Chennai (Madras) tours, things to do and tickets

This private tour takes you to Mahabalipuram famous for its rock cut temples dating back to the 7th century along a lovely sea shore. This tour is available to be done in a private car or on a Royal Enfield Motorcycle! We will spend the day exploring this World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram which used to serve as a sea port in ancient times. The highlights include masterpieces like the Five Chariots 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. This package includes pick and drop, private car (or Motorcycle), lunch, and a professional guide.

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.

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.

Mylapore walking tour in Chennai will demystify Hindu Gods & Temple rituals. It is organised by a tourism ministry approved company which is also a member of IATO. From far, the thousands of Hindu Gods and complex rituals in temples look bewildering! Our Cultural Evangelist will demystify the reason for so many Gods and purpose of Temple rituals. Relics of St Thomas are a highlight of the Mylapore walking tour in Chennai. Visit the Shrine in San Thome Basilica to see relics like a small bone of St Thomas, the head of the lance with which the Saint was pierced and an ancient painting of Our Blessed Mother. Mylapore walking tour in Chennai. comes with an opportunity to savor the taste of the iconic Filter Coffee of Mylapore. Our company is committed to strengthening local communities. We help train and employ local guides and support local businesses to ensure travel dollars stay where they are spent. We are proud winners of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award for 2025.

Travel to an 8th-century World Heritage site famous for spectacular rock-cut architecture. The experience comprises Asia’s largest bas-relief structure, a gravity defying boulder, and one of the 7 Pagodas mentioned by Marco Polo in the 11th century.

Georgetown Heritage walk is an immersive walking tour in Chennai. It is organised by a tourism ministry approved company which is also a member of IATO. This Chennai walk will bring alive the heritage and legacy of Chennai's first settlement. We will trace the evolution of George Town as the trading post for East India Company in the 17th century to its modern avatar as the premier trading hub of Chennai. Experience cultural diversity in this walking tour in Chennai at streets where traders from many nationalities and communities used to ply their trade including Armenian merchants. Our company is committed to strengthening local communities. We help train and employ local guides and support local businesses to ensure travel dollars stay where they are spent. Our guide will be happy to talk about the community initiatives we undertake.

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. .

Visit the city of Mahabhalipuram, home to outstanding historic specimens with incredible architecture. Look through the temples and shrines that adorn the city, before a visit to the city of Kanchipuram for more temple exploration.

Step into the heart of Chennai's rich history and culture with our engaging walking tour. Discover hidden gems, iconic landmarks, and the city's vibrant spirit.

Visit a bustling market place and streets teeming with life and color in Chennai. Walk through George Town and discover fascinating stories of the everyday life of local people. From being the Black Town to a vibrant wholesale market, this place has seen it all. Come experience the crowded markets, narrow lanes, fascinating history, and mesmerizing images!

Sowcarpet street food is a food walking tour in Chennai to stimulate your taste buds. Street Food Tour is a great way to experience Chennai through its delectable street food. It's a multi-sensorial experience over 2 hours as we taste the signature dishes from legendary food stalls as we walk through frenetic streets, narrow alleys brimming with food stalls and colorful shops. This tour is organized by Five Senses Tours, a private limited company recognized by the Ministry of Tourism and a member of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO). The tour has been designed to support local livelihoods by way of employment of local guides, and supporting local businesses in line with the mission of the company to ensure travel dollars stay where they are spent.

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 silk tour is a day trip from Chennai to meet the legendary Kanchipuram silk saree weavers. On offer is a unique experience of the fine art of making silk sarees which are a cultural icon in this part of the world.  We will also visit 2 ancient temples from the 7th-8th century AD,  to appreciate the magnificent Pallava style architecture

British Architecture walk is an immersive walking tour in Chennai which traces the city's heritage from colonial times to the modern age. Chennai, formerly known as Madras, was the capital of the Southern British India. Many great monuments were built during the British rule and several of them continue to dominate the skyline of Chennai even today. In this walking tour, we will visit some of the prominent landmarks of Chennai, which were built during the British era in an architectural style blending British as well as Indian elements. We will start at the Central Railway Station and walk to Ripon Building, Southern Railway Headquarters, Victory Memorial, Fort St George, Naper Bridge and finish at Madras University building. Our company is committed to strengthening local communities. We help train and employ local guides and support local businesses to ensure travel dollars stay where they are spent.

Explore Chennai's lively mix of history and culture on a private tour with entry tickets to Fort St. George and other sights. Find the heart of South India's history through its most famous landmarks.

This is a day trip from Chennai organized in a private car. The highlights include a visit to Aurobindo Ashram, which is dedicated to Sri Aurobindo Ghosh the philosopher and revolutionary, French heritage walk followed by French lunch, the lovely esplanade beside the Bay of Bengal, visit to a unique handmade paper factory and Auroville the global village. This is an all-inclusive trip where we take care of transport, breakfast & lunch, activities and the services of a full-time tour guide.

Embark on a gastronomic adventure on this Chennai street food tour. Discover the city's culinary treasures, from mouthwatering dosas to spicy vadas and delectable biryanis in the company of a guide.

Take a trip to Pondicherry, a charming, laid-back seaside town with a unique Franco-Tamil culture. See the city’s lovely architecture, and enjoy its delicious food, gentle sea breeze and laidback pace of life.

Marina beach walk is an immersive walking tour in Chennai, led by a cultural evangelist who will bring alive the cultural heritage of Chennai. It is hosted by a company approved by the ministry of tourism and is a member of Indian Tour Operators Association. Marina Beach is where the pulse of Chennai can be gauged. Soak in the atmosphere and meet the city's people in this walking tour in Chennai. While the statues tell the history of the city, the beach itself is where common people gather to voice their opinion on issues to those in power. This guided walking tour in Chennai is a cultural immersion! Our company is committed to strengthening local communities. We help train and employ local guides and support local businesses to ensure travel dollars stay where they are spent. Our guide will be happy to talk about the community initiatives we undertake.