Best Places To Visit In South India (Part 1)

Agumbe, Karnataka

Agumbe is a high-altitude village in the southwest Indian state of Karnataka. Surrounded by the Western Ghats mountains and lush rainforest, it’s known its many waterfalls, such as Onake Abbi, Bakarna and Jogi Gundi falls. The Sunset View Point overlooks forested valleys. Nearby is Sri Venugopala Krishna Swamy Temple. To the south, tigers, leopards and king cobras live in Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary.

How do I get to Agumbe?

• By Air: The nearest airport to Agumbe are Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru (274 km) and Mangalore International Airport in Mangalore (140 km).
• By Rail: The nearest railway station is to Agumbe is in Udupi (63 km). It falls on the Konkan Railway network. The one in Bangalore is also a convenient option. Both the stations are well connected with the major cities of India.
• By Road: Regular buses run between Agumbe and the nearest town, Shimoga. If you start from Bangalore, you can also easily drive on NH 206 and NH 13 to Shimoga, with total distance being 95 kms. Another route from Bangalore to Shimoga is via Channarayapatna and covers a distance of 90kms.

Thenmala, Kerala

Thenmala is an ecotourism site in Kerala, a state in southwest India. It lies just north of the Thenmala Dam, which spans the Kallada River. The Elevated Walkway winds through a thick canopy of trees, home to many native birds. To the east, Pathimoonam Kannara Bridge is a 13-arched bridge along a mountain railway route. Farther east, the Palaruvi Falls cascade into a deep pool.

How do I get to thenmala?

• By Air. The nearest airport from Thenmala is in Thiruvananthapuram, around 72 km away. …
• The nearest railway station for the town of Thenmala is in Kollam that is located at a distance of about 66 km. …
• You can also opt for government buses available from Trivandrum to arrive in Thenmala.

Horsley Hills, Andhra Pradesh

Horsley Hills or Horsleykonda or Yenugulla Mallamma Konda is a series of hills in Andhra Pradesh in Madanapalle Taluk of Chittoor district and is about 9 miles from Madanapalle town. The local name of the hill was Yenugu Mallama Konda after a legend of a saintly old woman named Mallamma who lived atop the hill and was fed by elephants (yenugulu). W.D. Horsley, a British collector, built his home around 1870 after whom it is named. In contrast to the dry and hot surrounding, this area is well vegetated with cooler climate. This made it attractive as a hill station and a tourist spot.

The native vegetation of the area has been replaced in some parts with dense growths of eucalyptus and plantations of exotic trees. In the past the area had more wildlife including Sambar deer (now reintroduced into the wild), wild boar and sloth bear.

How do I get to Horsley Hills?

The nearest airport is Bangalore International Airport, which is 144 km from Horsley Hills. The nearest Railway Station is at Madanapalle, 27 km away. It has train connectivity with Tirupati, Hyderabad, Chittoor and Guntakal. Horsley Hills has direct buses from Madanapalle town.

Bhandardara, Maharashtra

Bhandardara is home to Mount Kalsubai, the highest peak (5,400 ft or 1,600 m) in Maharashtra. Another tourist attraction is the Wilson Dam on the Pravara River, which was built in 1910. The Umbrella Falls also draw visitors, although it can be seen only during the monsoons between July and October. About 10 km away from Shendi Village is the Randhaa Waterfalls. The Ratangad fort is around 22 km from Shendi/ Bhandardara, and is connected by both roadway, and ferry across the Lake Arthur. On the Kalsubai side, at the far end of a 22 km roadway across forests and tribal villages, is Konkankada from where there are views of the plains. Harishchandragad is another nearby mountain hiking spot with ancient temples on top. water level in rainy season at Wilson Dam

Bhandardara has a number of treking and hiking routes, including a small trek to Ratangad fort, which is reached by boat over a small lake near the village Ratanwadi. Ratanwadi is known for its boat rides. Ratangad is a fortress situated at the edge of ghats with a number of water cisterns and caves. It also commands views all around and is said to be the favourite fort of the Maratha king, Shivaji

How do I get to Reach Bhandardara?

The nearest railway station is Igatpuri, which is around 45 km away from Bhandardara. From Mumbai, you can travel by Kolkata Mail, Howrah Mail or Mahanagri Express to reach Igatpuri station. Many express trains are available to reach Igatpuri from Mumbai and Pune.

Chikmagalur, Karnataka

Chikmagalur is a hill station in Karnataka, a state in southwest India. To the north is Baba Budangiri, a mountain range in the Western Ghats, with 3 large caves said to be holy. Trails through forests and grasslands lead up to Mullayanagiri Peak. The cascading Hebbe Falls lie in an area of coffee plantations. The forested Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, northwest of Chikmagalur, is home to elephants, tigers and leopards.

How do I get to Reach Chikmagalur?

Bangalore to Chikmagalur distance is 245 Km via NH 75. Best time to visit Chikmagalur is from September to March. One can travel by bus or car but there is no railway station in Chikmagalur and the nearest railway station is in Kadur. Also, there is no airport in Chikmagalur and the nearest airport is in Mangalore.