5 offbeat South Indian escapes perfect for a September sojourn

South India is that part of the country where a single visit won’t do justice to its endless options of sightseeing, from ancient temples to pristine beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, and so much more. But today, we won’t be taking you to places that are always in the limelight. Instead, we’re diving into the lesser-explored gems that often get overshadowed by big names like Mysuru, Munnar, Kochi, or Ooty, and can be covered during short detours. Our list is all about mist-clad hill towns, sleepy coastal retreats, spice-scented hamlets, and cultural pockets where travelling will be an enriching experience. All those who can take that detour, here are those hidden escapes that deserve a spot on your itinerary.

Let’s look at some offbeat destinations in South India:

A serene hill station located in the Kannur district of Kerala. This place offers serene landscapes with vibrant greenery and pleasant weather where one can also enjoy the diverse variety of flora and fauna and also look at the panoramic view of the hills around, a breathtaking view. Travellers can enjoy a variety of activities here such as zipline rides, rope crossing, gun shooting and off-roading experiences. Nature enthusiasts and adventure lovers can go trekking through the trails available here through bamboo bushes and forests and also camp here for a more immersive experience of the wilderness. One can also visit Kannur, which is a popular tourist spot nearby.

This is a small historic village situated in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. Perched on a hill, it overlooks the Penna River gorge, and is home to "Grand Canyon of India". The fort, lakes, and the gorge amid the beautiful landscpae make this place a worthy one to explore. One gets a breathtaking view of the canyon from the viewpoint at Raghunatha Swamy temple and several parts of the fort. Travellers can also visit the ruins of Gandikota Fort, ancient temples (Madhavaraya and Ranganatha), the Jamia Masjid, granaries, and historic structures like the House of the Drum and Charminar. The best time to visit this destination is September, when the weather turns pleasant and the landscapes are covered in lush greenery after the monsoon rains and it is also the ideal time for sightseeing and trekking.

Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located on the western slopes of the Nelliyampathy Hills in the Western Ghats. The highest peak of this sanctuary is Punda Peak. This place is a biodiversity hotspot with lush green forests and also includes the watershed areas of the Kurumali and Mupliyam rivers, and the Chimmony Dam is also located inside the sanctuary. One can also find a wide variety of fauna here such as Asian elephants, tigers, Indian giant squirrels, Nilgiri langurs, wild dogs, and deer. One can also go trekking through the scenic trekking trails where travellers will be able to birdwatch and also go for butterfly safaris. September offers a favourable environment to visit this place.

Historically known as Mercara located in the Kodagu district of Karnataka, this beautiful hill station located in the Western Ghats famous for its lush greenery, coffee plantations and rich biodiversity. This is a quite popular spot amongst nature lovers and adventure seekers. One can also get a glimpse of the past by visiting the iconic Madikeri Fort which has witnessed numerous historical events and now has museums with artefacts of the history. Here , travellers can also enjoy the monsoon waterfall known as Abbey Falls and also visit Raja’s seat for some stunning views of the sunset and misty valleys. The weather at the time of September adds to the beauty of the place.

A scenic hill station in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu, known for its cool climate and a tranquil environment. This offbeat destination provides the calm and serene landscape one needs to get away from the city life. September offers pleasant weather with post-monsoon greenery making it ideal for exploring its natural beauty. Travellers can visit the Yercaud Lake for boating, Botanical Gardens and Rose Garden to witness the diverse flora and Dragon's Eye Viewpoint and Pagoda Point for some mesmerising views of the whole landscape.