Private Day Trip to Mahabalipuram from Chennai with Expert Guide

From $99.00 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

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Adult (12-90) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15

Child (3-11) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15

Infant (0-2) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15

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Private Day Trip to Mahabalipuram from Chennai with Expert Guide

2 Adults x $129.00

$258.00

Approx Total

$258.00

Pickup included

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: Japanese, English, French
Entrance Charges
Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle
All Fees and Taxes
Professional Guide

Portage and tips

Overview

A treasure trove of art and architectural masterpieces and home to many rock-cut sculptures and majestic temples, Mahabalipuram is a beautiful heritage site located in the heart of Southern India. A Chennai to Mahabalipuram tour package will make sure that you enjoy and explore a wide variety of attractions, that too in a single day. Get picked up from your stay in Chennai, followed by a transfer to Mahabalipuram. The sightseeing will start by visiting the Mahabalipuram Seashore Temple. This is one of the oldest granite stone temples in Southern Asia and exhibits the ancient finesse of art.

Itinerary

Shore Temple

The magnificent temple overlooks the Bay of Bengal and was an important centre during the reign of the Pallavas when Mahabalipuram was the main port of their Kingdom. Built by King Raja Simha during the early 8th century, the Shore Temple is a landmark in the architectural landscape of India.

30 minutes
N/A

This cave has 2 imposing bas-reliefs on the walls. The first one is Lord Vishnu sleeping on top of the coils of a serpent. The other is with Goddess Durga fighting with the demon Mahishasura on a lion.

20 minutes
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse

Built in the year 640, it is India's oldest light house and one of the oldest in the world. Mahabalipuram was a very busy port since the 7th century and hence this lighthouse played a significant role in keeping mariners safe.

20 minutes
Ganesh Ratha Temple

This is a imposing chariot carved out of a single stone. Originally dedicated to Lord Shiva, it now has the deity of his son Lord Ganesh. It was built in the 7th century by King Mahendravarman I. The other highlight of this temple are the 18 inscriptions in ancient grantha and nagari scripts of Sanskrit.

15 minutes
Trimurti Cave

This cave is a fine example of the spectacular architecture style of the Pallavas. The rock cut temple is dedicated to the holy trinity of Hindu Gods- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. There are fine carvings of elephants as well.

20 minutes
N/A

The next stop is Krishna’s Butterball, a granite boulder that’s poised on a stony slope. This curious boulder seems to defy Newton's laws of gravity and has not moved an inch despite being in this precarious position on the slope for more than a thousand years.

20 minutes
Arjuna's Penance

We next visit Arjuna’s Penace, a bas-relief monument that’s considered one of India’s most magnificent pieces of ancient art, depicting vivid scenes from the Mahabharata. The relief is 100 feet long and 45 feet tall! The main story being told is how Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, performed severe austerities in order to obtain Lord Shiva's weapon.

20 minutes
Pancha Rathas

Panch Rathas, or the 5 chariots is our first destination. These are rock cut monolith structures, where of the chariots are dedicated to the lead cast of the Mahabharata epic- Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakul-Sahadeva, Bhima and Yudhister. There is also a sculpture of an elephant next to the ratha of Nakul-Sahadeva.

30 minutes
N/A

Last,We have South Indian Lunch is Hotel Mamalla Bhavan.

30 minutes

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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

4.8

28 reviews

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

5 stars

25
4 stars

0
3 stars

3
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0
1 star

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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 25 reviews with 5 stars

Amazing tour

Published on Mar, 2025

Amazing guided tour filled with fascinating history, captivating stories, and hidden gems of Mahabalipuram though it involved quite a bit of walking. Rajesh and Basha our exceptional guides both having incredible knowledgeable.

Wonderful trip

Published on Jan, 2025

We had the wonderful experience with our guide’s both Basha and Rajesh.Vehicle is very neat and clean.Driver is so humble.

Great tour

Published on Jan, 2025

Rajesh was a lively tour guide who made the experience enjoyable, entertaining, and exciting! A great way to cover some of the highlights in an easily accessible way.

Great day

Published on Jan, 2025

Excellent trip. Very good Leader in Rijesh and careful driver. The local guide was excellent and we enjoyed the chai and lunch. Mahabalipuram is a very special place and a must see from Chennai

Perfect day trip!

Published on Sep, 2024

A perfect day trip from Chennai.Our guide and driver picked us from hotel then drive to Mahabalipuram. They also used the local guide to cover more places.

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