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A carved South Indian temple tower lit at dusk beneath a star-filled sky

Tamil Nadu & Puducherry

Tamil Nadu — Temples & the Coromandel

Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry tour package · 6 nights / 7 days

Chennai, the shore temples at Mahabalipuram, French Pondicherry and the great gopurams inland.

Duration
6 nights / 7 days
Best time
November to February, when the coast is dry and cool.
Ideal for
Culture and architecture travellers, photographers, slower itineraries

This Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry tour package is a 6-night, 7-day itinerary in Tamil Nadu & Puducherry. The best time to go is November to February, when the coast is dry and cool. It suits culture and architecture travellers, photographers, slower itineraries. World Destinations, a travel agency in Mumbai, plans it end to end — flights, hotels, transfers and sightseeing — and prices it on your dates.

Itinerary by World Destinations, Mumbai · Updated

Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry tour highlights

  • Shore Temple and the rock carvings at Mahabalipuram
  • The French Quarter at Pondicherry
  • Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur
  • Chettinad mansions and cooking

Day-wise itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Arrive Chennai

    Transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore and a walk along Marina Beach.

  2. Day 2

    Chennai to Mahabalipuram

    Down the coast road. The Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance and the Five Rathas — all carved from living rock in the seventh century.

  3. Day 3

    Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry

    Short drive south. Afternoon walking the French Quarter — ochre walls, bougainvillea, the promenade at dusk.

  4. Day 4

    Pondicherry

    Auroville in the morning, then the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the Botanical Garden. Evening free among the cafes.

  5. Day 5

    Pondicherry to Thanjavur

    Inland via Chidambaram. Afternoon at Brihadeeswarar Temple, a thousand years old and still in daily use.

  6. Day 6

    Chettinad

    The merchant mansions at Karaikudi, with their Burmese teak and Italian tile, and a Chettinad cooking session if you would like one.

  7. Day 7

    Depart Trichy or Madurai

    Transfer to the airport, with Madurai's Meenakshi Temple added if your flight is late.

Inclusions

  • English-speaking guide at Mahabalipuram and Thanjavur
  • Monument entries as listed
  • Accommodation in the stated hotel category on twin-sharing basis
  • Daily breakfast; other meals as noted in the itinerary
  • All transfers and sightseeing by private air-conditioned vehicle
  • Driver allowance, fuel, tolls, parking and interstate permits
  • Monument and activity entry fees where listed as included
  • All applicable taxes on the services provided by us
  • 24/7 on-trip support from your World Destinations planner

Exclusions

  • Special darshan queues at working temples
  • Cooking class unless requested
  • Airfare and train fare unless quoted separately
  • Lunches and dinners not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Personal expenses — laundry, telephone, minibar, tips and porterage
  • Camera fees, optional activities and anything not listed as included
  • Travel insurance and medical costs
  • Any increase in government taxes or fuel surcharge after booking
  • Costs arising from delays, roadblocks, weather or events beyond our control

Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry: common questions

When is the best time to visit Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry?

The best time to visit Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry is November to February, when the coast is dry and cool.

How many days do you need in Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry?

We plan the Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry trip over 6 nights and 7 days, which covers the full day-by-day route on this page. With fewer days we shorten the route rather than cram it, and with more we add stops — tell us your dates and we adjust it.

What is included in the Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry tour package?

Included in the Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry package: English-speaking guide at Mahabalipuram and Thanjavur; Monument entries as listed; Accommodation in the stated hotel category on twin-sharing basis; Daily breakfast; other meals as noted in the itinerary. Not included: Special darshan queues at working temples; Cooking class unless requested; Airfare and train fare unless quoted separately. The full inclusions and exclusions are listed above.

Who is the Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry trip best for?

The Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry trip suits culture and architecture travellers, photographers, slower itineraries. The itinerary here is a starting point, and the route can be changed to suit your group.

How much does a Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry trip cost?

There is no fixed price for Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry: World Destinations quotes each trip against live airline and hotel rates for your dates, party size and hotel category. Season, hotel category and flights from Mumbai move the cost most. Send your dates on WhatsApp or call +91 9167919191 for a full costing.

Enquire

Price the
Tamil Nadu — Temples & the Coromandel trip

Send your dates and party size. We reply with a full costing, the hotels we would use and anything we would change about the route for your dates.

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