple closes at 6PM. After that we settled at beach for a nice sunset and refreshing breeze.
Dinner@Ootapura
Ootapura next to helipad is the only vegetarian outlet in Varkala. Try their butter chappati and capcicum masala. It's so fresh and homely. But you need to order 40mins upfront. You can see them preparing in front of you only. So if you are planning to eat here order in advance or do not mind the wait.
Juice shack
This is one another favorite destination of ours.Nice uices, fresh sandwiches above all very friendly manager. You can ask him for anything he will help you.
Recommended things to do at Varkala:
* Go for a an early morning or late evening walk towards black sand beach or Tibetian beach. If you are a non-vegetarian you would enjoy the food and the display. Veggies try morning walk if you have sensitive heart/nose :)
* Go for a swim early in the morning beach side
Day 3: Rejuvenating Boat house at Asthamudi Backwaters Kollam
We were a family of 15 adults and 3 children. No one had been on a boat house. So arranged a 6hour drive in boat house. This was full of surprise and very much enjoyable for everyone!
* Booked through Southern Backwaters
* Paid 10,000 for 6 hours with welcome drink, excellent lunch, tea+snacks
* The breeze of backwater and luxury of boat house is enchanting
Day 4: Trivandrum
Note: All temples in Kerala are closed around 12 Noon. Target to reach before that.
Breakfast and lunch at Arya bhavan, excellent vegetarian food.
* Kollam, Varkala, Trivandrum are all well connected by train and it's convenient to roam around in train.
After that returned in Gareeb rath back to Bangalore with loads of fond memories!
Day 1:
Bangalore - Kollam by train
Travelled by 16315 KOCHUVELI EXP
Note: This train doesn't stop in cantonment or any other station. After Majestic, next stop is Salem.
Day 2: Varkala - Check-in to hotel
Reached Kollam around 7:50 AM and there came the next train at 8:15AM. Kanyakumari-Trivandrum express. The ticket costs around 17rs for adult. There is also something called sleeper ticket which costs almost double, with that ticket you can get into any coach. Reached Varkala at 9 AM. From there we went to Akhil beach resort where we had booked rooms already.
Note: Taxis and Autos in Kerala are very reasonable compared to Bangalore. Taxi costs around Rs.150 from railway station to Akhil beach resort, auto cost about Rs.80.
Akhil beach resort, Varkala,Kerela:
Value for money. Friendly staff, neat room, decent food. You cannot ask for more. The bathroom and fittings are very nice. Also I love the balcony on every room. We took a deluxe room which costs Rs.1000.
In Varkala all the food is made to order, so have loads of time to have food or plan and order early.
After breakfast at Akhil we headed to beach. Around this time of the year(Sep-Oct) the beach is a good 1-2KM walk down the hill, but that adds to the vacation. You can take an auto to reach helipad and walk from there as well.
The day we went was a full moon day and the waves were ferocious! We all enjoyed the massage in water and then returned to Akil for a lunch. Again lunch we had ordered upfront and everything was nice.
Note: If you are not a big fan of coconut oil, tell specifically not to add.
Post lunch we went to see Janardhana swamy temple, this walk is a mini trek again. The temple closes at 6PM. After that we settled at beach for a nice sunset and refreshing breeze.
Dinner@Ootapura
Ootapura next to helipad is the only vegetarian outlet in Varkala. Try their butter chappati and capcicum masala. It's so fresh and homely. But you need to order 40mins upfront. You can see them preparing in front of you only. So if you are planning to eat here order in advance or do not mind the wait.
Juice shack
This is one another favorite destination of ours.Nice uices, fresh sandwiches above all very friendly manager. You can ask him for anything he will help you.
Recommended things to do at Varkala:
* Go for a an early morning or late evening walk towards black sand beach or Tibetian beach. If you are a non-vegetarian you would enjoy the food and the display. Veggies try morning walk if you have sensitive heart/nose :)
* Go for a swim early in the morning beach side
Day 3: Rejuvenating Boat house at Asthamudi Backwaters Kollam
We were a family of 15 adults and 3 children. No one had been on a boat house. So arranged a 6hour drive in boat house. This was full of surprise and very much enjoyable for everyone!
* Booked through Southern Backwaters
* Paid 10,000 for 6 hours with welcome drink, excellent lunch, tea+snacks
* The breeze of backwater and luxury of boat house is enchanting
Day 4: Trivandrum
Shree Anantha Padmanabha temple:
Nice temple but loads of restrictions. Dress code, no phone/camera, Queue when there is no crowd. Also when we are near the God there is no enough light to have one good look at the GodNote: All temples in Kerala are closed around 12 Noon. Target to reach before that.
Breakfast and lunch at Arya bhavan, excellent vegetarian food.
Shanghumugham Beach
Beautiful beach, well maintained. Do visit if you have time
* Kollam, Varkala, Trivandrum are all well connected by train and it's convenient to roam around in train.
After that returned in Gareeb rath back to Bangalore with loads of fond memories!
