Private Tour
Mahabalipuram Private tour from Chennai by car with guide and lunch by Wonder
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Entry/Admission - Trimurti Cave
Pick and drop to Chennai hotel
Lunch
Entrance charges
Professional tour guide
Personal expenses
Gratuities
Beverages
What To Expect
Pancha Rathas
Make the first stop of the day at the Pancharathas, or five chariots, a series of monolithic temples built by the Pallavas.These are rock cut monolith temples structures built in the 7th century. Each of the 5 rathas or chariots are dedicated to the lead cast of the Mahabharat epic- Draupadi, Arjuna, Nakul-Sahadeva, Bhima and Yudhister. There is also a sculpture of an elephant next to the ratha of Nakul-Sahadeva. Once you stand towards the rear of the elephant you will notice that there is an uncanny resemblance between the rear of the chariot and the elephant.
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.
Options
Mahabalipuram day trip from Chennai by Wonder tours
Pickup included
Reviews
118 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing Tour of Mahabalipuram
Michael T,
Apr 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00Rajesh arrived a few minutes earlier than the scheduled arrival time of 9 am, which I appreciated. It took about 70 minutes to reach Mahabalipuram from Chennai. Rajesh and another tour guide provided helpful historical and cultural contexts for the different sites. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect for me was to see how Mahabalipuram seemed more focused on the Mahabharata, while another famous complex in Hampi focused more on the Ramayana. Nevertheless, there was some overlap, even though Mahabalipuram is centuries older. After visiting the main sites, I had a delicious South Indian thali at The Golden Palate.
Terrible vehicle for a fairly long trip.
Kartik J,
Feb 28, 2025
- Viator
1.00The driver arrived at our hotel in a tiny sedan. For the amount we are paying for the trip and duration/distance of the tour we were expecting an Innova. When I mentioned this to the guide, he told me that he was not responsible for the vehicle and made me talk to the tour operator who mentioned to me that the tour description said “sedan”. Nowhere in the description it says “sedan”. The car ride was uncomfortable and the condition of the car was below average. The tour itself is pretty average with the guide speaking in barely understandable english. No effort was made to fix the issue and we were very disappointed by what we paid and what we got. This is the 2nd time we have had a poor experience with Viator.
Buyer beware
junecarruthers,
Feb 6, 2025
- Viator
1.00Buyer beware. My experience. I was collected as arranged and set off for the tour stopped part way for breakfast which although we didn’t eat we ended up paying. On arrival at the first stop we were handed over to another “guide”who took us through the first three items at a speed nothing like the program he then pointed to a hill and suggested we shouldn’t climb it. Back to the original guide who said we should go to lunch and set off back to Chennai. When we advised him strongly we had only seen part of the tour he turned around and completed the rest of the tour. He said we should have a meal and took us to a place you wouldn’t take your enemy. We then said just take us home. In all the tour lasted nowhere neat the advised time and was a serious disappointment.
Well organised day trip to Mahabalipurum
Susan L,
Jan 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00After our previous trip booked through aviator was a disaster, I contacted Rajesh from Wonder tours myself to be reassured that all was well. He was charming, looked after us very well and he spoke excellent English. Our driver was the best that we had had and managed to get us through the traffic competently. The local guide at the sites in Mahabalipurum was very knowledgeable and brought the temples to life for us. We enjoyed a good day.
Good. But 5 hours...
catherine d,
Jan 19, 2025
- Viator
4.00Good. But 5 hours delivered instead of 7 purchased. Beautiful site. Interesting. Good Comments done.
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Operated by Wonder tours