Puducherry (Pondicherry)

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest – just 70 Kms away from Pondicherry

This is a beautiful Mangrove Forest on the backwaters. It is completely surrounded by Mangrove trees, all of them are very short trees but gives an attractive look and the roots go deep into the land, which is remarkable indeed. Here guest has an option to do the cruise through canals which would give a great experience as they can cross the narrow passage covered by Mangrove trees on both the sides. Guest can also see beautiful birds, Foxes and River Otter. Best time for boating is morning and evening time (before 5). Cruise can done either by Row boat / Motor boat.

Duration for the cruise – 1 to 2 hours.

You can suggest this boating for Domestic guests, Malaysians / Singaporians.

Timing: 7:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M

Chidambaram –70 Kms & 2 hours drive / one way from Pondicherry

It is an ancient and historic temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Natarajar. Chidambaram is one of the five holiest Shiva temples and it does represent one of the five natural elements - akasha (Sky) where Lord Shiva is worshipped in his manifestation as Sky. The other four temples in this category are: Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara, Trichy (Water), Kanchi Ekambareswara (Earth)Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar (Fire), Tiruvannamalai and Kalahasti Nathar (Wind),Kalahasti. We can see the dancing deity - Lord Shiva in this Chidambaram temple. One can see shrines of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The deity of Lord Shiva, which is placed in the inner sanctum will be taken out for the procession every year during the festival period.

Temple timing: 6:00 to 12:00 hrs & 16:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs

Thiruvanamalai – 110 Kms & 3 hours drive / one way

This is also one of the five elements temple of Lord Shiva and it represents fire. It is one of main pilgrimage centres of Lord Shiva which is visited by the devotees throughout the year. Especially in every full moon days, many of the devotees go for Girivalam. Apart from the main temple, guests can also visit Ramana maharishi Ashram. Ramanamaharishi is a well known rishi not only for Indians. There are many devotees and followers of Ramana Maharishi all over the universe.

Temple timing: 6:00 to 12:00 hrs & 16:00 hrs to 21:00 hrs

Mahabalipuram – 100 Kms & 02 Hours drive / One way From Pondicherry

Mamallapuram or Mahapalipuram also known as the town of sculptures, is located on the way to Chennai in the ECR (East coast road). It has various historic monuments built largely between the 07th and 09th centuries and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Monument timing: 06:00 to 18:00 Hrs.

Activities we could promote at Pondicherry:

SCUBA DIVING:

It is a recreational diving programme. One need not be a swimmer or the guest need not know swimming at all. Guest will go into the water at a depth of *12 mts/ 40 ft.* and spend *30 mins*.This is basically a two half day programme. So,

Day 1 - Pool training and briefing session (*2-3 hours maximum, depending on the numbers* and timing is between 10:00 am and 4:00pm)

Day 2 - Sea diving (6:30 am to 1:00 pm - you will not be under water for this long but the whole session can take this much time or less)

Cost you pay for this Scuba diving includes the below:

1. SCUBA equipment during the programme (including diving costume)

2. Certificate of Completion from PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) which is valid for a year and can be used anywhere in the world at a PADI dive center!

3. Snacks on the boat.

*Photos and video are complimentary*

You may please contact us for rates.

Note: Please note there need to be a time gap of at least 12 hours after one dive, 18 hours after two dives, and 24 hours after multiple dives before taking a flight journey. If the guest plans to take a flight back home or to the other destination, they must keep these hours in mind and let the program organizer know their flight dates.

KAYAKING IN MANGROVES:

This activity is done in the early morning. 6:00am to 8:00am and evening 3.30pm to 6.30pm. It is an 1 hour ride with Instructor. They will teach you how to do Kayaking. It happens in a beautiful mangroves. You can see 3 types of mangroves.

The South Indian Coffee Program: An exclusive Coffee program for the Coffee lovers:

Mr. Marc, a hard-core Coffee lover from Barcelona [Spain] fell in love with Indian Coffee and settled at Pondicherry. He runs his own business as Marc’s Café here at Auroville, catering freshly brewed Coffee to his guests. In this session, Mr. Marc would explain the client the brief history of Coffee in India and how one of the most loved beverage all around the world came to India.

Clients can get to know and taste all the different varieties of Coffee brought from all major Coffee plantations across South India. Guests can enjoy the show when Marc himself brews each variety of South Indian Coffee. They shall try the sample of each Coffee he makes for them.

This 2 hour Coffee program ends with a light lunch prepared exclusively for the guest.

Duration: 2 Hours which consists of an Introduction to South Indian Coffee, its history and followed by a live Coffee Brewing and Tasting session. Finish off with a light lunch.

Venue: Marc’s Coffee Shop

Distance: 10 kms from Pondicherry Town

Timing: 11 am to 2 pm

Inclusions: Coffee Demonstration and Brewing session, Coffee tasting, Lunch

Lunch: Sandwich, Salads, Juice, Coffee Cake/Gelato

Minimum Pax: 10, Minimum 10 pax required for this program or else we have to pay 10 pax price even for a 2 pax participation.

Recommended: For all

Guided Cycling Tour along Pondicherry:

Cycling is the most preferred means of travelling in Pondicherry which helps the client explore the city better than sitting inside the closed cars. This is a 1 hour guided Cycling program along the French Quarters of Pondicherry. Client shall meet the expert storyteller and start cycling from the French Consulate.

Get to know the French Connection of Pondicherry as the Guide briefs the client the history of every heritage buildings and major landmarks in Pondicherry during the French rule. They will pass through all the major sites of the French Quarters such as the Aurobindo International Institute, the Foyor Solda, the Governor Palace, the Bharthi Park, the Sircle De Pondicherry and so on. By the time they finish their cycling tour, they will have a good knowledge of the so called French Capital of India, Pondicherry.

Starting Point: French Consulate

Ending point: Old district Court

Duration: 1 to 1.5 hrs

Recommended: For all

Cost we pay includes: Guide & Cycle

Village Walk with Lunch:

An exclusive guided village walk with an Expert Story Teller. Villages are the backbone of India and it is in these village that the real essence of India lies. If clients wish to learn about Indian culture and its rich heritage, they can head to its most remote villages and live like a local. Through this program we aim to promote responsible tourism and we open doors for the client to see what makes this country so enchanting and lively.

First they shall visit a local house in a village where a traditional welcome awaits them. Next up our expert storyteller guides them for a walk through the village. He will brief them about the day to day life of people living here and client will come across various village sights which they do not get to experience at any other usual Indian tourist destination. They will also visit the Handicraft community here where they could see their artistic hand work live. They can also shop from an array of various handmade goods such as Tea cups, lamps, dolls etc. After their Village walk session, they can go back to the house where they will be entertained by a dancing session by kids. It will be a mix of classical and Bollywood dance moves. Later sit down for a traditional Tamilnadu style lunch and have their meal the South Indian way. It is guaranteed that this will be a one of a kind experience for the client which they will remember every time they think about “INDIA”.

Duration: 3 to 4 hours

Starting Time: 10 am

Ending Time: 2 PM

Inclusions: Guide, Village Walk, South Indian Lunch

Recommended: For all

Cycle Rickshaw Ride at Pondicherry

One hour rickshaw ride program along the French Quarters: Cycle Rickshaws are the most fun and relaxing way to get to know Pondicherry and its rich cultural heritage. Guest shall hop onto a Rickshaw and explore Pondi’s rich heritage while riding along its vibrant streets.

Duration: 1 hour

Starting Point: French Consulate

Ending point: Court

Timing: Anytime between 6 Am to 6 Pm everyday

Inclusions: Rickshaw Ride

Exclusions: Guide, Transport and all other expenses not mentioned in the inclusions

Recommended: For all

Local Market Walk at Goubert Market

This program is aimed at providing a glimpse of local life in Pondicherry by taking the guest for a guided walk along the busiest area of the Pondicherry City, the Goubert Market. They shall visit the Fish Market, the Vegetable and Fruits Market, the handloom shops and the flower market within the Gourbert Market area, the biggest market in Pondicherry. The market is dominated by women vendors and guests get a chance to interact with them which gives them a clear idea of the daily functioning of the Goubert Market. Guest can chat with them, click a selfie for their Instagram post or perhaps buy some fresh sea food. There are a bunch of things guest could do here that will keep them entertained. Moreover, through this exclusive Market Walk, they get to see and learn how the Goubert market gets lively every day.

Duration: 2 Hours

Starting Point: Gourbert Market

Finishing Point: Gourbert Market

Timing: 8 am to 10 am [Not possible on Sundays]

Inclusions: Guide

Recommended: For all

Pondicherry Food Trail

This program is for the ardent Foodies. Guest can savour the local delicacies as they explore the busy streets of Pondicherry. The city of Pondicherry offers an array of mouth drooling foods to excite and entertain the foodie in you. During this exclusive food trail, Guide would take the client to the local tea shops, the Sarbath shops [local refreshment drink], Kamar Katt [a local sweet] shops, Paniyaram Shop [a local delicacy] and finally to a South Indian Special Dosa Kadai [i.e.,Dosa Shop] where they shall have a South Indian Special Masala Dosai and finish off their food trail with a Jigarthanda [a local desert] at the Jigarthanda shop.

Duration: 2 Hours

Timing: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Inclusions: All the above-mentioned food and drinks, Guide

Exclusions: Transport and all other expenses not mentioned in the inclusions

Recommended: For all

Pondicherry Palm wine trail:

We shall take guests to visit palm wine farm at Keezhur village, near Pondicherry. This village is a historic place with Pondicherry and French connection. Guests can explore, taste fresh palm wine right down the trees with mouth-watering accompaniments. Guests will surely enjoy the story, tapping process and can take photos, do other interesting activities in the farm like pottery making, bullock cart ride, etc. We could also engage guests with local interaction session with the villagers

Venue: Palm Farm

Place: Keezhur Village

Distance:12 kms from Pondicherry Town

Time: 7 am to 10 am

Mohanam Cultural Centre - located inside Auroville

We can provide Cooking demonstration with lunch for guests at this centre. They will serve same food to the guests which is cooked during their cooking demo. Guests can cook pure vegetarian food only. Timing: 9:30 hrs to 12:30 hrs

Very soon French Institute of Pondicherry is planning to open the Museum at Pondicherry, inside the French Quarter. Here they will keep various Palm leaves, old plan of Pondicherry city for display. We shall keep you posted once it gets ready for visitors.

Pondicherry Domestic Airport:

Pondicherry Airport is a regional airport located at Lawspet in Pondicherry, Union territory of India. It is situated 08.1 km from the Auroville international community. The airport has scheduled flights and operations of the local flying training school. In 2007 the Puducherry government decided to expand the airport to accommodate larger aircraft and commissioned a new terminal building.

Airport authority of India Pondicherry airport Pondicherry – UT 605008

91-413-2253178, 2255506

91-413-2252505

Flight details

Bangalore – Pondicherry

SG 5005@03:40 PM – Wednesday Only

SG 5098@03:40 PM – Sunday Only

SG 3998@04:10 Pm – Daily

Pondicherry – Bangalore

SG 5029@02:20 – Thursday Only

SG 3999@02:50 PM – Daily

Pondicherry – Hyderabad

SG5079@05:45 Friday Only

SG5092@05:45 - Sunday only

SG 3997@06:15 - daily basis

Hyderabad - Pondicherry

SG 5023@01:00 PM – Wednesday only

SG 5053@01:00 PM – Thursday Only

SSG 3996@01:30 – daily basis

Nearest International Airport:

1. Chennai International Airport - Anna International Airport & Kamaraj Domestic Airport -160 kms from Pondicherry

2. Tiruchirappalli International Airport -200 kms from Pondicherry

Railways

The Puducherry railway line is one of the oldest rail link in India and it was constructed in the year 1879 by the Puducherry railway company during the period of French and British rule in India. Under the supervision of south Indian railways with the object of connecting the town and the port of Puducherry with south India and develop the resources of the Puducherry territory, rail link between Puducherry and Villupuram was established. It has daily trains connecting the clity with chennai apart from non –Daily trains towards prime cities including Mangalore, Trichy, Bangalore, Kolkata, New Delhi, Bhubaneshwar and Mumbai via Villupuram.

Train details

Santragachi JN Puducherry express – No 06009-Monday only from Santragachi

Puducherry Express - 11005 / Sunday, Monday, Friday Only / From Dadar

Howrah Jn Pondicherry Express - 12876 /Sunday Only /From Howrah

Bhubaneswar Pondicherry Special 12898 /Thursday /From Bhubaneswar

Chennai Pondicherry Express -16117/Daily /from Egmore

Puducherry express - 16573/Friday only /from Yesvantpur

Puducherry express - 1685/Friday only /From Mangalore

Mangalore CNTC Puducherry express -16858 /Sunday only /From Mangalore

Puducherry express - 16862/Monday & Friday Only /From Kanyakumari

Puducherry Express - 17413/Saturday Only /From Tirupathi

Road

Chennai – Pondicherry 160 km driving time will be 04 hrs – Chennai – Mahapalipuram – Pondicherry

Chennai – Pondicherry 170 km driving time will be 04:30 hrs – Chennai –Trivandrum – Pondicherry

Trichy – Pondicherry 200 km driving time will be 04 hrs – Trichy - Villupuram – Pondicherry

Tanjore – Pondicherry - 210 Km driving time will be 04:30 – Tanjore – Chidambaram – Pondicherry

Bangalore – Pondicherry - 430 km diving time will be 07:30 – Bangalore – Vellore – Pondicherr

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