10 days in India Itinerary

South Indian spiritualism meets French chic in Pondicherry, an interesting, unusual, and international destination on the Bay of Bengal.

You've added Arjuna's Penance, Pancha Rathas, Rock Beach, and other attractions to your itinerary. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Pondicherry: Mahabalipuram (Monuments at Mahabalipuram & Sea Shore Temple). There's much more to do: go for a stroll along the water at Seaside Promenade, enjoy the sand and surf at Paradise Beach, enjoy the sea views from Old Lighthouse, and pause for some serene contemplation at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

To find more things to do, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, go to the Pondicherry online vacation planner .

Mumbai to Pondicherry is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and train; or drive. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Thanjavur.

A bastion of South Indian culture and heritage, Thanjavur entrances visitors from all over the world with its architecture, distinct art style, and the Great Living Chola Temples, landmarks of the city and a World Heritage Site.

On the 4th (Mon), take in the spiritual surroundings of Brihadeeshwara Temple and then explore the world behind art at Thanjavur Royal Palace and Art Gallery.

To see other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Thanjavur tour planner.

Getting from Pondicherry to Thanjavur by car takes about 3 hours. Other options: take a train. Expect a daytime high around 36°C in November, and nighttime lows around 27°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Tue) to allow time 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.

On the 5th (Tue), contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, examine the collection at Gandhi Memorial Museum, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Alagarkoil Temple and Shrine.

To see other places to visit, photos, maps, and more tourist information, read our Madurai trip itinerary builder app .

Traveling by car from Thanjavur to Madurai takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 34°C in November, and nighttime lows around 27°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 6th (Wed) early enough to catch the train to Rameswaram.

A trip to Rameswaram on Pamban Island will take you across a long limestone shoal bridge with spectacular ocean scenery.

Kick off your visit on the 6th (Wed): take in the views from Annai Indira Gandhi Road Bridge, snap pictures at Pamban bridge, examine the collection at Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam House, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Arulmigu Ramanatha Swamy Temple, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Dhanushkodi Beach.

To find photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, you can read our Rameswaram day trip planning app .

You can take a train from Madurai to Rameswaram in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Kanyakumari.

Located at the most southerly point of mainland India, Kanyakumari has long attracted pilgrims and those keen to see the end of the road.

Start off your visit on the 7th (Thu): make a trip to Thiruvalluvar Statue and then don't miss a visit to Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

To see where to stay, photos, maps, and tourist information, use the Kanyakumari tour itinerary planning tool .

You can drive from Rameswaram to Kanyakumari in 5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a train. In November, daytime highs in Kanyakumari are 36°C, while nighttime lows are 28°C. On the 8th (Fri), you'll have the morning to explore before heading off to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum).

Situated among a collection of low hills that lead up to the coastline, state capital Thiruvananthapuram acts as a base for exploration of the southern tip of the country.

On the 8th (Fri), kick back and relax at Kovalam Beach and then stroll through Lighthouse Beach. Keep things going the next day: admire the landmark architecture of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

To see ratings, reviews, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) road trip site .

You can do a combination of bus and train from Kanyakumari to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 36°C in November, and nighttime lows around 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 9th (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.