Family-Friendly 5-day Itinerary for Pondicherry

  1. Day 1: The Promenade Beach
    10 mins (2.2 km) from Pondicherry Bus Stand

    Spend your first day relaxing and playing on the white sands of The Promenade Beach. Take a dip in the water or go for a walk along the promenade. In the evening, visit the Old Lighthouse nearby to watch a beautiful sunset.

  2. Day 2: Auroville
    25 mins (11.8 km) from Promenade Beach

    Take a day trip to the unique experimental township of Auroville. Explore the Matri Mandir and the gardens surrounding it. Lunch at Bread & Chocolate and shop at the boutiques featuring locally made items such as candles, incense, and handmade paper products. Enjoy peace and tranquillity

  3. Day 3: Chunnambar Backwaters
    30 mins (8.3 km) from Auroville

    Take a day trip to the Chunnambar Backwaters which offers boating through scenic mangrove forests. You can pick from different boat rides such as luxury or speed boats. Lunch at the Seagulls Restaurant and relax in the serene environment.

  4. Day 4: Sri Aurobindo Ashram
    15 mins (3.2 km) from Chunnambar Backwaters

    Visit the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram for a chance to get a glimpse of the peaceful and spiritual life that the city of Pondicherry is well-known for. Don't forget to take a look at the Samadhi of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Walk around the beautiful garden inside the Ashram premises, shop for books, incense and other spiritual items.

  5. Day 5: Botanical Garden
    15 mins (2.6 km) from Sri Aurobindo Ashram

    End your trip with a visit to the Botanical Garden, which boasts of 28 hectares of lush greenery with a wide variety of plants, trees and flowers. The garden has several sections, such as palm trees section, bonsai section, amongst others. It's a perfect place to relax with family and have a picnic lunch before end of your trip to Pondicherry.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • The Promenade Beach (2 hours, Free)
  • Auroville (5-6 hours, Free-500 INR)
  • Chunnambar Backwaters (3-4 hours, INR 250-300 per boat ride)
  • Sri Aurobindo Ashram (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Botanical Garden (2 hours, INR 20 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 270-800 per person

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, you can visit other cultural attractions like the Matri Mandir, Immaculate Conception Cathedral or Shri Varadaraja Perumal Temple.

If you have less time, you can skip Chunnambar Backwaters or Auroville depending on your preferences.

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