Hi JenBee! I’m not sure if you can do an awful lot in 4 days.(I’ve stayed in Chennai for 4 years, and there a lot of historically and culturally significant places around). I would spend the weekdays 5/6 going around Chennai (beach, temples in the city, shopping district). And over the weekend you can drive down to Mahabalipuram (about 35 miles south of Chennai) and Pondicherry (about 100 miles south of Chennai). The drive in itself is quite beautiful along the sea(by the East Coast Road), and there are a few places along the road where you can stop and look around. Cheers,

Hi Jen,

Pondicherry is a must see place. The drive down the East Coast road is just too good. You can stop on the way for enjoying the scene as well as pictures. In Pondy, you can hire bikes – cycle & motor and make your way to the Aurobindo Ashram & the organic farms on the way. Don’t miss the shops in the Nehru Street & the ashram cottage as well as the beach & park by Gandhi Salai.

Mahabalipuram is also a good place to visit, so is the crocodile park on the way.

If you are interested in SILK & Sarees, then Kanchipuram where they weave the same is very close.

Chennai has got quite a few famous night clubs & discothes. You can get the latest Indian & western songs there.

I went to Chennai three years ago, so I am not sure how much of the information will help…

What is the purpose of your visit? Business, pleasure, education, or a mission trip?

I went with a group on a mission trip to Chennai. We worked with a local orphanage, school, and church while we were there.

We also were able to do some sightseeing. We went to many temples and marketplaces. The best thing about the marketplaces were the prices. We were able to barter with the locals when buying different items which was something I had never experienced. We stayed at The Kittalam Heritage Eco Health Resort in Tamil Nadu. They had very nice rooms and the compound was very nice as well.

If you are a fan of coffee you might want to try a cold coffee with ice cream. It was amazing! The coffee is something that I really enjoyed in India, because it was so much different than American coffee.

Some tips:
Don’t drink the local water. Even when brushing your teeth rinse with bottled water or you will get sick.

Don’t eat anything from a marketplace that is not pre-packaged. Indian people use their left hand to use the bathroom and do not often wash. Eating food from the marketplace can make you sick.

Take your malaria medication with food!

Sanitize your hands frequently.

I am not a germ-a-phobe, but many of my team members on the trip got sick from either drinking the local water, eating food from the marketplace that was not prepackaged, and taking their malaria medication without food.

You want to be able to have a fun experience on your trip and not be sick, because that could put you in your bed for a few days.

Be sure to take in all of the sites, sounds, and smells when you are in India. It is so worth the trip!

I hope you have a great time!