TAMIL NADU - What do we have to do?

Hi everybody! Our next trip to India isn't so far anymore and we have already a good itinerary for the first weeks.
This time we will discover Tamil Nadu. Is there somewhere we have to go? Something we shouldn't miss? Something we have to do? An absolutely must? What do we have to avoid?

We will start in South – from Kerala we will pass Madurai. We would love to spend some time in the hills and at the coast. Sure we will pass Pondicherry, Tanjore and Chennai.

I am sure you indiamikers have a lot of good advices for us! And we thank you very much!

Basel,

As you have pointed out, you should not miss Madurai and Tanjore. Also, you can pay a visit to Kanyakumari, which is on the coast.

If you want hills and if you want places where there is not much crowd, I would suggest Valparai or Kotagiri. Ooty and Kodaikanal are very crowded.

Mahabalipuram is also something which you should not miss.

Thank you, arunganpath.
Ooty and Kodaikanal are very crowded - becuase of tourists or just very busy Indian places?
What about acommodations in Valparai or Kotagiri?
Mahabalipuram we do before Chennai.

Because of tourists.. I would say, they are commercialised...

you would get accomodations in Kotagiri and Valparai. Valparai would be better.. Let me check out on the accomodations or lets wait for fellow IMmers to respond.

No, we don't want to go to comercialised places - we have plenty of them over here!
As I don't have a clue where Valparai is, can you tell me where I can find it? Is it reachable from Madurai?
Thank you for checking the acommodations!

Hi

Valparai is a nice cool place not yet commercialised. It is about 2 hours drive from Coimbatore via Pollachi. Do check out the below links for info on Valparai and stay options.


VALPARAI


Parambikulam - http://www.parambikulam.org/
Topslip - http://www.topsliponline.com/
Valpaarai - http://www.valparai.com/
for other cottages,check this link

http://www.valparaionline.com/

I was also doing some searching and found this

http://www.valparaiinfo.com/Valparai_-_Hotels.html

There is a review for reasonably priced Green Hills Hotel at holidayiq http://www.holidayiq.com/Green-Hill-...otel-2852.html

Tel 04253 – 222562

Places to stay in valparai….

Hotel Green Hill: 04253 – 222262

*Krishna Lodge: 04253 – 222234*
mobile ; natarajan - 9443006044
guide - manikandan- 9442007769

http://praskuma.googlepages.com/valparaitrip


You can also visit Munnar one of the best hill stations in the south. its about 3 hours from Cochin.

Cheers, Raghu

Some more options if you are looking for hills

Masinagudi
Yercaud

Also when visiting Tanjore check the Palace of Serfoji.

THANK U!!!