South-India
Some trips exhaust you. Others energize you.
This one somehow did both and changed the way I see India.
Covering nearly 1,600 km, this journey took me from Butwal, Nepal to the southernmost tip of India, across bustling cities, quiet beaches, lush forests, and warm human connections.
Day 1: The journey began on 31st December in Butwal, with a road trip to the Sunauli Nepal–India border, followed by a long ride to Gorakhpur. Until then, nothing felt particularly different, except for a growing sense of motion sickness. We arrived at the airport almost three hours early, unsure if our flight would even take off due to bad weather and recent airline issues. Our transit was at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, where we had a three-hour layover. Curious and adventurous, we decided to step outside the airport to glimpse the city. Just five minutes out, Hyderabad surprised us—wide roads, modern infrastructure, and a sense of scale that felt unfamiliar. Ironically, we spent nearly ten minutes just trying to figure out how to cross the highway, before deciding to head back. Although we missed out on Hyderabadi biryani , we stumbled upon a budget-friendly South Indian breakfast place inside the airport. That’s where I had idli and dosa for the first time. After a rushed but successful boarding, we landed in Chennai, met our friends, and headed to the hotel. While our plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve on the beach fell through due to restrictions, we found ourselves near a temple instead ending the year with a quiet spiritual moment and a small sneak peek of the ocean.
Day 2: Chennai welcomed us with rain, chaos, and very little sleep. After just two hours of rest (and battling mosquitoes), we reached our bus boarding point only to realize the bus had left. The reason? They couldn’t contact us, assuming our Nepali phone number was Indian. We waited in the rain for 45 minutes before heading back to the hotel, slightly defeated. Thankfully, our senior helped us book another bus, and after an hour, we were finally on our way to Pondicherry. Once a French colony, Pondicherry felt like a strange blend, European-style architecture paired with unmistakable Indian realities. The day came with its own set of mishaps: broken sandals, lost glasses, closed shops, empty stomachs, and exhaustion. But food has a way of reviving spirits. After idli and noodles, we felt alive again. We spent the evening at the rock beach restricted from entering the water due to New Year rules, yet content just watching the waves. The day ended with shopping and seafood, a simple but satisfying closure.
Day 3: After a blissful seven hours of sleep, we headed back to Chennai. Our first stop was Marina Beach, where I experienced the ocean up close for the very first time. Lunch was very local—rice, fish curry, and fried fish. I was hesitant at first, but one bite was enough to win me over. After an hour in the water, we headed to the railway station and met more friends. Following an unforgettable 12-hour train journey, we finally arrived at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) the gateway to Kerala.
Day 4: Kerala’s first impression was its greenery, calm, dense, and alive. Our day began at Poovar Island, a two-hour boat ride through mangrove forests surrounded by coconut trees, aquatic flowers, and birds. What struck me most was the peaceful coexistence between humans and nature. Birds remained still even as boats passed close by, as if trust had been built over generations. Another highlight was the sangam, where the river meets the ocean. After lunch at a floating restaurant, we stood barefoot on golden sand beach, watching the Arabian Sea stretch endlessly ahead. Still not done traveling, we decided, perhaps impulsively, to visit Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of India. A 3.5-hour bus ride took us there, and after standing at the edge of the country, we made our way back to Trivandrum by cab late at night. By the time we reached our Airbnb, exhaustion won. While others stayed up all night, I chose sleep at 3 A.M, the best decision I could make.
Day 5: We packed our bags and headed to Varkala, arriving around 2 p.m. After settling in and eating, we ran straight into the ocean, spending nearly two hours playing in the waves. I knew the ocean was salty. I didn’t know how salty, until then. That evening, we watched our first ocean sunset, and later visited a Nepali restaurant. The warmth with which we were welcomed, along with complimentary food, felt good.
Day 6: After another early morning, we boarded a train to Kochi, often called the cultural capital of Kerala. Our exploration began with the water metro, which left a strong impression with its efficiency and affordability. It took us to Fort Kochi, a place shaped by Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial histories. Exhausted, we spent a long, quiet moment at a café. One of the most memorable experiences was a vehicle carrier boat ride from Fort Kochi to Vypin, for just ₹3. After briefly watching the Chinese fishing nets, we returned and said goodbye to three friends who headed back to Chennai.
Day 7: Our final destination was Athirappilly Falls, often called the Niagara of India. After a proper eight-hour sleep, we drove through hills that reminded me of Nepal, yet felt uniquely different, with coconut-covered landscapes and the Chalakkudy River flowing alongside us. Though the falls were relatively dry due to summer, their scale and beauty were undeniable. We spent time there before visiting Vazhachal Falls, ending our journey surrounded by nature.
Reflections at Bangalore Airport:
Now, sitting at Bangalore International Airport, I feel tired, but deeply energized. This trip reshaped my perception of South India. Despite language barriers, people everywhere, from traffic police to shopkeepers, helped us with kindness and patience. Their connection with nature, lifestyle, culture, clothing (lungis, sarees), and even accessories like kajra added depth to every place we visited. Traveling as two women, starting from Nepal and reaching the southernmost point of India, a country often portrayed as unsafe for women, this journey gave me confidence and courage. And finally, this experience wouldn’t have been the same without Yunika, Supriya, Bijayan, and Bishad. The places mattered but the people made it unforgettable.
This trip reminded me of something simple and important:
how deeply I want to keep traveling.
Day 1: The journey began on 31st December in Butwal, with a road trip to the Sunauli Nepal–India border, followed by a long ride to Gorakhpur. Until then, nothing felt particularly different, except for a growing sense of motion sickness. We arrived at the airport almost three hours early, unsure if our flight would even take off due to bad weather and recent airline issues. Our transit was at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, where we had a three-hour layover. Curious and adventurous, we decided to step outside the airport to glimpse the city. Just five minutes out, Hyderabad surprised us—wide roads, modern infrastructure, and a sense of scale that felt unfamiliar. Ironically, we spent nearly ten minutes just trying to figure out how to cross the highway, before deciding to head back. Although we missed out on Hyderabadi biryani , we stumbled upon a budget-friendly South Indian breakfast place inside the airport. That’s where I had idli and dosa for the first time. After a rushed but successful boarding, we landed in Chennai, met our friends, and headed to the hotel. While our plan to celebrate New Year’s Eve on the beach fell through due to restrictions, we found ourselves near a temple instead ending the year with a quiet spiritual moment and a small sneak peek of the ocean.
Day 2: Chennai welcomed us with rain, chaos, and very little sleep. After just two hours of rest (and battling mosquitoes), we reached our bus boarding point only to realize the bus had left. The reason? They couldn’t contact us, assuming our Nepali phone number was Indian. We waited in the rain for 45 minutes before heading back to the hotel, slightly defeated. Thankfully, our senior helped us book another bus, and after an hour, we were finally on our way to Pondicherry. Once a French colony, Pondicherry felt like a strange blend, European-style architecture paired with unmistakable Indian realities. The day came with its own set of mishaps: broken sandals, lost glasses, closed shops, empty stomachs, and exhaustion. But food has a way of reviving spirits. After idli and noodles, we felt alive again. We spent the evening at the rock beach restricted from entering the water due to New Year rules, yet content just watching the waves. The day ended with shopping and seafood, a simple but satisfying closure.
Day 3: After a blissful seven hours of sleep, we headed back to Chennai. Our first stop was Marina Beach, where I experienced the ocean up close for the very first time. Lunch was very local—rice, fish curry, and fried fish. I was hesitant at first, but one bite was enough to win me over. After an hour in the water, we headed to the railway station and met more friends. Following an unforgettable 12-hour train journey, we finally arrived at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) the gateway to Kerala.
Day 4: Kerala’s first impression was its greenery, calm, dense, and alive. Our day began at Poovar Island, a two-hour boat ride through mangrove forests surrounded by coconut trees, aquatic flowers, and birds. What struck me most was the peaceful coexistence between humans and nature. Birds remained still even as boats passed close by, as if trust had been built over generations. Another highlight was the sangam, where the river meets the ocean. After lunch at a floating restaurant, we stood barefoot on golden sand beach, watching the Arabian Sea stretch endlessly ahead. Still not done traveling, we decided, perhaps impulsively, to visit Kanyakumari, the southernmost point of India. A 3.5-hour bus ride took us there, and after standing at the edge of the country, we made our way back to Trivandrum by cab late at night. By the time we reached our Airbnb, exhaustion won. While others stayed up all night, I chose sleep at 3 A.M, the best decision I could make.
Day 5: We packed our bags and headed to Varkala, arriving around 2 p.m. After settling in and eating, we ran straight into the ocean, spending nearly two hours playing in the waves. I knew the ocean was salty. I didn’t know how salty, until then. That evening, we watched our first ocean sunset, and later visited a Nepali restaurant. The warmth with which we were welcomed, along with complimentary food, felt good.
Day 6: After another early morning, we boarded a train to Kochi, often called the cultural capital of Kerala. Our exploration began with the water metro, which left a strong impression with its efficiency and affordability. It took us to Fort Kochi, a place shaped by Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial histories. Exhausted, we spent a long, quiet moment at a café. One of the most memorable experiences was a vehicle carrier boat ride from Fort Kochi to Vypin, for just ₹3. After briefly watching the Chinese fishing nets, we returned and said goodbye to three friends who headed back to Chennai.
Day 7: Our final destination was Athirappilly Falls, often called the Niagara of India. After a proper eight-hour sleep, we drove through hills that reminded me of Nepal, yet felt uniquely different, with coconut-covered landscapes and the Chalakkudy River flowing alongside us. Though the falls were relatively dry due to summer, their scale and beauty were undeniable. We spent time there before visiting Vazhachal Falls, ending our journey surrounded by nature.
Reflections at Bangalore Airport:
Now, sitting at Bangalore International Airport, I feel tired, but deeply energized. This trip reshaped my perception of South India. Despite language barriers, people everywhere, from traffic police to shopkeepers, helped us with kindness and patience. Their connection with nature, lifestyle, culture, clothing (lungis, sarees), and even accessories like kajra added depth to every place we visited. Traveling as two women, starting from Nepal and reaching the southernmost point of India, a country often portrayed as unsafe for women, this journey gave me confidence and courage. And finally, this experience wouldn’t have been the same without Yunika, Supriya, Bijayan, and Bishad. The places mattered but the people made it unforgettable.
This trip reminded me of something simple and important:
how deeply I want to keep traveling.