Private Tour of Mahabalipuram from Chennai by car with guide and lunch | La Vacanza Travel

Private Tour of Mahabalipuram from Chennai by car with guide and lunch

Duration: 7 hours
Destination: India, Tamil Nadu, Chennai
from
136.4

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  • 7 hours
  • Chennai
  • E-Voucher
  • Lowest Price
  • Not-Cancellable

Overview

This private tour takes you to Mahabalipuram famous for its rock cut temples dating back to the 7th century along a lovely sea shore. We will spend the day exploring this World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram which used to serve as a sea port in ancient times. The highlights include masterpieces like the Five Chariots 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. This package includes pick and drop, private car, lunch, and a professional guide.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Pancha Rathas, Kancheepuram District, Mahabalipuram 603104 India

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. 

Duration: 25 minutes

Stop At: Arjuna's Penance, West Raja Street Near Ganesha Ratha, Mahabalipuram 603104 India

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.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Pancha Pandava Cave, West Raja Street, Mahabalipuram India

Pandava cave is the largest cave-temple at Mahabalipuram The cave is supported on six pillars and two pilasters. The highlight of the architecture are the spectacular sculptures of mythical creatures called Yali on the pillars.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Krishna's Butter Ball, E Raja St, Mahabalipuram 603104 India

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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Varaha Cave Temple, Kancheepuram District, Mahabalipuram India

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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Trimurti Cave, Mahabalipuram India

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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Ganesha Ratha, J59V+92F, Mada Koil St, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104, India

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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Old Light House, J58R+HMQ, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104, India

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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Mahishasuramardini Cave, Mahabalipuram India

Two of the most impressive works of art of Mahabalipuram reside in this cave. It 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.

Duration: 15 minutes

Pass By: Shore Temple Rd, Mahabalipuram 603104 India

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.

Inclusions
  • Professional tour guide
  • Lunch
  • Entrance charges
  • Pick and drop to Chennai hotel
  • Entry/Admission - Trimurti Cave
  • Entry/Admission - Mahishasuramardini Cave
  • Entry/Admission - Krishna's Butter Ball
  • Entry/Admission - Arjuna's Penance
  • Entry/Admission - Varaha Cave Temple
  • Entry/Admission - Pancha Rathas
  • Entry/Admission - Pancha Pandava Cave
  • Entry/Admission - Ganesha Ratha
  • Entry/Admission - Old Light House

Exclusions
  • Beverages
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Departure Point

Traveler pickup is offered
Pick up from all hotels in Chennai

Ports

  • CHENNAI PORT, 37MV+M95, Chennai Port Trust, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600001, India

Voucher info

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

Duration

7 hours


User's Reviews

olgal607

24 Mar, 2024

My mother and I had a wonderful half day trip to Mahabalipuram with the amazing Nivi as our guide. We got to hear about the interesting history of Madras as well as the all the sites and monuments we visited. We were comfortable and well taken care of by Nivi. Our tour ended with a scrumptious lunch at a vegetarian food place.

kochakorn s

22 Mar, 2024

The guide Kannan is very amazing he speaks good english and explains every information very well very in details ! the car driver is also lovely ! I am a woman and this tour makes my traveling in chennai so safe and so convenience

terimorris71

20 Mar, 2024

A friend and I had a great day trip with Kannan to Mahabalipuram. A designated UNESCO world heritage site, Mahabalipuram was very impressive. Kannan and the local guide used were very knowledgeable. After a few hours of visiting different sites, we had an amazing lunch of fresh seafood.

shreyasgopal

14 Mar, 2024

good trip, would recommend to anyone visiting mahabalipuram. got to visit all the sites and had lunch also. would recommend this trip If you visit Mahabalipuram.

Ambs121

08 Mar, 2024

Both our tour guides gladius and Ramesh were very knowledgeable and took very good care of us. We enjoyed exploring the rock sculptures. Ramesh was able to tell us the history behind the architecture and also doubled as our photographer for the day! Would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to know more about the history of mahabalipuram.

User's Picture Gallery

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Great Mahabalipuram Tour

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Amazing tour

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Best. Choice. EVER. Self guided tours won’t cut it here.

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Very recommended tour

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Discovering India

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Great tour of mahaballpuram

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Mahabalipuram tour - Navi, Ramesh, 5senses Tour was great

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Great tour of Mahabalipuram!

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Go to Mahabalipuram

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Great afternoon trip to see historic temples!

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Amazing destination, great company

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Incredible tour of unesco site

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Nice tour in Mahabalipuram

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Excellent

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Excellent tour to Mahabalipuram

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The easiest way to visit a “must see” site

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Visit to Mahabalipuram monuments

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Excellent Tour

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Shore temple adventures

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Worth doing!

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Excellent guide and experience

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Maximizing Cultural Discoveries with Kanan: A Tour Guide Extraordinaire

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Mahabalipuram with Kanan

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An amazing tour with an amazing company

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