What to do and see in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu: The Best Self-Guided Tours & Rentals

You can easily spend a full day exploring Kanchipuram and Mamallapuram's marvellous temples, caves and rock carvings. Most were carved from the rock during the 7th-century reign of Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, whose nickname Mamalla (Great Wrestler) gave the town its name. Official Archaeological Survey of India guides can be hired at sites.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Local guide, Entry/Admission - Mahabalipuram Monuments, Entry/Admission - Kanchipuram temples

Exclusions: Gratuities, Drinks

Mamallapuram (also called Mahaballipuram) is about an hour's drive from Chennai on the East Coast Road. It was the second capital and seaport of the Pallava Kings who ruled in the 5th century. Local legend has it that there was once a beautiful city here with seven temples, which the Gods submerged under the sea in anger.until in 2002, an Indo-British team of divers discovered a series of man-made structures under water, covering an area of several square miles.Today at Mamallapuram, you can see the famous Shore Temple, the only surviving temple out of the original seven (the rest have sunk under the sea). The Shore Temple is among the oldest temples of South India and represents the final flowering of Pallava art. Arjuna's Penance, one of the world's biggest bas-reliefs depicts the story of the descent of the River Ganges from Heaven to Earth. Cave temples and massive monolithic sculptures (carved from a single large block of granite) make Mamallapuram a place to remember.

Inclusions: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water, Lunch, Entry/Admission - Mahabalipuram

Exclusions: Personal expenses, Gratuities, Beverages

Welcome to have a life time experience in group of monuments, which was carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous Descent of the Ganges, and the Shore Temple, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva; these have been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Fuel surcharge, Toll & Parking Charges, Gratuities, Bottled water, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Entrance Fees (wherever it's necessary)

Expore the Pallavas Grand architectural masterpiece on this full day tour from Chennai. Kanchipuram is a spectacular temple city known as city of thousand temples which reflects the Glorious Traditions of South India with its noted temples. Then experience UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Mahabalipuram group of Monuments, which was carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous Descent of the Ganges, and the Shore Temple, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Toll & Parking Charges, Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Fuel surcharge, Gratuities, WiFi on board, Bottled water

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Entrance Fees (wherever its necessary)

There is no reason or season to experiences the extraordinary sculptural creations of poetry in stone that stands testimony to the unique Dravidian architectural monuments at Mahabalipuram

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Fuel surcharge, WiFi on board, Gratuities, Bottled water, Toll and Parking Charges

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Entrance Fees (wherever it's necessary)

Explore this private day tour of Mahabalipuram an important ancient port well known to the ancient Romans and Greeks. The group of monuments at Mahabalipuram has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is known as an area "considered to be of outstanding value to humanity". Mahabalipuram is today renowned the world over for its exquisite 6th century rock cut temples and intricate statues of stone. On the way you will also visit the DakshinaChitra known as the "living museum" of South Indian lifestyles and visit to Madras Crocodile Bank a reptile zoo and herpetology research station started by an herpetologist to protect crocodiles.

Inclusions: Hotel pick-up and drop-off , Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Fuel surcharge, Toll and Parking Charges, Gratuities, Bottled water, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Entrance Fees (wherever it's necessary)

Mamallapuram (also called Mahaballipuram) is about an hour's drive from Chennai on the East Coast Road. It was the second capital and seaport of the Pallava Kings who ruled in the 5th century.The Shore Temple is among the oldest temples of South India and represents the final flowering of Pallava art. Arjuna's Penance, one of the world's biggest bas-reliefs depicts the story of the descent of the River Ganges from Heaven to Earth. Cave temples and massive monolithic sculptures (carved from a single large block of granite) make Mamallapuram a place to remember. DakshinaChitra is an exciting cross cultural living museum of art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of South India. The main mission is to exhibit, promote and preserve aspects of the broader, more inclusive cultures of the states and to bring these arts to the public in a participative, enjoyable and engaging way.

Inclusions: Lunch, Headsets to hear the guide clearly, Entry/Admission - Monuments, Private transportation

Exclusions: Personal expenses, Gratuities, Beverages