Local travel facilitator for Pondicherry, Auroville & the surrounding region
About 65 km north-west of Pondicherry
Gingee (Senji) Fort is a hill fortress about 65 km north-west of Pondicherry, spread across three granite hills. Called the "Troy of the East" for how hard it was to take, it is part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, inscribed by UNESCO in 2024.
Gingee has been held by many kingdoms, including the Vijayanagara Nayaks, the Marathas, the Mughals, the French and the British. Its walls link three hills into one of the most formidable forts in South India.
Visit the fort complex, then trek up the hillock to the viewpoint. Around Gingee there are ruins, historic sites, temples and spiritual centres connected to ancient schools of thought, and we add these depending on your interests and energy.
The climb up Rajagiri is steep and takes most people 1–1.5 hours up. The fort complex at the base and Krishnagiri are easier options, so your guide will tailor the route.
Start early in the morning between October and March. There is little shade on the climb.
Home base
About 10–12 km north of Pondicherry
About 95 km north of Pondicherry
About 105 km west of Pondicherry
Plan your trip
Share when you’re arriving and what you love, whether that’s heritage, food, the sea or crafts. Venkat will put together a day-by-day plan with clear per-person prices.
