Mahabalipuram Shore Temple — UNESCO World Heritage Site, heritage tour from Chennai
Heritage Tour · 1–2 Days

Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram Heritage Tour from Chennai

Two UNESCO gems in one trip. Explore Pallava rock-cut temples at Mahabalipuram, witness 1,300-year-old masterpieces at Kanchipuram, and bring home the finest silk sarees — all with an AC cab and a driver who knows every lane.

60km
Chennai to Mahabalipuram
65km
Mahabalipuram to Kanchipuram
₹4,500+
Starting price
Day-by-day itinerary

Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram — your heritage trail

A carefully crafted itinerary that covers every major monument, the best lunch spots on ECR, silk weaving centres, and scenic photo stops along the coast.

Day 1 — Morning (6:00 AM)

Drive from Chennai via ECR to Mahabalipuram

Early-morning pickup from your Chennai hotel or airport. We take the scenic East Coast Road (ECR) along the Bay of Bengal — 60 km, about 1.5 hours. Stop at DakshinaChitra heritage village en route if time permits. Arrive at Mahabalipuram by 7:30 AM for the best light at the monuments.

Day 1 — Morning (8:00 AM)

Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas & Arjuna's Penance

Begin at the iconic Shore Temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Pallavas in the 8th century, standing right on the beach. Next, visit the Pancha Rathas (Five Rathas), five monolithic rock-cut temples each carved from a single granite boulder. Then marvel at Arjuna's Penance, the world's largest open-air bas-relief (27m x 9m), depicting scenes from the Mahabharata. Entry ticket: ₹40 for Indians, ₹600 for foreigners.

Day 1 — Afternoon (12:30 PM)

Tiger Cave, Crocodile Bank & Lunch

Drive to Tiger Cave, a rock-cut temple with a dramatic facade of tiger heads carved around the entrance — a hidden gem most tourists miss. Then visit the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, home to 2,500+ reptiles including gharials, king cobras, and saltwater crocodiles. Enjoy a relaxed seafood lunch at one of Mahabalipuram's beachside restaurants — our driver knows the best ones for fresh fish and prawn curry.

Day 1 Evening / Day 2 — Morning

Drive to Kanchipuram — Temple City

Drive 65 km inland from Mahabalipuram to Kanchipuram, the "City of a Thousand Temples." For 1-day tours, we depart by 3 PM and cover 2 key temples. For 2-day tours, overnight in Mahabalipuram, then drive to Kanchipuram fresh the next morning for a full day of exploration.

Kanchipuram — Temples

Kailasanathar, Ekambareswarar & Varadharaja Perumal Temples

Kailasanathar Temple — the oldest structure in Kanchipuram (8th century), with stunning sandstone carvings and a circumambulatory passage. Ekambareswarar Temple — one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalams (five elements temples), with a 3,500-year-old mango tree in the courtyard. Varadharaja Perumal Temple — a grand Vishnu temple known for its 100-pillar hall and the famous Athigiri Varadhar deity.

Kanchipuram — Silk & Return

Kanchipuram Silk Saree Shopping & Return to Chennai

Visit authentic silk weaving centres where you can watch artisans create Kanchipuram silk sarees on traditional handlooms. Our driver takes you to trusted showrooms — no commission traps. Pick up genuine Kanchipuram pattu sarees starting from ₹2,000 to ₹50,000+. After shopping, drive back to Chennai (75 km, ~2 hours via NH48). Drop-off at your hotel, airport, or railway station.

Route map

Distances & driving times

Our drivers know every shortcut, every toll plaza, and every scenic stop on these routes.

Chennai to Mahabalipuram

60 km via East Coast Road (ECR). Scenic coastal highway along the Bay of Bengal. Drive time: ~1.5 hours. Toll: ~₹100.

Mahabalipuram to Kanchipuram

65 km via SH 49 / Chengalpattu road. Smooth state highway through green countryside. Drive time: ~1.5 hours. No toll.

Kanchipuram to Chennai

75 km via NH48 / GST Road. Well-maintained national highway. Drive time: ~2 hours. Toll: ~₹100. Direct drop at airport/hotel.

What you get

What's included & what's extra

Included in the price

AC vehicle (Ertiga / Dzire / Innova)
Experienced, English-speaking driver
Fuel for the entire trip
Bottled water
Pickup & drop at Chennai hotel / airport / station
Flexible itinerary — stop wherever you like

Charged extra (on actuals)

Toll gates (~₹200 round trip)
Parking fees (~₹100–150)
Monument entry tickets (₹40 Indians / ₹600 foreigners)
Meals & refreshments
Hotel stay (for 2-day package)
Driver bhatta: ₹500/night halt

Transparent pricing

Tour pricing — no hidden charges

The price we quote is the price you pay. Toll, parking, and entry tickets are the only extras — charged on actuals.

Package Duration Ertiga (7 seater) Innova Crysta (7 seater) Etios/Dzire (4 seater)
Mahabalipuram + Kanchipuram (1-day) 12–14 hrs ₹4,500 ₹5,500 ₹3,800
Mahabalipuram + Kanchipuram (2-day with hotel) 2 days ₹7,000 ₹8,500 ₹6,000
Mahabalipuram only (half-day) 6–8 hrs ₹2,800 ₹3,500 ₹2,200
Kanchipuram only (half-day) 6–8 hrs ₹2,600 ₹3,200 ₹2,000

Prices include AC vehicle, driver, and fuel. Tempo Traveller & Force Urbania rates available on request. Call for group quotes.

Book your Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram tour

Fill in your details and we'll confirm vehicle, driver, exact price, and pickup time on WhatsApp — usually within minutes.

Common questions

Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram tour — FAQ

How far is Mahabalipuram from Chennai?
Mahabalipuram is approximately 60 km from Chennai via the East Coast Road (ECR). The drive takes about 1.5 hours depending on traffic. The ECR route is scenic, running along the Bay of Bengal coastline with opportunities to stop at DakshinaChitra and Crocodile Bank.
Can I cover both Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram in one day?
Yes, it is possible if you start early (by 6 AM). You'll cover Mahabalipuram in the morning, drive to Kanchipuram after lunch, visit 2-3 key temples, and return to Chennai by 8-9 PM. However, we recommend a 2-day trip for a relaxed experience — especially if you want to explore silk weaving centres.
What is the best time to visit Mahabalipuram?
November to February is ideal — pleasant weather (22-30°C), clear skies, and the annual Mahabalipuram Dance Festival in December-January. Avoid April-June (very hot). Monsoon months (Oct-Nov) can bring rain but the monuments look dramatic with overcast skies.
Is Kanchipuram silk saree shopping included?
Yes! Our itinerary includes time at authentic silk weaving centres and showrooms. Our driver takes you to trusted shops where you get genuine Kanchipuram silk sarees at fair prices — no commission-based detours. You can watch weavers at work and buy directly from ₹2,000 to ₹50,000+.
What is included in the tour price of ₹4,500?
Included: AC vehicle (Ertiga/Dzire), experienced driver, fuel, bottled water, and flexible itinerary. Extras: toll gates (~₹200), parking (~₹100-150), monument entry (₹40 Indians), meals, and driver bhatta (₹500/night halt for 2-day tours).