Puducherry & Mahabalipuram Weekend
French Quarter cafés, Auroville and the shore temples on the ECR
Overview
Down the East Coast Road from Chennai: stop at Mahabalipuram’s Shore Temple and Five Rathas (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), then two nights in Puducherry’s French Quarter — the Promenade, mustard-yellow villas, Auroville’s Matrimandir viewing point and Paradise Beach by boat.
Highlights
- Shore Temple, Five Rathas and Arjuna’s Penance at Mahabalipuram
- White Town’s cafés and the Promenade at sunrise
- Auroville visitor centre and Matrimandir viewing point
- Boat to Paradise Beach from Chunnambar
Itinerary
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Day1
Drive down the East Coast Road. Shore Temple, Five Rathas and Arjuna’s Penance at Mahabalipuram, then on to Puducherry (about 150 km).
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Day2
Sunrise on the Promenade, the French Quarter on foot, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, then Auroville and the Matrimandir viewing point. Afternoon boat to Paradise Beach.
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Day3
A last café breakfast in White Town and drive back to Chennai.
- Heritage hotel in White Town with breakfast
- Private car from Chennai and back
- Tolls, parking and driver allowance
- Monument tickets
- Chunnambar boat tickets
- Lunches and dinners
Special notes
- Hotel check-in is 12–2pm and check-out 10–11am.
- Itinerary may change because of weather or road conditions; an equivalent alternative is always offered.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
30–15 days: 25%.
14–7 days: 50%.
Less than 7 days: no refund.
Customer reviews
Review summary
Loved the stays and food. One travel day was longer than expected because of traffic, but the driver made good stops.
Travelled with my parents and two kids. The pace was relaxed, hotels were clean and warm, and they changed one day around when it rained.
6 reviews · 4 traveller photos
Great trip, one long drive
Loved the stays and food. One travel day was longer than expected because of traffic, but the driver made good stops.
Perfect for our family
Travelled with my parents and two kids. The pace was relaxed, hotels were clean and warm, and they changed one day around when it rained.
Better than we imagined
Everything was arranged exactly as promised. The team checked on us every day on WhatsApp and the driver knew all the best photo stops.
Great trip, one long drive
Loved the stays and food. One travel day was longer than expected because of traffic, but the driver made good stops.
Our honeymoon highlight
They decorated the room with flowers and arranged a candle-light dinner without us asking twice. Very professional.
Our honeymoon highlight
They decorated the room with flowers and arranged a candle-light dinner without us asking twice. Very professional.
