Mahabalipuram Tour Package from Salem (2 Days)
2-day Mahabalipuram tour from Salem: Mahabalipuram. 3-star stays with breakfast and sightseeing by AC cab. From ₹4,840 per person.
per person · inclusive of all taxes
25° – 30°C
October in Mahabalipuram
Description
2-day Mahabalipuram tour from Salem: Mahabalipuram. 3-star stays with breakfast and sightseeing by AC cab. From ₹4,840 per person.
This 2 days 1 night itinerary covers 6 handpicked stops, including Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance, Krishna's Butter Ball and more. November–February is the best time to travel for pleasant weather. Your 1-night stay is arranged in a comfortable, well-reviewed hotel such as 3-star hotel in Mahabalipuram. Pickup and drop are arranged right from your hotel or home, so there's nothing extra to plan on your end. Every booking is backed by Trypdeals' 24x7 support team, from planning to the day you're back home.
Weather in Mahabalipuram
Best time: October to MarchAverage temperature range: 22°C – 36°C
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Mahabalipuram monuments
Our driver picks you up from your hotel or home in Salem in the morning. Drive from Salem to Mahabalipuram (about 293 km, 6 hrs). Check in at your hotel in Mahabalipuram. The Pallava port of Mamallapuram is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of 7th- and 8th-century rock art. See the Shore Temple on the edge of the sea, the giant open-air relief of Arjuna's Penance (the Descent of the Ganga) with its life-size elephants, the cave temples on the hill, and Krishna's Butter Ball, a huge boulder balanced on a slope. Watch the sunset from the beach. Overnight stay in Mahabalipuram.
- 1
Shore Temple
An 8th-century granite temple standing on the seashore.
- 2
Arjuna's Penance
A huge relief carved on two boulders, with gods, animals and sages.
- 3
Krishna's Butter Ball
A giant boulder that seems about to roll down the slope.
Five Rathas, Tiger Cave and back
See the Five Rathas, temples each carved from a single granite rock and named after the Pandavas, and the old lighthouse on the hill. Drive up the coast to the Tiger Cave at Saluvankuppam, a rock shrine framed by carved lion heads, before heading back. Drive from Mahabalipuram to Salem (about 307 km, 6 hrs), and drop at your hotel, home or the railway station in Salem. The tour ends here.
- 1
Five Rathas
Monolithic temples in five different styles.
- 2
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
A lighthouse with a view over the monuments.
- 3
Tiger Cave
A rock-cut shrine with lion heads on the coast.
Tour Overview
Mahabalipuram, the Pallava port on the Coromandel coast and a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance, the Five Rathas and the beach.
This 2-day, 1-night package starts and ends in Salem. Every price includes 3-star hotels with breakfast, an AC cab for the whole trip and all sightseeing.
Highlights of the Mahabalipuram Tour from Salem
- Shore Temple
- Arjuna's Penance
- Krishna's Butter Ball
- Five Rathas
- Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
- Tiger Cave
Inclusions in the Mahabalipuram Tour Package
- 1 night in 3-star hotels (twin sharing) with daily breakfast
- All sightseeing and transfers as per the itinerary
- AC cab from Salem for the whole trip: Swift Dzire (2–3 persons), Ertiga (4–7) or Tempo Traveller (8–12)
- Driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel
- GST on cab hire
Exclusions in the Mahabalipuram Tour Package
- Lunch and dinner
- Temple darshan, pooja and special entry tickets
- Monument and park entry tickets, boating and ropeway tickets
- Flights, and anything not listed under inclusions
- Personal expenses such as tips, laundry and phone calls
Child Policy
Child up to 6 years: free (no extra bed)
Child 6 to 8 years: half charge
Child above 8 years: full charge
Payment Policy
Online booking: pay just ₹99 to reserve your tour. The ₹99 is 100 percent refundable if you cancel at any time, and it is adjusted in your final payment.
50 percent of the tour cost: 3 days before the tour starts, after you receive your tour voucher.
Remaining balance: on the tour day.
Cancellation Policy
The ₹99 online booking amount is refunded in full whenever you cancel, for any reason.
Minimum cancellation charge: Rs. 3000 per person, or 10 percent of the tour cost, whichever is higher
25 percent between 46 and 30 days before departure
50 percent between 30 and 15 days before departure
75 percent between 15 and 5 days before departure
100 percent within 5 days of departure or on no-show
Important Travel Information for the Mahabalipuram Tour
Best time to visit: November–February
Hotels: 3-star hotel in Mahabalipuram, or similar.
Trip Cost Breakdown
Per-person pricing by group size
Route Map
Top Attractions
Shore Temple
The Shore Temple is a majestic structural temple complex dating to the 7th–8th century CE, built from granite blocks and dedicated primarily to Shiva. It is one of the oldest stone temples in South India and has withstood centuries of sea spray on the Coromandel coast. Its twin spires and weathered sculptures make it an iconic symbol of Pallava architecture.
Arjuna's Penance
Arjuna's Penance, also known as the Descent of the Ganges, is a monumental open-air rock relief carved on two massive boulders in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. Stretching 96 by 43 feet, this ancient masterpiece vividly depicts the celestial river Ganges descending to earth, surrounded by a rich tableau of deities, sages, and animals. It stands as one of the finest examples of Pallava art and a must-see for visitors to this UNESCO-listed heritage town.
Krishna's Butter Ball
Krishna's Butterball is a colossal granite boulder that appears to defy gravity, perched on a short incline in the historic coastal town of Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), Tamil Nadu. This natural wonder, approximately 6 meters in diameter and weighing over 250 tons, has become one of the region's most photographed landmarks. Its precarious balance and smooth, rounded shape make it a must-see curiosity for travelers exploring the area's ancient stone heritage.
Five Rathas
The Five Rathas, or Pancha Rathas, is a stunning complex of monolithic rock-cut temples in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, carved from single granite boulders. This UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases early Dravidian architecture in the form of five chariot-like shrines, each named after the Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata. It is a must-visit for history enthusiasts and a remarkable example of ancient Indian craftsmanship.
Mahabalipuram Lighthouse
The Mahabalipuram Lighthouse consists of an old and a new lighthouse located near the Olakkanatha Temple, offering panoramic views of the Shore Temple and the coastline. The old lighthouse, built in the 19th century over a Pallava-era structure, is a historic landmark. The new lighthouse is still operational, and the surrounding area provides a scenic vantage point.
Tiger Cave
Set apart from Mahabalipuram's main cluster of monuments in a quieter, forested setting, this Pallava-era rock excavation features a small shrine framed by a semicircle of carved yali heads, mythical lion-like creatures whose fanged expressions gave the site its popular name. Historians believe the open space in front once served as a stage for royal or ceremonial functions. Its relative seclusion makes it a peaceful stop away from the busier heritage sites in town. Tiger Cave sits at an elevation of 12 m and is typically explored in about 30-45 minutes. The most favourable months to visit are December, February, March, and April, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include The Main Mandapa, Tiger Cave, and The Ganesha Shrine. Other notable highlights include rock-cut yali heads roaring from the shrine facade, climb the granite steps to the open-air mandapa, and cool, shaded interior away from the crowds. It falls within Chengalpattu district and Tamil Nadu, India.
Who Is This Tour For
Best Time to Visit
November–February is the ideal window for this trip, with the most pleasant weather for sightseeing.
How to Reach
What's Included / Excluded
Inclusions
- 1 night in 3-star hotels (twin sharing) with daily breakfast
- All sightseeing and transfers as per the itinerary
- AC cab from Salem for the whole trip: Swift Dzire (2–3 persons), Ertiga (4–7) or Tempo Traveller (8–12)
- Driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel
- GST on cab hire
Exclusions
- Lunch and dinner
- Temple darshan, pooja and special entry tickets
- Monument and park entry tickets, boating and ropeway tickets
- Flights, and anything not listed under inclusions
- Personal expenses such as tips, laundry and phone calls
Hotels for This Tour
Handpicked stays for a comfortable trip
Packing Checklist
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- ID proof (for hotel check-in)
- Basic first-aid/medication
- Modest, traditional clothing for temple visits
- A shawl or stole to cover shoulders
Important Travel Information
Best time to visit: November–February
Hotels: 3-star hotel in Mahabalipuram, or similar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you go
2 days and 1 night. It starts from Salem on day 1 and you are back in Salem on day 2.
For 2 persons it is ₹9,290 per person; for a group of 11–12 it comes down to ₹4,840 per person. Prices include 3-star hotels with breakfast, an AC cab for the whole trip and all sightseeing.
November–February.
Destinations Covered in This Tour
Explore the places this package takes you to