Just 60 km beyond Thiruvallur and 10 km ahead of Poondi (home to the Poondi reservoir) lies a small hillock with some caves. Gudiyam Caves, an archaeological marvel in the Allikudi forest range is deserted and perfect for an isolated getaway. From the last stop on the road, you can trek for 4 km and find the caves. The trek can be a bit exhausting on a warm day, but it sure beats sweating in the city limits! Once on top, you will find a huge open cave which is believed to have hosted a Palaeolithic settlement between 10,00,000 and 12,000 years ago. This is a site of great archaeological importance, pointing to the existence of civilisation in this region. Lots of tools discovered from the era are now in museums. History nuts, trek back in time, and get those prehistoric juices running this weekend!
Pro-Tip: There are only a few villagers to provide directions and the route can be tricky. So, try to go with a group for the first time! Watch out for beehives, as there are many around here.