15 SOUTH INDIA ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

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Why This Road Trip?

Hyderabad and Araku are two beautiful destinations with contrasting terrain, lifestyle, and food.

The tour overflows with natural beauty: blindingly green carpets, palm trees fringing along the road, and sweeping landscapes. If that isn’t something that makes a road trip great, then what does?

The Route:

Driving on the route, along with a smooth journey through the hills, you will cut through the region’s coffee plantations and encounter incredible views.

Be ready to deal with the zigzag bends and curves that will make your heart swirl and your stomach dizzy.

With each mile you cover, you will find the breeze getting colder, the environs becoming greener, and your smile getting bigger. Isn’t that all we want on a road trip?

Do Not Miss

Bongu Chicken! It is a special recipe of the area; you can taste it at the local shacks along the road.

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Why This Road Trip?

Imagine escaping into a paradise with lush green tea plantations, mist, and the bounty of nature. Think about losing yourself in the absolute wilderness and riding an elephant when you hit the lowest of the lows. Well, that is what makes this trip epic.

The Route

A set of three different drives at three different altitudes with three other scenic routes adorn this road trip. We won’t keep you hanging for long. Here is the itinerary for all three routes.

1.  Chennai-Villupuram-Tiruchirapalli-Theni-Bodi Ghat- Munnar (583 KM)

This itinerary offers beautiful views of the plains and covers the gorgeous Trichy. The roads are curvy but without any hairpin bends.

Don’t Miss

Visit The Chinnakanal waterfall on the route and do try the Biryani in Theni.

2. Chennai – Villupuram – Tiruchirapalli – Karur – Udumalpet – Munnar (614 KM)

This route is a scenic delight. If you have some extra time in hand, we would suggest you take this blissful drive. On the way, you will get to see a plethora of waterfalls like Thoovanam and Lakkam. Plus, you can also grab the opportunity of being at the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary on this road trip.

Don’t Miss

Spare some time to go off the route to see the Amaravathi Dam.

3. Chennai-Villupuram-Tiruchirapalli-Theni-Kumily-Kattappana-Idukki dam- Munnar (681 KM)

This route is for people who wish to see Thekkady as well. The entire trail is beautiful, to say the least; however,  the stretch from Thekkady to Munnar, in particular, is drop-dead gorgeous.

Don’t Miss

Try to see the Karimban Kuthu waterfalls in the Periyar valley.

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Why This Road Trip?

One of the country’s best road trips stretches from Bangalore to Ooty. Bringing you the sheer beauty of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu plus the historical city Mysore, this is the perfect family or couple’s road trip encompassing cities, tea plantations, and even jungles.

The Route

Bangalore to Ooty road trip is a beautiful and adventurous drive, routinely on the list of India’s great driving experiences.

You can take this road trip via the two routes listed below:

Bangalore-Mysore-Nanjangud-Bandipur-Masinagudi-Ooty: Let adrenaline kick in with this itinerary boasting of 36 hairpin bends and with extreme Ghat driving.  (283 km)

Bangalore-Mysore-Nanjangud-Bandipur- Gudalur- Ooty: A little longer than the former, this route is safer and equally beautiful. (312 km)

Driver’s note:  If you are a confident driver, do cover this road trip via Bandipur and Masinagudi (the first route) just for the thrill of it.

Do Not Miss

Find your zen at the photography hotspots- Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.

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Why Take This Road Trip?

Stunningly beautiful and blissfully quiet, this road trip boasts of picturesque places and super delicious seafood.  This trip will bejewel your travel journal with the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

Plus, if you are counting experiences, do not forget to add a stay on the Alleppey houseboat and stroll through Cochin’s fishnets.

The Route

From historical Cochin to the exquisite Kanyakumari, the road you’ll take for this trip will circumnavigate the best of Southern India.

On this trip, you will be accompanied by buttery-smooth highways that will, from time to time, cut to magnificent destinations like Alleppey and Thiruvananthapuram. 

Did we tell you that adding some of these pit stops to your itinerary will entirely change your itinerary for good? Well, now, you know. 

Do Not Miss

Bird Watching in Poovar backwaters in Thiruvananthapuram.

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Why Take This Road Trip?

Goa is one of the best vacation destinations in India. Interestingly enough, this “supposed” party capital is scenic, has numerous old-world charms, and boasts an array of colonial-style buildings.    

For this road trip, you will drive through the dramatic western ghats and Konkan with picturesque ghat sections culminating the coast.  

The Route:

This road trip is relatively long. However, the scenic drive and the many pit stops make this journey less tiring.

There are multitudes of ways in which you can complete this road trip. However, the longest and the most popular route of them passes through Hubli and Karwar (706 KM) is the one that we would suggest too.

Is it a shorter route you fancy? Go with the course that passes through Dhawad and Pondar (560 KM).

Don’t Miss

Take detours to the stone fort in Chitradurga, Dudhsagar Waterfalls, and Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary on route via Hubli and Karwar. Thank us later!

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Why Take This Road Trip?

Invoke wanderlust with this easy yet epic road trip covering the touristy Chennai and the quaint hill station Yelagiri Hills.

This road trip takes in the meandering roads, scenic landscapes, and remote wilderness, making it an adventure like no other.  

The Route

Traveling from the bustling Chennai city to Yelagriri feels like ascending towards heaven even when its incredible hairpin turns and curvy roadways keep you on the edge of your seat.

The route is quite fascinating for first-time visitors and reasonably smooth. Generally, people make use of the following two itineraries to cover this road trip.

1.   Chennai-Vellore-Vaniyambadi-Yelagiri Hills
2.  Chennai-Kanchipuram-Yelagiri Hills

Both the routes are strong-paved highways. However, the latter is 3 to 4 km longer than the former.

Do Not Miss

Visit the Jalagamparai Waterfalls, which is a mission to get to, but you won’t regret your decision once you are there. This waterfall cascades down in levels on a rocky foundation creating dreamy scenery. Also, partake in the adventure activities like bungee jumping and paragliding near the hill station. 

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Why Take This Road Trip?

Made up of rolling emerald hills, the opportunity to see animals, coffee plantations, and tea estates, this magnificent road trip encompasses the best of Karnataka.

Along with it, there are old temples, the goodness of Kodava cuisine, and so many perks of taking this trip that jotting each and everyone down may take us a lifetime.

The Route

Coorg is known for its beauty, so it only makes sense that the route covering this road trip will be straight out from a fantasy book page.

The highway is easy-going, and the roads are covered with tall Eucalyptus trees on both sides.

Plus, you will find thatched huts and agricultural fields from time to time, all contributing to the eye-pleasing treat you signed up for.

Do Not Miss

Do visit the Namdroling monastery on your way to Coorg. It is a beautiful monastery that will sprinkle the magic of peace into your life.

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What Makes This Road Trip So Great?

Covering India’s tech hub and a World Heritage Site, you will travel back in time through this time machine of a road trip. Expect to see everything, from sky-scraping buildings to a total of 1600 ruins and sculptures, all in a single go. Where else would you get such a deal!?

The Route

This 343 km long road trip takes you from the tech-hub Bangalore to the out-of-the-world wonder Hampi.

The roads are well made, with trees fringing on both sides and infinite windmills dotted on the horizon.

Do Not Miss

Do munch upon the crunchy dosas and soft idlis at the local shacks along the road.

Driver’s note: Have some cash ready for the many tolls along the way.

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Why Take This Road Trip?

One of the country’s best road trips stretches along its coastal region: a host of beaches and charming seaside towns.

To say that this trip is heart-stirring is an understatement. That is because this trip embodies the life of modern Indians in a nutshell: from a blend of history, tradition, and modernity in Chennai to a city that is unapologetically itself, 

The Route

You will take this trip via the East Coast Road.

The East Coast Road, or ECR as we call is one of the best roads that bring you closer to breathtaking views, blue waters, and mosaic-filled historical centers.

For this particular road trip, you can choose from two selections of routes. Either you can stick to the ECR and cover Mahabalipuram on the way, or you can ditch the road for a little while to see Kanchipuram and Kovalam. You can even wrap it all in one trip if you have enough time in hand.

Do Not Miss

Get up early to see the sunrise over the horizon. Don’t forget to try the different food that you will find along the way.

Driving Tip: Leave yourself at least 5-6 days to do this trip so you can get off the East Coast as much as possible.

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Why Take This Road Trip?

If you are a sucker for road trips and want to spend a lot more time on the road than usual, this trip is for you.

Twenty-seven hours of Southern India, with different culture, topography, food, and lifestyle, sounds like one great of a trip to us, what about you?

The Route:

Mumbai-Bangalore-Trivandrum

This journey stretches 1700 km and is drop-dead gorgeous in many parts of the route. The ride along the Bangalore- Hyderabad Highway, in particular, is beautiful and beguiling.

You can take multiple detours along this route and add destinations like Alleppey, Cochin, and Mysore to your South India road trip itinerary.

Do Not Miss

You will be covering three different states on this road trip. So, do not forget to try the different cuisines of each of these states.

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What Makes This Road Trip the Greatest of All Time?

The Bangalore to Rameshwaram road trip is one of South India’s most thrilling drives studded with views of the stunning coastline and the sea.

On this trip, you will marvel at the 100-year-old Pamban Bridge that connects the mainland from Rameshwaram.  And, if that wasn’t enough, you even have the intricate architecture of Rameshwaram’s temples to bask in. Isn’t that something?

The Route

The road trip from Bangalore to Rameshwaram is one smooth ride. Eighty percent of the route is a multi-lane highway with some of the best roads in the country.

If you are under time constraints, take the shortest version of it that passes through Tiruchirapalli. If time is not a parameter on your road trip, include Tiruvannamalai and Tanjore in your itinerary too.

Don’t Miss

Detours to the beautiful temple destination Madurai and natural hotspot Kodaikanal.

Driver’s note: If you are including Madurai in your itinerary, do not drive at night as the roads are bumpy and there aren’t any roadside lamps.

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Why Take This Road Trip?

It is a wind-the-windows down kind of a road trip that embraces Andhra Pradesh’s mountain beauty and laid-back vibes. Lush green landscapes, dynamic culture, and beautiful starry sky create energy on this trip that is difficult to put in words but impossible not to feel.

The destinations in focus are alluring to everyone but especially to those who have never explored the country’s southern front.

The Route

The drive is breathtaking and covers highways, coffee, and tea plantations. Get ready to amp up your adrenaline with meandering roads and hairpin bends. 

Do Not Miss

Explore the deepest cave of the country- Borra Caves and chicken cooked in Bamboo Shoot.

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Why Take This Road Trip?

Not all great drives are long drives, and this road trip is the perfect example of this.

A perfect small tour for the nature lover in you; it covers its fair share of wonders, including a tiger reserve and a plethora of tea gardens.

The Route

The route is relatively simple but adventurous. Meandering through the zigzag roads and beating the hairpin bends are all part of the experience.

The road is quite smooth, and there are multitudes of pit stops to fight the tiredness.

Do Not Miss

Stop at the green-clean town of Pollachi to capture the picturesque landscape. You should also see the beautiful Aliyar River in a park near the Aliyar Dam.

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Why Take This Road Trip?

Drive into ancient history by taking the explorer’s way from Hyderabad. Hampi is a picturesque destination that looks like a scene right from a prehistoric movie. This bouldery wonder can be reached via a 300 KM+ ride from Hyderabad, adjoined with some incredible experiences along the way.

The Route

The route of this road trip cuts through the city traffic into a greener ambiance. Although the roads are smooth for the most part, there will be some small stretches of hiccups.

Do Not Miss

Well, don’t miss anything. The food, the temples, and even the little pit stops along the way are worth your time.