Lifestyle Exploration
Pondicherry
The V’patnam beach is a bustling ‘fish’-hive of activity. You merge into the crowd of women waiting to bid for the day’s catch brought in by the fishermen on their small motorised boats. Closer to the sea, Muthu shares his work schedule with you as he repairs his fishing net.
You enter the silence of Aurobindo Ashram. Your senses are hugging you with joy. The orderly arrangement of colourful flowering plants, their subtle fragrance making space for that of the incense sticks as we move inwards, the cool marble you rest your forehead on the samadhi and the quiet of the place that envelops your mind.
Pondicherry gives you both of these extremely opposite experiences and all that falls in between.
Pondy Moments
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Shop, cook and dine with our guide’s family
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Discussions with fisherfolk, potters,
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Chat with school students
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Check out local eat - outs
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Walk with Seniors down their memory lane of Pondicherry
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Decipher the current status of Pondicherry’s French connection
Anna Sacchi, an exchange student from Italy wanted her visiting parents to get close to local life in India. These are vistas of their day in Pondicherry, living as locals. We bought some crabs from the seaside, cooked them in our guide's home. Check out the video of Mr.Sacchi making dosa!! Later in the evening we decked up in silks to visit the Church of Our Lady of Angels, did some shopping at Pothy's and dined at Surguru.
Matri Mandir in Auroville
Rejuvation @ Paradise beach
Access
Most recommended : 3 hr drive from Chennai on the scenic East Coast Road. Chennai is the nearest major airport and railhead, though Pondicherry has an airport with limited flights and a railhead too.
Time you need
2 full days are a must to explore the varied facets for this town. You will connect to one or more spots so much and they will beckon you for multiple visits. These are the quiet places where you find yourself.
Money you need
Rs.12500 per person for a group of 8 guests
Includes 3 star accommodation for 2 nights, 2 breakfasts, Transport and guide services
The pricing can be customised for less than 8 guests as per your requirement.
T&C Apply
Happening parts of the year
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Maasi Magam festival
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Veerampatnam Temple Festival
Add on visits
When you are driving from Chennai, you can stop for a half day visit of Mamallapuram, the 6th century Pallava site. About 80 kms South of Ponicherry is Picharavaram. You can do a day trip to the Mangrove forest there.