Kodaikanal – the hill station offering Colonial touch
Cool breezes, blue-green vistas and fields full of flowers compete with Raj-era bungalows, treks through lush forests and boat rides in the lake here. Waterfalls, natural water pools and natural wonders place Kodaikanal as a must-visit destination on your itinerary. At a height of 2000 metres, Kodaikanal affords brilliant views of the plains besides offering sun-scorched citizens the delights of a hill station. After you are done relaxing, pack your gear and go trekking up the hills which provide Southern India’s best trekking.
Must Visit and Do in and around Kodaikanal: Kodai Lake (go boating!), Pillar Rocks, Coaker’s Walk (stunning views), Byrant’s Park (scenic splendour)
Getaways around Kodaikanal: Chennai. 500 kms. Big city with urban fun. Feast on idlis and buy silk sarees.
Coorg – The land of spice and coffee plantation
Greener than green, this verdant region is redolent with the aromas of coffee and cardamom. Relatively undiscovered, and one of the most beautiful areas of Southern India, there is nothing much to ‘do’ in Coorg, but to relax in the untouched surroundings. The Coorgis have a distinct culture and lifestyle that sets them apart and the area makes for some fascinating travelling. Come to Coorg not for sightseeing but to breathe in the fresh, cool air, trek through the surrounding ridges, go golfing, angling or simply unwind amidst the forests and rice fields.
Must Visit in and around Coorg: Madikeri (capital city), Abbi Falls, Omkareshwara Temple (mingling of cultures)
Getaways around Coorg: Nagarhole National Park. 95 kms. One of the best game sanctuaries in India. Untouched. Watch elephants, rhinos, tigers and deer.
Ooty – A British Era Hill Station
An erstwhile home of the Toda Hill tribe, the town was developed by British wayfarers looking to make a fortune with tea plantations. Miles and miles of tea estates make Ooty a picturesque spot. The fun begins on the way itself where the hairpin turns on the road make for an adventure ride while the surrounding beauty soothes your senses. A Raj-era mood adorns the town, complete with an artificial lake, Victorian churches and houses built in stone. Tea plantations here roll down undulating hills and green grasslands proliferate.
Must Visit in and around Ooty: Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, Doddabetta, Adventure! (go paragliding, angling or horse riding)
Getaways around Ooty: Avalanche Lake. 28 kms. Scenic lake with breathtaking beauty and great trout-fishing opportunities.
Kovalam – A Beautiful Fishing Village
Picturesque fishing village turned hip resort town. Although only 10 kms from Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam offers an entirely different experience. The beaches are beautiful with white sands as well as plenty of surf and sun. Local kiosks sell trinkets and psychedelic clothing, shacks ring with music and offer excellent sea food. Come here for some seaside revelry with cheap prices and lots of coconut water.
Must Visit in and around Kovalam: Beaches (Lighthouse Beach, Kovalam Beach, Samudra Beach), Padmanabhapuram Palace, Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kumari Amman Temple
Getaways around Kovalam: Kanyakumari. 87 kms. Stunning stone temples stand on the shores where three seas meet.
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