Chennai, Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry Coastal Break

Trip overview

A short East Coast Road trip from Chennai: Pallava shore temples at Mahabalipuram, then two easy days in Pondicherry's French Quarter and Auroville.

The route spends 1 night in Chennai, 1 night in Mahabalipuram and 2 nights in Puducherry, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits couples' holidays, cultural holidays, beach holidays, road trips and self-drive holidays, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.

1. Chennai 1N
2. Mahabalipuram 1N
3. Puducherry 2N

Highlights

How this version is planned

• A relaxed pace with two-night stays where possible
• One special dinner or experience suggested at each stop
• Flexible days you can fill as you like
• Licensed local guides at the major heritage sites
• Timed tickets booked for sites that need them

This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.

Good to know

• Chennai: Use Chennai as a starting day: a morning in Mylapore and an evening on the beach before driving down the East Coast Road.
• Mahabalipuram: See the monuments early in the morning or late afternoon; the stone gets very hot by midday.
• Puducherry: Combine Puducherry with Mahabalipuram on the drive down from Chennai for an easy three-day coastal break.