- Distance
- About 95 km by road
- Drive time
- 2 hours one way
- Pickup
- Pondicherry
- Destination
- Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
- Trip type
- Same-day return possible
- Vehicles
- Sedan, SUV, tempo traveller, coach
About the trip
Mahabalipuram, or Mamallapuram, is a seaside town filled with Pallava rock carvings from the 7th and 8th centuries, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors come for the Shore Temple, the huge relief of Arjuna's Penance and the stone chariots known as the Five Rathas. The East Coast Road from Pondicherry follows the sea, with lakes and fishing villages along the way.
What to see in Mahabalipuram
- Shore Temple
- Five Rathas
- Arjuna's Penance
- Krishna's Butter Ball
- Mahabalipuram lighthouse
- Tiger Cave
On the road
The East Coast Road is smooth and scenic, with halts possible at Marakkanam salt pans or Alamparai fort. Leave by 7 am to see the monuments before the heat.
A same-day plan
- 7:00 amLeave Pondicherry on the East Coast Road
- 9:00 amBreakfast and visit the Shore Temple
- 10:30 amFive Rathas
- 12:00 pmArjuna's Penance and Krishna's Butter Ball
- 1:00 pmSeafood lunch near the beach
- 2:30 pmLighthouse and Tiger Cave
- 4:30 pmReturn drive to Pondicherry
Timings are a guide — tell us when you want to leave and what you want to see, and the driver will work around it.
Choose your vehicle
Airport runs, couples and small families on short trips.
The usual pick for family trips, ghat roads and long days on the highway.
Extra room and comfort for special occasions and senior guests.
Extended families, pilgrimage parties and office outings.
Weddings, school trips and temple tours with a big party.
Every car is air-conditioned and comes with an experienced driver. Our quote is all-inclusive — fuel, tolls, parking, interstate permit and driver batta — and is confirmed in writing before you book.
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Send us the date, pickup point, number of people and whether you need a return. We reply with the vehicle and a single all-inclusive price.
