Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram Day Trip with Lunch by Ministry-Approved Company
by 5 Senses Walks
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$270Overview
This full-day bus tour from Chennai visits two important centers of Pallava architecture, Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram. The tour starts in Kanchipuram with visits to the Ekambareswarar Temple and Kailasanathar Temple, both dating back to around 600 AD. These temples illustrate the transition from rock-cut shrines to stone structures under the Pallava dynasty, which ruled the area. After exploring Kanchipuram's temples, the tour continues to Mahabalipuram, a historic seaport known since Roman times and prominent under Pallava rule in the 7th century AD. At Mahabalipuram, the itinerary includes the Pancha Rathas, which are five monolithic rock-cut temples dedicated to Draupadi and the five Pandavas from the Mahabharata epic. Next is Arjuna’s Penance, a large bas-relief measuring 100 by 45 feet depicting scenes from the Mahabharata. The tour also stops at Krishna’s Butterball, a large boulder about 5 meters across that appears to balance on a slope against gravity. Finally, the Shore Temple, built in the 8th century from granite, is visited. This temple once served as a landmark for sea travelers and is the last surviving structure of what Marco Polo called the city of seven pagodas. The company is officially approved by the Indian Ministry of Tourism and provides a local guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, and all entrance fees. Drinks are not included. The company supports local livelihoods by employing local guides and using local businesses. The total duration of the tour is about 12 hours. A dress code applies at religious sites requiring covered shoulders and knees for all visitors.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Ekambareswarar Temple
Visit the Ekambareswarar Temple built by the Pallava dynasty around 600 AD. This temple is a key example of early Pallava architecture and religious design.
45 min
Kailasanathar Temple
Explore the Kailasanathar Temple from the Pallava period, also constructed around 600 AD. This temple marks the shift from rock-cut to stone temple architecture during the medieval South Indian Pallava kingdom.
45 min
Pancha Rathas
At Mahabalipuram, visit the Pancha Rathas, five rock-cut monolithic temples dedicated to Draupadi and the five Pandavas, characters from the Mahabharata epic. Mahabalipuram was a major trading port during Roman times and the Pallava era.
45 min
Arjuna's Penance
See Arjuna’s Penance, a bas-relief measuring 100 feet by 45 feet carved with scenes from the Mahabharata, showcasing detailed stonework.
30 min
Krishna's Butter Ball
Stop at Krishna’s Butterball, a spherical boulder about 5 meters in diameter perched on a slope, appearing to defy gravity.
30 min
Shore Temple
Visit the Shore Temple, built of granite in the 8th century. It is the only remaining temple of the seven pagodas mentioned by Marco Polo and served as a landmark for sea travelers.
45 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram Day Trip with Lunch by Ministry-Approved Company
by 5 Senses Walks
Choose from 1 available option
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$270Overview
This full-day bus tour from Chennai visits two important centers of Pallava architecture, Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram. The tour starts in Kanchipuram with visits to the Ekambareswarar Temple and Kailasanathar Temple, both dating back to around 600 AD. These temples illustrate the transition from rock-cut shrines to stone structures under the Pallava dynasty, which ruled the area. After exploring Kanchipuram's temples, the tour continues to Mahabalipuram, a historic seaport known since Roman times and prominent under Pallava rule in the 7th century AD. At Mahabalipuram, the itinerary includes the Pancha Rathas, which are five monolithic rock-cut temples dedicated to Draupadi and the five Pandavas from the Mahabharata epic. Next is Arjuna’s Penance, a large bas-relief measuring 100 by 45 feet depicting scenes from the Mahabharata. The tour also stops at Krishna’s Butterball, a large boulder about 5 meters across that appears to balance on a slope against gravity. Finally, the Shore Temple, built in the 8th century from granite, is visited. This temple once served as a landmark for sea travelers and is the last surviving structure of what Marco Polo called the city of seven pagodas. The company is officially approved by the Indian Ministry of Tourism and provides a local guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, and all entrance fees. Drinks are not included. The company supports local livelihoods by employing local guides and using local businesses. The total duration of the tour is about 12 hours. A dress code applies at religious sites requiring covered shoulders and knees for all visitors.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Ekambareswarar Temple
Visit the Ekambareswarar Temple built by the Pallava dynasty around 600 AD. This temple is a key example of early Pallava architecture and religious design.
45 min
Kailasanathar Temple
Explore the Kailasanathar Temple from the Pallava period, also constructed around 600 AD. This temple marks the shift from rock-cut to stone temple architecture during the medieval South Indian Pallava kingdom.
45 min
Pancha Rathas
At Mahabalipuram, visit the Pancha Rathas, five rock-cut monolithic temples dedicated to Draupadi and the five Pandavas, characters from the Mahabharata epic. Mahabalipuram was a major trading port during Roman times and the Pallava era.
45 min
Arjuna's Penance
See Arjuna’s Penance, a bas-relief measuring 100 feet by 45 feet carved with scenes from the Mahabharata, showcasing detailed stonework.
30 min
Krishna's Butter Ball
Stop at Krishna’s Butterball, a spherical boulder about 5 meters in diameter perched on a slope, appearing to defy gravity.
30 min
Shore Temple
Visit the Shore Temple, built of granite in the 8th century. It is the only remaining temple of the seven pagodas mentioned by Marco Polo and served as a landmark for sea travelers.
45 min
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.