Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram worth booking?
Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram is a 12-hour experience in Chennai, India, from $144 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (7)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $144 per person
Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram tour from Chennai is about the 8th century twin wonders of Pallava architecture. We will cover the magnificent temples of Ekambareswar & Kailashnath in Kanchipuram and then visit weavers of the famed Kanchipuram Silk Saree. 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.
What you get
About this experience
Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram tour from Chennai is about the 8th century twin wonders of Pallava architecture. We will cover the magnificent temples of Ekambareswar & Kailashnath in Kanchipuram and then visit weavers of the famed Kanchipuram Silk Saree. 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.
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- Pick up and drop from Chennai Hotel
- Entrance charges
- Guide
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 720 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Five Senses Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Mahabaliburam ancieancient architecture
Nice and importanr place to visit in chennai. Stone architecture in Tamil architecture build by ancient tamilian
via Tripadvisor
Great tour of Pondichery & Mahabalipuram
Took a day trip from Chennai to Pondichery and then to Mahabalipuram with Vijay from Five Senses Tours. Fascinating trip to the former French colony with a side trip to the Auroville commune. Then visited the Mahabalipuram monuments on the way back to Chennai. Vijay was a fabulous tour guide and host. We had great conversation on the trip and he was quite knowledgeable. He also arranged a specialist additional guide for Mahabalipuram. All sites were interesting but I'm particularly happy that I visited Mahabalipuram with its monolithic monuments (carved from single large stone!). I highly recommend Vijay and Five Senses. I'll likely be back in Chennai in the future and will certainly use them again.
via Tripadvisor
Great guided tour of local history and culture
My colleague and I had an off day from our business meeting and decided to take this day trip tour from Chennai. It was an awesome time! Kannan was a great guide and walked us through the history of the local monuments and temples in Mahabalipuram. This was followed by an authentic local meal that did not disappoint! The day ended with visiting the St. Thomas cathedral as well as the site where he was hiding and miraculously escaped capture. Very interesting history even if you are not so religious! I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone staying in the Chennai area.
via Tripadvisor
Two days - Chennai to Mahabalipuram; Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry, then, day 2, to Kanchipuram, then back to Chennai
We designed our own trip in consultation with Five Senses Tours. Our two days of touring were separated by a few days in Pondicherry. Five Senses Tours was very open to adjusting to what we wanted. Day 1 we drove from Chennai to the temples at Mahabalipuram, Our guides, Vijay and Ramesh, were very knowledgeable and together they helped us get the most out of the experience. It was very special to visit these wonderful temples with them. After we spent a few days in Pondicherry Day 2 of the tour took us to Kanchipuram where our understanding and experience of the sites we visited was again enhanced by Vijay's knowledge and his communication skills. Having Vijay with us also meant we were taken to great places to eat! The driver, Arvind, was also extremely good. I am sometimes a nervous passenger but I felt complete confidence in his driving. After arriving back in Chennai we were taken to the St Thomas Basilica, which was also a fascinating site, and then Arvind took us to the airport. Five Senses Tours was very accommodating of our wishes and needs, and provided great support. I couldn't recommend Five Senses Tours and its guides and drivers enough for reliably providing us with a highly memorable trip.
via Tripadvisor
Accommodating & Enlightening
The 5 Senses Tour company is extremely responsive and accommodating. We received quick responses despite timezone differences and short notice. Prior to arriving in Chennai we organised the Dakshin Chitra and Mahabalipuram tour. The Dakshin Chitra and Mahabalipuram tour includes a trip to site where you can see and walk through replica homes of the various types homes found in the state of Tamal Nadu. The second half of this tour includes beachside views (with cows) and historic religious monuments as well as a heritage temple. This tour outside of Chennai combines cultural tutelage along with some amazing historic sites. After enjoying the cultural education and sightseeing with Vijay, we reached out to 5 Senses last minute to seek availability and flexibility in respect to seeing some sights more centrally located in Chennai. Vijay and 5 Senses were extremely accommodating in organising another day tour to include the sights we asked to see and provide us another memorable day, even getting us behind the scenes access to a stunning old library collection that is not open to the public. Both day tours we took included transportation, a great tour guide, and a delicious lunch all included. Vijay is very knowledgable about Hinduism and local culture. Our overall experience with the company was great.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for taking time out for a review. We are glad you enjoyed both the tours. It was our pleasure hosting you.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $144 to $165
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chennai.
How much does Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram cost?
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Prices start at $144 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chennai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram take?
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Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chennai is not rushed.
Is Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chennai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chennai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chennai and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chennai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chennai?
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On Outty we rank every Chennai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Gods of Mylapore walking tour: Journey Through Living Traditions, Chennai tour in car with guide-winner of traveller's choice award, Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram by tourism ministry approved company. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chennai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chennai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram?
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Included: Lunch; Pick up and drop from Chennai Hotel; Entrance charges; and Guide. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 3 listed pickup locations in and around Chennai. Be ready about 720 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Chennai day trip to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram?
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Across 7 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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