Itinerary
- Day 1
Chennai to Mahabalipuram
You'll land at Chennai airport and head to your hotel to freshen up. After that, it's time to walk along Marina Beach, which stretches for miles along the coast and gives you a real sense of the city. Next you'll check out Fort St. George where there's a colonial museum inside the old fortification showing artifacts from when the British were here. In the afternoon, the drive down East Coast Road takes you to Mahabalipuram. There you'll see Shore Temple sitting right by the water, the five stone chariots called Pancha Rathas, and Arjuna's Penance carved into the rock face. By evening you'll be settled at your hotel in Mahabalipuram.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner featuring local delicacies)
Included Activities
- Visit Marina Beach with leisurely walk
- Visit Fort St. George and colonial museum
- Scenic drive along East Coast Road
- Explore Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram
- Visit Pancha Rathas (Five Rathas) monolithic structures
- Visit Arjuna's Penance rock relief
- Hotel check-in in Mahabalipuram
Landmarks Marina Beach Fort St. George Shore Temple Pancha Rathas Arjuna's Penance - Day 2
Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry
After breakfast, you'll explore the Cave Temples in Mahabalipuram where artisans carved chambers and sculptures directly into the hillside. Walking through the local streets, you can watch artisans working on stone carvings and crafts. Then it's a scenic drive along East Coast Road heading toward Pondicherry, a former French colonial town with a completely different feel. You'll visit the Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual retreat set in quiet gardens. As evening comes on, head to Promenade Beach to catch the sunset, walk past the Gandhi statue and French War Memorial, and then wander through the French Quarter with its colonial buildings, cafes, and narrow streets that feel like stepping back in time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner featuring fusion of French and Indian cuisines)
Included Activities
- Visit Cave Temples in Mahabalipuram
- Explore charming streets of Mahabalipuram
- Scenic drive along East Coast Road
- Visit Aurobindo Ashram
- Visit Promenade Beach
- View Gandhi statue
- View French War Memorial
- Explore French Quarter
- Hotel check-in in Pondicherry
Landmarks Cave Temples Aurobindo Ashram Promenade Beach Gandhi Statue French War Memorial French Quarter - Day 3
Pondicherry to Chennai
Starting with breakfast, you'll visit the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which has striking Gothic architecture and beautiful stained-glass windows throughout. Then check out Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a colorful shrine dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Later, travel to Auroville, an experimental community focused on sustainable living and international cooperation, and visit the Matrimandir, its spiritual heart, to learn about their practices and philosophy. After that, you'll begin your return journey back to Chennai following the scenic East Coast Road, giving you time to reflect on what you've seen before heading to the airport for your next flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- Explore Manakula Vinayagar Temple
- Travel to Auroville
- Visit Matrimandir spiritual center
- Learn about Auroville community and sustainable living
- Scenic drive back to Chennai
- Transfer to Chennai airport
Landmarks Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Manakula Vinayagar Temple Matrimandir Auroville
