5 off-beat places to visit in South India

For all travelers looking for an authentic experience, we have selected some of the best places to see in South India that must be discovered in our unusual travel guide. Personally, we believe that you only truly discover a place by meeting random places and people, to make it your own. Each time you return, it will be a whole new experience! So, check out this South India travel guide to have a great trip!

Gokarna

Gokarna is a small temple town located on the west coast, just 5 hours from Goa. For many Indian visitors, Gokarna is a popular pilgrimage town during festivals like Shivaratri and Ganesh Chaturthi. Additionally, other travelers who visit this picturesque destination are travelers looking for peaceful beach time.

Therefore, if you love beach destinations, Gokarna should be on the list of must-visit destinations in this South India travel guide. Gokarna has many beaches to explore. In fact, they’re all lined up together, which makes the whole thing super accessible. So, you can start your trek from Kudle beach and cross to Om beach, Half Moon beach. Finally, stop at Paradise Beach. Plus, if you’re lucky, you’ll have the beach all to yourself with only the rare coconut vendor and the waves for company.

Hampi

Hampi is an ancient village and the capital of the last great Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar. Moreover, it has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts travelers from all over the world due to its rich history. Hampi’s rugged terrain is dotted with temple ruins, and each has its own story to tell. So we recommend taking a guided bike tour around Hampi to visit them all.

Learn the history of Hampi by visiting the monuments and temples. The main ones are Virupaksha Temple, Elephant Stables, Lotus Mahal and Anjaneya Temple. Hills are scattered around Hampi. Some popular trekking destinations are Anjaneya Hill, Matunga Hill, Malyavanta Hill and Hemakuta Hill. Matunga is in the center of Hampi and is also the highest point. This is a great place to get an aerial view of the Hampi ruins. Hemakuta Hill is known as one of the best places to watch the sunset or even sunrise.

Coorg

There are a number of hiking trails in Coorg. One of the best is the Brahmagiri Peak Trek, which will take you through woods and winding hills. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for wildlife. Other trekking trails are Tadiandamol, Kodachadri and Kumara Parvatha. Most hikes are of moderate difficulty, and it is best if you are accompanied by a guide on these hikes. Keep in mind that June to August is the monsoon season and is not the safest time to go trekking. This is absolutely something you must take personal note of in this South India travel guide.

Coorg is also a popular destination for water sports. Adrenaline junkies can go for a fun-filled day of rafting on the Cauvery River. Rafting ratings range from 1 to 5 and monsoon is the best time for this activity. This is also a great time for fishing and river fishing. Waterfall abseiling is another activity for extreme adventure enthusiasts, and Chelavara Waterfalls is a popular place for this.

Chettinad

Situated between Trichy and Madurai, Chettinad is undoubtedly one of the most culturally rich cities in South India. From cultural heritage to exotic cuisine and remarkable specimens of Dravidian architecture, thanks to the grand mansions and opulent temples, Chettinad is a true delight for travelers. With a history dating back 400 years, it is a pleasure to see a number of heritage homes that dot the landscape throughout the region.

Shopaholics will also enjoy this beautiful place as they browse through numerous items ranging from wood carvings, Athangudi tiles, kandangi sarees, kottan baskets, gold jewelry, etc. For an offbeat experience, a visit to the villages of Chettinad will provide you with an interesting experience. point of view on the culture of the region.

Mararikulum

Marari Beach is located in Mararikulam, a small and sleepy fishing village in the Alleppey district of Kerala. It is approximately 11 km from Alleppey city and 60 km from Kochi city. It is also close to Kumarakom, another popular tourist destination in Kerala.

Marari Beach is not a tourist beach with many amenities but rather a quiet place to relax and perhaps benefit from a traditional Ayurvedic treatment. Those who visit Marari look forward to the slow pace of life and soak in the serenity.

Parinita Salaria

Parinita Salaria is co-founder of On the way to the Indus. Indus Bound is an award-winning specialist travel agency offering tailor-made luxury private tours in India and tailor-made holidays in India. If you would like to become a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog to raise your profile, please contact us.