3-Day Spiritual and Coastal Journey from Chengalpattu to Pondicherry via Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Arunachalam

Day 1: Heritage and Temples

Chengalpattu to Mahabalipuram to Kanchipuram, India on January 15, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Sri Krishna Cafe, Chengalpattu

Start your day with a traditional South Indian breakfast of idli and dosa at this popular local spot, open from 7am to 10am.
INR150, 1h

8:30am

Drive to Mahabalipuram

Travel approx 70 km southeast to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram, famous for its ancient rock-cut temples.
INR0, 1h30m

10:00am

Visit Shore Temple and Pancha Rathas

Explore the iconic Shore Temple and the five monolithic Pancha Rathas, masterpieces of Pallava architecture open 6am to 6pm.
INR30, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Moonrakers, Mahabalipuram

Enjoy fresh seafood and coastal Tamil dishes at this renowned seaside restaurant, open 11:30am to 3pm.
INR600, 1h30m

1:30pm

Drive to Kanchipuram

Head northwest for approx 60 km to Kanchipuram, the city of a thousand temples and famous for its silk sarees.
INR0, 1h30m

3:00pm

Explore Kailasanathar Temple and Ekambareswarar Temple

Visit these ancient temples showcasing exquisite Dravidian temple architecture, open from 6am to 8pm.
INR20, 2h

5:00pm

Check-in and refresh at hotel in Kanchipuram

Relax before dinner at one of Kanchipuram’s comfortable hotels.
INR2500, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Hotel Saravana Bhavan, Kanchipuram

Savour authentic Tamil vegetarian cuisine at this popular chain, open till 10:30pm.
INR300, 1h
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Day 2: Spiritual Highlands and Coastal Retreat

Kanchipuram to Arunachalam to Pondicherry, India on January 16, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Start early with a wholesome breakfast at your hotel in Kanchipuram.
Included in stay, 1h

8:30am

Drive to Arunachalam Hills (Thiruvannamalai)

Travel approx 90 km northwest to Arunachalam, a spiritually significant hill with the famous Arunachaleswarar Temple and ancient caves.
INR0, 2h

10:30am

Visit Arunachaleswarar Temple and Ramana Ashram

Explore these spiritual sites open 6am to 8pm; Arunachaleswarar is one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas representing fire.
Free, 3h

1:30pm

Lunch at Sri Ramana Catering, Arunachalam

Enjoy simple, sattvic vegetarian meals favored by ashram visitors, open till 3pm.
INR250, 1h

2:30pm

Drive to Pondicherry

Head southeast approx 90 km to the French colonial coastal town of Pondicherry.
INR0, 2h

4:30pm

Explore French Quarter and Promenade Beach

Walk the charming streets with colonial architecture and relax by the seaside promenade open to public at all times.
Free, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner at Le Dupleix, Pondicherry

Dine at this heritage hotel’s restaurant offering a refined blend of French and Tamil cuisines, open till 10pm.
INR1200, 1h30m
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Day 3: Relax and Return

Pondicherry to Chengalpattu, India on January 17, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Cafe des Arts, Pondicherry

Enjoy a light French-style breakfast in this popular café in the French Quarter, open from 7am to 11am.
INR350, 1h

9:00am

Visit Auroville

Take a short drive to Auroville, an experimental township dedicated to human unity, with visitor center open 9am to 5pm.
Free, 2h

11:30am

Start drive back to Chengalpattu

Drive approx 110 km northwest back to Chengalpattu, concluding your spiritual and cultural journey.
INR0, 2h30m

2:00pm

Lunch on the way at Saravana Bhavan Express, near Chengalpattu

Grab a quick and tasty traditional South Indian lunch before heading home.
INR200, 1h
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