Scenic Chennai Mahabalipuram Tour Package for 3 Days / 2 Nights (Price & Itinerary)

Package Pricing

Itinerary of Scenic Chennai Mahabalipuram Tour Package for 3 Days & 2 Nights

Day 1: Arrival, Check-in & Chennai Sightseeing

You arrive at Chennai Airport or Railway Station. Our private vehicle picks you up for the hotel transfer and check-in.

• Kapaleeshwarar Temple- Rebuilt during the 16th century after original destruction, the Kapaleeshwarar Temple is a Shiva shrine that dominates Mylapore. Its 37-meter Gopuram painted in rainbow hues depicts mythological narratives. The sacred tank reflects temple architecture, where legend says Parvati performed penance as a peahen, seeking forgiveness. Six daily worship ceremonies maintain an unbroken spiritual tradition spanning centuries, with devotees circumambulating the sanctum clockwise.
• San Thome Cathedral Basilica- The Neo-Gothic San Thome Cathedral Basilica rises over St. Thomas Apostle's tomb, one of merely three churches worldwide built atop apostle burial sites. The Portuguese originally constructed a church, but the current structure dates from 1893. It features stunning stained-glass windows depicting biblical stories.
• Vivekananda House- The former Ice House, known as Vivekananda House, provided shelter for Swami Vivekananda when he returned triumphantly from the 1897 Chicago Parliament. Today, it is a museum that honors his legacy. The seaside mansion has Indo-Saracenic architecture, featuring wide verandahs that catch ocean breezes. The museum includes exhibition halls displaying photographs that document the monk's transformative journey. Meditation room overlooks the Bay of Bengal, where spiritual contemplation continues today.
• Marina Beach- Chennai's communal heart, Marina Beach, is a 13-kilometer stretch that is the world's second-longest urban beach. It showcases the diverse lifestyle of Chennai, with joggers and fishermen working side by side. In the evenings, it becomes lively with balloon sellers, Bhel Puri vendors, families walking, and children playing in the water. The promenade features memorials for Tamil heroes, creating an open-air gallery.

Day 2: Mahabalipuram Sightseeing & Return to Chennai hotel

Early in the morning, we will depart on a full-day excursion to Mahabalipuram. Our rental car with a driver will take you on the scenic coastal drive, which takes approximately 1.5-2 hours.

En-route Sightseeing

• DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum- DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum is a living museum that features traditional houses from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It shows the diverse architecture of South India. Artisans demonstrate pottery, weaving, and painting. They also show how to preserve crafts that are becoming less common through live exhibitions. Cultural performances enliven weekends, craft shops sell handmade goods that directly support traditional artisans, and educational experiences comprehensively reveal regional lifestyle variations.
• Madras Crocodile Bank- Established in 1976, Madras Crocodile Bank now houses more than 2,400 crocodiles representing several species, including the critically endangered Gharial. Breeding programs successfully saved species from extinction, educational exhibits explain reptile biology, and herpetology research advances conservation science. Snake park displays venomous and non-venomous species.

Mahabalipuram Sightseeing

• Shore Temple- The Shore Temple, a UNESCO monument, is one of the few surviving structural Pallava temples. It has been facing the Bay of Bengal's waves since the 8th century. The twin shrines are dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. Intricate carvings show mythological scenes, despite 1,300 years of erosion from salt spray. Conservation efforts aim to protect the vulnerable stonework. You can capture the temple's stunning beauty.
• Arjuna's Penance (Descent of the Ganges)- World's largest bas-relief, Arjuna's Penance, sprawls 29 meters across twin monolithic boulders. It features hundreds of figures depicting the Mahabharata legend and the descent of the celestial Ganges simultaneously. A natural fissure between rocks represents a sacred river, with sculptures ingeniously incorporating geology into the narrative. The surface features elephants, gods, ascetics, and animals, and it is protected by UNESCO.
• Pancha Rathas (Five Rathas)- Five monolithic temples, the Pancha Rathas, carved from granite boulders, beautifully demonstrate the evolutionary stages of Dravidian architecture. The rathas are named after the Pandava brothers, but they are not historically connected to them. Each ratha has a unique design, which can be pyramidal, rectangular, or apsidal. These designs show that there was a lot of experimentation in architecture.
• Krishna's Butterball- A giant boulder called Krishna's Butterball has been balanced on a hillside for centuries. It weighs about 250 tons and seems to defy gravity. British colonial officials once tried to move it with seven elephants, but this effort failed, showing that nature's design is stronger.
• Mahabalipuram Lighthouse- The New Lighthouse, or the Mahabalipuram Lighthouse, offers panoramic views of the temple town. Climbing provides a bird's-eye perspective, understanding monuments' spatial relationships clearly. The old lighthouse stands nearby, representing the history of navigation. Sunset timing creates golden-hour photography magic over ancient stone carvings beautifully.

Day 3: Breakfast, Optional Sightseeing & Departure

After hotel check-out, you can proceed with sightseeing if the departure schedule permits.

• Fort St. George- Britain established India's first territorial foothold, Fort St. George, in 1644. The modest trading post eventually became imperial headquarters, ruling the subcontinent. Massive fortification walls protect the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, functioning within repurposed colonial structures today. The museum preserves East India Company records, weapons, and coins that document the transformation from merchants to rulers, a historical trajectory visible in the artifacts.
• St. Mary's Church- India's oldest surviving Anglican church, St. Mary's Church, was consecrated in 1680. It witnessed Robert Clive's marriage before he dramatically conquered Bengal. Simple architecture reflects Protestant austerity, contrasting Catholic baroque excess. Tombstones commemorate British officials who died far from home. Survival across three centuries demonstrates solid construction, and the peaceful sanctuary maintains a spiritual atmosphere despite surrounding urban chaos.
• Government Museum Chennai- The Government Museum was established in 1851. It is known for its bronze gallery, which displays famous Nataraja sculptures from the Chola dynasty, showcasing the beauty of cosmic dance. The archaeological section features stone inscriptions that scholars have read, which show how the ancient Tamil kingdoms were managed. The numismatic collection tracks the history of currency. The natural history section teaches about various species through taxidermy. Finally, the art galleries preserve and showcase regional painting traditions.
• Connemara Public Library- One of Asia's largest libraries, Connemara Public Library, was established in 1896. It houses rare manuscripts, historical documents, and an extensive book collection spanning multiple languages. Indo-Saracenic architecture features a beautiful facade worth photographing, and reading rooms maintain a scholarly atmosphere where researchers study quietly. Heritage building preserves knowledge traditions, public access democratizes learning opportunities, and architectural beauty complements the educational mission perfectly.

At the end of your Scenic 3 Days & 2 Nights Chennai Mahabalipuram Tour, we will drop you at the Chennai Airport or Railway Station for the onward journey.

Inclusions, Exclusions & Transfers

Inclusions

• A clean air-conditioned Sedan car
• A trained driver cum driver with extensive knowledge of the cities
• Local Sightseeing by an a/c car for 8 hours per day or 80 kms per day
• Stay at the Chennai Hotel for 2 nights
• Breakfast buffet at the Chennai Hotel
• Visit to all the tourist attractions as mentioned in the Itinerary
• Pickup and Drop Service in an exclusive cab from the bus stand or the railway station
• Driver’s payment and the parking charges
• Check in time at 2 PM and Check-out at 12 PM

Exclusions

• Meals/snacks or beverages which are not specified in the tour itinerary
• Entry fees at sightseeing places like monuments, museums, parks, sanctuaries and lakes
• Payment for activities like boating or safari at sightseeing locations
• Items of individual use like camera fees, laundry services, water bottles, snacks, and tips at various places
• Anything that is not listed in the ‘cost-includes section’

Transfers

When you book this 3 days Chennai Mahabalipuram package, you also get complete assistance for your arrival and transfer.

A dedicated professional driver will pick you up at the Chennai airport or railway station or the bus stand, as per your timings in an air conditioned car. He will also drop you to your boarding point after the completion of the tour.

Hotels & Resorts

Pre-booking accommodation ensures comfortable stays. Luxury travelers can stay at 5-star Chennai hotels such as ITC Grand Chola, Taj Coromandel, The Leela Palace, and Le Royal Meridien, which offer exceptional amenities.

Mid-range guests can choose from hotels such as Radisson Blu, Century Garden Resort, The Accord Metropolitan, and Pleasant Days Resort, all offering modern facilities and convenient locations.

Budget travelers can choose pocket-friendly accommodations with essential amenities and great connectivity. Greens Suite, Hotel Bakya Slot, Gokulam Park Sabari, and Redwoods Resort are some options.

Why book with us?

The Scenic 3 Days & 2 Nights Chennai Mahabalipuram tour package is crafted by our experts to meet your travel needs. Our team ensures optimal coastal experiences through its specialized local knowledge. We deliver best-in-class services through reliable local vendors and 24/7 support to ensure seamless journeys.

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