Nature trails in South India
Luxurious green velvety South India is a nature lover’s paradise dotted with hills stations, coffee – tea plantation, pristine beaches and national parks.
The gorgeous hill stations offer pleasant retreat from the maddening crowd and sweltering heat. The dense tea and coffee plantation, spice farms, quiet lakes and meandering rivers, misty valleys and flora and fauna of these holiday havens rejuvenate the mind and soul of people. For a diverse and active vacation, the hill resorts offer mountaineering, trekking, hiking, fishing and boating. Ooty, Kodaikanal, Nilgiri, Munnar, Anantagiri, Coonoor, Coorg are some of the popular hill stations in the South.
The beaches in South India have remained as pristine and unspoiled as before. The balance between the serenity of the turquoise water, swaying palm trees dotted along the golden sand against the high and mighty waves of the sea is something not to be missed. Water sports such as fishing, swimming, boating, windsurfing and sun or sea bathing are popular among the holidaymakers. Relaxing in a deck chair and reveling in the beauty of glowing sunrises and sunsets while sipping fresh and sweet coconut water, tasting the local seafood cuisine is an ultimate experience. Kovalam Beach, Varkala Beach, Sankhumugham Beach and Thirumullavaram Beach in Kerela, Murudeshwar Beach, Malpe Beach Maravanthe Beach in Karnataka, and Marina beach, Mahabalipuram Beach Kanyakumari Beach in Tamil Nadu are some of the most magnificent beaches of South India.
South India boasts of numerous national parks and wild life resorts. Almost every state of South India has a few national parks where the variety of flora, fauna and wild life will overwhelm the visitors. Almost every national park provides a glimpse of the endangered species in their own indigenous habitat.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary, Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Crocodile Bank, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary, Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagarhole National Park Viralimalai Sanctuary, Kunthakulam Bird Sanctuary are worth putting in the list to see and visit in South India tour. An elephant or jeep safari with an experienced guide will enable tourists to spot animals, recognize the birds and other fauna’s through their calls, show some rare flora and age old trees. A quiet jeep drive through the dense jungle of these national parks, anticipating animals in their natural habitat is definitely going to tantalize the senses and create a deep bonding between man and nature at its very best
Backwater cruises in Kerala is another delightful South Indian specialty which should not be missed at any cost. A cruise in the authentic Kerala houseboat sailing through its myriad canals, passing villages, cultivated fields, lotus and water lily around will give an insight into the lives of people living and working in the areas. Clean and fresh nature, unlike the hustle bustle of the crowded city life, will bring peace and calm and relax the holidaymakers to be at par with nature. Relax and explore the magnificent beauty of the land in the houseboats sailing through either of these ports. Backwater destinations in Kerala are Alappuza, Kochi, Kollam, Kasargod, Kottayam, Kumarakom, Kozhikkode, Kuttanad, Thiruvananathapuram and Thiruvallam.
