Top Chennai Historical Tours

Get a primer on Pallava-style architecture on this full-day private tour to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Benefit from personal attention and the ability to travel at your own pace while visiting the Ekambareswar and Kailasanathar temples, then a local saree weaver. Moving on to the port of Mahabalipuram, see the Five Rathas, the shore temple, and Arjuna's Penance, learning about them through guided commentary.

Explore Chennai's Mylapore neighborhood with a local guide and learn about the rituals of daily life, hear stories of gods and demons, and gain a deeper understanding of local customs and traditions. This popular walking tour showcases the highlights and the history of this incredible city and is not to be missed.

Mahabalipuram is an ancient port town known for its 6th-century rock-cut temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore exquisite stone statues on this exclusive city tour, which gives an in-depth overview of sites like the famous Five Rathas, a set of Dravidian rock temples, and the Sea Shore Temple, an 8th-century granite shrine facing the Bay of Bengal. Round out the day with visits to DakshinaChitra, a “living museum” dedicated to showcasing South Indian culture, and the Madras Crocodile Bank.

Gallic culture and history is alive and well in the old French colony of Pondicherry, a short day trip from Chennai. With this day tour, you'll not only get to walk through the historic old city, but you'll also get to visit Auroville, a gargantuan international community that has been bringing generations of people from around the world to live together in harmony since it was founded in the 1960s.

See the eclectic marketplaces and colorful bazaars on this memorable walking tour of Chennai. Explore George Town and uncover the stories of daily life and local people as you listen to your friendly local guide share historical legends and old folklore. You'll navigate the crowded markets and narrow lanes as you experience the life of a local on this interactive and engaging tour that's not to be missed.

Chennai is full of old heritage buildings, from ancient Pallava-era temples to colonial-era churches and public buildings constructed under British rule. This tour takes you to some of the most interesting structures, from the 7th-century Kapaleeswarar Temple to the 20th-century Ripon Building, all in the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle.

Travel by private, climate-controlled vehicle to Mahabalipuram, the seaside Tamil Nadu city famous for its UNESCO-listed rock-cut caves and monuments. See impressive, three-dimensional illustrations of the Mahabharata—India’s national epic—cut from colossal stones, and marvel at the ancient coastal Shore Temple. Tours include complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off in Chennai.

Expore the Pallavas Grand architectural masterpiece on this full day tour from Chennai. Kanchipuram is a spectacular temple city known as city of thousand temples which reflects the Glorious Traditions of South India with its noted temples. Then experience UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Mahabalipuram group of Monuments, which was carved out of rock along the Coromandel Coast in the 7th and 8th centuries rathas (temples in the form of chariots), mandapas (cave sanctuaries), giant open-air reliefs such as the famous Descent of the Ganges, and the Shore Temple, with thousands of sculptures to the glory of Shiva

Chennai is home to some of India's most beautiful examples of Dravidian temple architecture, and you'll get to see some of the city's finest with this tour of sacred and religious sites. Highlights include the Kapaleeshwarar Temple (Mylapore), which dates back some 300 years and the even older Sri Parthasarathy Temple (Triplicane), which was first established way back in the 8th century.

Explore a medieval kingdom’s capital and visit its renowned sari makers on this all-day tour. After a convenient pickup from your Chennai hotel, travel by private vehicle or your own motorcycle to Kanchipuram. Stop by two architecturally significant 7th-century temples before immersing yourself in the craft of sari-making. Meet a weaver and see how traditional looms are used to transform mulberry threads into gorgeous garments.

The coastal town of Mahabalipuram makes an ideal day trip from bustling Chennai, but organizing admission fees and transportation to explore independently takes up valuable sightseeing time. On this tour, reach Mahabalipuram in comfort by private vehicle—with entry fees and round-trip transportation from your Chennai hotel included. Explore the Cave temples and rock sculptures with your guide to lead the way, and gain insight into Mahabalipuram’s fascinating 7th-century history.

Kanchipuram, known as the “City of a Thousand Temples,” is one of India’s seven holy cities. Visit five different temples on this convenient day trip from Chennai, which includes round-trip transportation in a comfortable, private vehicle. Get a peek at local masterpieces, including a thousand-pillared sculpted hall and buildings from the Pallava and Vijayanagar dynasties, all in one whirlwind visit.

Enjoy a private cultural tour from Channai to Mahabalipuram and Dakshinachitra that showcases traditional South Indian culture, architecture and religion. Join your expert guide in comfortable air-conditioned transport as you make your way to a Dravidian (South Indian) village. See local artisans at work and gain insight into customs and traditions before wandering the halls of its small but impressive museum. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before making a stop at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Mahabalipuram. Experience the splendor of impressive rock-cut sculptures and decorated temples that offer up striking examples of Dravidian architecture. Transport to and from hotel is also included in this daylong tour with expert local guide from Chennai.

First time in Chennai? Make the most of a private guide and flexible itinerary on this 4-hour sightseeing tour. Unveil the secrets of Chennai’s rich history and heritage as you tour the fascinating Government Museum and admire the 17th-century Fort St George. Then, keep your camera poised as you drive along the scenic Marina Beach and visit the stunning Kapaleeshwar Temple.

Kanchipuram is one amongst the major historical towns of India. Situated on the banks of Vegavathi River, it has been an important learning and religious centre in the past and the ancient temples and other architectural arts exhibit its significance. Today, Kanchipuram is extremely famous for its Hindu temples and obviously, Kanchipuram sarees. Also considered as one amongst the seven pilgrimage sites of India, this spiritual town has become the destination for Hindu devotees to get themselves surrounded by spirituality and attain salvation. Kanchipuram is also famous amongst history lovers. For those who tend to walk along the historical lanes and explore its roots buried deep down the layers of time, this beautiful town is a quintessential stoppage. Ruled by Pallavas, Cholas, Vijayanagar Empire and British before independence, Kanchipuram has seen everything ranging from flourished periods to dark times.

Explore several of Chennai’s most must-see religious landmarks during this three-for-one guided tour. Admire the Dravidian architecture of world-famous, 7th-century Kapaleeshwarar Temple, follow worshippers to bustling Parthasarathy Temple, and learn about the city’s Portuguese heritage at St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica. Tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle for added comfort.

Spend your day exploring Chennai's cultural hub of Mylapore, with this day tour. Your morning will be spent visiting the iconic 7th-century 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.

This walk is led by a cultural evangelist who will bring alive the heritage and legacy of Chennai's first settlement. Trace the evolution of George Town as the trading post for East Indian Company in the 17th century to its modern avatar as the trading hub of Chennai. Experience cultural diversity as we walk to ancient temples predating the British Era and an iconic Church of Armenian traders.

You can easily spend a full day exploring Kanchipuram and Mamallapuram's marvellous temples, caves and rock carvings. Most were carved from the rock during the 7th-century reign of Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, whose nickname Mamalla (Great Wrestler) gave the town its name. Official Archaeological Survey of India guides can be hired at sites.

Your private tour will follow the footsteps of St. Thomas, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.  You will visit the Basilica of San Thome as well as St Thomas Mount where he was killed.  This has been a well known Christian pilgrimage site for centuries. After the tour, lunch will be included at a local restaurant. Highlights • San Thome Basilica • Ancient image of Our Blessed Mother • Cave at Little Mount to see prints of St Thomas

Get to know one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage centers and oldest Indian cities, Kanchipuram, on this private tour from Chennai. Benefit from personalized attention and the ability to travel at your own pace with a guide dedicated just to you and your private party. Learn about the history, culture, and architecture of the ancient city and visit some of the saree-weavers that give Kanchipuram the name "Silk City."

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.

Visit one of India’s most impressive, contemporary-built temples on this full-day tour of Sri Lakshmi Narayani Golden Temple, with round-trip transportation from Chennai. Explore a unique architectural wonder, landscaped in the shape of a five-pointed star and covered in real gold foil. Tours include hotel pickup and drop-off, plus stops at Jalakandeswarar Temple and Vellore Fort.

On this tour, we explore the busy neighbourhood of Georgetown. This area consists of well-established specialised bazaars, with small winding streets, warehouses, covered wholesale markets, street stalls and retail shops. Originally called ‘Black Town’, the area came up in the late 1600s after the founding of Fort St. George. Local people settled here to trade and do business with the fort. A portion of Black Town was flattened in the 1700’s, to provide an open area outside Fort St George. The residents of Blacktown re-settled just beyond the open area, in what was called New Black Town. In the mid 1800’s, the open area (old Black Town) was used to construct the grand building of Madras High Court. In 1910, when King George visited India, Blacktown was renamed Georgetown. Today Georgetown continues to be a busy market area, selling everything under the sun: bangles, fabrics, fruits, vegetables, spices, stationery, jewellery, etc.