Chennai to Pondicherry

Pondicherry Trip is the refreshing and rejuvenating experience as you will get here miles of sun kissed beaches, French colonial history evident in the town planning as well as you also get to taste the delectable French Cuisine in the restaurants here.

Pondicherry, is a serene territory where the picturesque locales along with the presence of Sri Aurobindo Ashram has made it a favorite tourist destination.

This is a Union Territory in India located at a distance of 160km from Chennai on the Coromandel Coast. Pondicherry has a long history dating back 2000 years when it was an important Roman trading post.

The region was at various periods ruled by the Pallavas and Cholas. In the early 16th century, when it was known as Pulichery or Poocheri and under the rule of the Nayaks of Gingee.

Places of interest
Beach
The 1500 meter long beach that borders the town on the eastern side is clean and is an ideal place for swimming and sun bathing. There are two monuments of historical importance on the beach. One is the 4m. tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi and the other is the War Memorial, built by the French in commemoration of the soldiers who died in the First World War. The Light House which stands 29m. high is further down the beach and is over 150 years old.

Museum
Opened in 1984, this museum has on display some fine antiques apart from sections devoted to archaeology, geology, sculpture, handicrafts, objects of art, printing and armaments. Among the exhibits on display are the bed used by Dupleix, a palanquin ......

Botanical Gardens
Just off West Boulevard, the gardens planned by C.S. Perrotet in 1826, have a good collection of exotic flowering plants from India and abroad. There is also an aquarium here which has some rare species of ornamental fish.

Auro Ville
This city of dawn was designed by the French architect Roger Arger and was started as an experimental commune where people of all nationalities irrespective of caste, creed or religion would live together in harmony.

About 550 people from different countries live in the 40 settlements of Auroville. It is advisable to hire bicycles to look around as the village is too large to wander through on foot. Surrounded by lakes and gardens, the sphere shaped Matri Information Centre at Promesse the first stop is Here, a 25 hectare farm and orchard where organic agriculture has been practised successfully. The produce is used in the kitchens of Auroville as well as the Ashram in Pondicherry.

Crocodile Park
Located 42-km from Chennai. The Crocodile Park is about 35 km south of Chennai (Madras) city on the scenic East Coast Highway, en route to Mamallapuram. Established in 1976 by famous herpetologist Roulve Whittekar it is one of its kind in the country in the aspect of conservation and breeding of large varieties of crocodiles, giving special care to endangered ones. It occupies an area of 3.2 hectares and serves as a bank taking care of about 5,000 species kept there. Some of the exotic varieties of species of crocodiles found in the Crocodile Park in Chennai are- Morlet's crocodile from Mexico, American Alligator, Dwarf crocodile from Africa and the Siamese crocodile.

The Crocodile Bank in Chennai are the largest crocodile-breeding site in the country. Several species of African and Indian crocodiles and alligators are bred in captivity. This park tries to spread awareness of the useful ecological role played by crocodiles in selectively feeding on sick and weak and injured fish. . Here Projects and researches are conducted on the biology and study of crocodiles, turtles and lizards.

Kept in their natural surrounding they can be watched from a safe distance.

The park also has a section where the venom of snakes is extracted. It was established with the aim to preserve the Irula (Snake catching), tribe's way of life, as it uses their skill to extract venom from poisonous snakes. The snake park adjoining to it has large variety of such snakes and the venom extraction process demonstrated is very interesting. The venom is used as a cure for snakebites and to prepare medicines.

Muttukadu
Explore the land of flora and fauna, backwaters and lots more. Muttukadu is one of the best tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu. Surrounded by green coconut trees and green grassland the place is very beautiful.

Muttukadu is situated 36 km from Chennai. Its magnificent vistas give a delight to the sore eyes. The place is popular as a picnic spot and a good place for excursion activities. Muttukadu in Chennai offers its visitors an experience full of fun and enjoyment. Enjoy in the backwaters at Muttukadu. Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation has developed this backwater for its visitors to have fun in the water which nicely flourished the tourism prospect of Chennai.

Among the Attractions around Chennai, Muttukadu serves the best attraction as its famous windsurfing regatta. The extravaganza is organized every year in the month of February. Also in this South India Tour you will enjoy the windsurfing and water spots competition. For the adventure lovers there are training programs to add a new feather in the joyous experience of Excursion from Chennai.

Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram, 60 km, south of Madras is a World Heritage centre famed for the impressive rock-cut temples and a beach that allures fun seekers by the thousands.

Chennai to Pondicherry Car Rental Tariff

Tata Indica A/c (4+1 Seat, Pondicherry Drop) - Rs.2950/-

Rent a Tata Indica from us includes:

• All Driver Charges
• All fuel charges
• All Inter-state taxes
• NO OTHER HIDDEN CHARGES