Cradled in the Eastern Ghats, Yelagiri (also spelled Elagiri) is a small hill station known for pine-scented air, mirror-still lakes, and trails that weave through orchards and villages. Once a cluster of tribal hamlets of the Malayali people, the area rose to prominence during the colonial era for its climate and orchards—jackfruit, guava, and mango still flourish here.

Today, travelers come for easy treks like Swamimalai, paddle boating on Punganoor Lake, and seasonal cascades at Jalagamparai. Evenings bring musical-fountain shows at the Nature Park and skies bright with stars. Food is comfortingly South Indian—fluffy idlis and crisp dosas at breakfast, peppery Chettinad dishes at dinner, and roadside bajji and tea in between.

Practical notes: the best weather runs October–March; summers are warm but breezy on the hill. ATMs are limited; carry some cash. From Chennai or Bengaluru you can come by train to Jolarpettai Junction (the foothills), then a scenic 45-minute ghat drive to Yelagiri. This itinerary ends with a culture-forward Chennai stay and a guided Mahabalipuram heritage walk to round out your week.

Yelagiri

Perched around 1,100 meters, Yelagiri is unhurried and green, with a centerpiece man-made lake (Punganoor), a botanical-style Nature Park, and an easy hike to the region’s highest viewpoint, Swamimalai (1,433 m). Adventure operators by the lake set up ziplines, zorbing, and ATV loops when weather permits. Temples—Velavan (Murugan) and smaller village shrines—anchor daily life.

Food is simple and flavorful. Start mornings with filter coffee and dosas; at lunch, a veg thali or aromatic biryani; evenings call for a Chettinad pepper fry or hot bajji by the lake. For a regional flourish, plan one meal around Ambur Star Biryani (the Ambur belt is a biryani heartland just down the hill).

• Stay (search and compare): VRBO Yelagiri | Hotels.com Yelagiri
• Getting in: Fly to Chennai (MAA) or Bengaluru (BLR) via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Then take a train to Jolarpettai Junction (3–3.5 hrs from Chennai; ~2.5–3.5 hrs from Bengaluru) via Trip.com trains (AC Chair Car ~$6–10). A taxi up to Yelagiri takes ~45 min (~$12–18).
• Private car: Direct road transfer is ~3.5–4.5 hrs from Bengaluru, ~4.5–5 hrs from Chennai (expect ~$70–110 per car each way depending on size and operator).

Day 1: Arrive Chennai or Bengaluru, up to the hills

Morning: Fly into Chennai or Bengaluru via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Catch a train to Jolarpettai via Trip.com trains (aim for a mid-day arrival).

Afternoon: Taxi up the ghat road (45 minutes of switchbacks with valley views). Check in to your Yelagiri stay—search options on VRBO or Hotels.com. Stretch your legs with a slow lap around Punganoor Lake; rent a pedal boat (about $3–5 per half-hour per boat).

Evening: Dinner at your resort restaurant—ask for a veg thali or pepper chicken with parotta. For dessert, try warm jalebi or a scoop of local fruit ice cream from the stalls near the lake.

Day 2: Punganoor Lake, Nature Park, and temple bells

Morning: Filter coffee and ghee roast dosa for breakfast. Visit the Yelagiri Nature Park for landscaped gardens, a bamboo grove, and a tiny aquarium. It’s an easy, shaded wander—great for families and photographers.

Afternoon: Head to Velavan Temple (Murugan) on a small hillock. The bell’s chime carries across the valley; the viewpoint is ideal for wide-angle shots. Lunch at Zeenath Taj Gardens’ in-house dining (simple veg curries, lemon rice, curd rice) or Peter’s Park restaurant (multi-cuisine; ask for mushroom pepper fry and chapati).

Evening: Return to the Nature Park for the musical fountain show (usually after dusk on weekends/holidays; small entry fee). Eat at Touchstone Resort’s restaurant—Chettinad chicken, paneer butter masala, or egg appam hit the spot.

Day 3: Swamimalai sunrise trek and lakeside adventure

Morning: Early start for the Swamimalai trek. The trail (roughly 3 km each way) rises gradually through scrub and rock to the highest point. Expect 2.5–3 hours round trip with photo stops. Carry water; leech socks are handy in monsoon.

Afternoon: Refuel with a South Indian lunch at Hotel Landmark’s restaurant (veg meals, rasam, poriyal) or your hotel. Then try soft adventure near the lake—zipline, archery, ATV loops—when operators are active and weather is clear.

Evening: Stroll Nilavoor Lake for a quieter waterside vibe. Grab bajji (chili or onion fritters) and tea from a roadside stall. Dinner back at your stay—ask for lemon sevai or tomato rice if you want something light.

Day 4: Jalagamparai waterfalls and village life

Morning: Drive to Jalagamparai Waterfalls (seasonal; best after monsoon through winter). The short approach walk is scenic; the falls tumble over a basalt face when in flow. If dry, pivot to a village walk around Athanavoor and Mangalam to see orchards and small shrines.

Afternoon: Picnic lunch—pickle, curd rice, and banana chips—under shade trees. Then pop into the Herbal Farm (when open) to learn about native plants and local remedies; buy small-batch honey or eucalyptus oil.

Evening: Free time by Punganoor Lake. For dinner, ask your hotel for a Chettinad sampler (black pepper chicken, kozhi rasam) or go vegetarian with kootu, sambar, and hot rice. End with payasam if available.

Day 5: Day trip to Vellore—fort walls and golden gleam

Morning: Depart early by car (1.5–2 hours) to Vellore. Explore 16th-century Vellore Fort with its dry moat and granite ramparts; inside sits the sculpted Jalakandeswarar Temple, famed for intricate pillars and a soaring vimana.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ambur Star Biryani (Vellore outlet)—a regional icon for short-grain, spice-forward biryani—or The Vellore Kitchen (multi-cuisine; reliable North/South Indian plates). Visit Sripuram Golden Temple (Lakshmi Narayani Temple), a star-shaped complex known for gold-clad detailing; follow dress code and photography rules.

Evening: Return to Yelagiri for a relaxed dinner. Try egg kotthu parotta or veg kurma with appam at your resort. Pack tonight for tomorrow’s transfer to Chennai.

Chennai

Chennai, one of India’s great coastal cities, pairs ancient temples and Carnatic music with a thriving contemporary food scene. Marina Beach sprawls along the Bay of Bengal, while Mylapore’s Kapaleeshwarar Temple anchors a neighborhood of classical art, filter coffee houses, and family-run messes.

It also makes the perfect launchpad for Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), the UNESCO-listed Pallava-era complex of rock-cut temples, sculpted bas-reliefs, and shore-side shrines less than two hours south.

• Stay (search and compare): VRBO Chennai | Hotels.com Chennai
• Transfer from Yelagiri: Morning road transfer (~4.5–5 hrs) or taxi down to Jolarpettai and train to Chennai Central (3–3.5 hrs; AC Chair Car ~$6–10). Budget ~$70–110 for a private car one-way.

Day 6: Transfer to Chennai and Mahabalipuram heritage walk

Morning: Depart Yelagiri after breakfast for Chennai (or Jolarpettai train). Check in and have a light South Indian lunch—consider Ratna Cafe (Triplicane) for legendary sambar-idli or Murugan Idli Shop (T. Nagar) for ghee pongal and jigarthanda.

Afternoon (tour): Head to Mahabalipuram for a guided heritage walk (about 1.5 hours from central Chennai depending on traffic). This expert-led experience covers rock-cut cave temples, Arjuna’s Penance bas-relief, and the Shore Temple fronting the sea.

Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company — Over 3 hours, travel back to the 7th century exploring UNESCO-listed masterpieces with an expert guide.

Evening: Stay for sunset by the Shore Temple, then either dine in Mahabalipuram (fresh grilled fish, prawn masala, or veg korma at long-running beachside eateries) or return to Chennai for dinner at Buhari (Anna Salai)—home to the original Chicken 65—or a refined South Indian thali at Dakshin (Crowne Plaza).

Day 7: Mylapore mornings and departure

Morning: Visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, a Dravidian gem with a vivid gopuram. Walk the surrounding lanes for kolam drawings and flower stalls. Breakfast at Mylai Karpagambal Mess (classic ghee podi dosa, pongal, filter coffee) or Rayar’s Mess (idli, vadai; go early—standing-room charm).

Afternoon: Take a breezy stroll on Marina Beach or pick up snacks (murukku, banana chips) before heading to the airport. Book your flight via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you prefer the rails for onward travel in India, browse Trip.com trains.

Evening: Fly out this afternoon. If your flight is later, add a quick detour to the Government Museum (Egmore) or a final coffee at Madras Coffee House.

Where to eat and drink highlights (quick list):

• Yelagiri: Resort restaurants at Sterling Yelagiri, Peter’s Park, Touchstone Resort, Hotel Landmark (ask for veg thali, pepper chicken, mushroom fry, appam-kurma). Lakeside stalls for tea and bajji at sunset.
• Ambur/Vellore (en route): Ambur Star Biryani (Ambur or Vellore outlets) for the region’s iconic biryani; The Vellore Kitchen for multi-cuisine with AC seating.
• Chennai: Ratna Cafe (sambar-idli), Murugan Idli Shop (dosas, jigarthanda), Mylai Karpagambal Mess (classic tiffin), Buhari (Chicken 65), Dakshin for upscale South Indian thali.

Estimated costs at a glance (per person): Round-trip flights to Chennai/Bengaluru vary by origin; trains Chennai–Jolarpettai ~$6–10 in AC chair car; taxis Jolarpettai–Yelagiri ~$12–18; private car Chennai–Yelagiri one-way ~$70–110 per car; local meals $3–12 depending on venue; Punganoor boating ~$3–5 per boat.

Seven days give you Yelagiri’s slow pleasures—misty mornings, easy treks, starlit nights—plus temple art and seaside stones in Mahabalipuram. You’ll leave with the taste of filter coffee, the hush of forest trails, and a better map of Tamil Nadu’s storied past.