Private tour in Chennai Chandan S
4.8
(23) reviews
6 hours
1
6 hours
1
Chandan S.
4.8
Guide rating
50
Reviews
Tours delivered
27 hrs
Avg. response time
Hello! Thanks for your interest. My name is Chandan. I am born and raised in Chennai. This is where my ancestors lie, in (hopefully) peaceful eternal slumber and I am as local as local can get! Growing up in a family of academicians and historians, I was drawn to the history and the culture of my land from very early on and have explored most of India with world renowned authorities on Art, Culture and History. I always had a wander lust in me and have spent many a month on the road exploring obscure and not so obscure places. I have led special interest trips for many groups for international travel companies such as Elder hostel and Road Scholar, Intrepid travel. I am currently a free-lance travel consultant and trip lead. The people I have led have found me to be a good travel companion; well versed and knowledgeable, professional, easy going and friendly. I offer real life experiences, where you will get a chance to interact with locals, haggle with merchants the way my mum does when she is out on shopping bouts and so on. My itineraries give space for a lot of serendipity, for chance encounters prove to be most memorable. Indeed, I aim to offer you an experience that you will cherish for a lifetime. I hope to get you intimate and personal with the area visited with lively and fun conversations of the history of the place during site visits. We will travel in comfortable, modern air conditioned vehicles and will discuss how the area came about to its present state, explore its myth, mythology and folklore and understand its importance and role in contemporary local life. I am available 7 days a week including public holidays and you can usually book me at short notice. In addition to the travel programs mentioned, I can customize a program to fit any specific need. I donate 10 percent of what I make directly to a needy family, for I believe that tourism must benefit India's poor. I have a strong command over English, it being the spoken language at my home. In my free time, you'll catch me reading, or listening to rock; bands such as Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, the Pixes, Whitesnake, Dire Straits, Megadeth and a whole lot more. Certified Tourist Guide by the Ministry of Tourism, India. Has basic first aid knowledge. Has a valid driving license.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Chandan S.
This is a specially designed tour itinerary to experience Chennai in a day. We will visit ancient Hindu temples and British Churches, explore Chennai's history, be spellbound by some beautiful art relics. I'll take you to enjoy a delicious, healthy, and traditional South Indian meal served on banana leaves, and optionally we'll go after some of the best shopping deals in town. I aim to leave you with insights into how the city came into being as it is today. I will engage you in lively conversations and debates about Chennai's history, share interesting facts and anecdotes, and also explore the contemporary importance and pulse of the metropolis. The Chennai tour is of low intensity, where you will travel by an air-conditioned vehicle with frequent stops. The tour covers some of the most important areas in Chennai and leaves space for serendipity and a high level of personalization. Born and raised in Chennai, I am as local as locals can get, so come join me on a tour you will remember all of your life!
Chandan is very knowledgeable about Chennai and he's personable and shared lots of info when we asked. Sadly, it was a rainy day and we saw some of the sights from the car but Chandan tried his best to keep us entertained and he changed the itinerary to let us out of the car when weather permitted. Thanks Chandan !
Chandan gave a good overview of Chennai and explained its role in the history of India. We had some delays due to immigration issues early in the morning but Chandan adjusted the tour on the fly and made sure we had an interesting day. We certainly recommend Chandan to anyone looking for a guide while visiting Chennai.
Chandan was a great guide. He accommodated our groups specific requirements and had info and stories on all the sites we visited. Very friendly and very knowledgeable. Would not hesitate to recommend him.
My second tour with Chandan and my husband’s first. Chandan’s knowledge of the history of India was fascinating. He adapted the tour to suit my husband’s disability and made sure we felt safe and well looked after all day. Wonderful experience!
We did 3 tours with Chandan: Art History & Contemporary Chennai, Mahabalipuram, and Kanchipuram, in late April 2024. Every one was perfectly organized and the communication with Chandan was great. Chandan has an extensive knowledge of Chennai and it's history which made all the visits to the different sites super interesting and fun, despite the days being so hot and humid. For Kanchipuram, Chandan's father Ram joined us. He is a fabulous man with tons of knowledge and stories. It was excellent!
Chandan is a great tour guide who knows Chennai (and all of Tamil Nadu actually) very well. He tailored things to fit my specific interests (history, temple architecture, and comparative religion), and also brought his very well-read father in for a bit to provide some additional insights that went along with my interests about the places we visited. I recommend him to anyone who is considering him as a guide, and if I ever returned to the area I would use him again myself.
The first stop is at Fort St George, the first fort built by the British in India, completed in 1639. It houses St Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India. It is this fort that enabled the British to take over the "jewel of the British empire", India. After that, we'll see the Santhome Basilica, originally built by the Portuguese in 16 CE, the cathedral is a magnificent building. Portuguese tradition has it that St. Thomas arrived and preached in Chennai between 52 A. D. and 72 A. D. Later we'll stop at Kapaleeshwara Temple. A living temple, the age of the temple is the source of much debate. The commonly held view is that it was built in the 7th century CE by the ruling Pallavas. We then drive past noted places of historic and/or contemporary interest such as the Anna Square, Chennai Central Station, Rippon Building, and Senate House We'll also explore the Egmore museum, one of the finest museums in India. If you are interested in shopping, we will visit a local bazaar.
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SUV - Volkswagen Taigun for up to 4 people. Can seat 3 + driver (me) comfortably, or 4 + 1 with a little squeeze if all travelers are well sized adults *For groups of 5 adults and above, we will hire an SUV and there is an extra cost. Please contact me for details.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Hotel / Place of Stay within Chennai City Limits Airport
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6 hours
1
6 hours
1
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a 20% deposit!
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