I also thought about going to Lakshadweep, but all the places I found were far from pretty cheap, they were all far above 100 USD a night which is just way beyond my budget – or can you recommend a budget place?

Cheers, Dominik

Another link i would suggest for offbeat places would be http://www.amitkulkarni.info/pics/

Nice places specially Hampi and Lakshadweep.

Lakshadweep is pretty cheap for the heavenly place it is. A tru backpackers paradise.

Thanks for your advices, this is pretty much what I’m planning to do anyway, seems like one of the more popular routes. The bad thing is I won’t be able to do the Konkan Railway by day, since the day trains were full for the next few days and Goa is calling! This is why I’m taking the night train tonight at eleven p.m. – next entry will be from Goa!

Cheers,
El Dom

Anyway, my two bits about India –

February in my mind, is the best time to be anywhere in India. The weather ranges from somewhat wintry in the North to very mild on the southern coasts. This is probably the best time to go to the Delhi and Rajasthan. The tourist peak season is around Christmas, so it is less crowded.
Since you are in Bombay, you could go south by Train to Goa and then again by Train to Kerala. If you plan your train times, try to cross as much of the Konkan ghats in the day time as possible. It is one of the prettiest journeys I have been on.

Get off in Mangalore (station kankanady) and try some Mangalorean food – rice cakes and pepper chicken!
Kerala is just a bus ride away – Take a State transport bus (slower and mor rickety, but safer than the private bus driving maniacs)

Once in Kerala, try to soak up on the back waters and get some cool Ayurvedic massages.

Thats is for now!