With the trend of micro-tourism, travelers discovered vineyards, dams and secluded beaches with adventure sports in Tamil Nadu

The vineyard is surrounded by mountains, with lush clusters of purple grapes. Tourists walk around the mill, glass in hand. But this is not Bordeaux, and the glasses are filled with grapefruit juice.

Welcome to Cumbum, a small town in Tamil Nadu that is dotted with vineyards. Recently, vineyard tourism has picked up here. Manoharan, who runs the MSR Grapes Garden on the Kollam-Theni highway, says his vineyard is visited by around 1,000 people a day. Attributing the increase in footfalls to the pandemic-induced suspension of international flights, he says a lot of domestic tourists now visit his 35-acre vineyard. “In the past year and a half, I have seen a 30% increase in tourists from Tamil Nadu,” he says.

The pandemic has given rise to microtourism, a trend where travelers travel to destinations that are only a few miles away and preferably in the same state. For the intrepid vacationers to Tamil Nadu, this has given them an opportunity to discover the less traveled road, a road that was previously ignored by the jet set.

After the COVID-19 hit, domestic tourism has increased, says Sandeep Nanduri, tourism director and managing director of Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, adding that they are now working on promoting lesser known destinations. “We are developing adventure camps in 15 destinations like Dharmapuri, Javadhu Hills, Courtallam and Mudaliarkuppam,” says Nanduri.

There are many new introductions as well. Among the plans being prepared is heli-tourism, which will be introduced in Kodaikanal and Rameswaram in the next few months. Also, stay tuned for a 3D show in Arjun’s Tapasya in Mamallapuram, which will start in four months. “The duration of the show will be of 20-25 minutes. The story will be projected on the surface of the monument, and through this we are trying to show the history of the Pallava dynasty in Mamallapuram. A similar show will also take place on the idol of Thiruvalluvar in Kanyakumari.”

Mamallapuram | Photo Credit: Tamil Nadu Tourism

With people looking for options in their backyards, plantation tours are also seeing takers. “People visit tea, coffee, cardamom plantations in places like Meghamalai, Pollachi and Valparai, understand how these are grown, and then stay at the plantation for the night,” says Nanduri.

Cumbum | photo credit: Karthik Srinivasan

Chennai-based photographer Karthik Srinivasan, who posted pictures of his hometown of Cumbum on social media last month, says, “About 15 of my friends planned road trips to the exact same places after seeing my pictures. These are the people who love to drive because the roads there are beautiful to drive.”

Photographer Amar Ramesh, who runs Discover Tamil Nadu, an Instagram account featuring destinations across the state, is constantly on the lookout for stunning places and often stumbles upon lesser-explored gems. If you drive into Ambasamudram, Kalladaikurichi, Tirunelveli or from the interiors of Kotagiri, you will find that they look like exotic landscapes. It has natural beauty and paddy fields.” To find these places, he asks around, talks to locals, checks social media.

With regular international flights resuming from India from March 27, Amar says, “Even after international travel opens up, people should take time out to explore Tamil Nadu, which still has places that remain untouched.

Amar also suggests visiting temples like Gangaikonda Cholapuram (Ariyalur District) and Darasuram (Kumbakonam) as they are less crowded. In December 2021, Amar made a quick visit to the Thirumurthy Dam in Pollachi. “It was beautiful, the water level was good and anyone could drive or walk around it,” he says.

Thirumurthy Dam | photo credit: Amar Ramesh

adrenaline chaser

For the adventure addicts, Camp Splendor, located between the Thirumurthy Dam and the Annamalai mountain range, offers activities like archery, commando net and campfire, as well as kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing and standup paddling in the waters of the dam.

While road tripping to getaways like Pollachi, Chettinad, Coonoor and Thoothukudi have always been popular among the people of Tamil Nadu, of late, Tharangambadi, Nagercoil and Kumbakonam have also made it to the list. Jose Dominic, who heads CGH Earth Group of Hotels, says his property Mantra Koodam-CGH Earth in Kumbakonam, which received 50% of international guests pre-pandemic and only 30% from Tamil Nadu, now has its footfall from Tamil Nadu. Gets 70% of. ,

“Kumbakonam is home to UNESCO temples and is known for its architecture and culture. There are silk saris, pottery, bronze sculptures and local cuisine to be found here,” says Dominic. “Our priority is to open in new locations,” he added, adding that he is looking forward to opening in Nagercoil and Rameswaram. “Travellers want culture and beaches, and we plan to offer just that.”

a lazy date with history

Tharangambadi, the first Danish trading post in India, is a six and a half hour drive from Chennai, with the Bay of Bengal running as a constant companion. Its beaches have been welcoming more road trippers lately.

Thanga House | photo credit: special arrangement

Thanga House in Tharangambadi, a 60-year-old, four-bedroom bungalow opened its restored doors to the world in December 2020. “Destinations like these are usually not on the mass tourism map,” says property owner Prashant Bokaria. Yet customers drive from Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Thanjavur and Puducherry; As well as Mumbai, Chandigarh and Delhi. “We sell about 30 to 40 bookings a month,” he says.

Some people stop by for a pre-booked lunch or dinner. Additionally, guests also enjoy candlelight dinners in the saltwater plunge pool, on the terrace or on the beach. Says Prashant, “Guests come here to recharge, catch up on their reading, do creative work like writing, music, writing scripts, celebrating an occasion or simply doing nothing at all.” No modern noise, just the sound of waves.