Family-Friendly 5-Day Itinerary for Pondicherry

  1. Day 1: Explore the French Quarter
    10 minutes (2.0 km) from Pondicherry Bus Stand

    Take a stroll through the beautiful French colonial architecture, visit Aurobindo Ashram and Notre Dame des Anges church. Enjoy the delicious cuisine at Le Dupleix restaurant.

  2. Day 2: Relish the Beaches
    15 minutes (3.5 km) from previous location

    Get some sand in your toes at the Promenade Beach, then head to Paradise Beach for more swimming and sunbathing. In the afternoon, rent a bike on Rock Beach and take a leisurely ride along Bay of Bengal.

  3. Day 3: Discover the Cultural Side
    15 minutes (3.0 km) from previous location

    Explore the art galleries and exhibits at Bharathi Park, followed by a visit to the ancient national monument Gingee Fort.

  4. Day 4: Visit the backwaters of Pondicherry
    45 minutes (16 km) from previous location

    Take a sunrise boat ride along the serene Ousteri Lake. You can also visit the Kaliveli Tank, a haven for bird watchers. In the evening, witness the amazing light and sound show at the Pondicherry Science Centre.

  5. Day 5: Head to the Outskirts
    30 minutes (12 km) from previous location

    Drive down to Paradise Island, an eco-friendly farm resort with plenty of activities for kids, and then visit Auroville, an experimental township that promotes sustainable living and is known for its beautiful Matri Mandir.

Time and Costs Estimates:

  • Aurobindo Ashram (1 hour, Free)
  • Notre Dame des Anges church (30 minutes, Free)
  • Le Dupleix (1 hour, Rs. 800 for lunch)
  • Promenade Beach (2 hours, Free)
  • Paradise Beach (3 hours, Rs. 200 for boat ride)
  • Rock Beach (2 hours, Rs. 200 for bike rental)
  • Bharathi Park (1 hour, Free)
  • Gingee Fort (2 hours, Rs. 50 entry fee)
  • Ousteri Lake (2 hours, Rs. 200 for boat ride)
  • Kaliveli Tank (2 hours, Free)
  • Pondicherry Science Centre (1 hour, Rs. 50 entry fee)
  • Paradise Island (4 hours, Rs. 1000 per adult)
  • Auroville (3 hours, Free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: Rs. 2,500 (excluding accommodation)

Useful tips:

You can extend your stay in Pondicherry by visiting other beaches like Auroville Beach or renting a houseboat on the Chunnambar River. You can also explore other cultural sites like the Aayi Mandapam or the Karikal Ammaiyar Temple if you have more time.

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