Chennai (Madras) tours, things to do and tickets

In this day tour from Chennai, we will visit the twin wonders of Pallava architecture, Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. We will cover the magnificent temples of Ekambareswar & Kailashnath in Kanchipuram. After that we visit the ancient sea port of Mahabalipuram and visit the legendary rock cut structures lie Arjuna's penance, Five Rathas and the iconic Shore temple which served literally as the beacon for sea farers from the 8th century onwards. This is a fully guided tour with pick up and drop, private car, full time guide, lunch and all entrance charges as well.

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.

Chennai city tour is a cultural immersion in the company of a cultural evangelist and an experience of a lifetime.

Visit the ancient town of Mylapore which used to trade pepper and fine cloth with Rome for gold. Experience mesmerizing rituals in the 7th century temples of Kapaleeswar. Learn the science behind the rituals and role of temple in modern Indian society.

We also visit  San Thome Basilica to see the relics of St Thomas who came here 2000 years ago.

The other experience includes  Ramakrishna Math the monastic organization and Fort Saint George which provides a vivid history of how the East India Company came as traders and became the rulers of India.

Visit a bustling market place and streets teeming with life and color in Chennai. Walk through the George Town and discover fascinating stories of the everyday life of local people. From being the Black Town to a vibrant wholesale market, this place has seen it all. Come experience the crowded markets, narrow lanes, fascinating history, and mesmerizing images!

This Chennai walk in Mylapore will demystify Hindu Gods & Temple rituals. From far, the thousands of Hindu Gods and complex rituals in temples look bewildering! Our Cultural Evangelist will demystify the reason for so many Gods and purpose of Temple rituals.

Relics of St Thomas are a highlight of this walking tour in Chennai. Visit the Shrine in San Thome Basilica to see relics like a small bone of St Thomas, the head of the lance with which the Saint was pierced and an ancient painting of Our Blessed Mother.

A unique aspect of this walking tour in Chennai is that it is led by a cultural evangelist who will bring alive the cultural heritage of Mylapore.

The Chennai walk comes with an opportunity to savor the taste of the iconic Filter Coffee of Mylapore.

Kanchipuram silk tour is a day trip from Chennai to meet the legendary Kanchipuram silk saree weavers. On offer is a unique experience of the fine art of making silk sarees which are a cultural icon in this part of the world.  We will also visit 2 ancient temples from the 7th-8th century AD,  to appreciate the magnificent Pallava style architecture

Marina beach walk is a walking tour in Chennai, led by a cultural evangelist who will bring alive the cultural heritage of Chennai through Marina.

Marina Beach is where the pulse of Chennai can be gauged. Soak in the atmosphere and meet the city's people in this walking tour in Chennai. While the statues tell the history of the city, the beach itself is where common people gather to voice their opinion on issues to those in power. This guided walking tour in Chennai is a cultural immersion over 2.5 hours.

This is a day trip from Chennai organized in a private car. The highlights include a visit to Aurobindo Ashram, which is dedicated to Sri Aurobindo Ghosh the philosopher and revolutionary, French heritage walk followed by French lunch, the lovely esplanade beside the Bay of Bengal, visit to a unique handmade paper factory and Auroville the global village.

This is an all-inclusive trip where we take care of transport, breakfast & lunch, activities and the services of a full-time tour guide.

Tours are led by cultural ambassadors who will bring alive the history and culture of the times when St Thomas came to India in the first century AD.

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.

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, was the capital of the Southern British India. Many great monuments were built during the British rule and several of them continue to dominate the skyline of Chennai even today. In this walking tour, we will visit some of the prominent landmarks of Chennai, which were built during the British era in an architectural style blending British as well as Indian elements. We will start at the Central Railway Station and walk to Ripon Building, Southern Railway Headquarters, Victory Memorial, Fort St George, Naper Bridge and finish at Madras University building.

Visit the city of Mahabhalipuram, home to outstanding historic specimens with incredible architecture. Look through the temples and shrines that adorn the city, before a visit to the city of Kanchipuram for more temple exploration.

Travel to an 8th-century World Heritage site famous for spectacular rock-cut architecture. The experience comprises Asia’s largest bas-relief structure, a gravity defying boulder, and one of the 7 Pagodas mentioned by Marco Polo in the 11th century.

Over 3 hours, this guided tour will teleport you to the 7th century into the times of the Pallavas with incredible rock cut monuments. This tour can be done by walk or in your vehicle. We can also arrange a tuk tuk or autorickshaw.
You will experience masterpieces from this world heritage site like the Pancha Rathas 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.
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Roll up your sleeves and get ready to explore the streets of Sowcarpet, one of the oldest markets in the city for a scrumptious small-group food tour. Walk along your local guide through the market sampling the best local street food and listening the fascinating stories and great food that will catch your attention on a trail that’s best experienced on an empty stomach! In this 2.5-hour tour, you will see how a morsel of food can hide stories of ways of life and learn with the stories of people and their passion for food, local food fetishes, and of jealously guarded secret recipes.

Join your host Sundari and experience authentic Indian life, culture and cuisine with a welcoming local in her home. Sundari will teach you to prepare 4-5 dishes as part of your South Indian vegetarian meal which you will later eat the traditional way - with your hands on stainless steel plates or fresh banana leaves.

Your menu may include typical Tamilian vegetarian main dishes such as rasam (tangy peppery broth), sambar (lentil and tamarind based vegetable stew), and a variety of vegetable curries, rice, raita, condiments and snacks. Alternatively you may request to learn to make a South Indian brunch of dosas, idlis and vadas with a variety of chutneys instead.

Come join Sundari, and leave with new recipes, a new friend and lifelong memories!

Take a trip to Pondicherry, a charming, laid-back seaside town with a unique Franco-Tamil culture. See the city’s lovely architecture, and enjoy its delicious food, gentle sea breeze and laidback pace of life.

Short and highly selective information in the audio commentary for group monuments at Mamallapuram

Highlights of this Self-Guided Audio Tour

• It allows you to go as per your own convenience of time, pace and location.

• Not necessary to download any location tracking apps. It can be listened online in any devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.)

• Available in multiple languages, you can choose the one you’re most comfortable with (should be selected at the time of booking)

• It is one of the best options with lowest price for travelers who prefer flexibility on their tour.

• If you have any questions about any attractions, No worries, we will answer in your language instantly.

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.

This is a day trip from Chennai organized in a private car. The highlights include a visit to Aurobindo Ashram, which is dedicated to Sri Aurobindo Ghosh the philosopher and revolutionary, French heritage walk followed by French lunch, the lovely esplanade beside the Bay of Bengal, visit to a unique handmade paper factory and Auroville the global village.

This is an all-inclusive trip where we take care of transport, breakfast & lunch, activities and guide.