Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram by tourism ministry approved company
Description
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.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up available from all hotels in Chennai
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- 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
Reviews(283)
Tour Guide Jainath and driver Mahendran arrived early to Hotel with a comfortable AC transport Car. Tour Guide extremely Knowledgeable of Historical Sites and was able to properly answer all questions I had. Driver was safe. I would Highly recommended tour if short on time and want a grand experience of Ancient Temples. Great Value and a wonderful lunch was included….. Two Thumbs Up
An absolutely wonderful experience with Hareesh guiding me all day through many temples and historical sites. My first day ever in India became a day to remember with the insights, friendliness, and warmth of a guide who truly loves what he is doing. Super exciting sights, excellent lunch, and knowledge of Indian history and religion to the fullest.
Kannan is an excellent guide! He took the time to explain the highlights in a succinct and informative manner. Great sense of humor and very flexible.
We had an excellent day exploring these two amazing places with Jainath and his local guides. Both were knowledgeable and passionate about the history. There was time to examine each place and appreciate the history and culture in them. Highly recommended the day. The driver was excellent as well, getting us between sites in the busy traffic. The trip could be improved by using a larger more comfortable car for such a long day.
Five Senses is a great tour company putting focus on the local community. Our guide Jainath was very knowledgeable and friendly and we had a very good time! Not only he showed us the wonders of Kanchipuram and neighborhood town Mahabalipuram, but also got us in touch with the local people who take pride in their work and culture. We also learnt a lot about eating manners to have during a wedding (we are attending one in 2 days). Overall we got a great impression lf history, architecture and culture in only one day!! Highly recommended.
We had a great time with our guide Jainath. He was very knowledgeable and gave us a good feeling for the South Indian culture and his eye for architecture was impeccable. He even invited us for a quick coffee and breakfast!
Wonderful day spent with Kalpana. She’s an expert guide and fantastic photographer. Overall this tour ticked all the boxes!
Fantastic tour. Many historical places and ancient temples to see. We have learned so much about temples, depictions of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Definitely recommend.
Had an amazing tour with Kalpana. Very knowledgeable about the history and information of the different sites we visited, accompanied by a great and patient driver. Really recommend this tour
We had an excellent experience on the Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram day trip from Chennai with Five Senses Tours, and I would highly recommend it. Kannan, our guide, was outstanding throughout the day. He is knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely passionate about what he does. What really stood out is how attentive and well-organised he was, making sure everything ran smoothly while keeping the experience engaging and relaxed. The itinerary itself is very well structured, covering the key highlights in both Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram, including the temples and the UNESCO heritage sites such as the Shore Temple and the rock carvings. Kannan’s explanations added real depth and context, which made the visit much more meaningful. The private car setup also makes a big difference. It is comfortable, efficient, and allows you to enjoy the day at your own pace without feeling rushed. Overall, this is one of the best ways to explore the cultural and historical richness around Chennai in a single day. A big thank you to Kannan and the Five Senses team for such a well-delivered experience.
