Pondicherry, now officially known as Puducherry, is a Union Territory in southern India that stands out for its unique blend of French colonial heritage and Tamil culture. It was a French colony until 1954, and this history is still evident in its architecture, cuisine, and overall ambiance. The city is famous for its tree-lined streets, colonial-era villas, and the seaside promenade along the Bay of Bengal. The French Quarter, with its mustard-colored townhouses, chic boutiques, and European-style cafes, offers a distinct contrast to the bustling Tamil quarters with vibrant markets and temples.
Pondicherry is also known for its serene beaches, such as Promenade Beach, Paradise Beach, and Auroville Beach, which attract visitors looking for tranquility and natural beauty. The city’s rich cultural scene includes several museums, art galleries, and a thriving community of artists and writers. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral are prominent religious sites that reflect the city’s colonial past.
Auroville, located just outside of Pondicherry, is an experimental township founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa, known as "The Mother," a spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo. Auroville was envisioned as a universal town where people from all over the world could live in harmony, regardless of nationality, race, or religion. The centerpiece of Auroville is the Matrimandir, a golden, spherical structure that serves as a place for silent meditation and spiritual reflection. The township is built around ideals of sustainable living, spiritual growth, and community building. It attracts people from around the globe who are interested in alternative lifestyles, spirituality, and sustainable development.
Auroville’s unique social and economic model is based on collective ownership and shared resources, with no private property or formal currency system within the township. The community supports itself through various businesses, including organic farming, handmade crafts, and renewable energy projects. Visitors to Auroville can explore its lush greenery, innovative architecture, and various cultural and educational activities.
Together, Pondicherry and Auroville offer a unique blend of history, spirituality, and cultural diversity, making them fascinating destinations for travelers interested in exploring the crossroads of East and West.
- Experience the french capital of India with its natural and architectural beauty.
- Boat through the world's second-largest mangrove forest.
- Get the most Instagramable pictures possible at the Charming White Town.
- A beach-town rich in culture and heritage will definitely keep you astounded.
- Wanna explore the earth's center? Then the Natraja Temple at Chidambaram is the perfect place for you.
- Come dine the best of French and Indian fusion cuisine in cafes with an amazing ambiance.
- Pristine, picturesque, and calm beaches will keep you hooked
- Wanna know about the universal town of peace and harmony? Auroville is the place for you.
- Pick up points
- Pickup from Mumbai: 9.00 pm board DR PDY EXP from Dadar or Kalyan
- Pickup from Pune: 23.50 pm board DR PDY EXP Spl from Pune Railway Station
- Pickup from Bangalore at 9:30 pm board DR PDY EXP from Yeshvantpur Jn
Meals:None
- Our captains are well equipped to keep you entertained for a long journey for an amazing experience. Also, don't forget to bring your UNO cards with you!
Meals:None
- Reach early morning and check into the hotel
- Rest for a while, and have a stomach-full breakfast, then leave for our sightseeing
- Start with the very calming 'Aurobindo ashram' Give yourself a soothing start to the trip here. Meditate if you like.
- After Aurobindo Ashram we visit the Manakula temple followed by lunch
- Next, we will head towards the rock beach. Spend your evening at the rock beach, exploring the Gandhi statue, some famous churches, and the old lighthouse today.
- Walk around the white town at night or go clubbing.
- Sleepover
Meals:Breakfast+Lunch
- Today we will start our day with a soothing sunrise by the Serenity beach.
- Return to your stay, freshen up, have breakfast, and leave for Auroville.
- Visit the very famous Matrimandir today, architecture that forms the ‘soul’ of Auroville town.
- There are many cafes at Auroville that we can explore today.
- After Auroville sightseeing, we will visit Serenity beach
- Later, in the evening you can hike the streets of Pondy
Meals:Breakfast+Lunch
- Wake up early morning and leave for Chidambaram, breakfast on the way
- Explore the massive Chidambaram temple which is the geometrical center of the earth.
- After exploring Chidambaram we will enjoy boating in the mangrove forest of Pitchavaram.
- Post which we depart back to Pondicherry and have a late lunch.
- Evening we stop by Paradise beach for sunset and return back to the hotel for a rest
- 9.00pm we take Chaulukya Express back to Pune,Mumbai and Bangalore
Meals:Breakfast+Lunch
- Enjoy the scenic train journey
- 6:00 am:- Reach Bangalore with loads of memories
Meals:None
- 2.00 am: Reach Pune with loads of memories
- 6.00 am: Reach Mumbai with loads of memories
Note: Train tickets will be in confirmed or RAC(half window seat) as per availability of seats for last-minute bookings!
What is included in the tour
- Transportation: Train travel from Pune/ Mumbai/Bangalore
- Two-wheeler for 2 days commute around Pondicherry with petrol.
- Private vehicles (as per batch size) to Chidambaram and Pichavaram
- Accommodation: 2 Days of accommodation on a triple/ quad-sharing basis (genderwise)
- Meals: Total of 6 meals (Breakfast and Lunch on Day 3, Day 4, Day 5).
- Entry charges at Paradise Beach.
- Pichavaram Boating Charges
- Entry charges at the Auroville
- Guided Tour
What is NOT included in the tour
- Dinners
- Camera charges
- Meals during the train journey
- Anything not mentioned in Inclusions.
- Scooter parking charges
- Entry for globe sightseeing if open
- 5% GST will be added during checkout
- Transaction charges depending upon the mode of payment will be charged by Razorpay(Use the NEFT option to pay and save gateway charges)
- Tatkal ticket agent costing
- July: 5, 12, 19, 26
- August: 2, 9, 15,16, 23, 30
- September: 6, 13, 20, 27
- October: 4, 11, 18, 25
PUNE/MUMBAI:
- Every Friday Departures From Pune and Mumbai and Thursday Arrival (All year)
Bangalore:
- Every Saturday Departure from Bangalore and Wednesday Arrival (All year)
Special batches available during New Years, Christmas , Holi or any feasible festive season click on book now button to check batch dates
- Pondy to Pondy-8499/- onwards
- Pune to Pune Sleeper Train:10499/- onwards
- Pune to Pune 3AC Train:12499- onwards
- Mumbai to Mumbai Sleeper Train:10499- onwards
- Mumbai to Mumbai 3AC Train:12499/- onwards
Rates might vary for long weekends,New year and Christmas
- Pondicherry: Aurobindo ashram, Manakula temple, Promanode Beach/Rock beach, Gandhi statue, some famous churches, and the old lighthouse, Night Clubbing
- Auroville: Serenity beach.,Matrimandir , Auroville Town Exploration, Cafes
- Chidambaram: Chidambaram temple
- Pichavaram: Boating in the mangrove forest
Gears
- A rucksack bag and a day pack
- 3-liter water bladder or water bottle
Clothes
- One cotton long sleeve and 2 short sleeve T-shirts
- 1 pair of gloves
- At least 2 long pants (trek pants and cargo pants are favorable)
- 4 sets of undergarments
- 2 pairs of socks
- A small towel
- A rain jacket or a poncho
Footwear
- Above-the-ankle waterproof and breathable hiking boots with good grip
- Flip flops/sandals
Medication
- Glucose powder
- Medicines for headaches, diarrhea, motion sickness
- Dettol
- Bandages
- Cotton
Personal Accessories
- Toothpaste, toothbrush
- Paper soap, or sanitizer
- Sunscreen minimum of spf40, lip balm, cold creams
- Body spray
- LED torch light
- Scroll down to the "BOOK NOW" button and click it.
- Select your departure date from the calendar and proceed.
- Select your ticket type and quantity. (If you have a coupon code, apply at this stage)
- Fill out our personal details and proceed.
- Select your payment type (UPI, Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking) and proceed.
- Once your tickets are booked, you will receive tickets along with the WhatsApp group link via email. Click on the link to join the WhatsApp group.
- If you don't receive at WhatsApp group link, don't worry we will email it to you two days prior to the trip.
- Further details about the trip will be shared on that WhatsApp group 1-2 days prior to the trip.
Bank Account Details:
- Name: Stormfree Adventures & Tourism
- AC No:50200068275548
- Bank Name: HDFC BANK (current ac)
- Bank IFSC: HDFC0000103
No Refund shall be made with respect to the initial booking amount for any cancellations. However,
- If cancellations are made 30 days before the start date of the trip, 50% of the total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellations are made within 0-30 days before the start date of the trip, 100% of the total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- In case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain activities may be canceled and in such cases, our service partner will try his best to provide an alternate feasible activity.
- For all the above choices, you can transfer your tickets to your friends. We would be more than happy to have them on board and you could save your hard-earned money.
- Seats will be reserved only after full payment.
- Fees paid are non-refundable but transferable on the same event.
- A complete schedule of the trek will be given later to registered participants
- Organizers have all the right to modify or change the schedule in case
- Organizers hold the right to cancel any event and refund with prior notice.
- We strictly follow a no alcohol, no drugs, and no litter policy.
Train Details
-
Bangalore
- Departure
- DY PDY special from Yashwant railway station
- Arrival Train:
- Chalukya Express
- Departure
- Mumbai
- Departure
- DY PDY Exp from Dadar and Kalyan railway station
- Arrival Train
- Chalukya Exp from PDY
- Departure
- Pune
- Departure
- DY PDY Exp from Pune Junction
- Arrival Train
- Chalukya Exp from Pdy
- Departure
How much sharing will the stays be?
The stays will be shared on a triple/quad-sharing basis. You can procure a couple-room stay at an additional cost
What will the commute be like?
From Pune/Mumbai/Chennai we'll travel by train and after reaching Pondecherry commute by bike/scooter
What kind of food will be served?
Healthy and delicious veg meals will be served during the trip. However, you are welcome to try out the different local cuisines in the cafes around.
Will traveling solo be an issue?
We are the most trusted community for solo travelers, both males, and females. Our team leaders are trained to handle all kinds of situations and provide you with a comfortable trip.
Is the itinerary fast paced?
No, we form our itineraries in a way where you can enjoy the perfect essence of the city and calmly spend your time.
How is the commute managed from Bangalore?
Arrival train- DR PDY (09:30 pm on Day 2)
Departure train- Chalukya exp (09:25 pm on Day 5)
Yesvantpur Jn
