South India is one of the most visited places in India for tourism; it has one of the unique cultural diversities, rich wildlife, exotic beaches, ancient temples, historical monuments, spice and tea plantations and magnificent roads for Motorcycle Touring. In this blog, we are going to discover the important motorcycle routes in South India which are unique and adventurous. We have been exploring South India since 15 years to its length and breadth, there are a lot of places which are having charismatic tourism approach and on the other hand, there are some of the roads which are meant for Motorcycle Touring.
Chennai to Pondicherry via Mahabalipuram
Chennai being the heart of Southern India, it attracts major tourist inflow from different parts of the globe every year. The best season to visit south India is post-monsoon, that means after October till March is the best season to visit South India, it will be cool, pleasant and a lot of greenery around the wildlife sanctuaries.
When it comes to Motorcycle tours in South India, one can choose different routes and destinations according to their preferences and riding days. One can start from Chennai and ends in Goa covering some of the prominent places in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Goa. Starting from exploring the culture in Chennai, Kaapaleshwara Temple, Marina Beach, Ashtalakshmi Temple, Government Museum, Chennai and some best nightlife in the town.
Mahabalipuram:
Situated at the banks of Bay of Bengal Ocean, this small town is known for its historical architecture and rock-carved temples. It is also the UNESCO world heritage site, there are numerous places to visit but among them Shore temple and Five rathas are prominent. Mahabalipuram is 60Kms from Chennai and one can stop over for half a day excursion while riding from Chennai to Pondichery on East coast highway.
Pondicherry:
Pondicherry or Puducherry is a Union Territory located in the southeast coast of India, The history of Pondicherry is recorded only after the arrival of Dutch, Portuguese, British and French colonialists. In 1674 the French East India Company set up a trading centre at Pondicherry and this outpost eventually became the chief French settlement in India. Some of the important places to visit are Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, Beaches, White town and some cafes, one can easily spend a day or two while touring in Southern India on Motorcycle.
Kolli Hills:
Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai is situated in Tamilnadu state in Namakkal district at the height of 1300MTR ASL. They are part of the Eastern Ghats, which is a mountain range that runs mostly parallel to the east coast of South India. The mountain is a site of pilgrimage, because of the Arapaleeswarar temple, but the area is also popular with Motorcycle enthusiasts because of the high altitude motor-able terrain with 70 hairpin bends. The 70 hairpin bends are one the top attraction in Kolli hills, one will enjoy riding their Motorcycles in this 70 hairpin bends of Kolli malai, also it has been on top adventure factor in our South India Motorcycle tour from Chennai to Goa.
Meghamalai:
Meghamalai is one of the least explored hill station located in Theni district of Kerala also border with Tamil Nadu, it is situated at the height of 1500MTRS ASL. The area, now mostly planted with tea plants, includes cloudlands, highways, venniar, and the manalar estates belonging to the Woodbriar Group. Access is largely restricted and includes largely untouched remnants of evergreen forest. Meghamalai is very famous for its Elephants and tea gardens. Riding Royal Enfields through this majestic tea gardens are pure bliss all the time.
Valparai to Athirapally Waterfalls:
This Stretch is one of the most isolated terrains hidden in the heart of the western ghats, Valparai is a small untouched hill station located in Coimbatore district on Tamil Nadu, situated at the height of 2287Mtrs ASL valpari makes one of the best place to ride through beautiful Tea Gardens and never-ending hairpin bends to reach the top. The ride from valparai to Athirapally waterfalls is gone through the dense forest of the tropical evergreen forest of western ghats. Also, Valparai is the border town between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the stretch is about 80kms from Valparai to Athirapally waterfalls with no Human settlements in between and goes through tiger reserves, they are Parambikulam Tiger reserve and Annamalai Tiger Reserve. It will be an amazing ride if you visit during Monsoons.
Coorg To Chikkamagalur
If you haven’t visited Coorg then it's your loss of being a rider, Coorg is Situated in Karanataka bordering with Kerala State in Southern India, Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations and a wide variety of flora and fauna. Riding from Coorg to Chikkamagalur is pure bliss. The journey will take you through some of the magnificent terrains of Southern India including Bababudangiri and Kemmangundi Hill station, the road from Bababudangiri to Kemmaugundi will go through the dense forest of Bhadra Tiger reserve in Chikkamagalur district and its a no-man land for about 30kms.
Dandeli to Goa via Karwar:
Dandeli is a tiger reserve situated in the northernmost part of Karnataka in Southern India, Dandeli is a house for Bengal Tigers, Elephants and a black panther. Drive from Dandeli to Agonda Beach in Goa is a must-do adventure in Southern India. Coz you will be riding through Dandeli Tiger Reserve and Anshi national park for about 80kms in dense forest, in between you can also get to see some tribal settlements. Don't miss the view from the top after reach Anshi National park. Please do try in early monsoons, the weather will be too good.
