For people who haven’t been to the southern half of India, South India tour packages offer a lot of options. There are a half dozen unique states that make up this part of the country. And each of them has a unique cultural experience that you can explore with family and friends.
This part of the country is heavily separated from the rest of the country by the Vindhya mountain range. Which have kept it relatively safe from foreign invaders of the past. The southern states themselves have lots of mountain ranges. from the Nilgiris to the Western Ghats. Which have lots of memorable mountains peaks that you can visit.
Which makes South India tour packages a perfect treat for trekking enthusiasts. Who can visit all the hill stations at affordable prices. Thanks to the extensive range of South India Tourism Packages available these days. We often mention all these states together. Because they have a unique shared culture that is quite distinct from the rest of the country. Not unlike how we reference North East tour packages as a separate experience.
As we mentioned above, this region of the country is quite distinct from other parts. Owing to the mountain ranges that separate it from the rest of the country. This has had a big influence on how the culture of this region has developed over the years.
All states have their own unique languages that descend from the Dravidian school. Which is over 2000 years old. Each language has a rich history and grammar. Out of which Tamil is one of the oldest languages in the world. That is still spoken by millions of people.
Owing to this separation, even the art and artistry of this area are quite distinct. With a specialized version of Carnatic music, that rivals the Hindustani tradition. In complexity and cultural significance. This music tradition also gave birth to special kinds of classical dances. Such as Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, and Mohiniattam.
You can experience all these languages, music, and forms of dance. By scheduling your South India tour packages to coincide with popular holiday festivals. Such as Pongal, Onam, Hampi Utsav, Mysore Dasara, and the Natyanjali Dance Festival. Which are only celebrated in this region of the country. And attract tourists from all over the world.
Not only tourists, but foreign traders have also been a constant presence in this region. With a well-documented history that is well over 2000 years old. Of various cultures and religions coming to these shores. And leaving behind physical monuments of early settlements. Of Jews, Christians, Muslims, and many more religions.
The culture of the region has also been heavily influenced by these foreign visitors. Who left their mark in terms of both art and architecture. Which are still intact and be easily witnessed. In the form of some of the oldest religious structures in all of Asia.
The people of this region adopted these cultures and traditions into their mix. And made it so that South India still has one of the most diverse cultures diasporas in the entire world.
The Geography
Tourists are also attracted to the unique geography of the region. Which consists of lush green rainforests, sandy beaches, and inland waterways. All of this natural bounty is healthily nourished by a humid tropical weather system. Which enjoys cool temperatures and breezy weather throughout the year. Thanks to being surrounded by oceans and seas on both sides.
The mountains ranges that dot this region not only keep it protected from most invaders. But also provide lots of rainfall. Which contributes to the lush greenery, and abundance of rivers and waterfalls. That makes this region perfect for growing coffee, tea, and a variety of spices.
The plantations that grow these staples of trades make for a must-visit destination. On any family or honeymoon tour packages. Owing to their natural beauty and historical significance. Since it is these very staples products that made South India a global hub for foreign traders. And contributed to its rise to prominence in early human history.
All these cultural and geographical advantages make South India a truly special place. And provide lots of opportunities for tourists. Who can visit each state and enjoy a completely novel traveling experience. Unlike anything that this country has to offer.
But before you begin booking your own South India tour packages. Let us first give you an overview of each state. Along with some highlights of what makes them a great travel destination.
Kerala
Kerala is one of the most famous tourist destinations in all of South India, if not the entire country. It has lots of natural attractions for tourists to explore. From long sandy beaches to a vast network of inland waterways. As well as lots of hill stations that host all sorts of spice and coffee/tea plantations.
A lot of the region is solely dedicated to animal conservation. So there are plenty of wildlife sanctuaries that you can visit. In addition, you will also find lots of religious monuments in this region. From temples to churches, and mosques. Which are some of the oldest standing religious structures in all of South Asia. This makes this state a great option for both families and regular backpackers.
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is another popular tourist destination known for its rich cultural diversity. It is safely located on the foothills of the eastern ghats. With Vizag serving as the eastern command location for the Indian Navy. You can visit this state to see the beautiful beaches and lush valleys. As well as the 40 major and minor rivers that mark this beautiful state.
In addition to its natural beauty, this state is also a major religious destination. With major Hindu pilgrimages, like:
You can also visit the five ancient Hindu temples of Lord Shiva, known as Pancharama Kshetras. Located at Amararama, Draksharama, Somarama, Ksheerarama and Kumararama. There are also other prominent religious places you can visit. Based on how much time you have to explore the region.
Telangana
Telangana is one of the youngest states in Indian history. But that doesn’t mean it lacks historical significance. There are lots of places in this state that will fill you with cultural pride. Owing to their religious and historical significance. And you can visit them all through a slew of South India tour packages that fit every kind of budget.
Some of the common historical places for tourists to visit are the Golconda and Warangal Fort. The Chowmahalla, and Taj Falaknuma Palace. Charminar in Hyderabad, which also hosts the famous world famous Ramoji Film City. As well as the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and all its related rivers.
In addition, this state also has a bounty of religious locations to see. Such as:
Karnataka
Karnataka has a unique place in any South India tour packages. Specifically for its rich cultural and natural diversity. On one hand, it features modern and diverse cities like Bangalore and Mysore. That have their own distinct look and feel. And feature world-class amenities mixed with an old-world charm.
On the other hand, you have more old-school locations. Which are famous for their religious and cultural heritage. Like Hampi, Bijapur, Belur, Halebidu, and Udupi. We might as well count Chitradurga Fort in this list, as it is as unique as any other place on this list.
These places attract tourists from all over the world. With their distinct architectural heritage and religious importance. However, if you would rather avoid the crowds. Then there are always more serene and beautiful options to explore. Like the majestic hills of Coorg, Nandi Hills, Gokarna, and Chikmagalur. Which displays a raw natural beauty that is truly unmatched.
If you can manage to travel a bit more. There are even more remote and exceptionally beautiful locations to visit. Like the majestic Shivanasamudra Falls, Jog Falls, and the flowing waters at Dandeli. We can promise that each place you visit will have some of the most beautiful sights this country has to offer.
Tamil Nadu
Like any other place on this list, this state too features a lot of beautiful sights to see. As you can guess, some of the most important ones have deep religious significance. This region represents some of the most intricate architectural expressions of religion. Not just India, but the entire world. Some distinct temples that you must see are:
Of course, there are dozens of other temples that you can visit. These are just some of the more famous ones that often make it on most travel lists. Once again, if you prefer the embrace of nature, there are other options to explore as well.
Such as the world-class Sholayar Dam. And the tranquil Mannavanur, Kodaikanal, and Pykara Lake. You can always go to the seashore to find pristine beaches. One of the more famous spots is the Dhanushkodi Beach Point at Rameshwaram. As well as the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
For history aficionados, places like Mahabalipuram and Vellore Fort are great options. To explore the rich historical heritage of this region. That shines as bright as the religious one. You can see all this and more, even without entering any of the major cities. Like Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli, and more. Which themselves offer a whole another world of cultural influences. Just waiting for you to find them.
One of the great things about having so many locations to explore. Is that you can easily find lots of ways to reach them. South India is exceptionally well-connected to the rest of the country. By air, land, and even sea. You just need to pick the mode of transport you prefer most.
By Air: If air travel suits you best, then you have lots of options to explore from. There are international airports in most major cities. With the most popular options being:
Of course, there are other regional airports as well. But these are the major ones you should consider for easy connectivity.
By Train: Indian Railways has one of the largest networks in the entire world. With lots of options to connect with all major and remote regions of South India. Some of the more popular junctions for train travel are:
You can easily find trains to and from these junctions all year round. With relatively cheap ticket options for even long-distance travel. Some places even have special trains for tourists. Which travel through famous destinations that are otherwise hard to access. Make sure you enquire about that before making your final booking.
By Road: As you can expect, there is no shortage of road connectivity in these states. In fact, for driving enthusiasts, South India presents some of the most scenic routes in all of India. You can either drive there yourself. Or finds lots of options in both regular and luxury travel buses.
There are also taxi services that cater to tourists. But they are generally considered expensive and chosen as a last resort. For people who don’t like traveling with crowds. Nevertheless, you will have no shortage of options when it comes to exploring South India by road.
Like we mentioned in our Kerala tour packages section. South India enjoys a tropical weather pattern which makes it pleasant all year round. But the best time to visit the region is always in winter. From October to April.
This period features cool temperatures, with lots of sunshine, and some rain. It is also the peak tourist season. So you can expect the prices for South India tour packages to be at the highest.
If you want to get some cheaper rates, you can try visiting in the summer months. There is still lots of tourist traffic, but it’s not as expensive as winter. You will have to avoid going out during noon hours though. As it can get quite hot and humid during these months.
As always, we don’t recommend visiting during monsoons. As the entire region faces lots of rains during this period. This means watersports activities are mostly canceled. And the beaches too are often shut down until winter starts. In recent years, there have also been instances of flooding in select locations. So make sure you consult weather reports before making any plans.
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