8 days in Tamil Nadu Itinerary

Tea gardens and eucalyptus trees scent the air of the fields surrounding Ooty, a popular summer tourism destination up in the hills.

Start off your visit on the 24th (Sat): take in the architecture and atmosphere at All Saints Church and then explore the activities along Ooty Lake. Keep things going the next day: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Sri Ayyappan Temple, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Doddabetta Peak, then stop by Jai's King Star, and finally admire the natural beauty at Government Botanical Garden.

To see where to stay, ratings, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Ooty (Udhagamandalam) route site.

Singapore, Singapore to Ooty (Udhagamandalam) is an approximately 7.5-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Singapore Standard Time (SGT) to India Standard Time (IST), which is usually a -2.5 hour difference. Expect a bit cooler temperatures when traveling from Singapore in December; daily highs in Ooty (Udhagamandalam) reach 30°C and lows reach 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Sun) early enough to drive to Kodaikanal.

A cool and relaxing hill station, Kodaikanal has long attracted visitors up to its privileged position in the Western Ghats.

On the 26th (Mon), take in the pleasant sights at Coakers Walk, then explore the activities along Kodaikanal Lake, and then delve into the distant past at Dolmen Circle.

To find photos, where to stay, reviews, and more tourist information, you can read our Kodaikanal online trip builder.

Traveling by car from Ooty (Udhagamandalam) to Kodaikanal takes 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi. Traveling from Ooty (Udhagamandalam) in December, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be somewhat warmer in Kodaikanal, with lows of 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Mon) early enough to drive to Madurai.

One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Madurai sits on the banks of the River Vaigai and serves as a center of Tamil culture.

Kick off your visit on the 27th (Tue): take in the spiritual surroundings of Yoga Narasimhar Temple, take in the spiritual surroundings of Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Immaiyil Nanmai Tharuvar Temple.

Plan a Madurai trip in moments using our itinerary builder.

You can drive from Kodaikanal to Madurai in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In December in Madurai, expect temperatures between 34°C during the day and 25°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Tue) so you can fly to Chennai.

Chennai, a city hailed for its vibrant atmosphere and historic attractions, remains one of the most visited places in India.

On the 28th (Wed), gain a rich perspective with a tour of cultural highlights, then enjoy the sand and surf at Marina Beach, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Kapaleeshwarar Temple.

To see photos, traveler tips, ratings, and more tourist information, refer to the Chennai trip builder website.

You can fly from Madurai to Chennai in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. In December, plan for daily highs up to 34°C, and evening lows to 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 28th (Wed) to allow time to drive to Mahabalipuram.

Once an important sea port city in the ancient Pallava kingdom, Mahabalipuram today draws in visitors with UNESCO-listed monuments and temples carved out of rock during the 7th and 8th centuries CE. The structures showcase the decoration and form of early Dravidian architecture, and their distinctive designs, striking coloration, and scale still create an evocative atmosphere when studied closely and when seen as a whole.

Change things up with a short trip to DakshinaChitra Museum in Muttukadu (about 38 minutes away). And it doesn't end there: take in the spiritual surroundings of Shore Temple, delve into the distant past at Monuments at Mahabalipuram, learn about wildlife with up-close encounters at The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology, and don't miss a visit to Tiger Cave.

For traveler tips and tourist information, refer to the Mahabalipuram trip planning website.

Drive from Chennai to Mahabalipuram in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of bus and taxi; or do a combination of train and taxi. In December, daytime highs in Mahabalipuram are 34°C, while nighttime lows are 25°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 31st (Sat) to allow enough time to fly back home.