The idea of road trips is always exciting. Think of friends, a nice SUV and plenty of chance to soak in the sights and sounds on the way is absolutely spot on. December vacation is the perfect time to plan a road trip from Chennai to nearby destinations as the weather is nice. So what are you waiting for? If you are looking for suggestions, well we give out a few best options:
Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Puducherry
This one might have been on your list for the longest time. What better way to spend your trip than driving along the scenic ECR.Mahabalipuram is an amazing place where you will need couple of hours to see all the millennia old temples and absorb the architectural marvel by the beach. Do the trip with one stop at Mahabalipuram and after few hours of sightseeing head to Puducherry. Just drive down to the White town and park your car.
Chennai-Vellore-Yelagiri
What could be better than heading to the hills to take a break from the hectic city life. Yelagiri is the perfect choice. It is the nearest hill-station from Chennai and with the highway this good you can easily reach your destination in less than 5 hours. On the way do take a stopover at Vellore to relish some delicious food and visit the Golden temple.
Chennai-Puducherry-Pichavaram-Tranquebar
A road trip to the erstwhile Danish settlement of Tranquebar via Puducherry and Pichavaram is perfect trip for the weekend. Drive to Puducherry is an easy scenic drive from Chennai to East Coast Road (ECR). Take a night halt at Puducherry. Hit the promenade for a stroll, watch the sunset at the beach and have a nice sumptuous dinner at a French restaurant or cafe. Start early and head to Pichavaram, which has large mangrove forests in India second only to Sundarbans. Take the boat ride in the mangrove forests and enjoy in the lap of nature. Drive to Pichavaram from Puducherry should take little over one hour.
Chennai-Rameswaram-Dhanushkodi
Although this particular stretch might look like a favourite of those with ‘religious’ bent of mind, but actually it is also a great road trip option. The drive down to the ghost town of Dhanushkodi, the last piece of land before you reach Sri Lanka is thrilling and fantastic. If you wish, you can pay your tributes at Rameswaram temple, one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimage sites. Not to mention that you will cross the legendary Pamban Bridge when you cross to Rameshwaram from mainland India.
Chennai to Madurai
Madurai is not just another town down south. It has the distinction of being called the Athens of the East owing to the beautiful temples that dot the city. The detailed architecture of these temples have been written about and discussed much in-depth. Visitors also relish the delicious cuisine that the town has to offer. If you have an inherent love for art, culture and food, just grab your car keys and hit the NH45B and Grand Southern Trunk Road. You will reach Madurai in about 9-10 hours!
