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8 top adventure activities in Tamil Nadu for a great holiday

Tamil Nadu is a great place for those looking for an adventure holiday.

With a wonderful blend of locations, choose from paragliding, trekking in the hills, surfing, mountaineering, boating, and more to enjoy the great outdoors.

Vasalurpatti Boat Jetty, Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu Image courtesy Karthickbala via Wikipedia commons
Vasalurpatti Boat Jetty, Kolli Hills, Tamil Nadu Image courtesy Karthickbala via Wikipedia commons

South India’s Tamil Nadu state is a popular tourist destination and is regarded as one of the best in the country. The greatest thing that the state has to offer in terms of adventure tourism is a wonderful mix and match of locations that are available throughout the year for people to visit and have an exciting holiday.

From trekking on the foothills of the Annamalai Hills or exploring the underwater world of scuba diving in Puducherry, there are plenty of outdoor experiences to be had. You can also go windsurfing in Kovalam,

Paragliding in Yelagiri

Yelagiri is the most visited tourist destination in India, and as such, it provides its guests with a multitude of options to indulge their spirit of adventure via participation in outdoor activities. One of the most well-liked extreme sports in the whole globe is paragliding, and Tamil Nadu is home to a lot of spots where you can participate in this activity.

 Paragliding  at Yelagiri
Paragliding at Yelagiri

The hill station of Yelagiri, which is located close to Vellore, is considered by many people to be the best place to go paragliding in all of South India. As a result, it is the most popular place to go paragliding in the state. The pre-monsoon months of June through August are often the best times of year to go paragliding at Yelagiri, and the take-off point is typically at a maximum height of 2,000 feet. Additional providers in Yelagiri, such as TemplePilots, provide week-long paragliding training geared toward certain age groups.

Trekking in the hills of Kodaikanal

The city of Kodaikanal is endowed with various gorgeous localities that give possibilities for trekking to both amateurs and professionals. This makes trekking in Kodaikanal a true pleasure for trekkers of all experience levels. The name of the city, which translates to ‘Gift of the Forest,’ comes from the Tamil language.

Trekking to Tada Falls in Tamil Nadu - Image courtesy McKay Savage via Wikipedia commons
Trekking to Tada Falls in Tamil Nadu – Image courtesy McKay Savage via Wikipedia commons

It is also known as the “Princess of Hill Stations.” The Mountain Beauty journey, the Dolphin’s Nose excursion, and the Echo Rock trek are considered to be the three most popular hiking trails in the region around Kodaikanal.  The Palani Hills Reserve Forest, which is found at an elevation of about 2,500 meters and is home to some of the roughest trekking trails in the state, is the most popular of these forests. Its location makes it one of the most challenging places to trek in the state.

Going mountaineering in the Western Ghats

The Western Ghats are a series of mountains that extend along India’s western coast for around one thousand miles. They may be found to the north of Mumbai all the way down to the southernmost point of the state of Tamil Nadu. The mountain range is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage list and has a number of stunning natural parks, wetland areas, and summits.

Western-Ghats
Western Ghats

Rock climbing is very popular in the hills that are located in the area that is encompassed by the Nilgiris and Coonoor. Activities such as rock climbing, rappelling, and bouldering may be found at a variety of well-known providers in Coonoor, such as NALS Outdoors India. 

Trekking at the Kolli Hills

The Kolli Hills are a mountain range that is quite quiet and set off by itself. The hill is covered with medicinal plants, and since it is rarely found, it is lovely; thus, it is an off-beat hiking site. This hike will begin at a quaint community known as Puliyancholai, which is situated at the foot of the Kolli Hills. The majestic Agaya Gangai waterfalls serve as the excursion’s finale.

Jet skiing, Go Karting, and ATV in Chennai

The East Coast Road in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu has emerged as a prominent location for a variety of adrenaline-pumping activities, including go-karting, ATV riding, and jet-skiing. The region between Sholinganallur in Chennai and Mahabalipuram now features a number of up-and-coming tourist destinations, such as Kart Attack and ECR Speedway for go-karting, Wild Tribe Ranch for ATV and indoor adventure activities, and Beach Adventures near MCBT for jet-skiing. All of these attractions are located along the stretch of land that connects Sholinganallur and Mahabalipuram.

Mountain biking in Ooty

The very first mountain bike park in India is located in Ooty, which is one of the most beautiful hill stations of Tamil Nadu and is known as one of the most beautiful mountain retreats in the nation. This mountain in the Western Ghats rises to a height of 2,240 meters and is considered to be one of the tallest peaks in Southern India.

Ooty landscape
Ooty landscape

The town of Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, serves as the administrative center of the Nilgiris district. The park was constructed in the hilly and rocky terrain of the Western Ghats, which allows for a biking experience that is filled with excitement thanks to the park’s steep curves, bends, and challenging inclines.

Mountain biking in Ooty
Mountain biking in Ooty

The government of Tamil Nadu and TI Cycles, a well-known bike maker in India, work together to run the park, which is often used for mountain biking events and competitions.

Surfing on the Kovalam and Mahabalipuram beaches

Surfing in Tamil Nadu
Surfing in Tamil Nadu

The beaches to the south of Chennai are genuinely at the epicenter of this phenomenon. The eastern coast of Tamil Nadu has seen a great increase in interest in surfing, and these beaches are to thank. Particularly because to its very well-attended annual surf festival, Kovalam has solidified its position as a prominent destination for surfers all over the world. Another famous location for surfers is Mahabalipuram, which is known for having huge waves that are ideal for the sport.

Trekking in Mudumalai

One of the coolest hill stations in Tamil Nadu is Mudumalai. All those who take pleasure in being surrounded by nature will adore spending their vacation in Mudumalai, as the region is replete with woods, an abundance of flora and fauna, and gorgeous sites.

Madumalai forests and mountains are great for trekking. Image courtesy Wikipedia Commons
Madumalai forests and mountains are great for trekking. Image courtesy Wikipedia Commons

You may get a rush of excitement by going on a climb or hiking on one of the gorgeous mountains that are located in Mudumalai.

The mountains are not too challenging in terms of height, making them suitable for climbers of all experience levels. When you get to the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the hill station, which makes the trek worthwhile. The Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Nilgiri sub-cluster of the Western Ghats and is considered to be one of the most popular sites for jungle trekking in the state of Tamil Nadu. Visitors to the sanctuary come from all over the country.

Food in Tamil Nadu

When visiting Tamil Nadu, do try out the local delicacies which are a real treat, and draw from the food traditions of Tamil Nadu. From the spicy biriyani to the masala dosa and potato curry, each dish has its own unique flavor.

Sambar is a popular South Indian dish made from lentils, vegetables, and aromatic spices. It is a staple in Tamil Nadu cuisine and is served as an accompaniment to rice or roti. Sambar is prepared with a mix of lentils like toor dal, chana dal, masoor dal, and urad dal. The vegetables used in the dish vary depending on the season and region.

Tamil Nadu is well-known for its range of delicious cuisine like Sambar. Paruppu Payasam, Rasam, Mutton Kola Urundai, Chicken Chettinad and Filter Kaapi. The state is also known for its range of sweet dishes and desserts. Some of the popular ones include Thirattipal, Palkova, Jangiri, Adhirasam, Kaapi Halwa, Paal Kozhukattai, and Elaneer Payasam. Enjoy these tasty treats which are sure to tantalize your taste buds.

Paruppu Payasam is another classic Tamil Nadu dessert, made with rice, lentils, jaggery, and coconut milk. It is a delicious sweet dish that can be enjoyed as a dessert or snack.

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