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Pondicherry & Mahabalipuram

Beaches, cafes, cute buildings, ancient architecture, “me time” – the trip to Pondicherry & Mahabalipuram has got everything for everyone.

Pondicherry

Starts: from Chennai

Ends: at Chennai

Type: Mixed Gender

Dates

Start: 12 PM, 18 Feb 2024

End: 4 PM, 21 Feb 2024

₹ 26500

₹ 25500

About the Tour

If you are looking for a relaxing trip full of good food, cute French architecture, pretty churches, beach fun, gorgeous sunsets, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, breathtakingly beautiful monolithic cave temples, chariots, group camaraderie, & and endless conversations, then this trip to Pondicherry & Mahabalipuram is for you.

Filled with scenic beaches, streets lined with colorful buildings, home to charming upscale cafes, and having a diverse multicultural heritage, Pondicherry is a traveler’s paradise. From end to end, Puducherry (as it is now known) is a culmination of myriad experiences. The city of Pondicherry is the capital of the Union Territory of Puducherry (India). Located on the southeast coast of India, Pondicherry is the most populous city in the Puducherry district. This Union Territory shares most of its culture, heritage, and language with its neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. Historically it was inhabited by the Dutch, Portuguese, British, and French traders. Their influence can still be seen in the architecture and certain aspects of the culture of this region.

Did you know that Pondicherry was the chief settlement of the French in India? In the year 1674, the French East India Company set up a trading center at Pondicherry. This marked the outpost eventually becoming the chief settlement of the French in India. The French governor of the time, François Martin made some significant improvements to the city.  Now you know why we have cute & picturesque French buildings in the Latin quarter of Pondicherry where can’t stop gazing & clicking Instagram-perfect pictures. 

Until the year 1814, Pondicherry was shifted back and forth between the French, Dutch, and the English. A number of treaties and resolutions ensued till post-independence in the year 1954, with this Union Territory eventually being merged with the Indian Union. All those years of occupation and even before that, having been part of the Indian Subcontinent ensured that Pondicherry developed into a beautiful nest of cultural diversity. 

This sunny coastal habitation is a popular vacation spot for both people from India and abroad. With all the great food, attractions, and welcoming ambiance there is no doubt as to why Pondicherry is so well-loved.

Just a few kilometers from Pondicherry lies the beautiful city of Mahabalipuram. The crossroads of the past and the present are seen in the quaint little town of Mahabalipuram. Also known as Mamallapuram, this town in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu is known for its Historical Monuments. All of which have been categorized under the title of Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.

One of two major port cities in the Pallava kingdom, this town was named after Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, whose moniker was Mahabali. Sometime during the 8th century, Thirumangai Alvar described this place in one of his texts as the ‘Sea Mountain’. He described this place to be a port where many would anchor their ships which were filled with wealth, exotic animals like elephants, and chests filled with gems. Booming with economic prosperity, this port city became the site of several royal monuments which were carved out of the living rock. These monuments date back to the 7th and 8th centuries and even today are very well-preserved. The current town plan was actually established by the British in 1827 during their occupation. Mahabalipuram is an archaeological treasure trove and is an extremely famous tourist hub.

Trip Highlights

Your Itinerary

Pickup:
12:00 PM – Chennai Airport

If you are an outstation participant, please land by 11:30 AM. If you are based out of Chennai but live far from the airport, then connect with us. We’ll see if we can pick you up on the way to Mahabalipuram.

Group Introduction & Orientation after all pick-ups are done
Start driving towards Mahabalipuram
Lunch
Panch Rathas
Shore Temple
Mahisasurmardini Cave
Arjun Penance
Varaha Cave Temple, Krishna’s Butter Ball, Trimurti Cave
Leave for Pondicherry
Hotel check-in & freshen up
Cafe Exploration/Dinner

Stay overnight in a 5-star hotel

Breakfast
Sri Aurobindo Ashram
French Quarter Walk
Puducherry Museum
Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple
Notre Dame Des Anges Church
Sacred Heart Basilica
Lunch
(short break at the hotel for a change of clothes)
Paradise Beach
Dinner/ Cafe Exploration
Social Evening within group

Stay overnight in a 5-star hotel

Breakfast
Start driving to Auroville in Pondicherry
Matrimandir View Point
SVARAM & Sound Garden
Free time for shopping/ moving around in Auroville
Lunch
(short break at the hotel for a change of clothes)
Eden Beach
Dinner/ Cafe Exploration/ Valentine Eve Party

Stay overnight in a 5-star hotel

Wake up leisurely & have Breakfast
Hotel check-out
French War Memorial
Walk along Rock Beach/Promenade Area
Drive to Chennai
Chennai Airport Drop (latest by 4 PM)

Trip Ends
Please note that we expect to drop participants at Chennai Airport by 4 PM. Please keep some buffer time in your onward flights just to be on the safer side. If you are an outstation participant, we would recommend booking flights post 6 PM. 

Booking/ Query

If you have any questions or concerns, then please feel free to contact us using the below-mentioned details. Alternatively, fill this form and our team will get back to you at their earliest.

This trip can also be personalized as per your needs, with your friends & family. If interested, please reach out to us.

To book this trip, please Call/ WhatsApp/ Email using the below-mentioned details.

Call/ WhatsApp : +91 9999 74 9677
Email: chandni@transformingtravels.com

Photos

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