Tamil Nadu

Why visit

The state pairs the shore temples of Mahabalipuram and the French Quarter at Pondicherry on the coast with a climb into the Nilgiris at Ooty, so the trip swings from beach heat to a cool tea-and-eucalyptus hill station inside one loop, without a flight.

• Shore Temple and the Five Rathas at Mahabalipuram
• The French Quarter and Auroville near Pondicherry
• The Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train run
• Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, Chennai
• Doddabetta Peak viewpoint above Ooty

Places covered

ChennaiMahabalipuramPondicherryOoty

Suggested itinerary

1. Day1

   Arrive Chennai

   Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, evening at Marina Beach.

2. Day2

   Mahabalipuram

   Drive down the coast to the Shore Temple, the Five Rathas and Arjuna’s Penance.

3. Day3

   Pondicherry

   Continue to Pondicherry; the French Quarter promenade and a look at Auroville.

4. Day4

   Transfer to Ooty

   A long drive west through Coimbatore into the Nilgiri foothills, arriving by evening.

5. Day5

   Ooty

   Doddabetta Peak, the Government Botanical Garden and boating on Ooty Lake.

6. Day6

   Nilgiri toy train and depart

   A run on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway toward Coonoor, then transfer onward.