5 South Indian travel destinations that a nature lover must go
Last Updated : May 21, 2016, 9:30 a.m.
When you talk about the sightseeing spots for nature lovers in India, then the southern part of the country grabs your imagination like a duck takes to water. Beaches, forests, waterfalls, rock mountains, flying birds, beautiful gardens are set to greet you upon touching the shores of south India. Coming here will be a big refresher to your mind from the hectic work schedule all round the year. So, don’t waste your time, take an off from the work and get down to some of the best destinations that you as a nature lover will enjoy in South India. But before that, let's quickly go through the mode by which you can finance your travel across these nature lover spots in South India. As far as expenses are concerned, it will come around Rs 10,000-30,000 to travel around these spots. You can either pay cash or take personal loan for travelling around these picturesque sites. Personal loan can be availed from banks and non-banking finance companies for a period of upto 5 years. Interest rate ranges from 10% to 25% per annum The minimum and maximum personal loan amount are Rs 10,000 and Rs 30 lacs, repectively. Depending upon your monthly income, repayment capacity and savings, your loan amount eligibility will be decided by the lender. You can choose from a number of lenders like ICICI Bank, SBI, HDFC Bank and others for personal loan. You can either apply online or go the branch of a bank or NBFC to avail personal loan .
Kodaikanal
Kodaiakanal, a hill town in Tamil Nadu, is the centre of attraction for visitors around the world. You can witness picturesque forest valleys, waterfalls, grassy hills and lakes. Also, you can enjoy delicious street food with fried chicken available at as low as Rs 20. Popular sights in Kodaikanal include Kodaikanal Lake, Berijam Lake, Kodaikanal Golf Club, Palni Hills, etc.
Check out travel cost for Kodaikanal
Train Fare- Rs 3,000
Airfare- Rs 8,000
Food cost & shopping
Food cost- Rs 50-500 per person
Best shopping places-Kashmir Handicraft Center, Bazaar Road, Potter's Shack
Must buy items- woollen materials, handmade articles, toys, medicinal herbs and oils
Table showing the list of budget hotels in Kodaikanal
| Budget Hotels | Estimated cost per day |
| Snooze Inn | Rs 1,000 |
| Hotel Spring Valley | Rs 1,400 |
| Hotel Kodai Gate | Rs 1,500 |
| J's Heritage Hotel & Resort | Rs 1,500 |
| Hotel Grand Paradise Inn | Rs 1,900 |
Kadmat Island (Lakshadweep)
Kadmat Island, also known as Cardamom Island, offers you the chance to dwell into activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming, and exploration of underwater species.
Check out travel cost for Kadmat Island
Train Fare- Rs 3,000-8,000 till Cochin
From Cochin to Kadmat Island via ship at cost of Rs 500-1,500
Airfare- Rs 4,000-7,000 till Cochin
From Cochin to Kadmat Island via ship at cost of Rs 500-1,500
Food cost & shopping
Food cost- Rs 100-1,000 per person
Shopping places-Factory of Kadmat Island
Must buy items-coconut powder, oil, fish pickles, small souvenirs
Table showing the list of budget hotels in Kadmat Island
| Budget Hotels | Estimated cost per day |
| Kadmat Island Beach Resort | Rs 5,000 |
| TG Stays Agatti | Rs 7,000 |
| Holiday Logoon Beach | Rs 7,000 |
| Fly Zone Homestay | Rs 7,000 |
| Kasims Homestay | Rs 8,000 |
Munnar
Munnar, a popular hill station located in the Idukki district of Kerala, is full of flora and fauna. The lush green valleys and cool climate are set to tickle your nature bone to the fullest. Some of the eye-catching spots that you can find here are Devikulam, Pallivasal, Attukal, Nyayamakad, Chithirapuram, etc. You can find picturesque rolling hills, waterfalls, mist-clad hills, hydro electric power project, etc.
Check out travel cost for Munnar
Train Fare-Rs 3,000-8,000 till Ernakulam
Bus fare from Ernakulam to Munnar-Rs 100-150
Airfare-Rs 4,000-7,000 till Cochin
Bus fare from Cochin to Munnar-Rs 100-120
Food cost & shopping
Food cost-Rs 100-1,000 per person
Best shopping places-Munnar Market
Must buy shopping items-Tea, spices, strawberry
Table showing the list of budget hotels in Munnar
| Budget Hotels | Estimated cost per day |
| Nest Resort | Rs 1,300 |
| Poopada Resort | Rs 2,000 |
| Munnar Inn | Rs 2,200 |
| Forest Haven Resort & Vista Rooms | Rs 2,200 |
| Le Celestium | Rs 3,000 |
Kudremukh
The name Kudremukh is given as one of the sides of the hill looks similar to the horse face. Located in the state of Karnataka, Kudremukh has rolling hills with a wide collection of shoal forests and natural grasslands. Popular spots in Kudremukh include Kudremukh Peak, Hanuman Gundi Waterfalls, Lakhya Dam.
Check out travel cost for Kudremukh
Train Fare- Rs 2,000-7,000 till Mangalore
From Mangalore, take a bus and pay a fare of up to Rs 200 to reach Kudredmukh
Airfare- Rs 6,000-10,000 till Mangalore
From Mangalore, take a bus and pay a fare of up to Rs 200 to reach Kudredmukh
Food cost & shopping
Food cost-Rs 100-1,000 per person
Best shopping places-Janta Market, Bhadra Market
Must buy shopping items-coffee powder, tea leaves
Table showing the list of budget hotels in Kudremukh
| Budget Hotels | Estimated cost per day |
| Seethanadi Nature Camp | Rs 1,100 |
| Silent Valley Corporate Resort | Rs 1,400 |
| Ghatikallu | Rs 4,000 |
| Thangaali Homestay | Rs 3,900 |
| Coffee Gudda | Rs 4,000 |
Coonoor
Coonoor, located in the Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu, offers trekking expeditions, jaw-dropping hills, beautiful greenery, etc. Known for the production of Nilgiri Tea, Coonoor has plenty of picturesque sites such as Sim's Park, Heritage Train, Highfield Tea Factory, Dolphin's Nose, Lamb's Rock, among others. These sites will move you away with sheer greenery and the scenic beauty.
Check out the travel cost for Coonoor
Train Fare- Rs 2,000-3,500 till Coimbatore
From Coimbatore, take a bus and pay a fare of up to Rs 50 to reach Coonoor
Airfare-Rs 6,000-8,000 till Coimbatore
From Coimbatore, take a bus and pay a fare of up to Rs 50 to reach Coonoor
Food cost & shopping
Food cost- Rs 100-1,000 per person
Best shopping places- Wellington, Muthorai, Yedappali, Ketti
Must buy shopping items- gourmet, tea, cheese, home-made jams, spices
Table showing the list of budget hotels in Coonoor
| Budget Hotels | Estimated cost per day |
| Hotel Blue Hills | Rs 1,900 |
| Serenity Manor | Rs 2,000 |
| Velan Hotel Ritz | Rs 2,400 |
| De Rock | Rs 2,700 |
| Bliss Homestay | Rs 5,000 |
Important notes
- Air fares mentioned were for a period up to 1 month.
- To avail cheaper air travel, you must ensure to book the ticket at least 3 months in advance.
- Both train and air fares mentioned were from New Delhi to different south Indian destinations. If you travel from different cities, then the fares will vary.