10-Day Pondicherry Itinerary

1. Day 1: Visit Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple
   10 minutes (1.2 km) from Pondicherry Beach

   Experience the beautiful traditional architecture and intricate carvings of this 300-year-old temple.

2. Day 2: Explore the French Quarter
   15 minutes (2.5 km) from Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple

   Visit the Old Lighthouse (closed Mondays), stroll along Rue Dumas Street for quaint French villas and stop for lunch at the charming Cafe des Arts towards the end of the street.

3. Day 3: Promenade Beach and the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi
   5 minutes (1 km) from Rue Dumas Street

   Visit the Gandhi Statue on the promenade, relax on the long stretch of sand at Promenade Beach, and admire the sea-facing French War Memorial.

4. Day 4: Auroville
   30 minutes (11 km) from Promenade Beach

   Discover the spiritual community of Auroville, including Matri Mandir (closed Tuesdays) and the many eco-friendly initiatives. Lunch at Bread and Chocolate, a favorite bakery of the locals.

5. Day 5: Paradise Beach
   25 minutes (8 km) from Auroville

   Catch a ferry to the serene Paradise Beach, where the only way to get there is by boat. Enjoy a swim and lunch at the beachside restaurant.

6. Day 6: Pondicherry Museum and Botanical Garden
   20 minutes (4.5 km) from Paradise Beach

   Discover the history of the French and colonial era in Pondicherry Museum and explore the Botanical Garden for a peaceful walk and botanical sightings.

7. Day 7: Heritage Walks of Pondy
   15 minutes (2.5 km) from Botanical Garden

   Take a self-guided walk around the preserved White Heritage Town visiting the impressive Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (closed on Mondays), and walk along the Pondicherry Beach Road for seaside views and a delicious thali at Indian Kaffe Express.

8. Day 8: Chunnambar Boat House
   20 minutes (5 km) from Heritage Town

   Take a boat ride from Chunnambar Boat House to the virgin beach off the mainland and wander around the serene coconut groves.

9. Day 9: Visit Gingee Fort
   1 hour 20 minutes (70 km) from Chunnambar Boat House

   Drive down to the historic Gingee Fort, which is located at the top of a mountain and is a prime example of a military architecture.

10. Day 10: Shopping at Sunday Market and Goodbye Pondy!
    20 minutes (5 km) from Gingee Fort

    Conclude your trip with shopping at the Sunday Market for souvenirs and local crafts. Head back home with a bag full of amazing memories from this charming city.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple (1 hour, free)
• Old Lighthouse (30 mins, free), Rue Dumas Street (1 hour, free), Cafe des Arts (1 hour, INR 500)
• Promenade Beach (2 hours, free), Gandhi Statue (30 mins, free), French War Memorial (30 mins, free)
• Auroville (4 hours, free), Matri Mandir (2 hours, free), Bread and Chocolate (1 hour, INR 600)
• Paradise Beach (5 hours, INR 1,200 for ferry and food)
• Pondicherry Museum (2 hours, INR 300), Botanical Garden (1 hour, INR 50)
• Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (1 hour, free), Pondicherry Beach Road (2 hours, INR 800), Indian Kaffe Express (1 hour, INR 500)
• Chunnambar Boat House (3 hours, INR 700 for boat and food)
• Gingee Fort (4 hours, INR 300)
• Sunday Market (2 hours, INR 500)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 4,850

Useful Tips

For those with more time, try visiting the famous Aurobindo Ashram or enjoying a sunrise yoga session on the beach. For those with less time, consider combining a few locations into one day to maximize your experience. Due to the traffic, hiring a scooter or walking may be the easiest way to get around. Make sure to avoid driving during the monsoon season in Pondicherry (October to December) due to safety reasons. Remember to dress modestly while visiting religious sites and carry sunscreen with you as the sun can be strong in this southern city.