Tips & Secrets About 8 Amazingly Cheap Backpacking Destinations In South India

1. Gokarna For Its Beaches

 “Gokarna had always sparked a curiosity in my mind as my friends always spoke about their hangout there. As a long weekend we thought of going there. With a bunch of people we thought that bus travel would avoid the hassle of driving a long distance from Bangalore and save me some money. We were greeted by the strong sunlight of the beach city and after checking into a hotel, we headed off to the beach. There were multiple cuisines with a vast collection of seafood. You have a choice of fun sports around the beach or you could just bask in the sun if you want a natural tan. Needless to say don't forget your shades and sunscreens at home! We had a well spent day till dusk and binged on seafood later. Our cellphones were virtually useless without network signal availability across most areas near the beach. A word of advice would be to keep your family informed that there was a known issue of phone network near the beach in case they worry if you are unreachable.”

2. Hampi For Its Ruins and Temples

 “Hampi is a small village dotted with ruins of the glorious empire. The nearest rail station and town is Hospet. Most of the good and economic hotels are in Hospet. We stayed in Hospet and booked an auto for the day to go to Hampi, which is about 15 kilometres away. The must-see sights in Hampi are the Virupaksha Temple, the Hazara Rama Temple, the Vittalaswami Temple complex and the statue of Ugra Narasimha. Apart from these, the Nandi statue, the Hemkuta group of temples, the Lotus Mahal, the Dasara Dibba, the Elephant Stables and the Giant Ganesha Statues are worth seeing. You can squeeze everything in a day, but we covered everything in two days. Its a rocky place and it gets extremely hot in the afternoon, so plan accordingly. Carry umbrellas/hats, lots of water and wear sturdy shoes.”

3. Coorg – Hills, Wildlife And Coffee Estates

“This place is perfect for those seeking calmness in the lap of nature away from their monotonous life. Visit Raja's Seat, Madikeri Fort and Omkareshwar Temple in the town of Madikeri. Go to see the spice farms where farmers will show you how black pepper is formed from white pepper. Dubare Elephant Camp is not a place you would want to visit as it is very crowded. Moreover, there's not much to see there except a few elephants. I would suggest you spend some time in solitude at the Tibetan Monastery instead of that Elephant Camp. Coffee plantations are strongly recommended for its beautiful patterned plantations; its a treat for photographers. Visit Abbey Falls, Iruppu Falls and Raja's Tomb. You could also visit Coorg at any time of the year, except monsoon.”

4. Mysore – The City Of Palaces

 “It was a pleasant journey covering nice locales on my travel from Mangalore to Mysore by bus. The brief stopover at Madikeri was refreshing where I tried some local Kodava cuisine. And then I reached Mysore by late evening to see the palace in all lit-up splendor.” Adds HolidayIQ Traveller Tarun, “Mysore Palace and Brindavan Gardens are a must-visit. The Sand Museum, Tipu Sultan Palace, Chamundi Temple are worth visiting. Do not miss to taste Mysore's special dosas.”

5. Kochi – Beach, Port & Fort Kochi

, “A traveller will not be able to experince Kochi till he actually strolls around the lanes of Fort Kochi. This is evidence of rulers of India over 500 years, spread over less than 10 sq km. Jewish Synagogue and also the St Francis Church hold similar historical importance. Chinese fishing nets is a must see. Walking around the streets of Kochi and eating in the small restaurantsl, which existed from eras is an experience in itself. Take a train to Ernakulam; get a taxi and head straight for Fort Kochi, not wasting time in mainland as the price will shock you in the little uppish restaurants. Please do stay in one of the homestays as they are economical and you can have a great experience. Restaurants are not exactly a vegetarian’s delight. Try the guys, who fry your fish near the Kohder House lane heading towards the beach near the nets.”

6. Munnar – Tea Estates

 “The road to Munnar, especially from Bodinayakanur via Poopara, is breathtaking. Boating in Mattupattey Dam is relaxing. One must not miss out Top Station (especially the Kollukkumalai Estate), one of the highest tea estates in the world. Do not forget taste and buy tea on the way to the dam from any one of the Tata Tea Estates. Rajamali and Eravikulam Wildlife Santuary will take your breath away - it is truly a paradise. The road to the sanctuary offers some fantastic views. You can travel to Kottayam by train and then opt for local transport to reach Munnar.”

7. Madurai – The Temple Town

, “Madurai has wonderful temples and palaces but its hinterland is rarely explored. A highlight is the bird sanctuary about one hour out of Madurai that not many people know. Thousands of birds flock to the waterways and trees, resplendent in their puffed plumbs for mating and territory taking. If you love history, take a heritage tour and try staying in the nearby villages. Explore the villlages for their beautifyl crafts. Visit Karaikuda village, 85 km from Madurai and  

8. Pondicherry – The French Connection

 “Stay at Seaside Guest House. We were students backpacking our way through South India and were on a shoestring budget and this was the perfect hotel for our needs. Situated at the promenade, it has a brilliant view of the sea. It is run by the Aurobindo Ashram so there are restrictions on entry and exit. The hotel staff is extremely helpful.” Adds HolidayIQ Traveller Divya, “As soon as you enter the French Quarters, you feel like you have reached a quaint city in France. Beautiful houses, quiet cafes, which serve amazing food and next to the sea. Have an amazing breakfast at Bakers Street. A visit to Aurovile is a must.”