Tiruvannamalai Tour Packages
Tiruvannamalai sits at the foot of Arunachala, the holy hill worshipped as Lord Shiva himself.
Tiruvannamalai at a glance
- LocationTamil Nadu, India
- Time zoneIndian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
- Driving sideLeft
- Calling code+91
- CurrencyIndian rupee (INR)
- LanguagesTamil
- Ideal stay1–2 days
- Getting thereChennai International Airport (MAA), about…
Best time to visit: October to February
Top Tiruvannamalai travel packages
A few of our Tiruvannamalai itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Essential tips for travelling to Tiruvannamalai
UPI and cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels; keep some cash for small shops, rural areas, hill towns and tips.
Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
112 (all emergencies)
Languages spoken: Tamil.
Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Thoothukudi have airports. Trains link every major town, and a car with driver is the easiest way to string temples together.
Most large temples ask men to remove shirts in the inner sanctum and everyone to remove footwear; carry socks for hot stone floors.
Temple inner shrines usually close for a few hours in the early afternoon, so plan visits for the morning or evening.
Walk Girivalam in the evening or early morning; on full-moon nights the path is crowded, so keep your group together and carry water.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Tiruvannamalai?
Who should visit Tiruvannamalai?
Plan your Tiruvannamalai trip
Everything you need to know about Tiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai sits at the foot of Arunachala, the holy hill worshipped as Lord Shiva himself. The vast Arunachaleswarar Temple is the fire temple among the five Pancha Bhoota Sthalams, and on every full-moon night thousands of pilgrims walk the 14 km Girivalam path around the hill. The Ramana Maharshi ashram draws seekers from around the world.
Highlights include Arunachaleswarar Temple, Girivalam path, Sri Ramana Ashramam and Virupaksha Cave and Skandashram. Local food worth trying: South Indian meals, Temple prasadam and Filter coffee. Plan 1–2 days here; it suits pilgrims, spiritual seekers. Our Tiruvannamalai itineraries run from 3 to 5 days and every one can be changed to suit you.
When to go
October to February. Cooler weather for the Girivalam walk; Karthigai Deepam in November or December is the biggest festival, and summers are very hot.
How to reach Tiruvannamalai
- By air: Chennai International Airport (MAA), about 190 km
- By rail: Tiruvannamalai railway station, with trains from Chennai via Katpadi and Villupuram
- By road: About 4 hours from Chennai by road
View all Tiruvannamalai packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
3D / 2NTiruvannamalaiTiruvannamalai Girivalam
Two nights at Tiruvannamalai for darshan at Arunachaleswarar, the full-moon Girivalam around Arunachala hill and quiet time at the Ramana Maharshi ashram.
View itinerary →
5D / 4NKanchipuram · Tiruvannamalai · Chidambaram · Tiruchirappalli (Srirangam)Pancha Bhoota Sthalam Yatra
Shiva's five elemental temples: earth at Ekambareswarar in Kanchipuram, fire at Tiruvannamalai, space at Chidambaram and water at Thiruvanaikaval, with Srikalahasti (air) as a day trip from Chennai.
View itinerary →2 itineraries
More places in Tamil Nadu
Top things to see in Tiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai14 km circuit of Arunachala hill, walked barefoot on full-moon nights
TiruvannamalaiAshram of the sage Ramana Maharshi
Tamil NaduCaves on the hillside where Ramana lived
Tamil NaduSummit where the Karthigai Deepam flame is lit
Nature and landscapes of Tiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai14 km circuit of Arunachala hill, walked barefoot on full-moon nights
TiruvannamalaiCaves on the hillside where Ramana lived
Cultural experiences in Tiruvannamalai
Heritage and landmarks
TiruvannamalaiOne of India's largest temples, the Pancha Bhoota temple of fire
Experiences
- Darshan at Arunachaleswarar
On the menuFood to try
- South Indian meals
- Temple prasadam
- Filter coffee
Outdoor activities in Tiruvannamalai
Many activities are seasonal. Best time for Tiruvannamalai: October to February. We check operating seasons for your dates.
Tiruvannamalai travel tips
Visa and entry
Indian citizens do not need a visa; carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar or a passport for hotels and flights.
Health and safety
Travel insurance is a good idea, especially for adventure activities. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Best time to visit
October to February. Cooler weather for the Girivalam walk; Karthigai Deepam in November or December is the biggest festival, and summers are very hot.
Getting around
Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Thoothukudi have airports. Trains link every major town, and a car with driver is the easiest way to string temples together.
Local etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples, churches and mosques, and remove footwear where asked.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
What to pack
Pack a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and swimwear, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for religious sites and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Mobile data is good in towns and cities.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Tiruvannamalai FAQs
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Destinations near Tiruvannamalai
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