1 night · Easy · Tamil Nadu's coastal capital, with old temples, a British-era fort, museums and a very long city beach.
Day 1: Chennai
- Visit Fort St. George and the Fort Museum in the morning (closed Fridays).
- Go on to the Government Museum, Egmore, for two to three hours.
- See Valluvar Kottam in the late afternoon.
- Dinner of dosa and filter coffee near your hotel.
Getting here from Chennai: Road, about 1.5 hours. About 60 km by road.
1 night · Easy · Seaside town south of Chennai with Pallava-era rock-cut temples, carved reliefs and the Shore Temple.
Day 2: Mahabalipuram
- Start early at the Shore Temple.
- Walk to Arjuna's Penance and Krishna's Butterball.
- Visit the Mahishasuramardini Cave and climb the lighthouse.
- See the Pancha Rathas in the late afternoon.
Getting here from Mahabalipuram: Road, about 2.5 hours. About 100 km by road.
2 nights · Easy · A former French seaside town with a beach promenade, an old quarter, an ashram and Auroville nearby.
Day 3: Puducherry
- Arrive and check in near White Town.
- Visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the Manakula Vinayagar Temple.
- See the Pondicherry Museum.
- Walk through White Town (French Quarter).
- Sunset on Promenade Beach (Rock Beach).
Day 4: Puducherry
- Go to Auroville in the morning and collect a free pass at the Visitors Centre.
- Walk to the Matrimandir Viewing Point.
- Lunch at Auroville, then return to town.
- Evening walk on Promenade Beach (Rock Beach).
Getting here from Puducherry: Road, about 4 hours. About 180 km by road.
1 night · Easy · Chola temple city in the Cauvery delta, home to the UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswarar Temple.
Day 5: Arrival day
- Travel from Puducherry to Thanjavur (about 4 hours).
- Visit Brihadeeswarar Temple in the late afternoon.
- Stay for the evening light and the lamps.
- Walk over to Schwartz Church if time allows.
Getting here from Thanjavur: Road, about 3.5 hours. About 170 km by road.
2 nights · Easy · Old temple city in southern Tamil Nadu, built around the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Day 6: Madurai
- Morning visit to Koodal Azhagar Temple.
- Late morning at Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal.
- Rest during the afternoon heat.
- Evening at the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
Day 7: Madurai
- Early visit to Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple.
- Late morning at the Gandhi Memorial Museum.
- Sunset at Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam.
- Light and sound show at Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal.
Getting here from Madurai: Road or train, about 3.5 to 4 hours. About 170 km by road.
2 nights · Easy · Island temple town on Pamban Island, home to the Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga shrine.
Day 8: Arrival day
- Travel from Madurai to Rameswaram (about 3.5 to 4 hours).
- Evening: sunset view from Gandhamadhana Parvatham.
Day 9: Rameswaram
- Early bath at Agni Theertham.
- Theertham bath and darshan at the Ramanathaswamy Temple.
- Afternoon at Lakshmana Theertham and the Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple.
Getting here from Rameswaram: Road, about 6 hours. About 300 km by road.
2 nights · Easy · Temple town at the southern tip of mainland India, where three seas meet off a rocky shore.
Day 10: Arrival day
- Travel from Rameswaram to Kanyakumari (about 6 hours).
- Evening: evening darshan at the Bhagavathy Amman Temple.
Day 11: Kanyakumari
- Watch sunrise at Triveni Sangam and Kanyakumari Beach.
- Queue early for the ferry to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
- Walk the glass bridge to the Thiruvalluvar Statue and ferry back.
Day 12: Kanyakumari
- Visit Gandhi Mandapam near the beach.
- Take an auto to Vattakottai Fort.
- Return to town for lunch and a rest.
- Evening walk on Kanyakumari Beach.
Afterwards: Thiruvananthapuram airport is about 2.5 hours from Kanyakumari.
Travel times between stops are rough estimates for planning; check current timetables and road conditions before you go. Each day links to the full guide for that place.
