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.

Step into the rhythmic heartbeat of Mylapore, where the air is thick with jasmine and freshly roasted coffee. This isn’t a "tour"—it’s a portal into a culture thriving for two millennia. As a Ministry of Tourism-approved organization and proud IATO member, we offer insight far beyond the surface. We begin at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a Dravidian masterpiece. Our Cultural Evangelists demystify ancient rituals before we find peace at the Ramakrishna Mutt, a sanctuary of universal harmony. The journey takes a serene turn at the San Thome Basilica, tracing the footsteps of an Apostle at the shrine of St. Thomas. Between stories, experience the theater of Iconic Filter Coffee, poured with the precision of South Indian hospitality. Winners of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award 2025, we provide an ethical, elite journey that supports our local community. Join us to experience the true soul of Chennai

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.

Lors de cette excursion d'une journée au départ de Chennai, nous visiterons Mahabalipuram et Kanchipuram, deux merveilles de l'architecture Pallava. Cette excursion est organisée par Five Senses Tours, une agence agréée par le ministère du Tourisme et membre de la prestigieuse association indienne des tour-opérateurs. Nous découvrirons les magnifiques temples d'Ekambareswar et de Kailashnath à Kanchipuram. Nous visiterons ensuite l'ancien port de Mahabalipuram et les légendaires structures rupestres que sont la pénitence d'Arjuna, les Cinq Rathas et l'emblématique temple du Rivage, véritable phare pour les marins dès le VIIIe siècle. L'agence promeut les activités locales en formant et en employant des guides locaux et en soutenant les entreprises locales. Cette excursion entièrement guidée comprend la prise en charge et le retour, une voiture privée, un guide à temps plein, le déjeuner et tous les droits d'entrée.

Step into the labyrinthine alleys where Chennai began. This isn't a "tour"—it's a portal to the 17th-century East India Company trading post. As a Ministry of Tourism-approved organization and proud IATO member, our Cultural Evangelists reveal the city's hidden power structures. Trace the legacy of the elite Armenian bankers, whose global financial reach once dictated trade, and the enigmatic Dubashes—the bilingual power brokers who wielded the real influence behind the colonial throne. We navigate the vibrant chaos to uncover the secret architecture and stories of the diverse merchants who built Old Madras. Winners of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award 2025, we ensure your journey directly supports the local merchants and guides who keep this heritage alive. Experience the grit, the glory, and the hidden history of Chennai.

Mamallapuram (également appelée Mahaballipuram) se trouve à environ une heure de route de Chennai par la route côtière est. C'était la deuxième capitale et le port maritime des rois Pallava qui régnèrent au Ve siècle. La légende locale raconte qu'il y avait autrefois une belle ville avec sept temples, que les dieux, furieux, engloutirent sous la mer. Jusqu'en 2002, lorsqu'une équipe de plongeurs indo-britanniques découvrit sous l'eau une série de structures artificielles couvrant une superficie de plusieurs kilomètres carrés. Aujourd'hui, à Mamallapuram, on peut admirer le célèbre Temple du Rivage, seul temple survivant des sept temples originaux (les autres ont été engloutis). Le Temple du Rivage compte parmi les plus anciens temples du sud de l'Inde et représente l'apogée de l'art Pallava. La Pénitence d'Arjuna, l'un des plus grands bas-reliefs du monde, raconte l'histoire de la descente du Gange du Ciel sur Terre. Les temples rupestres et les sculptures monolithiques massives (taillées dans un seul grand bloc de granit) font de Mamallapuram un lieu inoubliable.

D'une durée de 3 heures, la visite à pied de Mahabalipuram vous transportera au cœur d'incroyables monuments rupestres du VIIe siècle. Elle est organisée par une entreprise agréée par le ministère du Tourisme et membre de l'Association indienne des voyagistes. Cette visite peut se faire à pied ou en véhicule. Nous pouvons également organiser un tuk-tuk ou un pousse-pousse. Vous découvrirez les chefs-d'œuvre de ce site classé au patrimoine mondial, tels que les Pancha Rathas, des temples monolithiques taillés dans la roche, la Pénitence d'Arjuna, un relief rupestre géant en plein air, la boule de beurre de Krishna défiant la gravité et le temple du Rivage, dernier vestige des sept pagodes mentionnées par Marco Polo. Mahabalipuram est fière d'avoir été déclarée première ville de taille de pierre au monde. Cependant, la nouvelle génération de sculpteurs migre vers les villes pour des emplois qui menacent de voir cet art disparaître lentement. Notre entreprise soutient cette communauté en formant et en employant des guides locaux et en leur fournissant leurs produits afin de renforcer leurs moyens de subsistance.

Sowcarpet is Chennai's most famous food street and one of the greatest places to eat in India. Traders from across the country settled here generations ago and brought their food traditions with them. The result is a single street where you can eat Murukku sandwich, a uniquely Chennai invention, then Lassi made by a former wrestler, then freshly fried Jalebi from a stall serving the neighbourhood for decades. This guided street food walk takes you through Sowcarpet for two hours with a food evangelist who knows every stall and every story. You will taste signature dishes from legendary local stalls, walk through frenetic lanes brimming with spices, flowers and colour, and eat the way Chennai actually eats rather than the way tourists are usually fed. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Ministry of Tourism of India and a member of the Indian Association of Tour Operators. Every walk employs local guides and supports local food businesses, ensuring your food spend stays in the community.

Le matin, vous serez pris en charge à votre hôtel à Chennai. Passez votre journée à explorer Marina Beach, le centre culturel de Chennai, le temple Mylapore Kapaleeshwar et la basilique San Thome, suivi d'un déjeuner traditionnel du sud de l'Inde dans un restaurant local et visitez le sanctuaire de Ramakrishna Math, suivi d'une visite au Fort Saint George du XVIIe siècle avant de retourner à votre hôtel.

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.