In the quest for some offbeat destinations for you to visit in South India, we've scoured, asked folks, and of course, based on our travels, curated these 7 spots that we think are places worth checking. So what makes them offbeat? Since offbeat can vary according to context, for us at LBB, offbeat means those places that aren't too touristy, places that offer something out of the ordinary (like imagine a singing cave as opposed to just a regular cave), and offer a sense of wonder and astonishment when you first visit it. It's like, everyone does the Annapurna Base Camp trek, but did you know about the Miyar Valley Trek? If you did, woohoo! Now, of course, if you have already visited them, then you are an OG LBB person but if you haven't enjoy!
7 Offbeat Travel Destinations In South India That We Think You Need To Check Out
Belum Caves
Belum Caves in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district is a natural wonder made up of several maze-like caves that are formed from black limestone. The cave chambers feature interesting stalactite and stalagmite formations and one of the caves, the Saptasvarala Guha, is known for the formations that give out musical sounds when they are tapped.
Dhanushkodi
The ghost town of Dhanushkodi was abandoned after a cyclone ravaged the town and what’s left of Dhanushkodi is a handful of ruins that are worth checking out. Spots like Arichal Munai or Erosion Point, Land’s End Point and the main town itself are where you can check out what remains of a church, and a railway track in shambles.
Ponmudi
The unassuming hill station of Ponmudi is not quite the hill station you might be used to but it offers some spectacular views of the Western Ghats. The hill station is known for its tea plantations but it's the the trekking trails that you should be going here for. Plus, there are plenty of scenic spots to watch out for, especially the two waterfalls and the reserve forest.
St. Mary's Island
St. Mary's Island is a little-known spot in Udupi that is pretty much just floating on the Arabian Sea off the coast of Malpe. It's a hidden gem that many only hear about after they've been to Udupi. The island is formed by basalt formations that look like straight, sharp-edged pillars of rocks. These formations are believed to be formed due to the volcanic activity that happened some 90-odd million years ago. The island itself is uninhabited but dotted with coconut trees which gives it its other name, Coconut Island. Catching the sunset from here is highly recommended.
Gandikota
It may not be offbeat anymore (due to its popularity) but The Grand Canyon of India, Gandikota is still worth checking out if you haven't already. The rock formations over Pennar River are a sight to behold. Plus, the drive to Gandikota is pretty scenic, especially for bikers. You can even set up camp here and watch the sun rise the next morning, which is a spectacle in itself.
Badami
Once the capital of Badami Chalukyas, Badami is home to the caves, the brick-coloured, 5th-century Bhutanath Temple, and Agasythya Tank. The four cave temples are carved out of sandstone and the temples are dedicated to Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. You can marvel at the Dravidian and Jain styles of architecture and watch out for the stone sculptures that are a thing of beauty.
Edakkal Caves
If you are in Wayanad, then visiting Eddakal Caves is a must-do activity. The caves date back to 6,000 BC and feature Neolithic stone carvings and etchings that are a rare find in South India. What's quite interesting is that even though they are called caves, they are not caves but rather a cleft on the rock.
