VARKALA+KOCHI


   VARKALA  AND KOCHI    





BUDGET OF THE TRIP:  4650 INR
DAYS OF VISIT : 2 DAYS VARKALA 
                                DAY TRIP TO KOCHI

MODE OF TRAVEL: TRAIN

PLACE STAYED:THE SHORT GIRAFFE HOSTEL(ADDRESS: North Helipad road )                                                                                                                                            
                               

HOW TO REACH VARKALA?

TRAIN(800 INR) : There are direct trains from Mumbai and Bengaluru to Varkala.We boarded on GARIBRATH EXPRESS from Bengaluru at night and it  took us 15 hours to  reach KOLLAM railway station which is 30KMs before Varkala.

From Kollam railway station you can take a prepaid auto (500INR) or wait for a train in  Kollam which has a stop in Varkala

BUS(1500-2000 INR) There are direct buses to VARKALA but they can be a costly affair.

AIRPORT: Nearest airport is THIRUVANANTHAPURAM which is approximately 50KM from Varkala Sivagiri.You can further take a cab to your destination.


ABOUT THE PROPERTY
Located around 200 m from the scenic Varkala cliff and 400m from the Helipad, this welcoming hostel makes for the ideal getaway surrounded by lush green trees and an overwhelmingly welcoming staff.
The exciting part is that people can also volunteer in managing the property/hostel and have fun.The managers are quite cool and the staff is very friendly and cooperative.
You can either leisure in your comfortable dorms or enjoy interacting with new people from all around the world.This place is a must for people who really have a wander lust.


 
                                         
The property has 3 types of accommodations:

Private Rooms( 800INR)
Dormitory(400 INR)
Tents(200 INR)

P.S.: Price changes as per the availability.

  -FOOD SERVED
   
 You get homely food cooked right from their kitchen and an amazing variety of            refreshing  teas.
At night there is a barbecue session with all the merry and the feast.
It is an experience in its own.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

You can visit this place throughout the year however the best time would be between October to February when the climate is stable from rains. If you love the rains, then June to September is the best time to visit when the entire Varkala Cliff is drenched with heavy rains.

WHAT TO DO AROUND?

Varakala is amongst few places in the world which has CLIFF BEACH,so go around and check it out.It is a very beautiful cliff standing against the beach and decked up with a variety of food restaurants,shopping places such as clothes,jewellery,kashmiri apparels etc.
Just sit around on the beach, soak up some sun, go for a swim or grab your favourite drink sitting on the cliff and just admire the beauty that is Varkala.

If you’re wishing to escape the crowds a little more, head south to the Black Beach which gets its name from the glistening black soil that decorates its shore and this one’s much quieter and less crowded, perfect for relaxing.
North of Varkala Beach is Papanasam beach which is famous as it is believed that a dip in these holy waters will wash away all your sins. A lot of Hindu’s come down here to perform annual rights for departed souls making this place religiously important as well.
Odayam beach is another quiet beach located south of the cliff which is en route Kappil where you’ll find many colourful boats lining the shore adding to the vibrancy of the coast.
Go for an ayurvedic treatment or practice Yoga
There are many places that provide surfing and cooking lessons in case you are in the mood to learn something new. If the weather permits you can go parasailing, jumping straight off the cliff too! There’s a lot in store for all you adrenaline junkies out there.
There are many ayurvedic spa and treatment centres in Varkala where you can get some relaxing therapies. You can also try out some yoga sessions when you are here.   

WHERE TO EAT?           

The Varkala Cliff is lined by beautiful cafes and restaurants that overlook the Arabian waters. Honestly speaking just try every place you can while you’re there because each one is unique.
Some places I’d probably recommend would be TRATTORIAS, Rock n Roll café, The Juice Shack and Tibetan Kitchen. If you’re looking for some authentic Kerala meals, Jayram’s Café has some yum veg meals and if you’re looking for a fancy dinner date, the upper deck of Café Italiano is just the place.
In the evening, many cafes on the cliff have candlelight dinners as well. Every evening the catch of the day is displayed across the cliff, so you can just pick your favourite seafood from the fresh catch and they’ll cook it for you.
From authentic Kerala cuisine to continental, Asian or Italian there’s an entire spread that you can pick from. There everything from English breakfasts and pancakes to Indian rotis or naans and lasagna for you to feast on. Some nights, there is live music or parties that happen in some of the cafes where you can just sit back, grab a beer and sing your night away. The food isn’t particularly expensive and depends entirely on what you choose to eat.

THE BEST ATTRACTIONS!!!

For us the best thing was to enjoy the sunset sitting in  a restaurant on the cliff.
A major ADD ON which I have not mentioned earlier is the MUNROE ISLAND.
We had hired a scooty to MUNROE ISLAND or an auto or a cab can also be booked.
Munroe Island is famous for its KALADA river backwaters.You can easily rent a canoe for 300 INR per person and go for 2 hour ride in the back waters.
You can see a lot of fishing farms and cross low tunnels where you literally have to bend down to save yourself from banging your back into them. The ride is a lot of fun and feel free to bargain with the boatsmen.



The best time to go for the boating is in the evening before sunset.It is really calm and a wide scenic river.The sunset eventually turns the waters into glistening gold and silver and the skies in the shades of orange and pink.It is one thing which is *HIGHLY RECOMMENDED* for anyone who visits VARKALA.



OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN VARKALA

Varkala has stays that suit all kinds of travellers. From budget rooms to luxury cottages, you can pick the place that suits your budget. There are a couple of hostels too for all you backpackers. Without a doubt, Varkala is easily one of the safest places I have ever come across. The people here are very chirpy and don’t bother you unless you need any help which is another reason why it is preferred by solo female travellers across the world because you never feel unwelcome and it’s always pleasant.
If you are looking to stay on the cliff, from Bamboo Village and Kerala Bamboo House to Clafouti and Black Beach Resort, there are just so many options you can choose from and, if you are looking for some exquisite luxury there’s always the Taj Gateway Hotel Janardhanapuram or B’Canti Boutique Beach Resort. You can even check for the resorts that are south cliff or in Odayam beach for a beautiful, secluded getaway.

A DAY TRIP TO KOCHI

A single day is sufficient to roam around in kochi.

HOW TO REACH  KOCHI? 

You can take JANSHATABDI EXPRESS from Varkala in the morning which will take 2 hours to reach. On arrival you can have your breakfast somewhere in the restaurants which are nearby the station.We had ours in CHOCOLATE ROOM which was quite a good experience.

PLACES TO VISIT IN KOCHI

Take a cab from the restaurant to the FOLKLORE MUSEUM.It is a 3 floored museum with artifacts ,elements of music,drama and dance.
The best part is that it is made from the reusable doors and other things which were used in 1980s.The folklore museum is an epitome of KERELA's vibrancy in every field.The eye catching part is its ceiling which weighs 64tons without any support from the ground.The FOLKLORE museum is a witness to Kerela's artistic supremacy of those times.




The next place can be FORT KOCHI which houses the DUTCH PALACE
ON the way while travelling in Kochi we can see a very nice view of the backwaters and rivers along with the boats and the ships sailing.It is a very different site.
Further you can go to JEW STREET . If you have a passion for antiques and shopping, then this is the place for you.Enormous statue shops made of sandalwood and other kinds of paintings are also available.


A noteworthy point is that there are very few signage in the INDIA.
After visiting the signage you can go to the GINGER restauranand witness a very beautiful sunset.This place is located beside the river and you can actually see the river water rising as the sun falls down.The area is very beautiful and you can also have a pleasant lunch there along with seeing the  sun set leaving everything thing mellow.


ADIEU

After the sunset you can take a bus or a cab to the bus station or the railway station and return back.


I HOPE YOU WILL LIKE THIS BLOG!! FEEL FREE TO COMMENT AND SUBSCRIBE!
SIGNING OFF!!! SEE YOU IN THE NEXT ONE :D






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