Chennai to Pichavaram Mangrove Forest (Via Puducherry, Chidambaram): A Small Trip

We were planning long for pichavaram and finally, we made it.  I will be sharing the approximate expense details, travel time, bus fares, important tips and other miscellaneous things to note.

Number of people: 7 (All from Chennai)

We had earlier discussed that we will be starting from Chennai Koyambedu by 7 AM.
Chennai to Puducherry.

We started by 8 AM from CMBT to Puducherry and we reached Pondy by 12PM.

From there by auto we reached Hotel Pleasant Inn. Auto charge rupees 80 and do not pay more than that. The drivers in the auto stand will charge you 150 rupees.  So take a passing auto.

Below is our planned itinerary

Day	Expense Particualrs	Amount	Place	Notes
Day 1	Tickets	770	Chennai	Starting by 8 or 9
	Auto fare to room	160	Pondy Bus stop	Reaching pondy by 1 or 2
	2 Rooms	6300	Hotel Pleasant Inn Pondy	4 beds+ 2 beds + extra bed
	Limited Drinks	1000	Room, Pondy
	Side dish + Cigars + Misc	500	Room, Pondy
	Lunch	700	Room, Pondy	100 rupees per head
	Night Moderate Drink	1500	Room, Pondy
	Dinner	490	Room, Pondy	70 rupees per head
Day 2	2 Rooms	6300	Hotel Pleasant Inn Pondy	4 beds+ 2 beds + extra bed
	Room to Bus stop auto fare	160	Pondy Bus Stop	Complimentary breakfast / Need to start by 9 or 10 / Light drink from yesterday's micha meethi
	Pondy to Chidambaram fare	420	Chidamabram	60 rs per head
	Chidambaram to Pitchavaram fare	105	Pitchavaram	15 rs per head
	Nungu	100
	Mangrove Forest Boating Fare	880	Mangrove forest	4 person - 1 boat - 2 kms
	Pitchavaram to Chidamabaram	105	Chidamabram	15 rs per head
	Lunch	420	Chidamabram	Lunch at Pitchavaram/Chidamabaram
	Chidambaram to Pondy fare	420	Pondy Bus Stop	Have to make sure we are at pondy by 5 or 6
	Drinks	3000	Room, Pondy
	Side dish + Cigars + Misc	800	Room, Pondy
	Bajji	200
	Dinner	350	Room, Pondy	Buying very little, as not to waste
Day 3	Pondy to Chennai	770	Chennai	Complimentary breakfast
	Drinks	1500
	Total	26950
	Total Individual Contribution	3850	May - 3000 / June -900

Travelling Time and Fare

From	To	Time	Fare
Chennai	Puducherry	4 HRS	105
Puducherry	Chidambaram	2HRS	45
Chidambaram	Pichavaram	15 MINS	9

(No frequent buses. Buses available half an hour once. Bus fare 9 rs)

Note: If you are boarding from Puducherry to Chidambram, it is best advised to get down on the road connecting the main road and Pichavaram road. This will save you some time.


Pics

A small walk in the waters

Serene boating

Beautiful view of the mangrove

Mangrove Forest

On the way towards the forest

See more pics here

Tips:

1. Best time visit: Except summer
2. Saturday and Sunday, you can travel for 1 KM only
3. Prefer row boat than motor boat
4. Talk with the boatman, he can take you deep into the forest.
5. Boating time : 8AM to 5PM