Chennai to Mahabalipuram in one day, by Innova
Leave at 8 am, see nine of the coast's best stops with a professional driver, and be home by 8 pm. Fuel, driver bata and toll are already in the price.
- 8.00 am to 8.00 pmFull-day private car
- From ₹4,500Sedan, Innova, Crysta, Hycross
- Fuel, driver bata, tollAll included
- 14+ yearsServing Chennai travellers
About Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram (also called Mamallapuram) is a coastal town about 55 km south of Chennai on the East Coast Road. Its Group of Monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, carved by the Pallava dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries. You will see rock-cut caves, monolithic chariot temples, a giant open-air stone relief and a temple that has faced the Bay of Bengal for over 1,200 years.
One day package price
Pick the car that fits your group. The rate is for the full day, 8.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Sedan
4 + 1 seats₹4,500per dayInnova
7-seater MPV₹5,800per dayInnova Crysta
7-seater, premium comfort₹6,800per dayInnova Hycross
Latest-generation MPV₹8,500per dayPackage includes
- Fuel
- Driver bata
- Toll gate charges
Package excludes
- Parking charges
- Monument and attraction entry tickets
A suggested plan for your day
This order follows the road, so you never backtrack. Your driver can change it to suit your group, and times are approximate.
Pick-up in Chennai
Your driver meets you at your home, hotel or airport and takes the ECR south, with the sea on your left for much of the way.
Madras Crocodile Bank
The first stop on the way in. Closed on Mondays, so on a Monday we move it to another slot or skip it.
Tiger Cave
A quiet rock-cut shrine by the sea at Saluvankuppam, just before the main town.
Shore Temple and Seashore Beach
See the temple up close, then walk to the water. It is the best photo stop of the day.
Lunch break
Fresh seafood and South Indian meals are easy to find near the beach. Lunch is at your own cost.
Pancha Rathas
Five stone chariots, each carved from a single rock.
Arjuna's Penance and Krishna's Butter Ball
A short walk links the giant relief with the balanced boulder.
Mahishamardhini Cave and Lighthouse
Finish the monuments with the carved cave and the view from the top of the town.
Seashell Museum and shopping
Shells, stone carvings and souvenirs. Compare prices before you buy.
Drive back to Chennai
Drop-off by about 8:00 pm, depending on traffic.
What you will see
All nine sightseeing places in the package.
Madras Crocodile Bank
A reptile zoo and research centre founded in 1976 by Romulus Whitaker, with crocodiles, alligators, turtles, snakes and lizards. Open 9 am to 5:30 pm, closed Mondays. Entry is about ₹60 for adults and ₹30 for children.
Tiger Cave
A Pallava-era rock-cut shrine set among casuarina trees near the sea, known for its carved lion or tiger-head figures. Peaceful, and usually much quieter than the main town.
Shore Temple
Built in the 8th century by Narasimhavarman II. This is a structural granite temple, not a cave, and it still stands beside the waves. Indian adults pay about ₹40 at ASI sites, and children under 15 enter free.
Seashore Beach
A wide stretch of sand beside the Shore Temple. Good for a walk and sunset-style photos. Stay out of deep water, as currents can be strong.
Pancha Rathas
Five monolithic chariot-shaped temples named after the Pandavas and Draupadi, each cut from one rock. A stone elephant and lion stand beside them.
Mahishamardhini Cave
A rock-cut cave showing the goddess Durga in battle with the buffalo demon. The carving is full of movement and worth a slow look.
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
Climb for a wide view over the monuments, the town and the Bay of Bengal. It is next to the Mahishamardhini Cave, so the two go together.
Arjuna's Penance
One of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world, roughly 100 feet long and 45 feet tall. It tells stories from the Mahabharata and other legends in stone.
Seashell Museum
Displays and sells shells and coastal crafts. A good stop for souvenirs after the walking is done.
Krishna's Butter Ball
A huge granite boulder balanced on a slope that seems ready to roll. Everyone takes the "push it" photo here.
Entry fees and timings are set by the ASI and other operators and can change. Please confirm at the ticket counter.
Why travellers trust us
14+ years on the road
Global visitors, corporate teams and Chennai families have booked us again and again.
Clear pricing
Fuel, driver bata and toll are inside the package rate. You only pay separately for parking and entry tickets.
Comfortable cars
Choose from Sedan, Innova, Innova Crysta and Innova Hycross for a smooth ride on the ECR.
Your day, your pace
Spend longer at the places you love and skip the ones you do not.
Tips for a better trip
- Start on time. Mornings are cooler and the monuments are less crowded.
- Carry water, a cap or umbrella, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Some temple areas need you to remove footwear.
- Keep small cash for tickets and parking.
- Avoid Mondays if the Crocodile Bank is a must-see.