6 Vacation Destinations If You and Your Partner Love a Little Backwater Vibes from South India

South India is an excellent alternative for spending quality time. The weather and tranquillity of towering hills, calm backwaters, flowing waterfalls, clean mountains, emerald green plantations, and stunning landscapes make for the perfect getaway for couples who are looking to spend some cosy time in each other’s company.

Think candlelit dinners with the waterfalls resounding in the background or strolls down the mountains, hand-in-hand, South India has everything that couples look for, in their mini getaways together. And these highland stations in South India are one of the most ideal ways to escape the sweltering heat that awaits us as summer sets in.  

The Southern part of India is engulfed in unending eternal happiness and never-ending passion. The sight of a waterfall cascading between tall cliffs, fresh green hues of trees, gorgeous mountains, and heritage places feels extremely comforting to the soul. It is home to a diverse range of flora and animals as well as a rich cultural past, for couples who look for more than just a scenic view during their vacations.

Here’s a guide to six of the most beautiful destinations of South India for couples who aspire to take a trip to the mystical regions. 

Vacation Destinations For Couples Who Love Southern India

The hills of Munnar 

Munnar, the toy-town hill station in "God's Own Country" – Kerala, is a wonderful vacation destination. Ranked #1 among the top ten hill stations in South India, it is an ideal destination for couples who love nature and seek adventure wherever they go.

Away from the everyday hustle of city life, the tranquil routes constructed across this hideaway are the nicest strolling paths ever trodden, and it is well known for its tea gardens, lakes, waterfalls, and magnificent countryside. Sipping a brew in little tea cafes along the tea gardens and awe-inspiring views with your partner while you talk about life and everything else, is the perfect kind of vacation.

Manifest recommends- You can go to Station Viewpoint, the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal Road, or go for a plantation walk amidst lush green tea bushes. Or opt for mountain biking against the blissful sceneries, a waterfall tour to Munnar's Untouched Beauty. Another option is to trek through the hills of Munnar, a Wildlife Tour to spot some rare and exotic wildlife species. Camping and Angling, a water sport as well as paragliding. 

Hampi

It is not said enough how Hampi is one of the best places to visit for couples who love everything history and love learning about the past via stone sculptures and buildings. Hampi is the ideal place to go back in time.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi houses the tales that resonate with history buffs and make themselves heard from the remains making the trek to this decaying city worthwhile.  

Manifest recommends- A short walk down the river from the Virupaksha temple will lead you to some historically interesting sites, including the famous Vitthala temple. Besides these, Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, and Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex are some of the temples that one should not miss. You can also roam about, spending some quality time with your partner.  

Pondicherry 

Pondicherry is the go-to destination for couples who are looking for a diversified experience but at one single location, with a fantastic combination of French and Indian traditions. 

Pondicherry, with its kind inhabitants, is an extraordinary place to visit, with everything from serene beaches to peacefully tranquil ashrams and meditation centres, astounding French architecture, clean streets lined with buttery yellow bougainvillaea-draped colonial-style townhouses, and a remarkable amalgamation of religious places such as temples and churches. It pampers you with exquisite French cuisine, fantastic shopping, exhilarating beach sports, and revitalising yoga and meditation.

Manifest recommends- You can go all out on your shopping spree; try Janaki, The Cotton House, and many more businesses that provide real and ethnic goods and clothing. You can also opt for some peaceful reading as the fragrance of freshly made coffee from the local café fills your breath.

Gokarna

Gokarna has become the new Goa, with its beautiful sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. With its unrivalled beauty and great beach air, this location is ideal for couples who absolutely swear by the beach and could spend their life at one. So, if you're looking for a change of scenery, Gokarna is the one place you set your map to.

Manifest recommends- Take a long, leisurely plunge in the cold waters of the magnificent Om Beach or simply sing along with strangers from all over the globe at the isolated Kudle Beach. You can also go for beach trekking, banana boat ride, food tour, night stroll, flea market shopping, living in treehouses, beach camping, caving, book shopping, Dandeli forest camp and many more. 

Kumarakom

If you are looking to explore the backwaters and are already done with Kerala and Allepy, Kumarakom, a village by the backwaters, is your next best pick. A settlement made up of a group of islands, it is very popular with birdwatchers. If you want to eat seafood, especially different types of prawns, Kumarakom is the place to go. 

Kumarakom has awe-inspiring natural beauty and charm. This scenic tourist site, which consists of island clusters encircling the Vembanad Lake, is a great utopia for nature aficionados and a visual treat for ornithologists.

Manifest recommends- Some of the best things to do in Kumarakom include Houseboat Ride, watch the birds at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, invigorate with aromas of Ayurveda at the Maya Spa, watch the Kathakali Performance, Experience trekking to the Aruvikkuzhi Waterfall, lakeside strolls, watch the Nehru Snake Boat Race, shop in the Street Markets, taste the delight at Baker’s Gourmet, relax at the Trunk Call Bar, visit the Vagamon Hill Station, Go Fishing at the Vembanad Lake. 

Kanyakumari

If you and your partner enjoy the beach, Kanyakumari is the place for you. Kanyakumari is a tiny seaside town in Tamil Nadu near the Kerala border that was known as Cape Comorin under British administration of India, and it offers a variety of low-cost dining and lodging alternatives. Try to travel during the winter months when the weather is nice, and you may relax on the beaches. 

It is well-known for being India's southernmost point, where the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal all converge. The town, however, has a specific spiritual importance. It is said to be the home of the virgin Goddess Kanya Kumari, an avatar of Goddess Parvati.

Manifest recommends- Visit the Thiruvalluvar Statue, Bathe at Treveni Sangam, Watch the Sunrise and Sunset alongside the Thiruvalluvar statue and on Kanyakumari's liquid horizon, From December to February, the ideal time to see a sunset into the sea is from the beach and are only really visible from there between mid-October and mid-March, pay your respects to Goddess Kanya Kumari, see where Gandhi's ashes were kept, learn about Swami Vivekananda's teachings, browse the Shops and Stalls, explore Vattakottai Fort and Beach, go on a day trip to Padmanabhapuram Palace, check out Muppandal Wind Farm, be dazzled at Thovalai Flower Market.