Chennai, Kanchipuram & Pondicherry
Loop from Chennai to see Kanchipuram, the Shore Temple, Auroville, and the French Quarter.
The most popular short route around Chennai, featuring three completely different styles: a temple and silk town, seaside rock carvings, and a French-style old town. Travel along the East Coast Road (ECR) without backtracking, with no single drive exceeding three hours. Perfect for a layover in South India or a relaxing holiday. This is a three-night trip and does not head inland to the Chola temples.
Oct to Dec is rainy, and Apr to Jun is extremely hot; sightseeing is best done in the mornings and evenings.
Day by day
Day 1 · Kanchipuram Temples
Kanchipuram（Ekambareswarar Temple、Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram、Kamakshi Amman Temple、Kanchipuram Silk Weaving Workshops） → Mamallapuram
Drive from the airport to Kanchipuram (approx. 1.5 hours), then head to Mahabalipuram in the afternoon (approx. 1.5 hours).
Temples close at midday; it is best to arrive on an early flight or stay overnight in Kanchipuram.
Stay: Heritage Area and Old Town
Day 2 · Carved Coast to Pondicherry
Mamallapuram（Shore Temple、Arjuna's Penance (Descent of the Ganges)、Krishna's Butterball、Pancha Rathas） → Puducherry (Pondicherry)（Promenade Beach (Rock Beach)）
Explore the monuments on foot in the morning, then take the ECR to Pondicherry in the afternoon (approx. 2 hours).
Stay: White Town (French Quarter)
Day 3 · Auroville and the French Quarter
Puducherry (Pondicherry)（Auroville & Matrimandir、Sri Aurobindo Ashram、Manakula Vinayagar Temple、White Town (French Quarter)）
Take a taxi to Auroville in the morning (approx. 40 minutes), and explore on foot or rent a bicycle in the afternoon.
Prior booking is required to enter the Matrimandir; you can visit the viewing point if you only want to see the exterior.
Stay: White Town (French Quarter)
Day 4 · Return to Chennai via ECR
Puducherry (Pondicherry)（Serenity Beach） → Chennai（DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum）
Hire a private car back to Chennai (approx. 3–3.5 hours), stopping at the heritage museum along the way.