Day trip to Pondicherry

What this tour is about: Take a trip to Pondicherry, a charming, laid-back seaside town with a unique Franco-Tamil culture. See the city’s lovely architecture, and enjoy its delicious food, gentle sea breeze and laidback pace of life.

We will start the tour from Chennai at 6:30 am from your hotel. Please ask your hotel to provide packed breakfast. The drive to Pondicherry will take 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions.

Once in Pondicherry, we will begin with a visit to Aurobindo Ashram, the spiritual center of the city. Shri Aurobindo, a great seer, poet and prophet of the twentieth century, made Pondicherry his home from 1910 till his death in 1950. His vision and ideals continue to draw people from all over the world. We'll explore Pondicherry's wonderful French Quarter, with its clean and uncrowded streets, neatly painted houses, grand government buildings, sombre memorials and thriving cultural institutions. We will also visit the Notre Dame church.

After lunch, we will drive through the seaside Promenade for some great views and interesting structures - the Old Lighthouse, Nehru statue, Gandhi statue, Old Customs House, French War Memorial, and the ruins of La Mairie De Pondicherry.

We will visit the Tamil quarter as well, to see the traditional, intricate wooden houses which have been restored by INTACH. Finally, we will visit the bustling Grand Bazaar, for a look at daily life in the Tamil quarter. The bazaar sells spices, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and everything you need. The lanes adjoining the bazaar also specialize in different products.

The journey back to Chennai will take another 3.5 to 4 hours, and the tour will end by 8 pm.

Duration: 12 to 14 hours

Costs and How to Book:
Cost varies depending on the number of people. Please write to deepa@magictoursofindia.com or magictours@live.com for details.