It is no secret that India, being a tropical country, can get very hot and humid and the summers here are also as scorching. The South of India, being closer to the equator, is hotter and that is why the months of April to June often becomes unbearable. The summer months sees the people of South India sweating profusely, but that thankfully, there are some retreats in this region as well, which provides a pleasant respite from the heat. Not only can you get away from the heat, but there are also places where you can simply relax and have all the fun you want, along with enjoying some adventure activities as well. Here are some of the places in South India to head to:
One of the most popular hill stations in South India, Munnar is known for its stunning green hills and great plantations that cover the slopes. The hills of Munnar come alive during the summers, with many people coming here for a vacation. The tea plantations here have many blends of tea and there are coffee and some spice plantations as well. A walk through the plantations will provide you with a very tranquil experience. Do visit the Lockhart tea factory to see how tea leaves are processed to give you the flavorful tea that you have. The Pothmedu viewpoint offers a splendid view of the surrounding landscape and the Muniyara Dolmens is also a popular spot to visit. You can also take long and leisurely walks through the trails around the hills of Munnar.
Best time to visit: Round the year
Wayanad, in Kerala, will leave you speechless with its stunning beauty and the wide scope of having fun and indulging in some thrilling activity. The slopes of Wayanad are not just pretty, but the local culture is very cosmopolitan and yet has a heritage of their own which the people love to express and carry forward. You can enjoy the flora and fauna of the hills and the national park here will give you a glimpse of the wildlife. The tea plantations here are picture perfect and if you want to some exercise and crave some adventure, then you can trek to Chembra Peak. The region also has a history which the locals will fill you with. The Edakkal Caves are thrilling to explore and the Meenmutty Falls makes a great backdrop for stunning pictures.
Best time to visit: October to March
The backwaters of the Kerala will prove to be an ideal spot if you are thinking of where to spend your summer vacation. Alleppey happens to be the most famous of them all the pristine beauty of the region will take your breath away. The scenery around is stunning, which is why many honeymooners come here as well. It makes for a great romantic getaway and the general ambience here is very laid- back. The grand Nehru Trophy Boat Race takes place in the month of August and is a local highlight for which people come from all the surrounding places to visit. The Alappuzha Beach is one of the most famous beaches of Kerala and it has great golden sand beaches stretching for miles. There is a lighthouse here and sea gulls are everywhere. You can also enjoy some great water sports. The Marari Beach happens to be another important beach in the vicinity.
Best time to visit: September to April
There is no better place to get to know the culture of Kerala firsthand than Thrissur. There are many temples here and festivals take place around them at various times of the year. If you love the outdoors, you will have a great time exploring the local markets for spices and handcrafted goods. The Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple is an important landmark and hundreds of devotees come here every day to pay their respects to the idol. The Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda Museum will give you an idea about how rich and scientific was the knowledge of sages and wise men who could heal anybody with their potions and herbal medicines. It is very enlightening to know about the various medicinal properties of the plants. Do visit the Thrissur Zoo, where you will encounter a number of animals like leopards, bears, giraffes, tigers, along with monkeys, zebras and a large variety of birds. If you want some exercise, then head to the Athirappilly Falls for a trek and once you reach the top, you will see a great view of the city spread out below.
Best time to visit: August to February
This hill town is located in Tamil Nadu and is a much loved summer getaway for the people of South India. This city is located in the hills and people from Chennai often come here to escape the heat. The weather remains pleasant throughout the year but the summers are delightfully cool and comfortable. The temperature can drop quite a bit during the night and so it is advisable to carry some warm clothes. There are some wonderful tree plantations here which are a pleasure to walk through. Hiking in Kodaikanal is very pleasurable because of the numerous beautiful trails that lead away from the region. There are quite a few provisions for adventure sports like rock climbing and paragliding as well. The Berijam Lake is a great place to go boating.
Best time to visit: July to February
Ooty was built by the British on the hill and it still retains those English country lanes. The paths are lined with tall pine trees and there are some great religious sites as well. Ooty has a cooler climate during the summers and flower shows are held frequently between October to February, which fills this hill city with a riot of colors. You must take a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Toy train and the trails around Ooty are great for trekking. You can also try adventure sports like paragliding and if you just want to relax, then you can simply go for boating at the Avalanche Lake. The Dodabetta is the highest spot in Ooty and there are many viewpoints here where you can trek to. Do visit the Mukurthi National Plark if you love nature and wildlife and you will encounter the famous Nilgai here, along with leopards, deer, langurs, alligators and various species of rare birds. If you happen to visit during the winter months, you will also see a number of migratory birds here.
Best time to visit: Round the year
It is not as if the temperatures drop drastically in Yalagiri during the summers- in fact, it can still get very hot during the day time, – but nevertheless, it has emerged as one of the more famous hill stations in Tamil Nadu. It has everything that a family will need to enjoy a great vacation- like great locales, good food, affordable accommodation and quite a few places for sightseeing and having fun. There are wide parks here and the children love to run around. The Yelagiri Forest will induce you to go on long nature walks and the Jalagamparai Waterfalls have some truly picaresque locations. There are some great cafes where which will take care of your hunger pangs.
Best time to visit: August to September
One of the most ideal getaway destinations in South India, there are some great adventure spots here which will make you fall in love with this place. The hills are fascinating, and they are lush and green, with mists in the morning creating a dreamy look. You can go for trekking in the trails around the hills and there are many lakes here which are ideal for boating. If you are looking for a quiet and tranquil place, then do visit the Tiger Hill Cemetery. The Lamb’s Rock is a popular viewpoint and the Dolphin’s Nose is also always crowded. The Sims Park is a great place to lounge around there are a few rides here which the children enjoy. Coonoor also has a number of plantations near the outskirts and you can have guided tour of the tea and coffee factories.
Best time to visit: October to March
Coorg is an ideal spot if you are into nature photography because every turn will reveal something new. The scenery here is breathtaking, and you will find it ideal for exploration. If you want to experience the true beauty of the Western and Eastern Ghats, then you must come here. The rocky terrain here is also apt for rock climbing and the streams here provide scope for river rafting as well. There are hidden caves and waterfalls which are a joy to explore. The Abbey Falls happens to be the most popular ones of them. The Honnamana Kere is also a popular spot and at the Nagarhole Wildlife sanctuary, you would have come across a wide variety of birds and animals, many of which are endangered and have been given protection here. It is one of the best summer tourist places in South India.
Best time to visit: November to April
If you want to travel to a less crowded place for your summer vacation, then head towards Gokarna. Beaches can be very calming during the summers because of the sea breeze and you can also swim as much as you want in the waters. While you might not be able to sunbathe in the heat, you can still enjoy sipping cold coconut water in the shade and the beach shacks sell amazing food and cold mocktails as well. Gokarna also has a number of therapeutic centers which are ideal for pampering yourself if you want to get a massage. It will be a great way to get your energy back once the heat has sapped you of it in the city. The Om Beach is very quiet and tranquil, and so is the Half Moon Beach. The Koti Tirtha is a popular place of sightseeing and you may also the famed Mahabaleshwara Temple in the vicinity.
Best time to visit: Round the year
This pristine and delightful location in South India is a perfect example of nature’s beauty and you will fall in love with it as soon as you step out of the vehicle. The picaresque locations, the gorgeous waterfalls and the sacred lake in the heart of the region, which is dedicated to Goddess Sita is what makes this region so special. The hill station draws many tourists round the year, but it is still a lesser known place compared to other regions like Ooty or Munnar. There aren’t a lot of activities to indulge in here as well, but if its nature’s beauty you want to enjoy, then this place is perfect for you.
How to reach: Airport- Cochin 149 Km, Railway station- Kottayam 132 Km
Best time to visit: September to May
Vythiri is a hidden gem in South India and you will be rewarded with the best of nature’s bouty, The region is perfect if you want to relax in refreshing surroundings. The stay in this small hill town is also very comfortable, thanks to the many lodges and guest houses which are seen here. The slopes are full of verdant greenery, and the best time to visit is right after the monsoons when the slopes are washed and freshened after the dryness of the summers. The place almost has an exotic air to it, and the food here is mostly made from fresh produce.
How to reach: Airport- Calicut 85 Km, Railway station- Bangalore 60 Km and Mysore 150 Km
Best time to visit: September to May
Located at a height of 1500 meters above sea level, this place guarantees many beautiful scenic locales and you will have something new to wonder at every turn. The climate is very relaxing and the greenery is soothing to the eyes, after the stress and pollution of the concrete jungles of the city. Moreover, Yercaud also happens to be quite affordable in terms of expenses and so even if you are on a vacation with your family, you will not need to spend much and still enjoy a great holiday.
How to reach: Airport-Trichy 163 Km, Railway station-Salem 36 Km
Best time to visit: September to May
One of the most popular destinations among honeymooning couples, this region is known for its unmatched beauty. The hill tracts of this region have a pleasant climate throughout the year, which is why the tourists also visit in large numbers very often. Different varieties of plants and insects can be seen here as well and at the same time, this also happens to be a great spot for adventure sports and activities. One can enjoy rappelling and zorbing and the wonderful trails around the hills offer great opportunity for trekking and hiking. The beauty of nature happens to be untouched and you will seldom find such pretty scenery.
How to reach: Airport- Tirupati 160 Km and Bangalore 165 Km, Railway station- Madanapalle 43 Km
Best time to visit: September to May
Another popular hill station in Kerala, the pleasant climate of the place is its USP. You can gaze and endless valleys from atop the hills, crisscrossed by streams and rivers, and the banks of the rivers are lush with greenery. Couples mostly come here for their honeymoon and the hill station takes on a very enchanting appearance during the sunrise and the sunsets. If you are looking for a place to relax, without any worries and away from the hullaballoo of the city, then look no further. There are a number of forested lands here and so you may also go for jungle safari.
How to reach: Railway station- Trivandrum 65 Km
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
There can hardly be a better location in South India to visit during the summers than the Anathagiri Hills. There is hardly a better place in South India to escape the scorching summers. The coffee plantations here are some of the best in the country. The hills have an enchanting and misty appearance and there are waterfalls and lakes to explore as well. There are some trekking trails here as well, and the rocky terrain lends itself beautifully to rock climbing. In spite of being quite popular among the tourists, this happens to be more or less a simple hill station and that is part of its charm.
How to reach: Railway station- Vikarabad 10 Km
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Idduki is known for its forested land and there are also innumerable tea plantations, and national park and that makes it one of the greenest regions in the country. The moment you step in this hill town, all worries seem to fade away and the stress of city life falls away. The hill station is almost magical in its simplicity and you will love the local food here. Do try the amazing delicacies made from coconut and jaggery and start your day with the aromatic local coffee which will rejuvenate you instantly. With so much greenery around, you will have a great time exploring the flora and the fauna.
How to reach: Airport- Cochin 132 Km, Railway station- Kottayam 133 Km
Best time to visit: October to June
Araku Valley is located near Vizag and happens to be a great tourist destination because the sea and the hills can be found in such close quarters. The surrounding landscape is very clean and pristine and there are also provisions for camping in the valley. If you want to spend some quality time with your loved ones, then this is the place to be in. The beauty of nature can be witnessed from very close quarters from here and you will find splendid pathways to conduct nature walks. The valley is quite dreamy in itself, and you will find some old houses here which will remind you of by gone era. It is one of the best tourist places in South India during summer.
How to reach: Airport- Vishakhapatnam 112 Km, Railhead of Araku
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
If you love trekking and other such physical activity, then this is the ideal spot for you because a number of adventure sports can be enjoyed here. You can try camping, trekking and camping, and there are stunning hills, rivers and lakes around. The place is great for family vacations and also for solo trips. It is quite a challenge traversing through the rocky surfaces, testing one’s own strengths and stamina. One will surely remember the thrill of trekking through these trails and enjoying the lushness of the region. You can enjoy other adventure sports here as well.
How to reach: Airport- Mangalore 99 Km, Railway station- Mangalore 99 Km
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Nandi Hills, in spite of being a hill station, is also known for its cozy and homely surroundings. The hill station is so named because it takes on the shape of a sleeping bull and has thus been named after the Nandi bull of Lord Shiva. You will love the picaresque locals here and, you will fall in love with its charm. Nature is at its best and the hills come alive during the sunrise and the sunsets, when the rays of the sun seem to touch the head of the bull. It creates a most majestic ambience and many people also hold the hill in reverence and offer prayers at the Shiva temple located here
How to reach: Airport- Bangalore 60 Km, Railway station- Chikkaballapur
Best time to visit: Throughout the year
So, if you feel like fretting due to the hot summer months, do visit these places in South India during summer and they will surely provide you respite from the heat. The hill stations and beaches of South India will calm you body, mind and soul and they are the perfect spots to leave your worldly worries behind and spend some unadulterated time with your family.
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