Sometimes the easiest way to plan is to start with a feeling rather than a map. Here are six moods South India does especially well, with places to match.
Slow and coastal
Long walks, sea air and nowhere to be. Try the cliff-top paths of Varkala, a night on the backwaters, the old town of Puducherry by bicycle, or the beach road of Visakhapatnam.
Cool hills
Mist, plantations and fireside evenings. Munnar’s tea estates, an estate stay in Kodagu or Chikkamagaluru, the Nilgiris by mountain railway, or the coffee villages of Araku.
Temples and history
Some of the greatest architecture in Asia: the Pallava carvings of Mahabalipuram, the living temple city of Madurai, the ruined capital of Hampi, the Chola temples around Thanjavur and the Kakatiya temples of Warangal and Ramappa.
Food first
Plan the days around meals: biryani and haleem in Hyderabad, tiffin and jigarthanda in Madurai, Chettinad cooking, Kerala’s seafood and sadya, and filter coffee everywhere. Our food guide explains what to look for in each state.
Forests and wildlife
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Periyar near Thekkady in Kerala, Bandipur and Nagarhole in Karnataka and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu protect elephants, gaur, tigers and hundreds of bird species. Book safaris through the official forest department channels, and expect sightings to be a matter of luck.
Quiet and reflective
Places for stillness: the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville in Puducherry, Sivagiri above Varkala, the hill temple town of Tiruvannamalai, or simply an early morning walk on a tea estate. Visit with respect for those who come to pray or meditate.
Ready to put a trip together? Start with how to plan a South India trip or our suggested itineraries.
Sources and image credits
- UNESCO: Western Ghats
- Wikipedia: Periyar National Park
- Wikipedia: Bandipur National Park
- Wikipedia: Mudumalai National Park
Photography: Abdullah Azeez via Unsplash (Unsplash License). A stock image of Puducherry, not the author’s own.
