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
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
What‘s Included
Entry/Admission - Trimurti Cave
Pick and drop to Chennai hotel
Lunch
Entrance charges
Professional tour guide
Personal expenses
Gratuities
Beverages
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
144 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Pleasant short-getaway to explore Mahabalipuram
507manj,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Recommended for a short trip to explore the historical sites of South India. The arrangements are very transparent as shown in the description and the guides are all on-time without any delays. Explanation about the history is easy to understand and it is a very pleasant trip overall.
Great experiences
QYLow,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have a half day private trip. Everything is well arranged and all the guide are well explained about those places. And thanks to our driver also which drive safely.
Highly recommend
JamesED3,Mar 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great half day trip, I booked the afternoon before, great that you can choose pick up time suggest early and then you can enjoy traditional breakfast and coffee. Rajesh and his driver were a top team and got to learn a lot about the history and heritage of Mahabalipuram from the expert knowledge.
We enjoyed our tour. The...
Elizabeth A,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We enjoyed our tour. The guides were knowledgeable and the van was comfortable, with excellent A/C, which was a plus in the super hot climate. The UNESCO heritage site is amazing but signage is lacking, so a tour guide is a must. I 100 % recommend taking this tour.
Great time in Mahabalipuram
K654JSandrewc,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour, really well organised, good guides. South Indian coffee stop was a bonus.
Good tour with knowledgable guides and tasty food.
butlincj,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything was well organised and the guides were knowledgable. The food stops were very tasty and accommodating to the heat providing plenty of water breaks.
Amazing world heritage site but will be worth with a much more informative guide and may be another attraction included.
SUNIL S,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00The UNESCO world heritage site and the history is amazing. The main criticism I have is that most of the time is spent in travelling to and from Chennai and having lunch. My guide although had enough knowledge, I felt was bit laid back. He gave me the summary of each site and then left me to go around on my own. I saw some other guides were going to each of the Pancha tathaa and giving detailed information. Also he didn’t let me know how much time I can spend at each place. So my actual site visits probably only lasted an hour. Tour is advertised 7 hrs but only lasted 5.5 hrs. I feel it should also include another attraction included in it for example there was a Vishnu temple in Mahabalipuram which the guide didn’t show and said there was a festival going on as a reason.
Well organized and knowledgeable your of Mahabalipuram with guide Basta
wwp3rd,Jan 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Well organized and everything communicated well. The highlight was the local guide Wonder Tours engaged at the temple complex to walk around with me (and scooter me around through the rain)—very knowledge and excellent English speaker (he also told me he speaks several other languages). So request Basta as your local guide! Also props to the driver who safely and efficiently got us from Chennai to Mahabalipuram and back again in a torrential rain storm. My only complaint might be the price overall seemed high for total package.
A day rich in history
carolinenT1990IC,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00A very enjoyable trip. Sammy was a safe driver in a spotless car. Rajesh was a knowledgeable guide. The sites were exceptional.
Stay was comfortable staffs like Bobita Christina Reshma feblyn Rohit Mamta Anjali also from f and b Komal Sunita ranjit
Discover58826372633,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Stay was comfortable staffs like Bobita Christina Reshma feblyn Rohit Mamta Anjali also from f and b Komal Sunita ranjit were great
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Operated by Wonder tours