Chennai Day Tour: Pallava Architecture Highlights

Embark on a day tour from Chennai to explore the mesmerizing Pallava architecture of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Visit ancient temples, rock-cut structures, and the iconic Shore temple. Fully guided tour with pick-up, private car, lunch, and entrance charges included.

Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Ekambareswarar Temple - The Ekambareswarar Temple, a marvel from the Pallava dynasty, is a testament to ancient architectural brilliance. Constructed in 600 AD, it stands as a magnificent example of Pallava architectural style.
  • Kailasanathar Temple - The Kailasanathar Temple, another splendid creation from the Pallava era, is located in…
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Lunch
What's Not Included
  • Drinks
Additional Information

Join this day tour from Chennai to explore the remarkable Pallava architectural sites of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Hosted by Five Senses Tours, a company recognized by the Ministry of Tourism and a member of the esteemed Indian Association of Tour Operators, this tour promises an enriching experience.
Discover the stunning temples of Ekambareswar…

Location
Ekambareswarar Temple
Ekambaranathar Sannidhi Street
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(286 Ratings)
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Culture21328901594
Apr 4, 2026
Very knowledgeable - Kannan is an excellent guide! He took the time to explain the highlights in a succinct and informative manner. Great sense of humor and very flexible.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David
Apr 3, 2026
A great trip into an amazing culture and history - We had an excellent day exploring these two amazing places with Jainath and his local guides. Both were knowledgeable and passionate about the history. There was time to examine each place and appreciate the history and culture in them. Highly recommended the day. The driver was excellent as well, getting us between sites in the busy traffic. The trip could be improved by using a larger more comfortable car for such a long day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T9487yxvalentinam
Mar 23, 2026
Touring through history, architecture and culture at Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram - Five Senses is a great tour company putting focus on the local community. Our guide Jainath was very knowledgeable and friendly and we had a very good time! Not only he showed us the wonders of Kanchipuram and neighborhood town Mahabalipuram, but also got us in touch with the local people who take pride in their work and culture. We also learnt a lot about eating manners to have during a wedding (we are attending one in 2 days). Overall we got a great impression lf history, architecture and culture in only one day!! Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maps24126825701
Mar 23, 2026
Beautiful Temple Tour to Mamallapuram - We had a great time with our guide Jainath. He was very knowledgeable and gave us a good feeling for the South Indian culture and his eye for architecture was impeccable. He even invited us for a quick coffee and breakfast!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Diyashen
Mar 23, 2026
5 star tour for ancient temples! - Wonderful day spent with Kalpana. She’s an expert guide and fantastic photographer. Overall this tour ticked all the boxes!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
784g_rkemt
Mar 23, 2026
Must to do in Tamil Nadu - Fantastic tour. Many historical places and ancient temples to see. We have learned so much about temples, depictions of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lyle
Mar 23, 2026
Amazing tour with Kaplana - Had an amazing tour with Kalpana. Very knowledgeable about the history and information of the different sites we visited, accompanied by a great and patient driver. Really recommend this tour
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vacation46772080941
Mar 23, 2026
Explore the cultural and historical richness around Chennai in a single day. - We had an excellent experience on the Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram day trip from Chennai with Five Senses Tours, and I would highly recommend it. Kannan, our guide, was outstanding throughout the day. He is knowledgeable, professional, and genuinely passionate about what he does. What really stood out is how attentive and well-organised he was, making sure everything ran smoothly while keeping the experience engaging and relaxed. The itinerary itself is very well structured, covering the key highlights in both Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram, including the temples and the UNESCO heritage sites such as the Shore Temple and the rock carvings. Kannan’s explanations added real depth and context, which made the visit much more meaningful. The private car setup also makes a big difference. It is comfortable, efficient, and allows you to enjoy the day at your own pace without feeling rushed. Overall, this is one of the best ways to explore the cultural and historical richness around Chennai in a single day. A big thank you to Kannan and the Five Senses team for such a well-delivered experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S_k
Mar 13, 2026
Great tour and tour guide - This is a day long tour of the temples of kancheepuram and the monuments of mahaballipuram from Chennai. Our guide , Kannan, was punctual and there was good communication. He was happy to conduct the tour at our pace so we spent as much and as little time at each site that we wanted. He was very accommodating and ensured we were comfortable at all times. A very informative guide. We would definitely recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Curtiscatl
Mar 3, 2026
Amazing full day seeing incredible sites with a friendly knowledgeable guide! - Can't say enough about what an amazing experience this was. We were in Chennai for business and had limited time.... So booked the all day tour. Yes, it was a long day. But it was amazing. Saw incredible sights and our guide, Kannan, and our driver Adhil were both cordial, friendly and very knowledgeable. They met us at our hotel right on time and the education started immediately. Lunch was a great sampler of south Indian food too! The folks at 5Senses were easy to work with and the tour itself was well organized and fun! What an experience... Feel safe and book with 5 Senses... We know we will when we return!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $102
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).