12 days in Chennai & Coimbatore Itinerary

Chennai, a city hailed for its vibrant atmosphere and historic attractions, remains one of the most visited places in India.

Get in touch with nature at Covelong Beach and Marina Beach. Discover out-of-the-way places like Ekambareswarar Temple and Pancha Pandava Cave. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Chennai: Mahabalipuram (Shore Temple & Tiger Cave) and Kanchipuram (Sri Mrityunja Eswarar Temple, Kailasanathar Temple, &more). And it doesn't end there: kick back and relax at Elliot's Beach, tour the pleasant surroundings at Breezy Beach, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Marundeeswarar Temple, and stroll around Chetpet EcoPark.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, reviews, and tourist information, read Chennai trip planner.

Washington DC, USA to Chennai is an approximately 22.5-hour flight. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to India Standard Time, which is usually a 10.5 hour difference. Traveling from Washington DC in March, expect Chennai to be much hotter, temps between 93°F and 74°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 8th (Sun) so you can fly to Coimbatore.

Known throughout the country as a major industrial city, Coimbatore possesses a welcoming atmosphere and a growing cosmopolitanism.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Velliangiri Mountains and Cairn Hill. Step out of the city life by going to Ooty Lake and Siruvani Falls and Dam. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Coimbatore: Palakkad (Sree Guruvayurappan Temple, Dhoni Waterfalls, &more) and Pykara Falls (in Ooty (Udhagamandalam)). And it doesn't end there: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Velliangiri Andavar Temple, see the interesting displays at Gedee Car Museum, and get great views at Dharmalingeshwarar Temple.

For traveler tips, reviews, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Coimbatore travel route builder tool.

You can fly from Chennai to Coimbatore in 3 hours. Other options are to fly; or take a train; or drive. March in Coimbatore sees daily highs of 95°F and lows of 73°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 14th (Sat) early enough to catch the flight back home.