Mahabalipuram Tour: UNESCO Shore Temple & Pallava Coast (3 Days)
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- Free to Enquire
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- Duration
- 2 nights / 3 days
- Pickup → drop
- Chennai → Chennai
- Best time
- Nov – Feb
- Activity level
- 1/4 · Relaxed
- Group size
- 1–10
Activity level 1 of 4: Relaxed.Gentle monument walks of 1–2 hours, plus beach time.What the levels mean
- 1 · RelaxedSightseeing by car with short walks, under 2 hours on foot a day.All ages and fitness levels, including parents and young children.
- 2 · Light2–4 hours on foot a day, with stairs, uneven ground or some long drives.Anyone in normal health who can walk 30 minutes comfortably.
- 3 · Active4–6 hours of walking or a few long rough drives, some days at altitude.Regular walkers. Start walking 30–45 minutes a day a month before.
- 4 · ChallengingLong days, steep climbs or high altitude (above 4,000 m).Good fitness; check with your doctor if you have heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions.
Quick answer
A 3-day Mahabalipuram tour from Chennai (55 km, about 1.5 hours) covers the UNESCO Shore Temple, Pancha Rathas, Arjuna's Penance and Krishna's Butterball, plus DakshinaChitra and the Crocodile Bank. It costs from ₹11,500 per person. November to February is the best time.
Trip Overview
Between the 7th and 8th centuries, Pallava sculptors carved temples straight out of granite at Mamallapuram, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This weekend starts at DakshinaChitra, then gives you two nights by the beach so you can see the Shore Temple at sunrise, before day-trippers arrive.
A licensed guide takes you through Arjuna's Penance, the Five Rathas and Krishna's Butterball, and an afternoon with a stone carver shows how the craft survives. Pair it with our Kanchipuram trip for a longer Pallava loop, or continue to Pondicherry.
- Stays included
- Meals included
- Transfers included
- Sightseeing included
Trip highlights
- Shore Temple at sunrise
- Pancha Rathas and Arjuna's Penance with a guide
- Krishna's Butterball and the hilltop lighthouse
- A stone-carving workshop
- DakshinaChitra heritage museum
- Surf lesson at Kovalam (Covelong) beach (optional)
Day by day
Itinerary
Chennai → Chennai · 2N/3D
3 days · tap a day to open or close it
- 1
Day 1Chennai to Mahabalipuram via DakshinaChitraChennai → Mahabalipuram · 55 km · 1.5 hrs+
Pickup in Chennai. Stop at DakshinaChitra, a living museum of South Indian homes and crafts (closed Tuesdays). Check in by the beach and see the Shore Temple in the evening light.
- DakshinaChitra
- Shore Temple at sunset
Beach resort, Mahabalipuram D
- 2
Day 2Pallava monuments+
Sunrise at the Shore Temple, then a guided walk: Arjuna's Penance, the Krishna Mandapa, Krishna's Butterball, the lighthouse and the Pancha Rathas. Afternoon with a stone-carver, then the beach or a surf lesson at Kovalam.
- Shore Temple
- Arjuna's Penance
- Pancha Rathas
- Butterball
- Stone-carving
Beach resort, Mahabalipuram B · D
- 3
Day 3Crocodile Bank and ChennaiMahabalipuram → Chennai · 55 km · 1.5 hrs+
Morning at the Tiger Cave and the Madras Crocodile Bank, then drive back to Chennai for your onward journey.
- Tiger Cave
- Madras Crocodile Bank
Trip ends B
Meals: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Drive times are typical and exclude stops.
What's included
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- 2 nights in a beach resort (3- or 4-star)
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Private air-conditioned cab from and back to Chennai
- Licensed guide for the monuments
- Stone-carving workshop visit
Not Included
- ✕ Flights or trains to the start point and from the end point
- ✕ Monument, temple-darshan and camera fees unless listed
- ✕ Lunches unless listed, tips, laundry and personal expenses
- ✕ 5% GST (added to the final quote)
- ✕ Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Before you go
Good to Know
- One ASI ticket covers the Shore Temple and the Pancha Rathas on the same day.
- The sea has strong currents. Swim in the resort pool rather than the sea.
- The Mamallapuram Dance Festival usually runs from late December to January (dates are announced by Tamil Nadu Tourism).
Packing list
Things to Pack
- Light cotton clothes
- Swimwear for pools
- Sandals plus closed shoes
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen and hat
Places on this trip
Destination Guides
How booking works
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FAQs
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On-trip help
How much does the Mahabalipuram Tour cost?+
The Mahabalipuram Tour starts from ₹11,500 per person on twin sharing, land only: stays, private transport, guides and the meals listed. The exact price depends on your dates, hotel category and group size, so send your dates for a written quote.
What is the best time to take the Mahabalipuram Tour?+
The best time is Nov – Feb. Closures, festivals and seasonal notes are listed under Good to Know on this page.
How many days does the Mahabalipuram Tour take?+
It runs 3 days and 2 nights from Chennai to Chennai. We can add or remove nights to suit your time.
Is the Mahabalipuram Tour suitable for couples?+
Yes. It is one of our Couple trips, rated activity level 1 of 4 (Relaxed). Gentle monument walks of 1–2 hours, plus beach time.
Can we add Kanchipuram?+
Yes. It's about 65 km inland. Add a night, or see our Kanchipuram Temple & Silk trip.
Is this a good long weekend?+
Yes. It's the easiest beach-and-heritage break from Chennai or Bengaluru.
Can we continue to Pondicherry?+
Yes. Pondicherry is 95 km south on the same coast road (about 2 hours). Ask for the extension.
Can I change the itinerary?+
Yes. Dates, hotels, pace and stops can all be changed; we'll re-quote.
Do I pay anything to enquire?+
No. You'll get a written plan and quote first. Payment only happens after you approve it.
From₹11,500 /person
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