Maldives, Colombo, Kandy and Bentota Tour Package for 7 Days 6 Nights from Maldives

Average

Day 1. Ernakulam-Munnar Pickup from Ernakulam station - driver calls us and asks us to get down at a station before to avoid delay. It was a good gesture from his part but again as first-time travellers to a new region is best to stick to the itinerary. The indicia car assigned seemed good on the first look but the air conditioning was faulty and wouldn't cool the car even in the 32 degrees outside. The driver was very rash, would constantly overtake even in small streets of the suburbs with incoming traffic on the other lane. He continued this kind of driving even in the hills of Munnar which has very narrow roads. When asked to slow down he said that he needs to hurry since trees keep falling there and we could get stuck for hours. I didn't know how to reach since he wouldn't slow down. He showed us the sites but since we were delayed already due to the train, halts were very small. My wife ended up puking due to his sharp overtakes and turns. He however, kept insisting on getting a massage from a costly place and even took us there. I diverted it saying that it was already late. We were put up at the Misty Mountains hotel with a valley view room. The hotel and the service there was amazing. I informed the Pack and Go local rep regarding the car, that though the AC wasn't needed in Munnar it would be needed later on in the trip. He confirmed to change it next day but that didn't happen until Thekkady. Day 2. Munnar He took us to some places of the Itinerary and skipped some stating that it wasn't worth going. In between he got a call before lunch where he informed that he had to go Tamil Nadu and so his friend would drive for the rest of the day. His friend was no less a rash driver but at least stuck to the itinerary. He also insisted on us getting a massage and took us to another place which was relatively cheaper compared to the previous day. So we did take a message there. I am sure these guys get a cut to get the customers. I was informed by Pack and Go local rep at the end of the day that another driver would take us to Thekaddy next day. Day 3. Munnar-Thekkady A new driver arrives. A very nice guy at driving I would say since he drove much better and took us to the points giving us ample time to spend there. He even insisted that we he would take our photographs. Arrived at Thekkady at 1.30pm. The hotel, Grand Thekkady seemed nice from outside, but was one of the worst hotels of the trips. Half of the lights in the room didn't work. The toilet was smelly and had fungus on the shower curtains. We initially missed all this, since we had to leave almost immediately for the 2-hour wildlife boat trip. We went to the hotel restaurant for a quick lunch and since Kerala is a fish centric place we ordered fish. The waiter informed that fish wasn't available and only chicken was there in Non-veg items. Moreover, if we needed fish we might go to another hotel/restaurant. He even recommended hotel Ambadi for that. Later after the wildlife boat ride, we came back to the hotel for a snack, which again was a disaster. For a meager quantity and quality of mixed veg pakora, we were charged Rs 170 (it had few shreds of onion and capsicum only). Day 4. Thekkady - Alleppey Grand Thekkady didn't have the swipe card payment facility. When I complained about the food and the room, they immediately offered a discount which indicated that this kind of thing has happened before. Since I didn't want a discount but a better experience I insisted that I would complain to the higher management. The drive from Thekkady to Alleppey was good but marred by the bad AC. Car wasn't changed yet and when I asked the local rep, he said that the car would be changed the next day after the houseboat checkout. The exact houseboat company wasn't informed properly on email and so it was utter confusion. The local rep didn't have the knowledge and when I called Pack and Go delhi office they took about 30mins to come back with the phone number. Meanwhile we searched the internet and got the phone number and coordinated locally with the Houseboat guy. Houseboat allocated was a decent one for one night. Food was really good on the houseboat and they even cooked for us. Day 5. Alleppey - Kovalam Since the car was changed the next day, the driver was changed too and my Rs 500 were nowhere to be found. I called the local rep and he said that he would adjust it later. The new car had the owner of the agency drive us to Kovalam. Enroute, when he asked about the itinerary, we told him the 2 nights plan. He then informed that the mentioned wildlife sanctuary in the itinerary wouldn't be covered since it is 30kms one way. I called up Pack and Go again. They started off saying that it was typo error and they can't cover the cost. I pointed out them at that point the several small issues that had happened on the trip and that the itinerary was a contract which they had to adhere to. The operations guy wouldn't budge and only after I told him that I would use the internet to point out such problems that Pack and Go puts their customers into, did he accept that he would ask the management for some redressal. Finally he called back saying that management has agreed to provide this trip free. All this after 45mins STD on roaming and raising the blood pressure. Reached Kovalam hotel at around 3.30pm. Hotel Soma Palmshore was great here especially after the Thekkady experience. Day 6. Kovalam Didn't cover much of the itinerary since we went to the wildlife sanctuary. It turned out to be great since, the animals were pretty close here. We returned back early and did some local sightseeing on foot. Later topped it with a massage at the hotel which was at par with the rates in Munnar even though this was a specific ayurveda centric hotel. Day 7. Kovalam-Kochi Visited the temple and palace on the way. Was finally refunded the Rs500. Hotel in Kochi (Sea Lord) was poor but since we reached late in the evening at around 8pm only for a dinner and sleep it was fine. Next morning it was another battle to get a cab to the airport at 7 am in the morning which was aboyt 35km. Ola cab ditched at the last moment. Finally took one of those big autos to the airport. To Summarise 1. Drivers will always try to take you for a massage or a show since they have a cut in all that. 2. Look for a decent driver who can speak hindi/english and would listen to you. 3. Insist on a driver change in case of the above doesnt fit in 4. Holiday Agents/Companies from different part of the country dont have grass-root level idea of the distances and local places. better to go for local agents hailing from that region only Pros of Pack n Go Holidays 1. One point contact available 2. Will offer good hotels, but be sure to review them before you agree 3. Rates are lower/at par with major players Cons 1. Single point contact which also means that if he isnt available then the alternate number mentioned might not have the full details. You might feel stranded in an unknown place 2. Poor coordination between the local rep, HO and drivers 3. Be clear about what is included and what is not to avoid issues and calls later

it was excellent and memorable. Travel counsellor provided good support till the end of trip.