Wildlife enthusiasts, this one’s for you. Did you know the world’s second-largest mangrove forest is just four and a half hours away from Chennai? For those of you that don’t know, the mangroves are unique because of their ability to tolerate saltwater, thanks to their aerial roots. So an otherwise lacklustre coast actually has a lush coastal forest, owing to the mangroves, which over millennia have become a haven for wildlife, like migratory birds. Backwater cruises are aplenty and will take you through waterways that you probably have only seen on National Geographic.
Driving time from Chennai: 5.5 hours
