When Marco Polo sailed past this coastline in the 13th century he recorded seeing a city of seven pagodas rising above the sea. Only one still stands. Archaeologists have found the others submerged offshore. The Pallava kings of the 7th and 8th centuries carved an entire world from the boulders here — five Mahabharata chariots from single rocks, a hundred-foot bas-relief with a satirical cat imitating a holy man while mice gather around it, a five-metre boulder balanced on a slope for thirteen centuries that a British administrator failed to move with an elephant, and the Shore Temple still reflecting in the Bay of Bengal at high tide. Our private Mahabalipuram tour from Chennai covers all of it with a cultural guide who brings every stone to life. Private car, expert guide, all entry fees and lunch included. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.

Step into the rhythmic heartbeat of Mylapore, where the air is thick with jasmine and freshly roasted coffee. This isn’t a "tour"—it’s a portal into a culture thriving for two millennia. As a Ministry of Tourism-approved organization and proud IATO member, we offer insight far beyond the surface. We begin at the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a Dravidian masterpiece. Our Cultural Evangelists demystify ancient rituals before we find peace at the Ramakrishna Mutt, a sanctuary of universal harmony. The journey takes a serene turn at the San Thome Basilica, tracing the footsteps of an Apostle at the shrine of St. Thomas. Between stories, experience the theater of Iconic Filter Coffee, poured with the precision of South Indian hospitality. Winners of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award 2025, we provide an ethical, elite journey that supports our local community. Join us to experience the true soul of Chennai

Chennai city tour is an unforgettable cultural immersion in the company of an English speaking guide. It is a proud winner of the Traveller's Choice award for 2025, by TripAdvisor out of 8 million listings. The organising company is approved by the Ministry of Tourism. An audio guide is available on request in French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin & other languages. 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 visit San Thome Basilica to see the relics of St Thomas, who came here 2000 years ago. Ramakrishna Math, a monastic organisation, and Fort Saint George provide a vivid history of how the East India Company came as traders and became the rulers of India. Saibaba temple, Vivenakanada House and Marina beach add up to the unforgettable experience.

In this day tour from Chennai, we will visit the twin wonders of Pallava architecture, Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. This tour is hosted by a Five Senses Tours which is a company approved by the ministry of tourism and is also a member of the prestigious Indian association of Tour Operators. 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. The company promotes local livelihood by training and employing local guides and patronising local businesses. This is a fully guided tour with pick up and drop, private car, full time guide, lunch and all entrance charges as well.

Step into the labyrinthine alleys where Chennai began. This isn't a "tour"—it's a portal to the 17th-century East India Company trading post. As a Ministry of Tourism-approved organization and proud IATO member, our Cultural Evangelists reveal the city's hidden power structures. Trace the legacy of the elite Armenian bankers, whose global financial reach once dictated trade, and the enigmatic Dubashes—the bilingual power brokers who wielded the real influence behind the colonial throne. We navigate the vibrant chaos to uncover the secret architecture and stories of the diverse merchants who built Old Madras. Winners of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award 2025, we ensure your journey directly supports the local merchants and guides who keep this heritage alive. Experience the grit, the glory, and the hidden history of Chennai.

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.

Over 3 hours, the Mahabalipuram walking tour will teleport you to the 7th century incredible rock cut monuments. It is hosted by a company approved by the ministry of tourism and is a member of Indian Tour Operators Association. 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. Mahabalipuram is the proud recipient of world's first stone carving city declaration. However, the next generation of sculptors are moving to the cities for jobs threatening a slow death for this fine art. Our company is helping this community by training & employing local guides and by procuring their wares to strengthen their livelihood. .

Sowcarpet is Chennai's most famous food street and one of the greatest places to eat in India. Traders from across the country settled here generations ago and brought their food traditions with them. The result is a single street where you can eat Murukku sandwich, a uniquely Chennai invention, then Lassi made by a former wrestler, then freshly fried Jalebi from a stall serving the neighbourhood for decades. This guided street food walk takes you through Sowcarpet for two hours with a food evangelist who knows every stall and every story. You will taste signature dishes from legendary local stalls, walk through frenetic lanes brimming with spices, flowers and colour, and eat the way Chennai actually eats rather than the way tourists are usually fed. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Ministry of Tourism of India and a member of the Indian Association of Tour Operators. Every walk employs local guides and supports local food businesses, ensuring your food spend stays in the community.

Morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Chennai.Spend your day exploring Marina Beach,Chennai's cultural hub of Mylapore Kapaleeshwar Temple and the San Thome Basilica, followed by a traditional South Indian lunch in a local restaurant and visit the shrine at Ramakrishna Math, followed by a visit to the 17th-century Fort Saint George before returning to your hotel.

Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism. The Pallava kings who ruled here between the 4th and 9th centuries invented the Dravidian stone temple tradition that went on to define religious architecture across South and Southeast Asia for a thousand years. The Kailasanathar Temple is the oldest surviving structural temple in Tamil Nadu and the largest sandstone temple in the world. The Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the five Pancha Bhuta Stalas, with a mango tree inside said to be over 3,500 years old. The city is equally famous for its silk sarees, woven from pure mulberry silk with gold zari borders by over 5,000 weaving families. This tour takes you into the home of a master weaver to see how they are made. Private car from Chennai, expert cultural guide, entry fees and South Indian lunch included. 5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.