Globo Traveller

Aruna & Pondy

Walk the sacred 14 km Girivalam at dusk, wake up in Pondicherry's French Colony, and watch the Bay of Bengal glow at sunset — all in a single weekend from Hyderabad, by train.

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Duration

2N / 3D

Difficulty

Easy

Group Size

Open Group

Trip Style

Spiritual + Coastal

Departure

Thu & Fri, 5 PM

Route overview

Sacred hills to French shores.

Board a sleeper train from Nampally on Thursday evening, walk the Girivalam at Arunachalam on Day 1, cross into Pondicherry's colonial streets on Day 2, and close the loop with Mahabalipuram's Shore Temple before heading home.

Hyderabad—

Chennai—

Arunachalam—

Pondicherry—

Mahabalipuram

Train Tickets (2-way)

Included in the package

2 Nights Accommodation

Included in the package

AC Tempo Traveller

Included in the package

Trip Organizer

Included in the package

Driver & Tolls

Included in the package

First Aid Kit

Included in the package

Destination

Arunachalam

The sacred mountain city of Tiruvannamalai — Girivalam at dusk, lingams in eight directions.

Destination

Pondicherry

French Colony villas, Auroville's golden dome, and the Bay of Bengal at sunset.

Destination

Mahabalipuram

UNESCO Shore Temples carved from granite on the Coromandel Coast.

Journey plan

Thursday evening to Sunday morning

Four days from the overnight train out of Nampally to the last temple at Mahabalipuram before the coast gives way to the highway home.

Day 0 — Thu / Fri NightNone

Departure from Hyderabad

A journey from the Deccan plateau to the sacred coast.

5:00 PM — Nampally Railway Station, Hyderabad.
Board your sleeper train — Chennai bound, coast ahead.
Settle in for the overnight journey with travel games and fellow explorers.
Arrive Chennai by 7:00 AM the next morning.

Notes

— Arrive at Nampally Railway Station at least 20 minutes before departure.

— Departures run every Thursday and Friday at 5:00 PM.

— Sleeper-class train tickets (both ways) are included in the package.

Day 1 — Morning to NightBreakfast

Chennai · Chengalpattu · Arunachalam

Sacred trails and the ancient lingams of Tiruvannamalai.

Reach Chennai by 7:00 AM — board the pre-hired AC Tempo Traveller.
Breakfast en route toward Arunachalam.
Explore Chengalpattu if time permits.
Reach Arunachalam by afternoon — check in and freshen up.
Evening Girivalam path (14 km) — circumambulate the sacred Arunachala mountain.
Visit all eight Lingam shrines set in the eight cardinal directions.
Return to stay for dinner and an early rest.

Notes

— Girivalam is a 14 km barefoot walk on a spiritual circuit — wear comfortable footwear.

— Temple entry and special archana charges are not included.

— Carry a torch or phone light for the evening circuit.

Day 2 — Full DayNone

Ramana Ashram · Auroville · French Colony

Silence, golden domes, and colonial boulevards by the Bay.

Wake up by 6:00 AM — optional morning time in Arunachalam town for shopping.
Visit the Ramana Maharshi Ashram — a sanctuary of profound stillness.
Drive to Auroville by 11:30 AM — explore the global township built around the Matrimandir.
Check into your hotel in Pondicherry by 1:30 PM.
Afternoon stroll through the French Colony — yellow villas, bougainvillea, and quiet streets.
Evening beach walk along the Promenade — watch the Bay of Bengal turn orange.
Back to stay by 8:30 PM; dinner.

Notes

— Auroville entry and Matrimandir inner chamber access are to be arranged separately.

— Pondicherry is best explored on foot or bicycle — both easily available.

— Modest dress is required at the Ashram.

Day 3 — Full DayBreakfast

Pondicherry Heritage · Mahabalipuram · Departure

Ancient cathedrals, war memorials, and shore temples carved in stone.

Wake up by 6:00 AM — breakfast.
Chunnambur Boat House — a quiet, scenic morning on the backwaters.
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
Mahatma Gandhi Statue, French War Memorial, and the Old Light House.
Drive to Mahabalipuram — explore the UNESCO World Heritage Shore Temple.
Start toward the railway station by evening.
Board the return train to Hyderabad — arrive the next morning.

Notes

— Mahabalipuram and church entry fees are payable separately.

— Return train departure from Chennai — timings shared closer to the trip date.

— A one-way surcharge of ₹400–500 may apply depending on train routing.

Important Notes

— Trip departs every Thursday and Friday at 5:00 PM from Nampally Railway Station.
— This is a budget trip — comfort and cooperation from all travellers is appreciated.
— Trip host holds the right to alter route, timings, or activities based on safety and conditions.
— Food, entry tickets, jeep rides, and personal expenses are not included.
— A special one-way surcharge of ₹400–500 may apply depending on train routing.
— Travloger is not responsible for loss of valuables — avoid carrying gold, gadgets, or expensive items.
— GST of 5% is applicable on the total package price.

Booking

Sacred hills to the French coast. Every Thursday.

Travloger handles the train, the AC tempo, the stay, and the guide — you just show up at Nampally with an open mind.

info@travloger.in · +91 97050 51052 · travloger.in

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Travloger India · Arunachalam & Pondicherry

Hyderabad — Chennai — Arunachalam — Pondicherry — Hyderabad · Every Thu & Fri