Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram by tourism ministry approved company

From $135.00 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

You can select up to 15 travelers in total.

Adult (13-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15

Child (2-12) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15

Infant (0-1) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

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

Hotel pick up Private tour

2 Adults x $205.00

$410.00

Approx Total

$410.00

Private tour in car: Tour will be done in a car only for you
Pickup included

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Local guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Lunch
GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Drinks

Overview

In this day tour from Chennai, we will visit the twin wonders of Pallava architecture, Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. This tour is hosted by a Five Senses Tours which is a company approved by the ministry of tourism and is also a member of the prestigious Indian association of Tour Operators. We will cover the magnificent temples of Ekambareswar & Kailashnath in Kanchipuram. After that we visit the ancient sea port of Mahabalipuram and visit the legendary rock cut structures lie Arjuna's penance, Five Rathas and the iconic Shore temple which served literally as the beacon for sea farers from the 8th century onwards. The company promotes local livelihood by training and employing local guides and patronising local businesses. This is a fully guided tour with pick up and drop, private car, full time guide, lunch and all entrance charges as well.

Itinerary

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.

45 minutes
N/A

We will visit the magnificent temple of Kailasanathar Temple from Pallava times. Kanchipuram was the capital of the medieval South Indian Kingdom of Pallavas. The Pallavas were instrumental in the transition from rock-cut architecture to stone temples. We will appreciate these architectural wonders built in 600 AD.

45 minutes
Pancha Rathas

Mahabalipuram is an ancient town and was known to be a trading post during Roman Times. It rose to prominence as a bustling sea port during the rule of the Pallava Dynasty headquartered in Kanchipuram during the 7th century AD. Ships sailing from South India to South East Asia used to depart from the Mahabalipuram port. Panch Rathas, or the 5 chariots is our first destination. These are rock cut monolith temples structures dedicated to Draupadi and the 5 Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata.

45 minutes
Arjuna's Penance

We also visit Arjuna’s Penance, a 100 feet x 45 feet bas relief where an entire masterpiece from the Mahabharata epic has been carved.

30 minutes
Krishna's Butter Ball

The next halt is at Krishna’s Butterball, a curious sight of a 5 meters diameter ball shaped boulder which is perched precariously on a slope and defies Newton’s laws of gravity!

30 minutes
Shore Temple

The legendary Marco Polo referred to Mahabalipuram as the city of 7 pagodas. The Shore temple is the only 1 of those magnificent 7 temples, which have survived the ravages of time. The Magnificent Shore temple beckons us. This 8th century structural temple is made of granite and served as a beacon for sea farers of the time.

45 minutes

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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

Free Cancellation

April 26100% refund

April 27No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.9

231 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

219
4 stars

11
3 stars

0
2 stars

0
1 star

1

We perform checks on reviews

We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 219 reviews with 5 stars

Mahabalipuram & kanchpuram

Published on Mar, 2025

A great tour, a long day combing 2 places mahabalipuram and kanchipuram but enjoyable. Tour guide very good. Car clean with good ac

Marvel at temples and rock creations

Published on Feb, 2025

A really fabulous first day in Tamil Nadu! It’s a full day with lots to see, amazing sites to soak in and a good division of activities. We had a lovely guide who knew the area and history and was willing to put up with all my questions! Lunch was also a fun experience.

A Journey Through Ancient Temples & Rich History

Published on Feb, 2025

Our private tour exploring the temples of Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram was nothing short of extraordinary! Visiting both active temples and UNESCO heritage sites, we were able to experience the architectural marvels and spiritual significance of structures that have stood for over 1,200–1,400 years. What made this tour even more special was our guide’s storytelling—covering not just the glory of these sites but also the lesser-known, complex aspects of their history. Learning how these magnificent Hindu temples were built, the symbolism behind their intricate carvings, and witnessing them in a quiet, peaceful setting made the experience incredibly moving. The tour was well-organized from start to finish. Our guide and driver picked us up early from our hotel, ensuring we had ample time to explore without crowds. After an amazing day of temple visits, we ended at a shop showcasing beautiful stone memorabilia from Mahabalipuram, a perfect way to take home a piece of this historic place. We are truly grateful for this immersive experience—highly recommended for anyone visiting Chennai!

Well worth taking this tour

Published on Feb, 2025

We could not have seen so much travelling independently. Fascinating carvings and awe inspiring temple . Our guide was superb friendly and good company.

Wonderful experience!

Published on Feb, 2025

The guide, Jaimath, is extremely knowledgeable and shared many stories and interesting facts about all the places. We’ve visited even more places that were mentioned in the planned itinerary, tried traditional local food and filter coffee (which were grate!). Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram are absolutely beautiful cities with many historical places and temples. Enjoyed every minute of the trip!

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