Let us take you to South India! India is a case of ‘you either love it or you hate it’. This astonishingly large Asian country, with its 1.5 billion inhabitants, is not typically on travelers’ bucket lists. India can be intense, overwhelming in every aspect. The thousands and one smells, colors, the Bollywood vibe, the hospitable yet oh-so-clingy population (‘picture please?’), and the overall Chaos. With a capital C, yes. The most intense country we have ever visited. And yet, despite this, it’s a case of ‘you get so much back’. A refreshing Mango Lassi, for example, with homemade naan and an amazing curry.
If you want to escape the crowded cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore and somewhat seek peace and space (it’s possible in India!), then head to the south of India: the exotic, green province of Kerala is eager to be discovered. The expansive backwaters, the authentic rural life, the green tea plantations, and the wildlife like elephants and tigers (yes, really!) await you in South India. And last but not least: the vast sandy beaches are eager for you to lay down a towel.
In short: In the south, you will find the other India. South India is known as one of the most relaxed, laid-back places in the country. You get the pleasures without the burdens of the intense and incredible vacation country of India. Here are the best tips, tricks, and must-dos in South India. We give you the best reasons to travel to South India. Off we go!
South India
→ Handy: Plan your trip using the building blocks of Riskja.
→ Hotel tips: Forte Kochi or Heritage Madurai.
First things first: how to get to South India?
When traveling from the Netherlands to the oh-so-large India, you often fly most conveniently to Mumbai or New Delhi. From here, catch a domestic flight to Kochi or Trivandrum, and voilà: in just two hours of flying (Mumbai to Kochi), you land in a completely different world compared to the bustling cities. The slow, peaceful, and laid-back life calls to you, and we gladly immerse ourselves in it. Just make sure you have your visa arranged before heading to India.
Best time to visit
What is the best time to visit South India? From October to February, although the months of May and June are generally also good travel months. If you’re traveling – like we did – during July and August, be prepared for heavy downpours; the monsoon sweeps across the country. The advantage? It’s cooler in the country, as is South India. Because boy, does it get bloody hot in India.
Where to stay?
The south of India is still – not surprisingly in this overwhelmingly large country – enormous. You can spend weeks, what are we saying, months in this part of India. If you don’t have that time, then here are a few recommended overnight spots. Here are three of the most fun, beautiful, and best accommodation choices in South India:
Staying on a boat in Kerala: this is a must if you’re traveling in the southern part of India. Hundreds of traditional kettuyallems (trading boats) have been transformed into overnight accommodations. This way, you experience the Indian backwaters at their best. You check in around noon, then sail through the backwaters while being immersed in the hospitality & culinary arts for which the province of Kerala is famous. You eat and sleep on the boat, and in the morning, at the magical sunrise, the backwaters seem even more beautiful. A private room with an en-suite bathroom and a lovely living room? No problem. Prefer to share a boat with other travelers to save costs? Plenty of options. We chose Venice Premium Houseboats Alleppey, and it was a hit! For about 80 euros per 24 hours (for 2 people including accommodations, three meals, and sailing), you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Guaranteed.
Forte Kochi: the chance is big that you fly into Kochi, and to relax directly & leave the hustle and bustle behind, this hotel is delightful. Housed in a charming building, this cozy hotel features a swimming pool, spacious rooms, and is just a 4-minute walk from the beach. Ha! That’s why we came. You pay about 90 euros per night for a double room, including breakfast.
Heritage Madurai: in the city of temples, you stay in an oasis of peace at Heritage Madurai. For a luxury villa with a private plunge pool, pay 166 euros per night, or a double room costs you 120 euros per night. Of course, with a delicious breakfast. The good news? With a tuktuk, you can reach the temples in just a few minutes, so you won’t miss any.
5 reasons to travel to South India now
We spent three weeks in South India, which was too short, but those limited vacation days… Make sure to at least check off these top 5 to get a taste of South India.
Kerala
Oh, we love Kerala, and that’s no lie. The nature, the tranquility, the friendly people, and the endless rows of palm trees immerse you in the ultimate vacation feeling. Prepare for a lot of waving: ‘miss, miss!’ and attention from the local population. From Kochi, you can take a bus that runs all day to Alleppey in about 1.5 hours. You jump on a houseboat and experience the backwaters at their best.
→ Also read: For your India bucket list: Sail on a houseboat through Alleppey.
Bandipur National Park
We were really looking forward to this, three days on a safari in South India. Hoping to spot a tiger (spoiler: succeeded) in the wild. Organized by an Indian wildlife photographer, we were the only foreign tourists in our small group during these three days. So, we thundered through the national park in a large jeep. Be prepared for – for us Westerners – quite spicy food; they’re not for ‘tourist spicy’ here. Spotted during the multiple game drives? Leopards, tigers, elephants, monkeys, bears, and bison among others. One tip: definitely don’t go for just a day – or even worse, an hour – to the park for a game drive. You would then only stay in the front section of the park: less beautiful, less chance of spotting (large) animals. Additionally, a day safari is busy, busy, busy, not the experience you want. The cost for the three-day safari package, including two nights? About 300 euros for two people.
Kochi
As true Dutch people, you obviously hop on a bike to discover this traditionally colonial city at its best. Although it is the second-largest city in the province of Kerala, we found it relatively quiet here and what surprised us the most? The wonderful atmosphere. Be sure to take a tour through Fort Kochi – a historic neighborhood with many Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences – with its art galleries and lovely cafes. Make sure to tick off Trouvaille Cafe and Lila Art Cafe on your to-do list.
Madurai
One of the oldest cities in South India and well-known for its incredible temples. Our favorite? Meenakshi Amman Temple. Furthermore, the street food tour in this city is delightful: dishes like tandoori, saag, and paneer. You name it, and all Indian classics are served on your plate. We certainly don’t say no to that. If there is one good reason to travel to India, it’s the delicious Indian cuisine.
Palolem
The province of Goa is known for its sun, sea, beach, and yoga culture. In the southern part of the province, it is much quieter than in the festive, more vibrant north. Our favorite in the south of Goa? Palolem: located in a bay, surrounded by greenery and countless palm trees. It is a wonderful, relaxed place to complete your journey through South India. We planned to stay two nights but ended up staying five. That’s how it goes here… in Palolem. Best beaches? Cola Beach and Agonda Beach. Palolem is trendy, hot & happening regarding restaurants, so your favorite smoothie bowl is no problem here. In our humble opinion, the best spot is Zest Café.
Aah South India, we can be brief: the other India where you can relax after all the hustle and overwhelming smells and colors that India is rich in!
Want to read more about India?
Handy links:
Plan a trip right away!
→ View all articles about Portugal here.
Leave a Reply