Chidambaram Tour Package from Salem (3 Days)
3-day Chidambaram tour from Salem: Chidambaram, Pichavaram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. 3-star stays with breakfast and sightseeing, travelling by cab or bus. From ₹6,380 per person.
per person · inclusive of all taxes
23° – 29°C
November in Chidambaram

Description
3-day Chidambaram tour from Salem: Chidambaram, Pichavaram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. 3-star stays with breakfast and sightseeing, travelling by cab or bus. From ₹6,380 per person.
This 3 days 2 nights itinerary covers 5 handpicked stops, including Thillai Nataraja Temple, Pichavaram Mangroves, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and more. October–March is the best time to travel for pleasant weather. Your 2-night stay is arranged in a comfortable, well-reviewed hotel such as 3-star hotel in Chidambaram. Pickup and drop are arranged right from your hotel or home, so there's nothing extra to plan on your end. Every booking is backed by Trypdeals' 24x7 support team, from planning to the day you're back home.
Weather in Chidambaram
Best time: October to MarchAverage temperature range: 21°C – 36°C
Day-by-Day Itinerary
To Chidambaram: the temple of Nataraja
Our driver picks you up from your hotel or home in Salem in the morning. Drive from Salem to Chidambaram (about 182 km, 3 hrs 30 min). Check in at your hotel in Chidambaram. Spend the evening in the Thillai Nataraja temple, where Shiva dances in the gold-roofed Chit Sabha and is worshipped as the element of space. Stay for the night puja. Overnight stay in Chidambaram.
Tentative Fare Estimate
Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST
Tentative estimate only, based on typical Indian public-transport tariffs (state transport bus fares, IRCTC sleeper/AC class rates, standard outstation taxi per-km rates) — not a live quote from any operator.
Route Map
By Car: Salem to Chidambaram
182 km · ~3h 38m · About 4h of driving, plus stops.
- Start from Salem
An early start keeps you ahead of city and highway traffic.
182 km · 3h 38m drive from previous stop
Arrive in ChidambaramChidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Stops are typical for this road, not a fixed itinerary. Timings assume about 50 km/h on average — traffic, tolls and road conditions vary.
By Bus: Salem to Chidambaram
182 km · ~4h 3m · Buses on this route are usually available as direct services. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability.
- Board at Salem
Go to the main bus stand / ISBT in Salem. Overnight buses usually leave in the evening; book a seat in advance for sleeper and Volvo services.
- Salem → Chidambaram
Non-AC or AC Seater · ~182 km
~4h 3m|Tentative fare ₹200–₹560
- Arrive in Chidambaram
Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
Halts and change points are typical for this route, not a specific operator’s schedule — check live availability and timings when booking.
By Train: Salem to Chidambaram
Nearest railway stations: Salem Jn for Salem, Chidambaram for Chidambaram.
No direct train found — best options with a change
1 change · 8h 24m in total
Change trains at Tiruchirappalli — about 1h 5m wait
1 change · 12h 24m in total
Change trains at Tiruchirappalli — about 5h 25m wait
1 change · 13h 9m in total
Change trains at Tiruchirappalli — about 5h 55m wait
Waits assume each train runs daily — the timetable data has no running days, so check the days for every train before you plan a change.
Train details come from a 2015 railway timetable snapshot — newer trains, changed timings and running days are not included, so confirm on IRCTC before you plan around a train.
- 1
Thillai Nataraja Temple
The great temple of Shiva as the cosmic dancer.
Pichavaram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram
Today's travel: from Chidambaram to Pichavaram (about 15 km, 15 min), from Pichavaram to Gangaikonda Cholapuram (about 55 km, 1 hr) and from Gangaikonda Cholapuram to Chidambaram (about 39 km, 45 min). Row through the Pichavaram mangroves in the cool of the morning. After lunch, drive inland to Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the capital Rajendra Chola built after his armies reached the Ganga; its great Shiva temple, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a vast Nandi and graceful sculpture. Overnight stay in Chidambaram.
- 1
Pichavaram Mangroves
Boat channels through a mangrove forest.
- 2
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
An 11th-century Chola temple, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Thillai Kali and home
Visit the Thillai Kali Amman temple and look again into the Nataraja temple's thousand-pillared hall and the Sivaganga tank, then head home. Drive from Chidambaram to Salem (about 182 km, 3 hrs 30 min), and drop at your hotel, home or the railway station in Salem. The tour ends here.
Tentative Fare Estimate
Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST
Tentative estimate only, based on typical Indian public-transport tariffs (state transport bus fares, IRCTC sleeper/AC class rates, standard outstation taxi per-km rates) — not a live quote from any operator.
Route Map
By Car: Chidambaram to Salem
182 km · ~3h 38m · About 4h of driving, plus stops.
- Start from Chidambaram
An early start keeps you ahead of city and highway traffic.
182 km · 3h 38m drive from previous stop
Arrive in SalemSalem, Tamil Nadu
Stops are typical for this road, not a fixed itinerary. Timings assume about 50 km/h on average — traffic, tolls and road conditions vary.
By Bus: Chidambaram to Salem
182 km · ~4h 3m · Buses on this route are usually available as direct services. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability.
- Board at Chidambaram
Go to the main bus stand / ISBT in Chidambaram. Overnight buses usually leave in the evening; book a seat in advance for sleeper and Volvo services.
- Chidambaram → Salem
Non-AC or AC Seater · ~182 km
~4h 3m|Tentative fare ₹200–₹560
- Arrive in Salem
Salem, Tamil Nadu
Halts and change points are typical for this route, not a specific operator’s schedule — check live availability and timings when booking.
By Train: Chidambaram to Salem
Nearest railway stations: Chidambaram for Chidambaram, Salem Jn for Salem.
No direct train found — best options with a change
1 change · 8h 11m in total
Change trains at Manjattidal — about 41m wait
1 change · 9h 15m in total
Change trains at Thanjavur — about 1h 17m wait
1 change · 10h 49m in total
Change trains at Tiruchirappalli — about 3h 25m wait
Waits assume each train runs daily — the timetable data has no running days, so check the days for every train before you plan a change.
Train details come from a 2015 railway timetable snapshot — newer trains, changed timings and running days are not included, so confirm on IRCTC before you plan around a train.
- 1
Thillai Kali Amman Temple
The temple of the goddess on the edge of town.
- 2
Sivaganga tank
The temple tank inside the Nataraja temple.
Tour Overview
Chidambaram, the temple town of Nataraja, the dancing Shiva: the golden hall of the cosmic dance, the Thillai Kali temple, a boat through the Pichavaram mangroves and, on the longer trip, the Chola temple of Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
This 3-day, 2-night package starts and ends in Salem. The route runs Salem → Chidambaram → Pichavaram → Gangaikonda Cholapuram → Chidambaram → Salem, about 473 km in all. Choose how you travel: cab or bus. Every price includes 3-star hotels with breakfast and all sightseeing transport.
Highlights of the Chidambaram Tour from Salem
- Thillai Nataraja Temple
- Pichavaram Mangroves
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram
- Thillai Kali Amman Temple
- Sivaganga tank
Inclusions in the Chidambaram Tour Package
- 2 nights in 3-star hotels (twin sharing) with daily breakfast
- All sightseeing and transfers as per the itinerary
- AC cab from Salem for the whole trip with the cab option: Swift Dzire (2–3 persons), Ertiga (4–7) or Tempo Traveller (8–12)
- AC bus seats both ways with the bus option
- Driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel
- GST on cab hire
Exclusions in the Chidambaram Tour Package
- Lunch and dinner
- Temple darshan, pooja and special entry tickets
- Monument and park entry tickets, boating and ropeway tickets
- Flights, and anything not listed under inclusions
- Personal expenses such as tips, laundry and phone calls
Child Policy
Child up to 6 years: free (no extra bed)
Child 6 to 8 years: half charge
Child above 8 years: full charge
Payment Policy
20 percent advance at the time of booking
20 percent after you receive the hotel booking voucher
60 percent during the tour
For tours between 15 December and 2 January, 50 percent advance is required.
Cancellation Policy
Minimum cancellation charge: Rs. 3000 per person, or 10 percent of the tour cost, whichever is higher
25 percent between 46 and 30 days before departure
50 percent between 30 and 15 days before departure
75 percent between 15 and 5 days before departure
100 percent within 5 days of departure or on no-show
Important Travel Information for the Chidambaram Tour
Best time to visit: October–March
Route: Salem → Chidambaram → Pichavaram → Gangaikonda Cholapuram → Chidambaram → Salem (about 473 km in all)
Before you go: Temples in Tamil Nadu expect modest dress; at some, men remove their shirts before entering the sanctum. Darshan timings change on festival days.
Hotels: 3-star hotel in Chidambaram, or similar.
Package Price: Cab or Bus
Per-person price by group size and how you travel from Salem. Every price includes 3-star hotels (twin sharing), breakfast and all sightseeing transport.
| PersonsGroup size | By Cab | By Bus |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Persons | ₹13,660 | ₹9,630 |
| 33 Persons | ₹11,030 | ₹8,610 |
| 4–74–7 Persons | ₹9,810 | ₹7,480 |
| 8–108–10 Persons | ₹9,020 | ₹6,970 |
| 11–1211–12 Persons | ₹7,650 | ₹6,380 |
Prices are per person in rupees. The highlighted price is the lowest for that group size.
There is no railway station near this route, so there is no train option.
Route Map
Top Attractions
Thillai Nataraja Temple
This iconic temple, one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams, represents the element of akasha (ether), uniquely symbolized by an empty space in the sanctum known as the Chidambara Rahasyam. The temple is renowned for its 108 karana sculptures depicting classical dance postures from the Natya Shastra, a foundational text for Bharatanatyam. Patronized and expanded by the Chola dynasty, it features nine towering gopurams and is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture.
Pichavaram Mangroves
Boat channels through a mangrove forest.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram
An 11th-century Chola temple, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Thillai Kali Amman Temple
The temple of the goddess on the edge of town.
Sivaganga tank
The temple tank inside the Nataraja temple.
Who Is This Tour For
Best Time to Visit
October–March is the ideal window for this trip, with the most pleasant weather for sightseeing.
How to Reach
What's Included / Excluded
Inclusions
- 2 nights in 3-star hotels (twin sharing) with daily breakfast
- All sightseeing and transfers as per the itinerary
- AC cab from Salem for the whole trip with the cab option: Swift Dzire (2–3 persons), Ertiga (4–7) or Tempo Traveller (8–12)
- AC bus seats both ways with the bus option
- Driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel
- GST on cab hire
Exclusions
- Lunch and dinner
- Temple darshan, pooja and special entry tickets
- Monument and park entry tickets, boating and ropeway tickets
- Flights, and anything not listed under inclusions
- Personal expenses such as tips, laundry and phone calls
Hotels for This Tour
Handpicked stays for a comfortable trip
Packing Checklist
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- ID proof (for hotel check-in)
- Basic first-aid/medication
- Modest, traditional clothing for temple visits
- A shawl or stole to cover shoulders
Important Travel Information
Best time to visit: October–March
Route: Salem → Chidambaram → Pichavaram → Gangaikonda Cholapuram → Chidambaram → Salem (about 473 km in all)
Before you go: Temples in Tamil Nadu expect modest dress; at some, men remove their shirts before entering the sanctum. Darshan timings change on festival days.
Hotels: 3-star hotel in Chidambaram, or similar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you go
3 days and 2 nights. It starts from Salem on day 1 and you are back in Salem on day 3.
Salem → Chidambaram → Pichavaram → Gangaikonda Cholapuram → Chidambaram → Salem. That is about 473 km in all; each leg is listed on this page with its distance and driving time.
For 2 persons it is ₹9,630 per person (bus); for a group of 11–12 it comes down to ₹6,380 per person. Prices include 3-star hotels with breakfast and all sightseeing transport.
Yes. This package is offered by cab or bus. By cab, the same AC car takes you from Salem and back. By bus, you take an AC bus to the first stop and back, and a cab covers the sightseeing. The price table shows each option for your group size.
October–March.
Temples in Tamil Nadu expect modest dress; at some, men remove their shirts before entering the sanctum. Darshan timings change on festival days.
Destinations Covered in This Tour
Explore the places this package takes you to
