• Pondicherry Must-Sees

Pondicherry Must-Sees

Duration: Full-day
All days of the week
Shorter half-day version available

This tour covers Pondicherry’s major monuments and sights in one day. See the city’s lovely architecture, and enjoy its delicious food, gentle sea breeze and laidback pace of life.

We’ll start with a visit to Aurobindo Ashram, the spiritual centre of the city. Shri Aurobindo, a great seer, poet and prophet of the twentieth century, made Pondicherry his home from 1910 till his death in 1950. His vision and ideals continue to draw people from all over the world. The Sri Aurobindo Handmade Paper factory is near the Ashram, and it is very interesting to visit (closed Sundays).

We'll explore Pondicherry's wonderful French Quarter, with its clean and uncrowded streets, neatly painted houses, grand government buildings, sombre memorials and thriving cultural institutions. We will walk through the lanes, and through the beautiful Bharathi park. We will also visit the Notre Dame church.

After lunch, we'll drive through the seaside Promenade for some great views and interesting structures - the Old Lighthouse, Nehru statue, Gandhi statue, Old Customs House, French War Memorial, and the ruins of La Mairie De Pondicherry. We'll visit the Tamil quarter as well, to see the traditional, intricate wooden houses which have been restored by INTACH. You can stop at one of the houses (which has been converted to a hotel) and have tea if interested.

We’ll also visit the bustling Grand Bazaar, for a look at daily life in the Tamil quarter. The bazaar sells spices, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and everything you need. The lanes adjoining the bazaar also specialise in different products.

The Arulmiga Manakula Vinayagar Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, is popular with tourists who want a blessing from the temple elephant. If you’d like to visit it, please let your guide know.

Note:
The tour can be shortened to half day if you wish. In that case, we will visit Aurobindo Ashram, and drive through the rest of the city with photostops at the important monuments.

Cost:

  • INR 9500 using Swift Dzire (can take 2 adults + guide + driver)
  • INR 11500 using Toyota Innova (can take 4 adults + guide + driver)
  • INR 14500 using Tempo Traveller (can take 6 adults + guide + driver)

Includes:
Knowledgeable guide, AC transport, driver with cell phone, fuel, parking charges, tolls, bottled water and all taxes.

Excludes:
Meals/refreshment, tips, entrances.

How to book:
Prior reservation is mandatory. Email deepa@magictoursofindia.com or WhatsApp wa.me/+919867707414.