Private Chennai City Tour

Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Chennai on a private city tour. Explore ancient temples, visit historical sites, and learn about the fascinating history of the city. Book now!

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Kapaleeshwarar Temple - We head towards Mylapore, an ancient residential area in Chennai with a history dating back to Roman times when it traded pepper and fine cloth with Rome for gold!

We visit the magnificent Kapaleeshwarar Temple, built in the 7th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Featuring Dravidian-style architecture, it boasts a towering “Gopuram.” Guests can expect a mesmerizing experience of rituals and serenity inside the temple. Our cultural evangelist will demystify the temple’s activities!

  • Sri Ramakrishna Math - We visit the unique monastic organization called Ramakrishna Math, dedicated to the 19th-century saint Sri Ramakrishna. Guests will see the universal temple, the shrine, a beautiful Mantapam, a multimedia museum, and an enchanting library.

  • Sai Baba Temple Mylapore - This temple is dedicated to Sai Baba, the great mystic who united Hindus and Muslims and preached universal love and brotherhood. The temple is built with white marble and has a lamp that has been lit for over 100 years.

  • Santhome Cathedral Basilica - We visit the famous San Thome Basilica, the principal church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore. Here, we can see relics of St. Thomas. It is one of only three churches in the world built on the tomb of an apostle, the other two being St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain.

  • Fort St. George - Fort St. George is the first English fortress built in 1644 by the East India Company. We will visit St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican church in India. Our cultural evangelist will guide you through a quaint museum rich with relics from colonial times and recount the story of how the East India Company transformed from a trading company into the ruler of India!

  • Vivekananda House - We will explore the memorial for Swami Vivekananda, a great philosopher. His speeches at the World’s Parliament of Religions in September 1893 made him famous as an orator by divine right and as a messenger of Indian wisdom to the Western world. Note: Closed on Mondays.

  • Marina Beach - Walk along Marina Beach, soak in the festivity, and learn about the city’s legacy through its statues. Discover why a bullfight is close to the heart of Chennaites at the Jallikattu memorial. Climb an old lighthouse for an incredible view of Chennai! Note: The lighthouse is closed on Mondays.

What's Included
  • All taxes, fees, and handling charges included
  • Lunch provided
  • Complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transportation in a private car
  • Full-time English-speaking guide
What's Not Included
  • Beverages
Additional Information

Engage in a cultural journey through Chennai city, under the stewardship of a seasoned cultural advocate, for an unforgettable experience.

Embark on a trip to the age-old town of Mylapore, once renowned for its trade in precious pepper and fine fabric with Rome in exchange for gold. Get enthralled by the captivating rituals conducted at the 7th century Kapaleeswar temples. Discover the rationale behind these traditions and understand the contemporary role of temples in Indian society.

Additionally, we will visit San Thome Basilica housing the relics of St Thomas from his arrival here 2000 years ago.

Further on the journey, we’ll encounter interesting experiences like the Ramakrishna Math, the monkhood society, and Fort Saint George, which offers a detailed narrative of how the British East India Company transitioned from merchants to overlords of India.

  • Dress code is conservative, covering knees and shoulders
Location
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
Kapaleesvarar Sannadhi Street, Vinayaka Nagar Colony
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(160 Ratings)
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Climber38671671258
Sep 1, 2024
Bringing Chennai Alive To Me - I had a fantastic experience with Hardeesh today. He made Chennai come alive for me. He is super knowledgeable with a personality that keeps you smiling the whole day. He supplied me with treats the entire day and even bought me a book explaining some of the topics that we were discussing. I highly recommend touring with Hardeesh. I look forward to coming back to Chennai and working with my new friend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Na_am766
Sep 1, 2024
Authentic experience from Chennai - I sincerely recommend this experience. We had the pleasure of being guided by a very professional guide who provided detailed and engaging commentary. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the guide's excellent knowledge greatly enhanced the overall experience. After the tour, we enjoyed a very good and tasty lunch, which was a perfect ending to the day. Definitely worth a visit and experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Traveler22674564655
Aug 24, 2024
Amazing Tour - This tour was absolutely fantastic. We did several tours in cities across India, and this tour was by far the best. We wish that we had booked 5 Senses for all of our tours. Our guide was so knowledgeable and kind. He did a great job of managing the day and working with all of the logistics. We can’t wait to book another tour in the future!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Natalie_p
Aug 18, 2024
Amazing Experience - Hareesh and Satish from 5Senses tours were absolutely amazing. Both provided 5 star hospitality and made me feel comfortable throughout the tour. Hareesh is an awesome tour guide, he has a tremendous wealth of knowledge of the area, it's history and it's spiritual aspects, he went out of his to explain everything to me in details so I had a good understanding. Since I visited on a public holiday one of the stops was closed, he made sure that he compensated for this so that I had a truelly immersion experience. I have left Chennai far more knowledgeable with a better appreciation of the culture, with great memories. Hareesh and Satish are a true asset to the 5 Senses and I would recommend both to anyone.
Review provided by Viator
Peter
Aug 17, 2024
Intro to Chennai - Thank you to Kannan (and driver) for the Chennai city tour. As a first-time visitor to India, this was a great introduction to the city and its surroundings. Kannan was a very knowledgeable guide and provided great insight and history on all areas advertised to be covered on the tour; and was also happy to answer any other questions, queries or clarifications I might have had about Chennai or India. Kannan was always willing to take photos and ensured there was plenty of water to maintain hydration. Thank you again for the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fearless06882589908
Aug 15, 2024
Amazing, immersive cultural experience, with great guides - Hareesh and Satish from 5Senses tours were absolutely amazing. Both provided 5 star hospitality and made me feel comfortable throughout the tour. Hareesh is an awesome tour guide, he has a tremendous wealth of knowledge of the area, it's history and it's spiritual aspects, he went out of his to explain everything to me in details so I had a good understanding. Since I visited on a public holiday one of the stops was closed, he made sure that he compensated for this so that I had a truelly immersion experience. I have left Chennai far more knowledgeable with a better appreciation of the culture, with great memories. Hareesh and Satish are a true asset to the 5 Senses and I would recommend both to anyone.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Megan
Aug 15, 2024
Great for Chennai Highlights - Such a great tour to see the highlights of Chennai. Nivi was such a great guide, made us feel welcomed, and provided amazing explanations of history/culture. The lunch was such a treat, and we were well taken care of. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pankhurim2022
Aug 11, 2024
Chennai Tour - I had one of the best experiences at this tour. Abi was knowledgeable and took great care of the details. Would recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Delryns2022
Aug 8, 2024
A Memorable Chennai Experience with an Exceptional Guide and Driver - I booked this tour through a third-party company, and the communication from the start was excellent. Kannan, my guide, was punctual, arriving early at my hotel lobby and waiting patiently until I was ready. His extensive knowledge made the tour incredibly informative, and he never tired of answering all my questions. Additionally, as I was traveling solo, he went above and beyond by taking numerous photos to help me document the experience. Our driver, Satish, was courteous and friendly. The day's itinerary, including the South Indian meal, provided a truly marvelous cultural experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elisa_p
Aug 2, 2024
Fascinating discovery - I greatly enjoyed the Chennai Private Tour with my tour guide Kannan, who was a gold mine of knowledge and information. All the stops we did were interesting and beautiful, and left me curious for more. Every question I had was answered thoroughly, and every place and topic were addressed in detail, a testament to the passion and interest of the guide for Chennai and its history. The city itself is wonderful and well worth a visit, whether you are here for one day like me, on a longer trip, or even a pilgrimage. Kannan also gracefully offered to take pictures whenever I wanted, so I could keep lasting memories of my trip. The stop for food was just the icing on the cake, and such a delicious introduction to South Indian food. Overall, this visit opened my eyes to an interesting country of great culture, and I hope I will get to see more of it. Thank you Kannan and thank you 5 Senses tour!
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
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October 2024
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