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6-Day Tamil Nadu Itinerary (Chennai → Mahabalipuram → Pondicherry → Thanjavur → Trichy → Madurai) with Flight Details (placeholders)

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Day 1: Arrive Chennai

Chennai, India on August 13, 2025

6:00am

Flight arrival — (Please insert your flight)

Placeholder: add airline, flight number, origin airport, scheduled arrival time, terminal and baggage details. Once you provide these I will update transfer time to hotel and local logistics. Chennai Airport (MAA) arrivals usually have good taxi/ride‑share availability 24/7.
INR0, 0h30m

8:00am

Breakfast — Saravana Bhavan (Mylapore)

Classic South Indian breakfast (idli, dosa, filter coffee) in a reliable local chain; opens early (around 07:00) so good for breakfast after arrival.
INR300, 0h30m

9:00am

Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore

Dravidian temple with colourful gopuram and active worship; visit in the morning when rituals and sculptural detail are best seen. Temple hours typically 06:00–11:00 and 17:00–21:00.
INR0, 1h0m

11:00am

Fort St. George & Museum

British‑era fort and museum giving an overview of Chennai’s colonial history and military artefacts; museum generally open 09:00–17:00 so morning visit is ideal.
INR50, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch — Buhari or Ponnusamy (Chettinad)

Buhari for the famous Chicken 65 and South Indian non‑veg classics or Ponnusamy for hearty Chettinad fare; both are well known and open through lunch.
INR500, 1h0m

3:00pm

Marina Beach walk & photography

One of the world’s longest urban beaches — ideal for an easy stroll and people‑watching; open all day but best late afternoon to avoid the heat.
INR0, 1h0m

5:00pm

Shopping at T. Nagar / Express Avenue

Silk sarees, jewellery and a modern mall option — T. Nagar and Express Avenue are convenient and most stores open until 20:00–21:00.
INR0, 1h30m

8:00pm

Dinner — Anjappar Chettinad or local seafood

Finish the day with Chettinad curries or coastal seafood; restaurants remain open late and show regional flavours.
INR600, 1h0m

Day 2: Mahabalipuram coast

Mahabalipuram → Pondicherry, India on August 14, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast — Murugan Idli Shop or local tiffin

Light, traditional South Indian breakfast to fuel a sightseeing drive south; outlets open early, convenient before departure.
INR250, 0h30m

8:00am

Drive to Mahabalipuram

Scenic 60–90 minute coastal drive to the UNESCO monuments; expect about 1.5–2 hours depending on traffic.
INR2000, 1h30m

10:00am

Shore Temple & Group of Monuments

Mahabalipuram’s iconic 7th–8th century rock‑cut temples and reliefs by the sea are a must‑see; site open roughly 06:00–18:00.
INR40, 1h30m

12:30pm

Lunch — Moonrakers or The Wharf (Mahabalipuram)

Fresh seafood and coastal dishes with sea views; restaurants open late morning to evening — great mid‑day stop.
INR700, 1h0m

2:00pm

Pancha Rathas & Arjuna’s Penance

Explore the monolithic chariots and the gigantic open‑air bas‑relief (Arjuna’s Penance); sites open alongside the Shore Temple (06:00–18:00).
INR40, 1h0m

4:00pm

Drive to Pondicherry

Approximately a 2–2.5 hour coastal drive; arrive late afternoon and check into your hotel before an evening stroll.
INR1800, 2h0m

6:30pm

Evening — Promenade & French Quarter walk

Stroll the Promenade at sunset and wander the colonial‑era French Quarter with cafés and colourful houses; seafront open evenings.
INR0, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — Villa Shanti

Comfortable French‑Indian fusion in the French Quarter; relaxed dinner service (usually open till ~22:30).
INR900, 1h0m

Day 3: Pondicherry & Auroville

Pondicherry (Puducherry), India on August 15, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — Baker Street

French‑style bakery famous for croissants and coffee — a pleasant start before exploring Aurobindo Ashram and the French Quarter.
INR400, 0h45m

9:00am

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

Peaceful spiritual centre with gardens and ashram museum; visitor hours are typically morning and late afternoon — check visitor guidelines before visiting.
INR0, 1h0m

10:30am

French Quarter walking tour

See colonial villas, boutiques and street art; best in the morning before the heat rises.
INR0, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch — Le Dupleix or Café des Arts

Indo‑French dishes at Le Dupleix or light café fare at Café des Arts; both open for lunch in the French Quarter.
INR800, 1h0m

3:00pm

Auroville — Visitor Centre & Matrimandir viewing

Visit Auroville’s Visitor Centre and gardens; inner Matrimandir viewing requires advance booking but the centre is open to all (recommended times 09:00–12:00 or 14:00–16:00).
INR200, 2h0m

6:00pm

Serenity or Promenade Beach at sunset

Relax on the beach and watch the sunset — calm alternative to busier city beaches.
INR0, 0h45m

8:00pm

Dinner — Satsanga

Modern, thoughtfully sourced menu blending Indian and global influences; a good option for a refined evening in Pondicherry.
INR900, 1h0m

Day 4: To Thanjavur

Pondicherry → Thanjavur, India on August 16, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast — Surguru or Café des Arts

Early South Indian breakfast to prepare for the longer inland drive to Thanjavur; both open early for travellers.
INR350, 0h30m

8:00am

Drive to Thanjavur

Roughly a 3.5–4 hour road journey across countryside; depart early to arrive with time for afternoon sightseeing.
INR3000, 4h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Sree Ariya Bhavan or local hotel

Simple, satisfying Tamil meals (thali or rice‑based dishes) to refuel before visiting the Big Temple; local restaurants serve lunch until ~14:30.
INR400, 1h0m

2:00pm

Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple)

UNESCO example of Chola architecture with an immense vimana; open typically 06:00–12:00 and 16:00–20:30 — the afternoon opening is ideal after lunch.
INR0, 1h30m

4:00pm

Thanjavur Palace & Saraswathi Mahal Library

Classical art, bronzes and palm‑leaf manuscripts in one of South India’s oldest libraries and palace complexes; galleries generally open 09:00–17:00 (confirm local hours).
INR50, 1h0m

6:30pm

Evening — Handloom and painting shopping

Browse Thanjavur silk shops and traditional painting studios for souvenirs and locally made art; shops typically open until 19:00–20:00.
INR0, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — Aasife Biriyani or local vegetarian hotel

Try a regional biryani spot or a local veg restaurant for hearty Tamil food; restaurants serve dinner late into the evening.
INR500, 1h0m

Day 5: Trichy temples

Thanjavur → Trichy (Tiruchirappalli), India on August 17, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast — hotel tiffin or local cafe

Quick South Indian breakfast before the short drive to Trichy and Srirangam; many hotels provide a hearty morning meal.
INR300, 0h30m

9:00am

Drive to Srirangam (Trichy)

Approximately 1–1.5 hours depending on route — reach the island temple complex of Srirangam for mid‑morning darshan.
INR600, 1h0m

10:30am

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

One of India’s largest temple complexes with vast courtyards and ornate gopurams; open typically 05:00–12:00 and 16:00–21:00 — mornings are excellent for exploring.
INR0, 2h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — Adyar Ananda Bhavan (A2B) or local non‑veg option

Reliable South Indian chain for a quick, tasty lunch (thali or dosas); convenient near temple areas and open through the afternoon.
INR350, 1h0m

2:30pm

Rock Fort & Ucchi Pillayar Temple

Climb the historic rock outcrop and visit the hilltop temple for panoramic city views; the complex is open 06:00–20:00 — allow time for the climb and photos.
INR0, 1h30m

5:00pm

Optional — Government Museum or Cauvery riverside

Visit the small but informative museum or relax along the Cauvery; museum hours often 09:30–17:00 (check local timings).
INR20, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — Murugan Idli Shop or local speciality

Classic South Indian comfort food or regional specialities; good dinner options stay open late in Trichy.
INR450, 1h0m

Day 6: Madurai finale & depart

Trichy → Madurai, India on August 18, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast — hotel or local cafe

Light breakfast before departure; a simple South Indian meal prepares you for the drive to Madurai.
INR300, 0h30m

8:00am

Drive to Madurai

Approximately a 3–3.5 hour drive through Tamil countryside; allow for rest stops and aim to arrive before the busiest temple hours.
INR2000, 3h0m

11:30am

Meenakshi Amman Temple

Madurai’s vibrant temple complex with towering gopurams, sculptural detail and daily rituals; hours typically 04:30–12:30 and 16:00–21:30 — mornings are excellent for seeing detail.
INR0, 2h0m

1:30pm

Lunch — Murugan Idli Shop (Madurai) or Amma Mess

Madurai is famous for hearty idlis, dosas and local meals — Murugan Idli Shop is a dependable choice for a fulfilling lunch.
INR350, 1h0m

3:00pm

Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal

17th‑century Indo‑Saracenic palace with pillared halls and evening light shows on some days; usually open 09:00–17:00 — afternoons are good for interiors.
INR50, 1h0m

4:30pm

Puthu Mandapam & local markets

Shop for jasmine garlands, textiles and handicrafts around the temple precinct; ideal for souvenirs and sampling street snacks.
INR0, 1h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Amsavalli Chettinad or regional restaurant

Finish with robust Chettinad dishes or a favourite local eatery in Madurai — spicy, memorable flavours to cap the trip.
INR500, 1h0m

10:30pm

Flight departure — (Please insert your flight)

Placeholder: add airline, flight number, departure airport (Madurai IXM), scheduled departure time and terminal. If your flight is on a different date/time, tell me and I will adjust this itinerary and transfer timing accordingly.
INR0, 0h30m
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