When Marco Polo sailed past this coastline in the 13th century he recorded seeing a city of seven pagodas rising above the sea. Only one still stands. Archaeologists have found the others submerged offshore. The Pallava kings of the 7th and 8th centuries carved an entire world from the boulders here — five Mahabharata chariots from single rocks, a hundred-foot bas-relief with a satirical cat imitating a holy man while mice gather around it, a five-metre boulder balanced on a slope for thirteen centuries that a British administrator failed to move with an elephant, and the Shore Temple still reflecting in the Bay of Bengal at high tide. Our private Mahabalipuram tour from Chennai covers all of it with a cultural guide who brings every stone to life. Private car, expert guide, all entry fees and lunch included. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.

Chennai city tour is an unforgettable cultural immersion in the company of an English speaking guide. It is a proud winner of the Traveller's Choice award for 2025, by TripAdvisor out of 8 million listings. The organising company is approved by the Ministry of Tourism. An audio guide is available on request in French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin & other languages. Visit the ancient town of Mylapore which used to trade pepper and fine cloth with Rome for gold. Experience mesmerizing rituals in the 7th century temples of Kapaleeswar. Learn the science behind the rituals and role of temple in modern Indian society. We visit San Thome Basilica to see the relics of St Thomas, who came here 2000 years ago. Ramakrishna Math, a monastic organisation, and Fort Saint George provide a vivid history of how the East India Company came as traders and became the rulers of India. Saibaba temple, Vivenakanada House and Marina beach add up to the unforgettable experience.

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.

Mamallapuram (also called Mahaballipuram) is about an hour's drive from Chennai on the East Coast Road. It was the second capital and seaport of the Pallava Kings who ruled in the 5th century. Local legend has it that there was once a beautiful city here with seven temples, which the Gods submerged under the sea in anger.until in 2002, an Indo-British team of divers discovered a series of man-made structures under water, covering an area of several square miles.Today at Mamallapuram, you can see the famous Shore Temple, the only surviving temple out of the original seven (the rest have sunk under the sea). The Shore Temple is among the oldest temples of South India and represents the final flowering of Pallava art. Arjuna's Penance, one of the world's biggest bas-reliefs depicts the story of the descent of the River Ganges from Heaven to Earth. Cave temples and massive monolithic sculptures (carved from a single large block of granite) make Mamallapuram a place to remember.

Morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Chennai.Spend your day exploring Marina Beach,Chennai's cultural hub of Mylapore Kapaleeshwar Temple and the San Thome Basilica, followed by a traditional South Indian lunch in a local restaurant and visit the shrine at Ramakrishna Math, followed by a visit to the 17th-century Fort Saint George before returning to your hotel.

Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. The Pallava kings who ruled here between the 4th and 9th centuries invented the Dravidian stone temple tradition that went on to define religious architecture across South and Southeast Asia for a thousand years. The Kailasanathar Temple is the oldest surviving structural temple in Tamil Nadu and the largest sandstone temple in the world. The Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the five Pancha Bhuta Stalas, with a mango tree inside said to be over 3,500 years old. The city is equally famous for its silk sarees, woven from pure mulberry silk with gold zari borders by over 5,000 weaving families. This tour takes you into the home of a master weaver to see how they are made. Private car from Chennai, expert cultural guide, entry fees and South Indian lunch included. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.

Visit a bustling market place and streets teeming with life and color in Chennai. Walk through George Town and discover fascinating stories of the everyday life of local people. From being the Black Town to a vibrant wholesale market, this place has seen it all. Come experience the crowded markets, narrow lanes, fascinating history, and mesmerizing images!

5am Pick-up from any of the city, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi (Cochin), Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Goa or Pune Hotel or Anywhere and transfer to airport to board your flight to Delhi. Arrive at Delhi Airport and drive to Agra. Three hours drives by Expressway and enjoy countryside. Visit of incredible Taj Mahal at Sunrise one of the wonders of the world, an ivory-white marble mausoleum. Visit of Agra Fort (A UNESCO world heritage site) where power was symbolized by grand palaces and grander forts.

Have you ever wondered why there are so many Gods in India? Or what the stars have to do with your future? As you walk through the Mylapore neighborhood in Chennai, explore fascinating stories hidden from the mundane rituals of daily life in South India - stories of Gods and demons, and stories of ancient customs and symbolism. Mylapore is a bustling neighborhood in the heart of Chennai dated the city by at least 2,000 years and has maintained many traditions and arts that Chennai is so famous for.

Take a trip to Pondicherry, a charming, laid-back seaside town with a unique Franco-Tamil culture. See the city’s lovely architecture, and enjoy its delicious food, gentle sea breeze and laidback pace of life.

This is a food walk in the Sowcarpet, to introduce you to the traditional cuisine of south India.Chennai’s tourist menus won’t give you a true perspective on the everyday foods enjoyed by locals. Step forward this small-group walking tour of the Sowcarpet Market: where a multitude of stalls serve the staples that keep Chennaites sustained. Let a guide navigate the market so you don’t get lost, taste popular foods at tried-and-trusted stands, and get the full lowdown on local delicacies that you wouldn’t hear on your own. Discover Chennai’s street foods on a Sowcarpet Market food walking tour Find and hear about dishes with a guide for insight, tips, and navigation Taste snacks such as savory chaats, and hear food trivia you’d miss alone All-you-can-eat street food tour, limited to 10 for personalized feel

Tours are led by cultural ambassadors who will bring alive the history and culture of the times when St Thomas came to India in the first century AD.

During this walk, you will visit the temple in the company of our knowledgeable guide. We will also walk through the surrounding areas, where you can see Mylapore in all its crowded chaos. The jewellers, silk merchants, fruit and vegetable sellers and the flower vendors in the bazaars provide a colourful backdrop to the temple. The walk takes us through small lanes with old-style homes, through silk shops, stores selling music and religious memorablia, ‘kutcheri’ auditoriums, etc. Visit the Kapaleeshwara Temple, the Santhome Church, and walk through the by-lanes of Mylapore during this 3-hour tour. The tour is mostly on foot with a short stretch in an auto-rickshaw (local tuk-tuk) that are arranged and included in the tour and it will end with south Indian refreshments.

You can easily spend a full day exploring Kanchipuram and Mamallapuram's marvellous temples, caves and rock carvings. Most were carved from the rock during the 7th-century reign of Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, whose nickname Mamalla (Great Wrestler) gave the town its name. Official Archaeological Survey of India guides can be hired at sites.

For a well-organized 12-hour day trip from Chennai, begin at 7:00 AM with a drive to Pondicherry, which takes approximately 3 hours. Start your visit at the serene Aurobindo Ashram, then explore the historic French Quarter and the Manakula Vinayagar Temple. Following this, take a relaxing stroll along Promenade Beach. Next, proceed to Auroville to experience its innovative architecture and the Matrimandir. After enjoying lunch, drive to Mahabalipuram and tour the Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas, Arjuna's Penance, and Krishna’s Butterball. Return to Chennai by 7:00 PM to conclude a memorable and enriching day.

4am Pickup from Hotel or anywhere in Chennai and drop-off Chennai Airport and Flight to Delhi. Arrival in Delhi Airport and three hours drive to Agra by expressway. First visit Taj Mahal and after Taj Mahal take a Lunch break. Second we visit Agra Fort and some shopping in Agra. After Agra Sightseeing drive back to Delhi and drop at Delhi Airport flight to Chennai. Arrive in Chennai airport and drop at your Hotel or anywhere in Chennai.

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.

Discover Chennai on our exclusive private day tour led by accomplished, highly educated cultural custodians with backgrounds in History, Architecture and Fine Arts. This comprehensive tour of Chennai takes you to all the highlights of Chennai - Fort St George, Egmore Museum, St Thomas Basilica, St Georges Cathedral, Kapleeshwar Temple and more. We will engage you in lively conversations and debates about Chennai's history, share interesting facts and anecdotes, and also explore the contemporary importance and pulse of the metropolis. Whether you're keen to delve into history, explore bustling markets, or savor authentic cuisine, this tour promises memories to last a lifetime. Please note: 1) The two museums usually part of the tour are closed on Fridays and other special holidays. We will visit alternate sites depending on your interests on such days 2) Lunch is not included. You must pay for your lunch as well as for the guides lunch.

Shopping in Chennai is a great way to imbibe the rich culture of this ancient city. On this Shopping in Chennai Tour you will get to visit a wholesale market for fruits, flowers and vegetables, a market dedicated to leather, antique and junk bazaar, Burma bazaar flea market, a fish market and an art and crafts shop.

Turn your cruise call in India into an unforgettable private journey to the Taj Mahal. Designed especially for cruise travelers, this carefully coordinated 3-day shore excursion includes cruise-port transfers, return domestic flights, two nights’ hotel accommodation, a private air-conditioned vehicle, an expert local guide and entrance fees. Witness the Taj Mahal at sunrise, explore magnificent Agra Fort and admire the monument again from Mehtab Bagh at sunset. From the moment you leave your cruise port until your return, our team coordinates the important travel arrangements so that you can experience one of the world’s greatest landmarks with comfort, personalized attention and peace of mind. Unlike a large cruise-line coach excursion, this is a completely private experience reserved exclusively for you and your travelling companions. More than a sightseeing tour, this is a carefully planned journey from your cruise ship to one of the world’s most celebrated monuments.