Backpacking South India for 4-6 weeks - tips?

Mmm, not going North. At all. Don't want to be rushed. The Taj can wait til next time.

At the mo, the plan is to head from Mumbai to Naski (to drink wine) then Ellora to look at caves. From there to Pune, then Goa. East to Hampi, then sth to Bengaluru/Mysore/Kerala.
I'm alreay worried I'm trying to do too much. These distances are BIG... I imgaine there is going to be quite a few long over night buses which I guess just add to the experience. Anyhow, I've got complete flexibility. Just need to be in Kochi by the 19th to fly back. Simples.

You'' will inevitably have to take buses some of the time, but given the choice, if possible I would try to get a train. Quicker, more comfortable and I found more interesting as I got into more conversations with people on trains than buses for some reason.

Here a link to a journey planner:

http://www.indianrail.gov.in/between_Imp_Stations.html