8 days in South India Itinerary

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

Start off your visit on the 20th (Sat): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Parthasarathy Temple, stroll through Marina Beach, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kapaleeshwarar Temple.

To find ratings, where to stay, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Chennai trip planning app.

Singapore, Singapore to Chennai is an approximately 7-hour flight. You can also drive. You'll gain 2.5 hours traveling from Singapore to Chennai due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Singapore in February, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be little chillier in Chennai, with lows of 24°C. You will have some time to spend on the 21st (Sun) before leaving for 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.

Start off your visit on the 21st (Sun): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Shore Temple. Keep things going the next day: take an in-depth tour of Maritime Heritage Museum, then admire nature's wide array of creatures at The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology, then admire the landmark architecture of Pancha Rathas, and finally delve into the distant past at Monuments at Mahabalipuram.

To find photos, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Mahabalipuram trip itinerary builder site.

Traveling by car from Chennai to Mahabalipuram takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of train and taxi. In February, plan for daily highs up to 37°C, and evening lows to 24°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 23rd (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Pondicherry.

South Indian spiritualism meets French chic in Pondicherry, an interesting, unusual, and international destination on the Bay of Bengal.

On the 23rd (Tue), take in the architecture and atmosphere at New Church of our Lady of Lourdes. On your second day here, take in the spiritual surroundings of Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple, stop by Senteurs-Fleurs en Flacon, enjoy the sand and surf at Paradise Beach, then stroll through Seaside Promenade, and finally enjoy the sea views from Old Lighthouse.

For where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Pondicherry tour itinerary builder site.

Traveling by car from Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of taxi and bus; or do a combination of taxi and train. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Salem.

Salem is a city in Salem district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. On the 26th (Fri), boost your wellbeing at Royal Mantra, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sri Radha Madan Mohan Temple, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Sri Paanduranganathar Temple, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Arulmigi Alagirinathar Temple, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Skandasramam Temple.

To see maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, go to the Salem online sightseeing planner.

Drive from Pondicherry to Salem in 4 hours. Cap off your sightseeing on the 27th (Sat) early enough to go by car back home.