26 days in Tamil Nadu Itinerary

Tea gardens and eucalyptus trees scent the air of the fields surrounding Ooty, a popular summer tourism destination up in the hills.

Ooty (Udhagamandalam) is known for nature, parks, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in the awesome beauty at Doddabetta Peak, take in the dramatic scenery at Pykara Falls, admire the natural beauty at Government Rose Garden, and explore the activities along Upper Bhavani Lake.

To see where to stay, more things to do, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Ooty (Udhagamandalam) trip planning tool.

Chennai to Ooty (Udhagamandalam) is an approximately 2.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and taxi; or drive. Expect little chillier weather when traveling from Chennai in August: highs in Ooty (Udhagamandalam) hover around 37°C, while lows dip to 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 10th (Fri) so you can catch the bus to Coimbatore.

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

Coimbatore is known for historic sites, sightseeing, and shopping. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Dhyanalinga, browse the different shops at Prozone Mall, find something for the whole family at Kovai Kondattam, and see the interesting displays at Gass Forest Museum.

To find reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Coimbatore trip planner.

You can take a bus from Ooty (Udhagamandalam) to Coimbatore in 2.5 hours. Another option is to drive. In August, plan for daily highs up to 37°C, and evening lows to 26°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 13th (Mon) so you can go by car to Kodaikanal.

A cool and relaxing hill station, Kodaikanal has long attracted visitors up to its privileged position in the Western Ghats.

Kodaikanal is known for nature, sightseeing, and parks. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: contemplate the waterfront views at Kodaikanal Lake, explore the fascinating underground world of Guna Cave, make a trip to Poombarai Village View, and take some stellar pictures from Pillar Rocks.

For photos, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Kodaikanal travel planner.

You can drive from Coimbatore to Kodaikanal in 4.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and taxi; or do a combination of bus and taxi. In August, daytime highs in Kodaikanal are 38°C, while nighttime lows are 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 16th (Thu) early enough to drive to Kanyakumari.

Located at the most southerly point of mainland India, Kanyakumari has long attracted pilgrims and those keen to see the end of the road.

Kanyakumari is known for sightseeing, historic sites, and beaches. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Vivekananda Rock Memorial, kick back and relax at Sothavilai Beach, appreciate the history behind Thiruvalluvar Statue, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Thengapattanam beach.

For traveler tips, maps, reviews, and tourist information, read our Kanyakumari day trip planning app.

Traveling by car from Kodaikanal to Kanyakumari takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and train; or do a combination of taxi, flight, and train. August in Kanyakumari sees daily highs of 36°C and lows of 28°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) to allow time to drive to Rameswaram.

A trip to Rameswaram on Pamban Island will take you across a long limestone shoal bridge with spectacular ocean scenery.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Mon): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Arulmigu Ramanatha Swamy Temple, take in the views from Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge, and then kick back and relax at Dhanushkodi Beach Point. Keep things going the next day: contemplate the waterfront views at Agnitheertham, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Ruined Temple/Church of Dhanushkodi, then examine the collection at Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam House, and finally kick back and relax at Kunthu kal Beach, Rameswaram.

For where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Rameswaram itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Kanyakumari to Rameswaram takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or take a train. Cap off your sightseeing on the 21st (Tue) early enough to go by car to Thanjavur.

A bastion of South Indian culture and heritage, Thanjavur entrances visitors from all over the world with its architecture, distinct art style, and the Great Living Chola Temples, landmarks of the city and a World Heritage Site.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Thanjavur: Tiruchirappalli (Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple & Rock Fort Temple) and Kumbakonam (Kampaheswarar Temple, Abhimugesvarar Temple, &more). There's much more to do: admire the striking features of Brihadeeswara Temple, admire the masterpieces at Thanjavur Royal Palace and Art Gallery, don't miss a visit to Thanjai Mamani Koil, and browse the collection at The Serfoji Sarasvati Mahal Library.

To find ratings, photos, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Thanjavur online travel route planner.

Getting from Rameswaram to Thanjavur by car takes about 4.5 hours. Other options: take a train. August in Thanjavur sees daily highs of 42°C and lows of 30°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Fri) so you can drive to Madurai.

One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Madurai sits on the banks of the River Vaigai and serves as a center of Tamil culture.

Madurai is known for historic sites, sightseeing, and museums. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: take in the spiritual surroundings of Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, steep yourself in history at Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, get the lay of the land with Walking tours, and pause for some serene contemplation at St. Mary's Cathedral Church.

To find maps, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Madurai itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Thanjavur to Madurai takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. When traveling from Thanjavur in August, plan for little chillier days in Madurai, with highs around 38°C, while nights are about the same with lows around 29°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Mon) early enough to fly to Mahabalipuram.

Once an important sea port city in the ancient Pallava kingdom, Mahabalipuram today draws in visitors with UNESCO-listed monuments and temples carved out of rock during the 7th and 8th centuries CE. The structures showcase the decoration and form of early Dravidian architecture, and their distinctive designs, striking coloration, and scale still create an evocative atmosphere when studied closely and when seen as a whole.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Mahabalipuram: Chennai (Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Marina Beach, &more) and DakshinaChitra Museum (in Muttukadu). There's much more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Shore Temple, make a trip to Krishna's Butter Ball, admire the striking features of Pancha Rathas, and explore the ancient world of Monuments at Mahabalipuram.

To find more things to do and more tourist information, refer to the Mahabalipuram trip maker tool.

Fly from Madurai to Mahabalipuram in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and taxi. In August, plan for daily highs up to 41°C, and evening lows to 29°C. On the 31st (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive back home.