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India South Backpacking Guide

If you're dreaming of exploring the picturesque landscapes and vibrant cultures of southern India, you've landed in the right place. After an unforgettable journey through the Maldives and Sri Lanka, we returned to India, eager to uncover the hidden gems of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This is your ultimate guide to traveling through southern India!

Our adventure took us on a motorcycle trip through these stunning states before we ventured north to complete our Indian odyssey with visits to Khajuraho and Varanasi. For a detailed overview of our motorcycle journey, click here.

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  1. Recent Articles Written About Our Journey
  2. Our Route Through Southern India
  3. Interactive Route Experience
  4. Expenses for the Journey
  5. Highlights of Our Trip
  6. Challenges We Faced
  7. Explore More: Click Here for the Complete India Guide

Recent Articles Written About Our Journey

Throughout our travels, we've documented various experiences. Here are some articles you might find interesting:

Our Route Through Southern India

Our journey was filled with breathtaking views, vibrant cultures, and unforgettable experiences. Although we covered many locations, here's a brief overview of our main route:

  • Kochi
  • Varkala
  • Kanyakumari
  • Madurai
  • Thanjavur
  • Pondicherry
  • Mamallapuram
  • Tiruvannamalai
  • Tiruchirappalli
  • Kodaikanal
  • Kochi

Interactive Route Experience

To better visualize our journey, we've also created an interactive map that showcases our route and highlights key attractions along the way. This map not only serves as a guide but also as inspiration for your own journey through Southern India. Explore the sights and plan your adventures!

Expenses for the Journey

Traveling on a budget is entirely feasible in Southern India. During our trip, we managed to keep our daily expenses at around €6.99 per person. Here's a breakdown of our spending:

  • Food: €3.63
  • Transportation: (including motorcycle rental, fuel, buses, trains, bicycles, tuk-tuks...) €2.67
  • Entry Fees/Activities: €0.23
  • Miscellaneous: (phone top-ups, clothing, shampoo, etc.) €0.46
  • Accommodation: We only paid for 11 nights of lodging, so this expense is not included in the daily average as it would distort the figures. However, the average cost per person for these accommodations was €3.63.

Highlights of Our Trip

Every journey has its treasures, and ours was no exception. Here are some of the standout moments from our adventure:

  • Riding a motorcycle: The freedom to explore at our own pace and the thrill of the open road were unbeatable!
  • The backwaters of Kerala: This was undoubtedly one of the most memorable experiences of our entire India trip.
  • The cuisine: As always, we're huge fans of Indian gastronomy—just make it less spicy, please! Those breakfasts on the road, with chai and dosas, will always be in our hearts.
  • Varanasi: This city captivated us more than any other in India; its uniqueness is simply unforgettable.
  • The temple in Madurai: Absolutely stunning.
  • Meeting Eva in Kochi: Finally connecting face-to-face after countless online conversations was truly special.
  • The temples and spirituality of Tamil Nadu: They embody the Hindu soul of India.
  • Mamallapuram: A well-known yet serene destination filled with attractions!
  • Discovering the scenic highlands of Kerala: Their enchanting landscapes provided a tranquil escape after the long motorcycle rides.
  • Exploring Thanjavur temple: One of the most beautiful (and least touristy) temples in the south.
  • Varkala: We initially planned to stay just one night, but we enjoyed it so much that we extended our stay—still, it felt too short! We’re definitely coming back.
  • A delightful dinner at Old Harbour, where we were treated to a meal—what luxury!
  • The hospitality at Fair Way Inn in Kodaikanal: When Rober fell ill, the hotel owner took care of him as if he were her own child, such kindness!
  • Exploring the famous erotic temples of Khajuraho: We got lost in the ancient city and celebrated Holi (albeit a bit late)!
  • Winning the Bloscar14 from Skyscanner for the best travel blog in Spain—what a joy!
  • The apple pie at Vatika Café in Varanasi: The best apple pie in the world; those sweet memories linger!
  • Connecting with the girls from Semilla para el Cambio, a Spanish NGO in Varanasi. Highly recommended!

Challenges We Faced

Every journey has its hurdles, and ours included a few bumps along the way. Here are some of the less favorable experiences:

  • The long travel day from Kodaikanal to Kochi: Endless hours on poorly maintained mountain roads with heavy traffic—what stress!
  • Pondicherry: While we had heard great things about this "French" city, it didn’t capture our hearts.
  • Rober's illness in Kodaikanal: We couldn’t embark on the excursions we had planned, but the hotel was beautiful, and we took advantage of our giant plasma TV!
  • Running over a snake... yikes!
  • While we were excited to reach the southern tip of India (Kanyakumari), the city itself left us feeling indifferent.
  • Finding out that Holi is primarily celebrated in the north while we were in the south was a disappointment.
  • Not securing train tickets while on the waitlist and having to buy a second-class ticket at an exorbitant price! (At least we got a refund for the waitlisted ticket!)
  • Saying goodbye in Varanasi: Rober headed back to Spain, while Lety went to Malaysia—it felt strange!

Explore More: Click Here for the Complete India Guide

If you're intrigued by India, don’t miss our debut novel, "Chau ¡Me voy!" which narrates the adventures of a first-time backpacker traversing the Indian subcontinent.

What would you do if you suddenly found yourself out of a job and without any motivation to stay anchored to a life that no longer represented you? What if you encountered a sign that magically guided you down a path you had never planned to take? Iratxe faced that dilemma—more or less—when she decided to embark on the adventure of a lifetime... to India! Amidst scams, enchanting corners reminiscent of the One Thousand and One Nights, tuk-tuks, quirky experiences, sacred rivers, meditation retreats, endless beaches, volunteering, and surprises, Iratxe learned to live in a state of 'discomfort' where she felt more alive than ever.

Secure your IATI travel insurance with a 5% discount as a reader of Mochileando por el Mundo through this link: http://bit.ly/29OSvKt

Kerala Backwaters Cruise: Our Experience and InsightsKerala Backwaters Cruise: Our Experience and Insights

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