There are road journeys you are taking to flee, and then there are road journeys that remind you why the journey issues. Our three-day drive through the deep South of Tamil Nadu — masking Valparai, Thoothukudi, and Nagercoil — was one such expertise. An exploration of lesser-known locations, framed by winding mountain roads, coastal serenity, and jungle escapes.
Choosing the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 for this drive was not nearly consolation or luxurious — it was about enabling a journey that spanned terrain as various as tea nation, sun-scorched coastlines, and dense tropical jungles. With its mix of energy, class, and clever expertise, the GLC turned greater than our mode of transport — it turned a trusted companion. It absorbed the miles with grace, supplied a commanding view of the road forward, and effortlessly transitioned from clean highways to damaged trails.
A view of Valparai city
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Tamil Nadu is a driver’s dream. With huge, well-paved highways and scenic backroads that snake through a number of the most underrated terrains within the nation, it’s a state that rewards those that love the road as a lot because the vacation spot.
Day 1: The Road to Valparai — Into the hills
We started our journey in Coimbatore, heading towards the mist-draped haven of Valparai, nestled excessive within the Anamalai Hills. The climb to Valparai is the stuff of road trip legends — 40 hairpin bends twisting through forests and tea plantations, flanked by towering timber and deep valleys. The drive was participating but clean, with the GLC’s poised dealing with and plush cabin making it much more pleasant.
Things to Do in Valparai
Aliyar dam and viewpoint – The ultimate cease to soak up the view earlier than the ascent.
Loam’s view level – Breath-taking panoramic vistas over the plains beneath.
Nirar dam and Sholayar forest reserve – Ideal for quiet walks and spontaneous wildlife sightings.
Tea backyard trails – Drive or stroll through the misty plantations.
Day 2: Valparai to Thoothukudi – Salt flats, seafood and boutique luxurious
Leaving the hills behind, we made our manner towards Thoothukudi. The panorama shifted dramatically — tea estates gave approach to palm-fringed fields, open plains, and ultimately salt pans shimmering within the solar. The drive was lengthy, however the GLC’s adaptive cruise management and refined experience stored fatigue at bay.
Scenic drive
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Thoothukudi is a metropolis of contrasts: a working port with uncooked vitality, set in opposition to the calm rhythm of the coast. We selected to remain at The Croft, a boutique property tucked a bit of outdoors city. Built with refined simplicity and a watch for design, it served as the proper base to unwind.
And then there was the meals. Fresh seafood dominates menus right here — assume grilled prawns, fiery crab masala, and delicately cooked seer fish with southern spices. It shouldn’t be effective eating, however it’s contemporary, genuine, and memorable.
Things to Do in Thoothukudi
Manapad shoreline – A dramatic, less-visited coastal stretch with cliffside views.
Salt pan drives – Especially placing at dawn or nightfall, these make for surreal photograph ops.
Harbour stroll – Soak within the native flavour and the hum of maritime life.
Day 3: Thoothukudi to Nagercoil – Jungle trails and land’s finish
The closing leg of the journey took us South-West to Nagercoil, a city tucked between the Western Ghats and the shoreline, simply shy of the tip of the Indian subcontinent. The terrain turned greener, denser. We detoured into jungle paths close to Keeriparai, a forested area that supplied us our most off-road-heavy drive of the trip. Here, the GLC’s off-road tech got here into its personal. With the clear bonnet view displaying us hidden rocks and dips, we navigated slender forest tracks with shocking ease. It is uncommon to mix luxurious with confidence in such terrain, however the GLC managed to ship each.
Valparai tea property drive
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Driving out to Land’s End felt symbolic. The road narrows because it hugs the shoreline, revealing views of the ocean that appear infinite. It was the proper place to deliver the journey to a detailed — peaceable, expansive, and humbling.
Things to Do in Nagercoil:
Land’s End drive (Kanyakumari) – A scenic drive right down to the southernmost level of India.
Chothavilai seaside – A serene, crowd-free spot with clear sands and mild waves.
Vattakottai fort – An outdated coastal fort with commanding views of the ocean and countryside.
Keeriparai jungle trails – Ideal for individuals who love a little bit of journey.
Falling in love with the road
This was greater than a scenic drive. It was a deep dive into the various landscapes and textures of Tamil Nadu’s South — a land of misty hills, salt-swept plains, and verdant forests. Each place supplied a distinct rhythm, and every road informed a distinct story.
While the locations have been the heroes of this journey, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 enabled it with quiet competence and constant consolation. It allowed us to soak within the expertise with out ever worrying about what lay forward — be it a winding hill road or a jungle path.
For those that love driving, Tamil Nadu provides a treasure trove of routes and getaways. And with the precise car, the journey itself turns into a vacation spot.
Published – May 19, 2025 05:24 pm IST
