Luxury Exploration of Villupuram and Surroundings

Explore the historic hill fort complex at Gingee, enjoy a boat ride at Veedur Dam, tour Auroville, browse Villupuram Market, and walk along Marakkanam Beach.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Hotel Saravana Bhavan

   08:00 – 09:00

   Eat traditional South Indian breakfast items including dosa, idli, and filter coffee.

2. 09:15|10:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Gingee Fort

   09:15 – 10:45

   Climb Rajagiri peak to examine medieval fortifications, granaries, and watchtowers.

   • entryFree
3. 11:00|12:15
   

   Outdoor

   Boat Ride at Veedur Dam

   11:00 – 12:15

   Take a motorboat ride across Veedur Dam reservoir and view the surrounding greenery.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Hotel Woodlands

   12:30 – 13:30

   Dine on a full South Indian thali served on a banana leaf.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Auroville

   14:00 – 15:30

   Walk through the visitor centre gardens and view Matrimandir from the viewing point.

   • entryFree
6. 15:45|17:00
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Villupuram Market

   15:45 – 17:00

   Browse textiles, spices, handicrafts, and local produce in the central market area.

7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Explore Marakkanam Beach

   17:15 – 18:45

   Walk along the sandy coastline and observe the nearby salt pans during sunset.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at The Arcot Biriyani

   19:30 – 20:30

   Sample local biryani styles and grilled side dishes.

Spend the day touring the architectural ruins of Gingee, boating at Veedur Dam, visiting Auroville, purchasing regional goods, and relaxing by the sea.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Sri Sangeetha Restaurant

   08:00 – 09:00

   Enjoy fresh pongal, vada, and hot filter coffee.

2. 09:15|10:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Gingee Fort

   09:15 – 10:45

   Explore Krishnagiri fort citadel and inspect the royal court chambers.

   • entryFree
3. 11:00|12:15
   

   Outdoor

   Boat Ride at Veedur Dam

   11:00 – 12:15

   Cruise around the calm waters near the dam structure.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Annamalai Restaurant

   12:30 – 13:30

   Eat Chettinad-style curries served with rice and parottas.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Auroville

   14:00 – 15:30

   Visit sustainable energy exhibits and boutique craft shops in Auroville.

   • entryFree
6. 15:45|17:00
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Villupuram Market

   15:45 – 17:00

   Shop for silk sarees, brassware, and traditional cooking utensils.

7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Explore Marakkanam Beach

   17:15 – 18:45

   Walk along the shoreline and observe fishing boats returning to shore.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Hotel Archana

   19:30 – 20:30

   Order tandoori specialties and multi-cuisine North Indian dishes.

Revisit key sights in Villupuram district including Gingee Fort's inner structures, Veedur Dam waters, Auroville's forests, local bazaars, and Marakkanam coast.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Hotel Vishnu Bhavan

   08:00 – 09:00

   Eat mini tiffin including poori, masala dosa, and sweet kesari.

2. 09:15|10:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Gingee Fort

   09:15 – 10:45

   Walk through the lower fort complex and view Kalyana Mahal tower.

   • entryFree
3. 11:00|12:15
   

   Outdoor

   Boat Ride at Veedur Dam

   11:00 – 12:15

   Enjoy a morning boat ride near the spillway gates of Veedur Dam.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Hotel Jayaram

   12:30 – 13:30

   Have vegetarian meals featuring seasonal vegetable sambar and rasam.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Auroville

   14:00 – 15:30

   Tour the organic farming demonstration plots and community forests.

   • entryFree
6. 15:45|17:00
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Villupuram Market

   15:45 – 17:00

   Pick up handmade pottery, terracotta goods, and regional snacks.

7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Explore Marakkanam Beach

   17:15 – 18:45

   Stroll along the quiet stretches of Marakkanam Beach.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Mass Hotel Restaurant

   19:30 – 20:30

   Dine on South Indian multi-course dinner items and seafood specialties.

Discover ancient stone architecture at Gingee Fort, glide on Veedur Dam lake, explore Auroville's artisan workshops, shop local markets, and relax on the beach.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Hotel A2B - Adyar Ananda Bhavan

   08:00 – 09:00

   Eat ghee roast dosa and rava khichdi with assorted chutneys.

2. 09:15|10:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Gingee Fort

   09:15 – 10:45

   Examine the Venkataramana Temple inside the fort grounds.

   • entryFree
3. 11:00|12:15
   

   Outdoor

   Boat Ride at Veedur Dam

   11:00 – 12:15

   Take a relaxed boat tour across the reservoir body.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Hotel KPS

   12:30 – 13:30

   Try spicy fish curry meals and authentic Tamil non-vegetarian dishes.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Auroville

   14:00 – 15:30

   Browse handmade paper products and incense studios inside Auroville.

   • entryFree
6. 15:45|17:00
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Villupuram Market

   15:45 – 17:00

   Purchase fresh local fruits, nuts, and traditional sweets.

7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Explore Marakkanam Beach

   17:15 – 18:45

   Walk along the water's edge and view the coastal birdlife.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Hotel Sunray

   19:30 – 20:30

   Enjoy South Indian dinner staples such as kal dosa and parotta with gravy.

Tour Gingee's royal granaries, cruise Veedur Dam waters, discover Auroville's eco-projects, shop for regional goods, and end at Marakkanam Beach.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Hotel Aryaas

   08:00 – 09:00

   Savor medu vada, onion uttapam, and hot filter coffee.

2. 09:15|10:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Gingee Fort

   09:15 – 10:45

   Explore the royal prison, gym, and ancient water tanks on the fort grounds.

   • entryFree
3. 11:00|12:15
   

   Outdoor

   Boat Ride at Veedur Dam

   11:00 – 12:15

   Ride a pedal boat or motorboat near the scenic dam embankments.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Sri Balaji Bhavan

   12:30 – 13:30

   Eat a vegetarian meal with variety rice options like lemon and tamarind rice.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Auroville

   14:00 – 15:30

   Walk through the architectural exhibit area and botanical gardens.

   • entryFree
6. 15:45|17:00
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Villupuram Market

   15:45 – 17:00

   Browse handloom cotton garments and local leather products.

7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Explore Marakkanam Beach

   17:15 – 18:45

   Walk along the beach and take photos of the coastal landscape.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Golden Dragon Restaurant

   19:30 – 20:30

   Sample Indo-Chinese dishes and seafood soups.

Visit outer fortifications at Gingee, enjoy boating on Veedur Dam, explore Auroville's town center, shop for souvenirs, and spend late afternoon by the sea.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Hotel Vasantha Bhavan

   08:00 – 09:00

   Eat steaming idlis, vada, and coffee.

2. 09:15|10:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Gingee Fort

   09:15 – 10:45

   Walk along the outer ramparts and admire the engineering of the fort walls.

   • entryFree
3. 11:00|12:15
   

   Outdoor

   Boat Ride at Veedur Dam

   11:00 – 12:15

   Enjoy a guided boating excursion across Veedur Dam reservoir.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Hotel Jawahar

   12:30 – 13:30

   Eat traditional Tamil meals served with payasam dessert.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Auroville

   14:00 – 15:30

   Tour the afforestation project area and international zone pavilions.

   • entryFree
6. 15:45|17:00
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Villupuram Market

   15:45 – 17:00

   Shop for traditional spices, dry fruits, and local snacks.

7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Explore Marakkanam Beach

   17:15 – 18:45

   Relax on the sand and observe the coastal salt works in the evening.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Hotel New Park

   19:30 – 20:30

   Order South Indian dinners including chappathi, kothu parotta, and curries.

Conclude the trip with a final visit to Gingee Fort, boating at Veedur Dam, a tour of Auroville, last-minute market shopping, and an evening at Marakkanam Beach.

1. 08:00|09:00
   

   Food

   Breakfast at Cafe des Arts

   08:00 – 09:00

   Have coffee, croissants, and breakfast crepes.

2. 09:15|10:45
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Gingee Fort

   09:15 – 10:45

   Take a final walking tour around the Chakkiliya Durg fort section.

   • entryFree
3. 11:00|12:15
   

   Outdoor

   Boat Ride at Veedur Dam

   11:00 – 12:15

   Enjoy a final scenic boat ride across Veedur Dam lake.

4. 12:30|13:30
   

   Food

   Lunch at Hotel Perambur Sri Srinivasa

   12:30 – 13:30

   Dine on South Indian executive vegetarian lunch plates.

5. 14:00|15:30
   

   Sightseeing

   Visit Auroville

   14:00 – 15:30

   Explore the central square and artisan boutiques at Auroville.

   • entryFree
6. 15:45|17:00
   

   Shopping

   Shopping at Villupuram Market

   15:45 – 17:00

   Buy souvenir handicrafts, silk items, and regional food products.

7. 17:15|18:45
   

   Outdoor

   Explore Marakkanam Beach

   17:15 – 18:45

   Take a late afternoon stroll along the shores of Marakkanam Beach.

8. 19:30|20:30
   

   Food

   Dinner at Hotel Sivas Regency Restaurant

   19:30 – 20:30

   Enjoy a multi-course farewell dinner featuring South Indian specialties.