7-Day Nature Tour of Chennai

1. Day 1: Guindy National Park
   15 minutes (7.7 km) from Chennai International Airport

   Explore the 2.7 square kilometers of dense forest, see the rare Indian Antelope, and visit the Guindy Snake Park.

2. Day 2: Mahabalipuram
   1 hour 20 minutes (58.7 km) from Guindy National Park

   Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site that has temples, ancient rock-cut caves, and impressive sculptures.

3. Day 3: Pulicat Lake and Bird Sanctuary
   2 hours 30 minutes (85.5 km) from Mahabalipuram

   Witness the beauty of the second-largest saltwater lagoon in the country with its wide variety of flora and fauna.

4. Day 4: Chembarambakkam Lake
   1 hour 10 minutes (33.3 km) from Pulicat Lake and Bird Sanctuary

   See the scenic lake, a source of water for Chennai, and take a walk through the surrounding forests.

5. Day 5: Arignar Anna Zoological Park
   1 hour 5 minutes (36.1 km) from Chembarambakkam Lake

   Experience a wildlife safari, interact with elephants, and see over 160 species of animals at this zoo.

6. Day 6: Koli Hills
   5 hours (340 km) from Arignar Anna Zoological Park

   Escape the city and trek to see scenic valleys, mountains, and waterfalls that offer an amazing adventure.

7. Day 7: Kodaikanal
   3 hours 15 minutes (165 km) from Koli Hills

   Visit the Queen of Hill Stations, as it's known, and explore the forests, waterfalls, and serene environment.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Guindy National Park (2-4 hours, INR 20-40)
• Mahabalipuram (4-6 hours, INR 10-250)
• Pulicat Lake and Bird Sanctuary (4-6 hours, INR 20-100)
• Chembarambakkam Lake (2-4 hours, Free)
• Arignar Anna Zoological Park (4-6 hours, INR 60-100)
• Koli Hills (2 days, INR 5000-8000)
• Kodaikanal (2-3 days, INR 5000-8000)
• Total Estimated Costs (for two people): INR 15,100-19,540

Useful tips

If you have more time, you can add a visit to the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Muttukadu Boat House, and Marina Beach. For less time, you can skip Koli Hills and spend more time at other locations or visit the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust.