Best Temple Tours in Chennai — Our Top 4

1.Mahabalipuram tour by Tourism Ministry approved company

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 405 reviews · from $115Our pick

Travel from Chennai to Mahabalipuram in a private car with a local guide such as Kannan or Ramesh. Visit monolithic temples, caves, carvings, the Shore Temple, and Krishna’s Butterball. Lunch, hotel pickup, drop-off, and entrance fees are included.

“I have a great time on my day trip to Mahabalipuram! It was wonderful not to have to worry about anything - tolls, breakfast, lunch, arranging a cab, getting a tour guide...My shoe broke during the tour and they provided a temporary fix then took me to a shop where I could buy another pair of shoes. Vijay picked me up with a driver, then in Mahabalipuram we were joined by a local tour guide. I am glad to see them working towards sustainable tourism - I enjoyed the local tour guide, but was happy to also have Vijay around who answered questions and interpreted when I didn't quite understand.…”

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2.Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram by tourism ministry approved company

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 264 reviews · from $135

Travel from Chennai in a private vehicle with a local guide to Kanchipuram’s Pallava temples and Mahabalipuram’s shore monuments. Visit silk weavers, Pancha Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna’s Butter Ball, and Shore Temple, with lunch included. Guides may include Kannan, Nivi, or Jainath.

“We had an amazing tour with Jainath at Mahabalipurim and Kanchipurim. Jainath was very patient and kind. He shared his knowledge about all of the sites we visited with gentle expertise. He was thoughtful about providing drinks when we Read more”

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3.Mahabalipuram Private tour from Chennai by car with guide and lunch by Wonder

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 137 reviews · from $89

Travel from Chennai to Mahabalipuram by private car with a guide, visiting the Five Rathas, Shore Temple, ancient cave shrines, Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna’s Butter Ball, and the lighthouse. Rajesh and guide John are among the guides named by past customers. Lunch, admission, and hotel pickup are included.

“Fascinating and well worth the visit. The carvings are over 1400 years old, we had an excellent driver but the guide had poor English”

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4.Mahabalipuram walking tour by tourism ministry approved company

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · from $50Best value

Walk through Mahabalipuram’s 7th-century Pallava monuments with guide Ramesh or another 5 Senses Walks guide. See Pancha Rathas, Arjuna’s Penance, ancient caves, Krishna’s Butter Ball, the Old Lighthouse, and Shore Temple. You can walk or use an autorickshaw between sites.

“Ramesh was an excellent guide who gave background information on the Pallava sculptures and the remarkable techniques used when their monuments were constructed.”

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