Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 123 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company worth booking?
Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company is a 3-hour experience in Chennai, India, from $50 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 123 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (123)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $50 per person
Over 3 hours, the Mahabalipuram walking tour will teleport you to the 7th century incredible rock cut monuments. It is hosted by a company approved by the ministry of tourism and is a member of Indian Tour Operators Asso
What you get
About this experience
Over 3 hours, the Mahabalipuram walking tour will teleport you to the 7th century incredible rock cut monuments. It is hosted by a company approved by the ministry of tourism and is a member of Indian Tour Operators Association. This tour can be done by walk or in your vehicle. We can also arrange a tuk tuk or autorickshaw. You will experience masterpieces from this world heritage site like the Pancha Rathas which are rock cut monolith temples, Arjuna's Penance the giant open air rock relief, the gravity defying Krishna's butterball and the Shore temple which is the last remaining of the 7 Pagodas mentioned by Marco Polo. Mahabalipuram is the proud recipient of world's first stone carving city declaration. However, the next generation of sculptors are moving to the cities for jobs threatening a slow death for this fine art. Our company is helping this community by training & employing local guides and by procuring their wares to strengthen their livelihood. .
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Entrance charges
What you'll see and do
Pancha Rathas
We reach the World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram. Panch Rathas, or the 5 chariots is our first destination. These are rock cut monolith structures, where of the chariots are dedicated to the lead cast of the Mahabharata epic- Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakul-Sahadeva, Bhima and Yudhister. There is also a sculpture of an elephant next to the ratha of Nakul-Sahadeva.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Pancha Pandava Cave
Pandava cave is the largest cave-temple at Mahabalipuram The cave is supported on six pillars and two pilasters. There are 3 spectacular sculptures of mythical creatures called Yali on the pillars.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Arjuna's Penance
We next visit Arjuna’s Penace, a bas-relief monument that’s considered one of India’s most magnificent pieces of ancient art, depicting vivid scenes from the Mahabharata. The relief is 100 feet long and 45 feet tall! The main story being told is how Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers, performed severe austerities in order to obtain Lord Shiva's weapon.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Krishna's Butter Ball
The next stop is Krishna’s Butterball, a granite boulder that’s poised on a stony slope. This curious boulder seems to defy Newton's laws of gravity and has not moved an inch despite being in this precarious position on the slope for more than a thousand years.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Varaha Cave Temple
The Varaha cave is carved out of huge piece of granite and dates back to the 7th century. This temple took several decades to be completed. There are squatting lions adorning the pillars which support the hall. Another highlight are the sculptures of two guardian angels who protect the sanctum.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Trimurti Cave
This cave is a fine example of the spectacular architecture style of the Pallavas. The rock cut temple is dedicated to the holy trinity of Hindu Gods- Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. There are fine carvings of elephants as well.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Ganesh Ratha Temple
This is a imposing chariot carved out of a single stone. Originally dedicated to Lord Shiva, it now has the deity of his son Lord Ganesh. It was built in the 7th century by King Mahendravarman I. The other highlight of this temple are the 18 inscriptions in ancient grantha and nagari scripts of Sanskrit.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Built in the year 640, it is India's oldest light house and one of the oldest in the world. Mahabalipuram was a very busy port since the 7th century and hence this lighthouse played a significant role in keeping mariners safe.
20 minutes here · Admission included
This cave has 2 imposing bas-reliefs on the walls. The first one is Lord Vishnu sleeping on top of the coils of a serpent. The other is with Goddess Durga fighting with the demon Mahishasura on a lion.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Shore Temple
Our last port of call is the Shore Temple. The magnificent temple overlooks the Bay of Bengal and was an important centre during the reign of the Pallavas when Mahabalipuram was the main port of their Kingdom. Built by King Raja Simha during the early 8th century, the Shore Temple is a landmark in the architectural landscape of India. Marco Polo referred to this as the seven pagodas. The existing temple is the last surviving of the 7 which once stood as a beacon for sea farers.
20 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Chennai
Our guide will meet you at the entrance of the Shore Temple.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The walk ends at Five Rathas
Options you can book
Private walk without pick up
Meet at meeting point
Private tour by tuk tuk
Tuk tuk (Auto Rickshaw): We will arrange a tuk tuk (auto rickshaw) and our guide will accompany you
Group walk without pick up
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- 5 Senses Walks
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 123 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
123 verified traveler reviews for Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent
gopal was excellent! highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Great Tour
My guide Ramesh was fantastic! He was very knowledgeable, helpful, and pleasant. I chose the Mahabalipuram tuk-tuk tour and highly recommend it. It was great!!!
via Tripadvisor
Great historical tour for tourists!
Ramesh was very informative, gracious, and flexible as we did not have time to do the entire tour. He was able to answer our questions with ease! Would recommend for tourists to learn about the history of the local landscape. Was worth the cost. Was not very crowded, so we were able to get close to the monuments and carvings.
via Tripadvisor
Great tour of Chennai’s ancient architecture
Ramesh is an awesome and very knowledgeable guide. We learnt a lot and enjoyed the tour very much!
via Tripadvisor
Seamless Tour!
Tour was very good. Everything felt well coordinated and taken care of! I enjoyed being able to seamlessly view all the major sites in the area without worrying about admission fees, transfers, or any other vendors. The guide was also very flexible with our schedule.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $50 to $75
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 43
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by 5 Senses Walks, who run 7 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 72.1.
See everything 5 Senses Walks runsWhy this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chennai.
How much does Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company cost?
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Prices start at $50 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 Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 123 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 Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company?
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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 Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company?
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Around 43 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company 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 tour 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.
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