South India Tours_Nagarhole
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Top 10 places to visit in South India

South India is a fascinating region with a wide range of experiences. Bordered by the Arabian Sea in the west, Bay of Bengal in the east and Indian Ocean in the South, the South Indian peninsula is the region encompassing the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands and Pondicherry.  You can explore the wonders of backwaters at Kerala, see the abode of bygone ruins and fascinating landscape at Hampi, French colonies at Pondicherry, tea & coffee plantations at Ooty and Kodagu, historic temples at Madurai & Thanjavur and wildlife at Nagarhole/ Periyar National Park. The region is also known for its unique Authentic food and Classical dance forms.  World renowned delicacies like Idli, Dosa, Sambar have their origins in this region. So, here is a list of 10 must-visit places in this region that will definitely give you a travel inspiration to plan for your post-pandemic south India tours. Kumarakom A traveller’s paradise, Kumarakom is located just 75 km from Kochi international airport. Charming backwater destination, Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake situated in Kottayam district of Kerala. This place is home to a Bird Sanctuary that will acquaint you with the variety of migratory birds like Siberian Stork, Egret, Darter, Heron, and Teal. A beautiful pathway filled with greenery and loaded with natural beauty leads you to this bird sanctuary. At Kumarakom, stay at a traditionally decorated houseboat which is equipped with modern facilities. Explore the compelling charm of the backwaters, Kerala villages, and authentic Kerala food on your private houseboat cruise. South India Tours_Kumarakom Kovalam A blissful coastal town located 12 km from Trivandrum international airport, Kovalam is especially known for its crescent-shaped beaches. One can relax and sunbathe on the pristine Hawa Beach, surrounded by a stack of palm grooves. Early morning, you may take a walk on this beach to experience how the native fishermen chant and sing in their local language while going for fishing. Kovalam’s Samudra Beach would be a reasonable choice for honeymooners, as the most attractive feature of this beach is its isolation. Samudra Beach is a peaceful getaway from the city life.  Kovalam is also popular for Ayurveda and herbal treatments. So, get some relaxation with the best Ayurveda massages on your tour. South India Tours_Kovalam Madurai One of the oldest cities of India, Madurai is also known as a temple town. This city is all about ancient temples and thus rightly called as “Athens of the East”. The most renowned ancient temple located in the heart of the city is Meenakshi Amman Temple dedicated to the Goddess Parvati. Dravidian style majestic architecture with an estimate of 33000 exquisite sculptures and 4500 pillars that were built between 1623 and 1655 CE is an architectural wonder. Another architectural marvel in Madurai showcasing Dravidian, European, and Islamic style of architecture is Thirumalainayakar Palace. On you tour don’t forget to taste some traditional local delicacies in Madurai like adhirasam (a sweet made with rice flour and jaggery which is deep-fried) or vellai appam (crispy snack served with spicy green chutney) South India Tours_Madurai Ooty Located at 88 km from Coimbatore International Airport, Ooty is a popular hill station of Tamil Nadu. You may board a Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Mettupalayam (Coimbatore) to Udagamandalam (Ooty) which takes 5 hours to reach Ooty. This is a Toy Train that passes through picturesque Nilgiri Mountains, tea plantations, and scenery one would not afford to miss. The train was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Enjoy some boating at the beautiful Ooty Lake or hop on for a horse ride.  Pay a visit to a tea factory to experience what all goes into the process of making tea. Take a walk in the Tea Garden, pluck some tea leaves with the locals, and enjoy a hot cup of freshly made Ooty tea. South India Tours_Ooty Pondicherry One of the eight Union Territories of India, Pondicherry is a perfect blend of Indian sensibilities and French architecture. With pleasing coastline, it is indeed a destination for beach lovers. Spend your vacation along with glistening waters and palm trees at Paradise Beach or Paradise Island. You have to take 20-30 minutes of ferry through the backwaters to reach this beach. For the one in search of peace and tranquillity, Auroville is a must-visit. It is a township devoted to an experiment in human unity- in diversity. The major attraction of the township is the Matrimandir. It takes 10-15 minutes of walk to reach from the visitors center. You may meet the residents, interact with them and get to know their experience of living in this township. In the evening take walk at the Promenade beach and spend some time at French bakeries or cafes lined up along the beach road. South India Tours_Pondicherry Mahabalipuram Located at approximately 55 km from Chennai International Airport and 96 km from Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram is a popular stopover between Chennai and Pondicherry. With a historical importance, Mahabalipuram is situated along the coast of Bay of Bengal. Mahabalipuram is well-known for its intricately carved temples and rock-cut caves. The major attraction here is the Shore Temple which is one of the oldest stone temples in India. The Shore Temple is a UNESCO world heritage site and is built using granite stones. The Dravidian style of architecture in this temple dates back to the 7th-8th century and the structure of the temple is extraordinary. The Five Rathas are an impeccable set of rock temples and are associated with the great epic of Mahabharata. You may also stay in a luxury beach resort at Mahabalipuram and enjoy the sea from your room. South India Tours_Mahabalipuram Hyderabad Popular known as the city of pearls and the city of Nizams, Hyderabad is an amalgamation of rich culture, historical heritage, and modern facilities. Hyderabad is the capital city of Telangana state of India. Hyderabad is home to iconic landmarks like Charminar, Hussain Sagar Lake, Golkonda Fort, and many more.  Hussain Sagar lake is the topmost place renowned as Asia’s largest artificial lake. There is a tall monolithic statue of Gautam Buddha which stands proudly at the center of the lake. Charminar located in the heart of the city, is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic architecture with Persian influences. An outstanding example of brilliant engineering and architecture, Golkonda Fort is a historic fortress. The fort comes to life with its light and sound show held every evening. On the tour, don’t forget to satisfy your taste buds with Hyderabadi Biriyani. South India Tours_Hyderabad Hampi The city of ruins and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi is the most impressive place to visit in South India. Situated in shadowed depth of hills and valleys in northern Karnataka state of India, Hampi is a historic city. The nearest airport to reach Hampi is Hubli airport. Hampi ruins still evoke memories of the grandeur of a bygone era. Here, on one side you will see a monolithic Bull that has been carved from a single giant rock and on the other side, you will see Shiva Temple. It is amazing to experience how these carvings were managed back then without any modern and advanced technology available.  The 7th Century Virupaksha Temple is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river in Hampi. You can see beautiful stone inscriptions on the walls of the temple. Also, one can see a stone chariot from the Vijayanagar era which depicts the history of the Vijayanagar empire. End the day with a beautiful sunset here and with lots of Hampi memories. South India Tours_Hampi Nagarhole National Park South India is blessed with some amazing national parks and one among these is Nagarhole National Park also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park. Bangalore international airport is the nearest airport to reach here.  The National Park is backed by Brahamagiri Mountains and is filled with sandalwood and teak trees. The Kabini River winds through jungle landscapes, home to Tigers, Asian Elephants, and a variety of birds. Enjoy a jeep safari and have a fascinating encounter with tiger, leopard, elephant, and other species in their natural habitat. You may also indulge in boat safari where you can spot aquatic wildlife like water birds, crocodiles, and others. South India Tours_Nagarhole Mysore Located just 150 km from Bangalore, Mysore is the “City of Palaces” as it is a home to many royal palaces. You may also stop at Ranganathitu Bird Sanctuary while traveling from Bangalore to Mysore. The history of the city dates back to 1000 years with mythological origin. Today the city is a great example of the modern age with infrastructural transformation. The highlight of the city is the majestic Mysore Palace. The Palace is a breathtaking example of Indo – Saracenic style of architecture. You may enjoy an impressive light & sound show in the evening at Mysore Palace which is held every day (except Sunday). Built across the Cauvery River, the Brindavan Gardens are the second major tourist destination. You may enjoy unique flowerbeds and a fountain show held every evening for 20 minutes. Other attractions include Chamundi Hills, Jaganmohan Palace, Philomena Cathedral, and many more. Also, shop some amazing souvenirs at Mysore like the sandalwood products, incense sticks, and Mysore silk saree. South India Tours_Mysore Jay Kajaria is Founder of Bespoke India Holidays. Bespoke India Holidays is an award-winning company that specialises in creating luxury trips to India and the subcontinent. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Jay Kajaria

Jay Kajaria is the Director of Erudite Travel Consultants LLP – the company that owns Bespoke India Holidays. The company specializes in offering high quality bespoke tours, offbeat experiences to guests traveling to India, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Dubai and Southeast Asia region. The company has received National Tourism Award and has been nominated as a leading Luxury tour operator in Asia by World Travel Awards for year 2020, 2021 and 2022. Erudite Travel Consultants LLP is a responsible travel company focusing on community tourism, animal friendly tours, reducing carbon footprint and engaging in CSR initiatives.

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11 Comments

  1. Kerala has been on my list for some time now. Trouble is that I’m not a fan of hotels, too often they lack character and to be honest you could be anywhere in the world.

    Kumarakom looks a good compromise, traditional boat with modern facilities and the option to go where you like.

    1. Dear Dick,

      Thank you for your reply.

      The houseboats are a wonderful way to explore the backwaters. These are made in traditional way and have an authentic architecture. Also, these private houseboats have flexibility to tour areas that you like to explore. Some of the houseboat companies also offer a small kayak service to explore the narrow channels of backwaters.

      Having said above there are a few hotels in Kerala that have a lot of character like Kumarakom Lake Resort, Coconut Lagoon, Brunton Boatyard, Malabar Escapes.

      Regards
      Jay Kajaria

  2. Probably too many of us are obsessed with India’s Golden Triangle.The first time I went to India, travelling very cheaply, I did Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Then I wanted to take my wife there. Next we wanted to take the children too. I’m beginning to think that the south has just as much to offer. Maybe next time …

    1. Dear Graham,

      Thank you for your reply to our post..

      India has much to offer than Golden Triangle. So, glad to know that you have already visited India before. You should surely plan your visit to South India, West India and East India as well as all these places have got different cultures, cuisine and wonderful sights.

      Regards
      Jay Kajaria

  3. Really a great article with so much information. This will really help me in my next trip to south India. I have noted down the places and also have bookmarked this article so that I can use this as a refrence.

    1. Thank you Farah. We are glad to know that you liked the article. Wishing you a great trip of South India..

  4. Pondicherry seems like a good place to experience both Indian and European heritage. I feel like it won’t be too much of a culture shock here as all the other places seem very religious, mystical places. Was curious of Matrimandir and thought that it was the image shown in the post of a church(?) but is actually an interesting golden round structure relevant to practitioners of yoga. Very interesting and unique.

    1. Dear Landon,

      Namaste!

      Yes, Pondicherry is a great place to experience amalgamation of French and Indian Architecture. The city has many interesting sites. The image seen in Pondicherry section is of Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Matrimandir is a shape of golden sphere.

      Regards

  5. Would like to visit south India someday soon,have being north.looking forward to more information about south India.Thank you.

    1. Dear Hunsraj,

      South India is a fascinating region with great sites and experiences. You can use the information in above article to decide on the places. Keep following our articles to know more about India and the Sub-Continent.

      Regards
      Jay

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