South India’s Hidden Gems: 5 Off-Beat Travel Spots In South India

Traveling the off-beaten path is a recent travel trend with more and more tourists choosing to explore the unseen for unique travel experiences. The Southern side of India is not just blessed with beautifully adorned temples, stunning beaches, and monuments; it also offers secluded destinations that remain untouched by conventional tourism. You can book a South India tour package to explore these places. All these destinations are imbued with beauty, tranquility, and stunning landscapes offering a one-of-a-kind experience to every traveler.

What’s more interesting about South India’s lesser-known places is that they offer equally enchanting experiences similar to the tourist hotspots. From hill stations to beaches and the tranquil Eastern and Western Ghats, every corner of South India offers picturesque places to uncover.

If you like venturing into the unknown, pack your bags and fly to these beautiful places for a distinctive yet calming experience. Take a look at these top 5 picks from South India’s off-beat travel wonders for a South India tour.

1. Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh

Araku Valley is a beautiful green valley located in Andhra Pradesh. It’s a quaint hill station encompassing the lush green forests of Eastern and Western Ghats. The valley is widely known for its coffee plantations, waterfalls, verdant gardens, valleys, and captivating landscapes. The valley is in proximity to the Odisha state border and remains untouched by mainstream tourism. This place is also popularly held as the Ooty of Andhra Pradesh because of its beauty and pleasant weather. Book an Andhra Pradesh tour package today to travel to the Araku Valley.

Places To Visit

• Borra caves
• Katiki Waterfalls
• Chaparai Waterfalls
• Tadimada Waterfalls
• Padmapuram Gardens
• Bheemili Beach

2. Pollachi, Tamil Nadu

Widely held as the Coconut City of India, Pollachi is a beautiful town in the Coimbatore region of Tamil Nadu. It is home to one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries—Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. The town is abundant with rich coconut plantations. It is in proximity to the foothills of the Western Ghats. Pollachi offers a refreshing escape from the grind of the city life. The town is dotted with lush green meadows, rich plantations, and a great biodiversity. If you are a nature lover seeking peace amidst the beautiful vistas, Pollachi is an ideal pick to unwind.

Places To Visit

• Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary
• Arulmigu Maasani Amman Temple
• Arulmigu Subramanyar Thirukoil Temple
• Sulakkal Mariamman Temple

3. Gandikota, Andhra Pradesh

Gandikota is a village nestled in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh sharing proximity with the Penna river. This village is best known for the Gandikota Fort. The fort was a major center of power for several dynasties such as the Chalukayas and Golconda Sultanate. If you are a history buff and have a penchant for discovering hidden facts, Gandikota has that old-world charm that can intrigue you. The village is a cornucopia of rustic beauty and surreal appeal. It is famed for gorges being formed due to the river flowing through the Erramala Hills.

Places To Visit

• Gondikota Fort
• Pennar Gorge Viewpoint
• Raghunathaswamy Temple

4. Badami, Karnataka

This town located in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka served as the capital of Badami Chalukayas. It is widely known for its rock-cut monuments and cave temples. Bhutanatha Temples, Badami Shivalaya, and Jambuligeshwara Temples are some of the famous places of worship located here. For those fascinated by historical sites and glorious temples, Badami is a great place to explore. The rugged terrains, sandstone hills, rock-cut structures, and beautiful lakes make Badamai a place worth visiting. Book Karnataka tour packages to visit forts, lakes, and museums in Badami.

Places To Visit

• Agastya Lake
• Badami Fort
• Bhuthanatha Temple
• Banashankari Temple
• Aihole
• Archaeological Museum

5. Coonoor, Tamil Nadu

Coonoor is a town located in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu. It is a beautiful yet quaint hill station surrounded by rolling hills, tea estates, viridescent valleys, parks, and picturesque landscapes. Coonoor’s beauty is deeply etched in its majestic hills and beautiful vistas. The town is widely known for the production of Nilgiri tea. A place known as ‘the Hidden Valley’ is a must-visit place in Coonoor. It’s a dreamy place that has an other-worldly charm. One can go for nature walks, plantation tours, and photography when in Coonoor.

Places To Visit

• Sim’s Park
• Droog Fort
• Dolphine’s Nose
• Lambs Rock
• Hidden Valley

If these places fascinate you and inspire you to discover the off-beat places in South India, reach out to the experts at My Flight Trip for travel guidance.