Do Malaysians need a visa for India?

Yes. Malaysian passport holders apply for an India e-Visa online before departure. The tourist e-Visa covers tourism and short visits and is valid for 30 days from entry. The application is on the official India e-Visa portal, and Dhesu walks you through it when you book. Visa fees are not included in the package price.

Which airport does this trip use?

This is a land-only package: hotels, transfers, tours and guide are included, but international flights are not. Most Malaysian travellers fly from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Chennai International Airport (MAA). We can recommend suitable flights and timings on request.

What is the best time for this coastal trip?

November to February is the most comfortable, with cooler, drier weather. March to June is hot and humid. The northeast monsoon brings rain to the coast around October to December. Winter is ideal for the beaches and temples.

Is there a beach resort stay?

Yes. The package includes a beach resort stay along the Coromandel coast, typically around Mahabalipuram, offering time to relax by the Bay of Bengal between the heritage stops.

What is special about Pondicherry?

Pondicherry was a French colony and retains a distinct character: pastel colonial buildings, a seaside promenade, French-influenced cafes and the serene Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It feels quite different from the rest of South India and is a highlight of the trip.

Mahabalipuram shore temple Coromandel coast

South India

5 Days, Chennai Coast. City, Shore Temples and Pondicherry's French Quarter.

The Coromandel coast at its best. Chennai's culture, the ancient shore temples of Mahabalipuram, and a taste of French India in Pondicherry. Five days along one of South India's most rewarding coastlines.

RM1,306

From RM1,088

per person (twin sharing)

Save RM435 per couple

5 Days / 4 Nights

Hotel

Daily Breakfast

Private Driver Guide

Airport Transfers

100% Private Tour

About This Package

5 Days Chennai & Mahabalipuram: The Full Picture

This 5 day coastal tour explores the best of the Coromandel coast south of Chennai. From the Tamil capital's temples and beaches, you travel down to Mahabalipuram, with its UNESCO-listed shore temples and rock carvings, and on to Pondicherry, where the French colonial quarter feels worlds away from the rest of India.

Arranged privately from Malaysia, the trip blends heritage, beach time and culture, with your own vehicle and driver guide. The relaxed coastal pace, a beach resort stay, and the contrast between ancient temples and French boulevards make it a varied, enjoyable journey.

Package Includes

✓Hotel & Resort Stay (4 nights)
✓Daily Breakfast
✓Private Vehicle & Driver Guide
✓Return Airport Transfers
✓Beach Resort Stay

Not Included

×International Flights
×India Visa Fee (30-day e-Visa applies)
×ETIQA Travel Insurance (1-5 Days) RM41
×Entrance Fees (unless stated)
×Lunches and dinners (unless stated)
×Personal Expenses
×Optional tour tips

What Makes This Trip

Why Travellers from Malaysia Love This Trip

Mahabalipuram's Shore Temples

The UNESCO-listed Shore Temple, the Pancha Rathas and the giant rock relief of Arjuna's Penance, masterpieces of Pallava art set right by the sea.

Pondicherry's French Quarter

Pastel colonial villas, tree-lined boulevards, seaside promenades and French-influenced cafes make Pondicherry one of the most charming towns in South India.

Coastal Relaxation

A beach resort stay along the Coromandel coast offers time to unwind between the heritage stops, with the Bay of Bengal at your doorstep.

Day by Day

Your 5 Days Itinerary

Arrive Chennai

No meals

Met at Chennai airport and transferred to your hotel. Evening at Marina Beach.

Suggested activities

Marina Beach walk
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
First South Indian meal

Chennai to Mahabalipuram

Breakfast

Drive down the coast to Mahabalipuram and its monuments.

Suggested activities

Shore Temple
Pancha Rathas
Arjuna's Penance
Beach resort check in

Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry

Breakfast

Coastal drive to the French town of Pondicherry.

Suggested activities

Drive to Pondicherry
French Quarter walk
Promenade Beach
Auroville (optional)

Pondicherry & Return

Breakfast

More of Pondicherry, then return towards Chennai.

Suggested activities

Sri Aurobindo Ashram
French cafes
Drive towards Chennai
Coastal stops

Depart Chennai

Breakfast

Checkout and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Suggested activities

Last shopping
Airport transfer

Hotel Options

Choose Your Comfort Level

Centrally located hotels with easy access to the main sights. Pick the tier that suits your style.

3 Star

Budget Friendly

3-star hotels + beach resort or similar

Min 2 Adults (Toyota Etios)RM1088 per person
Min 4 Adults (Toyota Innova)RM1038 per person
Min 8 Adults (Tempo Traveller)RM988 per person

From RM1088

per person

Most Chosen

4 Star

Value Plus Comfort

4-star hotels + beach resort or similar

Min 2 Adults (Toyota Etios)RM1288 per person
Min 4 Adults (Toyota Innova)RM1248 per person
Min 8 Adults (Tempo Traveller)RM1208 per person

From RM1288

per person

5 Star

Premium Value Stay

5-star hotels + beach resort or similar

Min 2 Adults (Toyota Etios)RM1688 per person
Min 4 Adults (Toyota Innova)RM1658 per person
Min 8 Adults (Tempo Traveller)RM1628 per person

From RM1688

per person

Why Dhesu

The Coromandel Coast, at Your Pace

Linking Chennai, Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry with a beach stay takes good routing. We sequence the heritage and relaxation so the trip flows. Dhesu has run South India tours since 1988.

MATTA & IATA Registered

Fully licensed Malaysian travel agency. We guide you through India e-Visa documentation with every booking.

Private Tours, Daily Departures

No minimum group to wait for. Your trip runs on your dates, your pace, your own vehicle and guide.

A Real Team to Call

Reachable throughout your trip. Flight delayed, your guide waits. Plans change, we adapt on the ground.

Group & Custom Pricing

Travelling as a family or group lowers the per-person cost. Ask us for a tailored quote.

Chennai & Mahabalipuram Tour from Malaysia

This 5 day coastal tour is ideal for travellers who want a mix of heritage, beach and culture in South India. The route takes in Chennai, the UNESCO monuments of Mahabalipuram, and the French charm of Pondicherry.

A private vehicle and driver guide, plus a beach resort stay, make it a relaxed and varied journey along the Coromandel coast.

For a deeper temple focus, see our 4 day Tirupati and Navagraha temple tours; for a wider loop, the 7 day Tamil Nadu tour.

Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry

Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for its 7th-century Pallava rock-cut temples and the iconic Shore Temple by the Bay of Bengal.

Pondicherry, a former French colony, offers a complete change of mood, with its pastel villas, boulevards, seaside promenade and Franco-Tamil cuisine. Together they make a fascinating coastal pairing.

Common Questions