Chennai Day Tour: Explore Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram's Pallava Architecture
4.9
200 Ratings
Kanchipuram
Embark on a day tour from Chennai to explore the mesmerizing Pallava architecture of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Visit ancient temples, rock-cut structures, and the iconic Shore temple. Fully guided tour with pick-up, private car, lunch, and entrance charges included.
Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Ekambareswarar Temple - We visit Ekambareswarar of Pallava dynasty to appreciate these ancient architectural wonders. These were built in 600 AD and are magnificent specimens of the Pallava style of architecture.
What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Local guide
  • Lunch included
  • Goods and Services Tax (GST) included
What's Not Included
  • Drinks
Additional Information

On this one-day excursion from Chennai, we’ll explore the dual marvels of Pallava craftsmanship in Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Our journey includes a visit to the formidable Ekambareswar & Kailashnath temples in Kanchipuram. Following this, we’ll travel to the historic seaport of Mahabalipuram to explore the famous carved landmarks such as Arjuna’s penance, Five Rathas, and the symbolic Shore temple that acted as a lighthouse for sailors since the 8th century. This all-inclusive tour includes pick up and drop off, private transportation, tour guide, lunch, and all admission fees.

  • A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
Location
Ekambareswarar Temple
Ekambaranathar Sannidhi Street
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(200 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Apollard118
Jun 1, 2024
Great Learning Experience! - Great day spent seeing the temples and learning more about the history. Kannan our guide was very knowledgeable and patient. Him and Sattish our driver waited for us after we were running late. They were very accommodating to us the entire time. Ramesh at the shore Temple was amazing as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
El_greenholio
May 15, 2024
Excellent Day Trip with Great Guide and Safe Driver - Great day exploring these two ancient cities. Saw a lot of unique artistry and some stunning carving that must have taken a lot of work. My guide, Jainath, was knowledgeable on the sites we were seeing and our driver also delivered us to each destination safely and securely. I would recommend this tour if you would like to get out of Chennai for a day and see the stunning history of the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Busylizzielife
May 10, 2024
Had the most eye opening experience - Nivi was my guide for the day? The communication prior to my trip was excellent, she met me at the reception of my hotel was early and I was up anyway so I started off earlier meaning that we were able to avoid the traffic somewhat. The car was very comfortable with water and air-conditioning. Nivi gave me an overview of the day as we set off and then left me to gaze out of the window and have a nice nap. After driving for two hours roughly we arrived at the first temple, her background of being a teacher really benefits you as an attendee of the Tour as she can relay information in a very clear and informative way. I was in India for work and my colleague had spoken to Nivi and made suggestions for me to drop off at a fully organic vegetarian restaurant And also for me to have a swim in the sea as I love sea swimming and this was all accommodated without any hesitation. The second group of temples I was guided around by another guide who was very knowledgeable and took my water and umbrella when I wanted to take photos and took plenty of photos of me as well. I would highly recommend this trip, I did it on my own. I never felt I was on my own guides and were always with me. We stopped off at a sarie shop. I didn’t want to buy sorry but I did buy a patch Mina and a lovely outfit for one of my daughters. at the end of the day I was taken to a arts and crafts shop where they sell small figures of traditional Indian gods, which wasn’t for me but they were still beautiful. Paragraph all in all I had had a wonderful day leaving at 7:15 am and returning back to my hotel at 5:20.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Explore49238125945
Apr 27, 2024
Amazing Private tour of hertige sites and active temple - This expeirence was so amazing and tailored to me. The guide Nivi was knowledgeable and shared with me many facts. My driver Rajesh kept me safe and comfortable the whole time. Loved having such a private tour. The sites we visited were breathtaking and Ramesh explained so much to me!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fearless43959756400
Apr 10, 2024
Awesome, thoughtful, knowledgeable trip. - Great experience, very knowledgeable & Wonderful places. I would like to recommend all my friends to contact you for their trip to kanchipuram and mahabalipuram. It was a very memorable experience 😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C4162wvjosephinec
Apr 1, 2024
Highly Recommend!! Don’t miss this Tour - An incredible experience steeped in the vibrant and rich history of India. I cannot say enough about our incredible guide Kanaan and his mastery of the history around the temples we visited. He gave us context to what was happening at the time - to complete our understanding of the religion, the people and the culture. To have visited these sites without the benefit of this historical foundation would have been like seeing nothing at all. We are so thankful to Kanaan. He was prompt in picking us up and dropping us off from the hotel, provided water for us ( it was quite hot during our tour), the air conditioned car and driver were perfect, he patiently took pictures of us at all the perfect spots and took us to a wonderful spot for lunch. It was a stroke of luck that we picked this tour and found our way to Kanaan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Passenger61603886343
Apr 1, 2024
Excellent Tour - It was an excellent tour. Great transportation with a courteous and knowledgeable guide, named Kannan. Highly recommended especially the guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rakesh_s
Mar 28, 2024
Unbelievable! - This was an incredibly fascinating tour with a very kind and knowledgeable guide. The vehicle which was very clean and with powerful air conditioning made the journey comfortable together with an experienced and friendly driver. Definitely recommend this trip and in particular if you are short of time as one cannot leave Chennai without having visited these places.
Review provided by Viator
Alex-twelve
Mar 22, 2024
First class experience. - My trip to Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram was amazing There was good communication prior to the trip, and meeting up on the day. Kannan was a fantastic guide: very knowledgable about Indian history, informative, helpful, friendly and always happy to answer any questions and take pics, and I learnt so much from him. Kannan’s driver was very good too, very polite and courteous and drove excellently in a comfortable car. I had a first class experience visiting these amazing Indian architecture sites, and would highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kahealanih2024
Mar 20, 2024
Nivi is the best! - After spending a week in Northern India, my husband and I wanted to fly south the Chennai to get a taste of the south. We were completely satisfied with our experience with this tour company. Our tour guide, Nivi, made our tour experience so much fun and enjoyable. She is so insightful and full of knowledge. She answered all of our questions and more! We started in Kanchipuram, traveled down to Mahabalipuram, and drove up along the coast to finish the tour. It was an excellent route and best way to end the tour driving along the coast. She treated us to a delicious lunch of traditional Southern Indian cuisine--Thali. We also tried delicious Indian desserts, which were unlike any we've ever had. Nivi also made sure we were cared for by making sure we stayed cool during this early summer season. She provided water throughout the trip, and we were so grateful for this. It definitely was hot and humid, but we wouldn't have wanted to end our trip early with Nivi. She was wonderful, fabulous, and highly recommend this tour with her! Mahalo!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today