Mahabalipuram Shore Temple Retreat
Route Covered
Overnight stops in day orderOverview
This Mahabalipuram 4 days 3 nights package is a private, unhurried stay in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, with all three nights in one hotel near the sea. It covers the Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance and the Five Rathas, with beach time between visits. November to February is the most comfortable season.
Travellers who would rather unpack once and spend slow days among Pallava carvings and the beach than cover a long road circuit
Highlights
Good to know
Early starts
The monuments open early in the morning, and the open rock is cooler before the sun climbsFootwear
Much of the walking is over bare rock and sand, so wear closed shoes with a good gripSea
Ask your hotel about the sea on the day before swimming; the beach is also good for walkingBusy months
December and January are the busiest weeks, so rooms are best secured earlyDay-by-Day Itinerary
Chennai airport to Mahabalipuram, evening by the sea
- Your driver is waiting at Chennai International Airport
- The coastal road south to Mahabalipuram is about 55 km
- Settle into the hotel and recover from the flight
- Should you still have energy, stroll the beach next to the Shore Temple
Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance and the rock-cut caves
- Get to the Shore Temple early, where two towers look out over the Bay of Bengal
- Next, on foot, comes Arjuna's Penance, with carved scenes of elephants, gods and sages to study
- A gentle climb leads to Krishna's Butterball and the Varaha and Mahishasuramardini caves
- Spend the afternoon as you like, at the hotel or the beach
Five Rathas, stone carvers and Tiger Cave
- Morning among the Five Rathas, each cut from one boulder, with the carved elephant and lion nearby
- Stop at the stone-carvers' workshops in town to watch sculptors at work
- Visit the Tiger Cave at Saluvankuppam
- Sunset on the beach to close the day
Last morning and transfer to Chennai airport
- Breakfast without a rush, then one last stroll beside the sea
- If your flight time permits, an optional halt at the Madras Crocodile Bank on the East Coast Road
- The drive of about 55 km to Chennai International Airport follows, for your flight
Indicative — varies with season and hotel category.
Want a different budget?
Pick a range and we'll tailor the days, stays or extras to fit. Leave this blank to book as shown above.
Trip Facts
Local Activities & Events
Updated Oct 7, 2026Tamil Nadu — across your trip
Navarathri and Golu (2026)
festivalFamilies arrange tiered doll displays at home while Madurai's Meenakshi Temple is lit each evening during the nine-night goddess festival.
Kulasai Dasara
festivalDevotees dress as gods, demons and other figures at the Mutharamman temple in Kulasekarapattinam during a ten-day Dasara festival.
Raja Raja Cholan Sadhaya Vizha
culturalThanjavur honours the birth anniversary of the Chola king Raja Raja with rituals and processions at the Brihadisvara (Big) Temple.
Aippasi Annabhishekam
festivalOn the Aippasi full-moon day, the main Shiva lingam is dressed in cooked rice at Gangaikondacholapuram and at the Big Temple in Thanjavur.
WTA 250 Chennai Open
sportsA WTA 250 women's tennis tournament returns to Chennai for a third edition, with players from the world's top 100 expected.
Deepavali
festivalA state holiday on Sunday 8 November, observed with lamps, new clothes and family gatherings across Tamil Nadu.
Kanda Sashti and Soorasamharam
festivalSix days of fasting and worship at Tiruchendur's Murugan temple lead to Soorasamharam, the re-enactment of Murugan's victory over the demon Surapadman.
Karthigai Deepam
festivalArunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai holds a ten-day festival that ends with a flame lit on Arunachala hill at dusk and an overnight walk around it.
Events are reviewed by our team before publishing and drop off after they end. Please confirm timings and availability with us before your trip — local schedules can change without notice.
What's Included & Excluded
Quick Answers
Similar Packages
Other private trips that visit the same places.Karnataka Pilgrimage Circuit: Sringeri, Dharmasthala and Udupi
A Sringeri Dharmasthala Udupi tour package for four days: Sharada Peetham, Manjunatha Temple and Krishna Matha by private car from Mangaluru.
Sringeri → Dharmasthala → UdupiHeritage & Temples
6D / 5NNorth Goa Beach Hopper
A six-day North Goa beach hopping tour from Candolim to Anjuna and Vagator, with Fort Aguada, Chapora Fort and a private car from Dabolim airport.
Candolim and Fort Aguada → Anjuna → Vagator and ChaporaBeaches & Coastline
4D / 3NCoimbatore Gateway and Valparai Rainforest
A Coimbatore to Valparai tour package: 4 days, 3 nights, from the city up 40 hairpin bends to tea estates, viewpoints and Anamalai forest.
Coimbatore → ValparaiWildlife & Nature