India · UNESCO Heritage Sites

12-Hour Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram Tour with UNESCO Sites

12 Hours Round trip from Chennai Easy pace

View all 9 photos

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore sacred Dravidian architecture at Kanchipuram's iconic Ekambareswarar and Kailasanathar temples
02 Witness traditional craftsmanship at a Kanchipuram silk weaving centre and learn age-old handloom techniques
03 Discover UNESCO-listed Pallava monuments at Mahabalipuram, including the Shore Temple and Arjuna's Penance
04 Admire unique coastal and rock-cut landmarks such as Krishna's Butter Ball and the ancient cave temples

Discover the rich heritage of Tamil Nadu on a full-day cultural journey from Chennai to Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram. This immersive experience combines sacred ancient temples, traditional silk weaving artistry, and UNESCO-listed Pallava monuments along the Coromandel Coast. From spiritual landmarks in Kanchipuram to the rock-cut masterpieces of Mahabalipuram, this tour offers a perfect blend of history, craftsmanship, and coastal charm in a single, well-paced day.

This immersive experience combines sacred ancient temples, traditional silk weaving artistry, and UNESCO-listed Pallava monuments along the Coromandel Coast.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 12 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Kanchipuram Temples and Mahabalipuram Heritage Trail

Departure from Chennai.
06:00 AM - Pick-up and meet-and-greet.
Meet your professional driver at your hotel or Chennai Airport.
Receive a brief overview of the day before starting the journey in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.
06:15 AM - Depart for Kanchipuram.
Distance: approximately 75 km.
Travel time: approximately 2 hours.
Enjoy a scenic drive through the Tamil Nadu countryside.
Kanchipuram sightseeing.
08:30 AM - Ekambareswarar Temple.
Explore one of South India's largest and most revered Shiva temples.
Admire the towering gopuram, expansive courtyards, and the sacred ancient mango tree representing the four seasons.
Duration: 1 hour.
09:45 AM - Kailasanathar Temple.
Visit the oldest temple in Kanchipuram, built in the 8th century by the Pallavas.
Discover intricate sandstone carvings and early Dravidian architectural styles.
Duration: 45 minutes.
10:45 AM - Kamakshi Amman Temple.
Visit this important Shakti Peetha dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi.
Experience the serene spiritual atmosphere and elegant temple architecture.
Duration: 45 minutes.
11:45 AM - Vaikunta Perumal Temple.
Explore this historic Vishnu temple known for its tiered structure and ancient inscriptions depicting royal dynasties.
Duration: 45 minutes.
12:45 PM - Kanchipuram Silk Weaving Centre.
Visit a traditional silk weaving workshop.
Witness the detailed process behind world-famous Kanchipuram silk sarees using age-old techniques.
Duration: 45 minutes.
01:30 PM - Lunch break (not included).
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant serving authentic South Indian cuisine.
Duration: 1 hour.
Mahabalipuram sightseeing.
02:30 PM - Depart for Mahabalipuram.
Distance: approximately 70 km.
Travel time: approximately 1.5 hours.
04:00 PM - Shore Temple.
Visit the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
Admire classic Pallava architecture and the scenic coastal setting.
Duration: 45 minutes.
05:00 PM - Arjuna's Penance.
Marvel at one of the world's largest open-air bas-reliefs depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and daily life.
Duration: 30 minutes.
05:45 PM - Mahabalipuram Beach.
Enjoy a leisurely walk along the beach and soak in peaceful coastal views.
Duration: 30 minutes.
06:30 PM - Krishna's Butter Ball.
See the famous gravity-defying granite boulder, one of Mahabalipuram's most photographed natural wonders.
Duration: 15 minutes.
07:00 PM - Descent of the Ganges.
Admire the magnificent bas-relief depicting the descent of the sacred River Ganges.
Duration: 15 minutes.
07:30 PM - Cave Temples.
Explore ancient rock-cut cave temples adorned with intricate carvings and Pallava-era artistry.
Duration: 30 minutes.
Drop-off.
08:00 PM - Drop-off in Mahabalipuram.
Conclude your full-day heritage tour with a comfortable drop-off at your chosen location in Mahabalipuram.

Where this trip takes you

Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram Silk Weaving Centre, Shore Temple, Krishna's Butter Ball

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Chennai 3 cities · 12 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Air-conditioned transportation - travel comfortably in clean, fully air-conditioned vehicles.
Professional English-speaking guide - benefit from expert insights from licensed, English-speaking guides.
Entry fees included - all entrance fees to attractions listed in the itinerary are covered.
Complimentary bottled water - two bottles of drinking water are provided per guest during the tour.
24/7 customer support - access our dedicated customer service team at any time.

What's Not Included

Lunch - expenses incurred for lunch are not included or reimbursed.
Personal expenses - any personal expenses, including shopping, leisure activities, or other non-essential costs, are not included.
Tips and gratuities - tips or gratuities for drivers, guides, or service staff are not covered unless explicitly stated in the inclusions.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Camera or smartphone for photos
Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
Passport or government-issued ID (copy accepted)
Visa (if required)
Cash for personal expenses

Know before you go

Pick-up and drop-off services are available from designated locations. Please confirm your pick-up point at the time of booking.
This tour is conducted in English. If you require a guide who speaks another language, please inform us in advance, subject to availability.
We recommend carrying some local currency for personal expenses, as not all locations accept credit or debit cards.

Logistics