South India Tourism

Booking a South India Tourism package guarantees an exhilarating experience. The period between December and March is a good time to plan your trip since the region mostly has pleasant temperatures. This period also witnesses several major festivals including the Mahabalipuram Dance Festival and the Chennai Music Festival. You can also visit in the spring which is between April and May. This season is ideal for those into Ayurvedic and rejuvenation treatments. The November to April period is ideal for Karnataka, especially if you wish to go hiking. Winters in hill stations like Ooty are a magical experience while Kerala is a round-the-year destination.

While booking your holiday package to South India, you should also learn about the ways of reaching the region. South India is easily accessible via air, housing numerous international and domestic airports including the Chennai, Bangalore and Coimbatore International Airports along with the Cochin International Airport. There are domestic airports at Pondicherry, Calicut, Mangalore, Madurai and Kozhikode. South India tourism offers railway connectivity across multiple states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Major railway junctions include the ones at Alleppey in Kerala, Kozhikode in Kerala, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Mysore in Karnataka and many others. Road connectivity is possible through a network of major roads and highways including the National Highways 44, 32, 42 and 66. There are TNSTC, KSRTC and other buses running throughout the region.

The wonders of South India Tourism do not only cover beautiful beach towns but also pristine mountainous regions. Some of the leading hill stations in the region include Kerala’s Munnar, which offers beautiful waterfalls, tea gardens and lakes along with several other natural attractions. Ooty is one of the best hill stations in the region which is surrounded by the imposing Nilgiri Hills. It offers varied attractions including the Madumalai National Park, Kalhatty Waterfalls, Rock view Point, Ooty Rose Garden and many others. Idukki is another charming hill station which offers pristine tea gardens, sanctuaries, national parks, plantations and a lot more. Kodaikanal is one of the major hill stations in Tamil Nadu with scenic landscapes and stunning views along with landmarks like the Kodaikanal Lake. Coorg is also worth visiting with its hills, mists, coffee plantations, tea gardens and a lot more.

There are many beachside attractions that you should check out as part of your South India Tourism package. Some of the top beaches in South India include the Promenade Beach in Pondicherry which has various statues, monuments, shops and a lot more. The Serenity Beach in Pondicherry is another hotspot for swimming and surfing along with offering beachside games. Chennai has the Covelong Beach which is neat and clean and offers facilities for both swimming, fishing and more. The Mypadu Beach at Nellore is another gorgeous beach with its beautiful sands and activities like games and sunbathing. Auroville Beach in Pondicherry is also worth visiting for its stunning sunset and sunrise views along with watersports. You can also consider the Alappuzha Beach for its exquisite backwaters and the nearby Vijaya Beach Park. Varkala Beach in Kerala has a lovely landscape dotted with cliffs and is a great beach to relax. Karnataka has the Gokarna Beach which offers a peaceful ambience with several Ayurvedic treatments, delicious local cuisine, boating, watersports and a lot more. The Mahabalipuram Beach and Kanyakumari Beach are two other beaches worth checking out along with the Chennai Marina Beach.

One of the best parts about experiencing South India Tourism is shopping at some of the major markets in the region. Bangalore is famous for its Commercial Street which offers loads of bargains on a variety of items. Hyderabad’s Laad Bazaar offers pearls, clothing, perfumes and a lot more. Trivandrum is dotted with street markets like the Connemara Market, Chalai Market and the Balaramapuram Kavithai, offering souvenirs and products aplenty. Chennai has various shops and emporiums offering the famous Kanjeevaram sarees as well.

The essence of South India Tourism is not only in its natural attractions and historical monuments. It also lies in the local traditions, cultures and of course, cuisine! South India has a rich culinary tradition and it is hard to pick only a few local delights. Nevertheless, you should not miss trying the Chicken Chettinad which fuses spices like cinnamon, cumin, cloves and coconut paste for a yummy blend. Try out the Andhra Style Chicken Curry, which is made using curry leaves, ginger-garlic paste, chicken masala, cinnamon and cashew and poppy seed paste for a delectable mix. The Masala Dosa is a famous option in this region and you will find it almost everywhere along with the scintillating chutney and Sambar. You will also love feasting on the Idlis, Appams and Vadas across South India. In fact, chicken stew or other curries can be marvelously paired with Appams here. You can also try the Hyderabadi Biryani which is a signature specialty and also the iconic Kerala Prawn Curry.

If you are booking a South India Tourism package, then you should choose your destinations with care. South India is a vast region, covering several Indian states. These include Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It also includes the Pondicherry and Lakshadweep union territories. Southern India not only has the Eastern and Western Ghats Mountain ranges but is also surrounded by the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal to its west and east respectively. The Indian Ocean bounds the region from the south. Some of the leading cities in South India include Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Hyderabad (Telangana), Kochi (Kerala) and Bangalore (Karnataka).

Make sure that your South India Tourism package gives you enough time to visit some of the top restaurants in the region. Some of the top picks include Villa Shanti in Pondicherry which offers French, Italian and Indian cuisine. The zucchini and mushroom crepe here is worth trying. Dakshin in Chennai is another must-visit, offering fabulous Thalis and ala-carte options alike. Adaa in Hyderabad offers original recipes including a delicious lamb Biryani along with the Patthar Ka Gosh lamb. Aish in Hyderabad offers a regal atmosphere along with classic Hyderabadi dishes while Amethyst in Chennai is all about fine dining with a global menu for company. Bangalore has its Fatty Bao that offers delicious baos with everything from fired aubergine to roast duck on offer. Ginger House in Cochin offers a lovely waterfront ambience along with a museum and fabulous culinary treasures. It is truly an endless list!

Compiling a list of the best cafes in South India is really tough. However, depending on the South India Tourism package that you’re booking, make sure you check out some of these places if possible. Tryst Café is the pride of Chennai, offering Continental, Mexican and Italian fare with a bakery as well. Wild Garden Café at Amethyst offers a green ambience along with Italian and Continental dishes galore. Chennai’s English Tearoom is another charming destination with its Italian, Mexican and Asian dishes along with its exotic line-up of teas alongside. The Kashi Art Café in Kochi is worth visiting for its quaint architecture and fabulous art gallery. Dyu Art Café in Bangalore offers similar architectural magnificence with great music and lip-smacking food.

South India Tourism packages are incomplete without visiting the famous markets and purchase some fabulous souvenirs to take back home. Popular picks include Tanjore paintings with their signature motifs and also essential and aromatherapy oils that you will find across Yercaud, Ooty, Kodaikanal and other hill stations. Kanchipuram Sarees are famous souvenirs that are available in the Kanchipuram district and several areas of Tamil Nadu. Mahabalipuram is where you will find several enchanting statues, artifacts and miniatures. Other popular souvenirs include Kathakali masks (available in Kerala), handicrafts made with coconut shells, pearls (available in Hyderabad) and spices. Pochampally cotton is also quite famous in the region.