Known as the Detroit of India, Chennai, the southern coastal city, is a modern technology hub with a strong and bold heritage. The vibrant culture, food and architecture binds the city together beautifully and it has a lot on offer. You would even be spoilt for choice in choosing a road trip with your family and friends. There are several hotspots around Chennai, ranging from green landscapes to calm shorelines to tranquil temple towns that would be perfect for a weekend getaway.
These great destinations are situated just a few hours away from the city and would help you escape from your daily grind. If you have been working long hours throughout the week and are looking to unravel, here are a collection of spots around Chennai you should consider for your next weekend getaway.
Pondicherry
The ‘French Riviera of the East’ features rocky beaches and densely vegetated lands, which offer a wide spectrum of experiences for travellers.
Best Time To Visit
Being set right on the east coast of South India, Pondicherry has a fairly warm and humid climate. Summer temperatures around March to June are quite high; it reaches around 40 degrees celsius. It is still a good time to visit Pondicherry because it is less crowded, there are not many obstructions that come in your way if you wish to go outside and do some sightseeing or other activities.
However, the best time to visit the coastal town is from the winter months of October to March, when the temperatures are at a pleasant 22 to 32 degrees celsius. The monsoon months between July and September sees Pondicherry experience a humid monsoon, but the landscapes become exuberant and more lively, giving you a beautiful experience. You might face trouble getting to places during the long, heavy showers and some inconveniences if you plan for some sightseeing or other activities.
Best Routes
There are several ways to get from Chennai to Pondicherry, either via the East Coast Road, NH32. The usual route is to take the East Coast Road which is one of the most popular drives in South India. You get to enjoy the scenic drive down the East Coast Road, with the Bay of Bengal on one side and ancient temple towns and villages of Tamil Nadu on the other. The distance down this route, which passes through Mahabalipuram and Kalapet, is nearly 150 km, and it takes three hours to reach Pondicherry. The road conditions are great, and it is a long stretch of tarmac with less to moderate traffic.
The alternative route via NH32 is a little longer at 165 km, and it easily takes more than three hours to reach your destination. The highway road conditions are great as expected, and it passes through Chengalpattu, Tindivanam and Kiliyanur.
Places of Interest
The East Coast Road route would help you encounter several noteworthy places, with some fun sights along the way. You would come across the Madras Crocodile Park in Kelambakkam, a natural marshland and wildlife reserve housing several crocodiles. You should also check out the Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum, a state run living-history museum dedicated to South Indian heritage and culture, which is good for a quick visit.
Next up is the Shore Temple, an 8th century temple, sitting on the shore of Bay of Bengal and a landmark site of Mahabalipuram. You could stop by for photo ops, views or even take a day tour. You can also climb up the old lighthouse on the Mahabalipuram beach, known for viewing some incredible sunrises and sunsets and is a popular site for photography. You would even find some great eateries such as L’attitude 49, a resort restaurant serving global cuisines, popular for dining along with incredible views.
Yelagiri
The green, scenic hill station situated in the North Arcot district of Tamil Nadu spans 72 square kilometres, standing at 3,500 ft in the majestic Eastern Ghats.
Best Time To Visit
Being a hill station, Yelagiri witnesses pleasant climate almost throughout the year. While it sees visitors present during all seasons, peak season for Yelagiri is usually from around November to mid-February in the winters, as it is ideal for witnessing the true colours of the hill station and all that it has to offer. The days are warm, and the nights are rather cold, so you are better off carrying a jacket and woollens.
The chilly weather, during which temperatures drop to an average of 12 to 24 degrees Celsius makes for the most amicable conditions. Yelagiri is somewhat of a respite from the hot, unbearable temperatures associated with cities in the South. Owing to its altitude, it never gets really hot in the months of May and June, and you even get to visit the Summer Festival there. The festival is held to proudly display the indigenous population’s culture, tradition and customs in Yelagiri. The festivities include a rose festival, flower show, dog show, cultural programs and a lot more, which attracts a lot of tourists willing to witness the events and participate.
Best Routes
There are a few routes you could drive down while planning your trip from Chennai to Yelagiri. The shortest and more popular route is the Chennai – Sriperumbudur – Vellore – Vaniyambadi – Yelagiri route, which is part of the NH4 highway. It is also part of the Golden Quadrilateral, so the roads are smooth and are in fantastic condition. As you turn off the Vaniyambadi turnoff, the road becomes a state highway comprising two lanes. After about 6 kms into the highway, you would face up to 15 km of hairpin bends along the twists and turns of the scenic Eastern Ghat roads.
The second route, which is barely 3 to 4 km longer than the aforementioned route, offers marvellous views and has good road services. Ideally, if you start at the crack of dawn, you can check into your stay at Yelagiri by noon as it would take around 4 hours 55 minutes to cover the 226 km journey.
Places of Interest
There are several stops between Chennai and Yelagiri for you to relax and unwind with a cup of chai. You could visit the impressive Kotilingeshwara temple, a Hindu complex which features over 1,000 shiva lingas. The temple is picturesque, well-maintained and comes with a modest entry fee. You would also encounter the Nilavoor Lake, a serene water body surrounded by lush green hills and dense forests.
The area around Nilavoor Lake is also home to several species of animals and birds, making it ideal for wildlife enthusiasts. The Vellore Fort established during the 16th century, stands proud and tall, and was once the stronghold of the Aravidu Dynasty. It is encircled by water bodies and fortified walls, and it even houses various government offices, along with a mosque and a famous Jalakandeswarar temple. You could also visit the archaeological museum which is present within the fort as well. The incredible Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is a protected wetland habitat for birdlife that has been safeguarded by the local community for over two centuries. It offers you an opportunity to snap pictures, and observe these species in their natural habitat.
Chittoor
Lying on the banks of Neeva river, Chittoor is a place steeped in religion, devotion and architecture and has varied tourist spots for you to explore.
Best Time To Visit
Chittoor, located in Andhra Pradesh, is situated in a subtropical environment which means the summers are pretty hot and dry with temperatures reaching up to 36 to 40 degrees Celsius. It is hence not advisable to visit the heritage city during this season, as it would hamper your sightseeing plans. Monsoon is a pretty good time to visit Chittoor as the city receives low to average rainfall every year. With these showers, the temperatures also drop to a mild 19 to 35 degrees Celsius.
However, winter is the best time for you to visit Chittoor, which falls during the months between September and February. The weather stays pleasantly chilling allowing you to travel out and explore the several pilgrimage and tourist spots. It witnesses a maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius, so ensure you pack all your winter essentials.
Best Routes
There are a couple of routes you should consider when travelling from Chennai to Chittoor. One option is to travel via Tirupati road which is the shortest and the best route to drive down. The distance between Chennai and Chittoor is around 150 km, and it takes nearly 3 hours and 50 minutes to reach your destination. The particular route takes you through Karonadai, Periyapalayam, Puttur and Tirupati. The road conditions are excellent to drive by car or you could consider travelling down this scenic route on a motorcycle for a fun experience.
The alternative route is via NH 716 and it is a longer route than the previous one. The route takes you through Chembarambakkam, Thiruvallur, Nagari and Puttur before reaching Chittoor. It takes more than four hours to reach your destination, plus the road conditions are quite variable. So, it is advised to choose the former route for a better experience and more scenic views.
Places of Interest
You would come across some gems along the Tirupati road route, such as the Palem Range in Uthukottai, which features an expansive stretch of forests with wooded trails that are perfect for a short trek. You can next visit the Sri Bhavani Periyapalayam Amman Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Bhavani, and it features some beautiful, intricate architecture.
Kailasakona Waterfalls near Chittoor feature scenic all-year waterfall observation area alongside swimming and walking trails. Then, you would find Puttur, a small scenic town known for its natural lakes and views of hills. If you take the Chembarambakkam route, you would find the pier and boardwalk on the river, which offers stunning views of sunrise and sunset, perfect for clicking photographs. The Arulmigu Thiruthani Murugan Temple is a local temple and sacred site, sitting on a hilltop and is perfect for a short trek and photography. For some exhilarating fun, visit Highway Grand World, a local water and amusement park with great rides and food options, perfect for a quick break.
Summary
Like most Chennaiites, you would find yourself spoilt for choice as you plan your next weekend getaway. In this article, we have covered three, fun destinations right from beaches to heritage spots to hill stations, which are present at a reasonable distance from the Southern capital. After facing a tough week at your workplace, you would look to escape and relax over the weekend away from your home, and these spots would guarantee a great experience.
Try to schedule your plans around the best vacation season, find the best holiday offers and it is better if you could plan in advance to have a hassle free journey. This article should help you plan better on your next weekend getaway around Chennai as you create fresh memories with your closed ones by embarking on an eventful journey.
