Private tour in Chennai Chandan S

Kanchipuram: Silk, Shrines and Saints - A Private Tour From Chennai

5.0

(3) reviews

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

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.

Overview of your Chennai tour

Kanchipuram is the land of a 1000 intricately designed temples. The capital of the ancient Pallava dynasty, its temples will hold you in awe inspiring sway, where you can have a veritable dialogue with history in intricate stone carvings. Kanchipuram is also the birth place of Bodhidharma, the monk who took Zen Buddhism to China and consequently to the Far East. We will delve into South Indian History and art by visiting some of the most ancient and magnificent temples in South India. We will be stunned by some of the most intricate stone carvings in the world. We will explore many interesting myth and folklore tales and be amazed by the knowledge of the ancients. This one day tour will immerse you into ancient Indian culture and will definitely be an experience that you cherish for a lifetime!

Recent Reviews

Lilia A.United States
May 2024

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!

John Paul M.Canada
December 2012

Chandan's tailored two-day tour was just what we were looking for. A city tour of Chennai and Mahabalipuram with a mix of the local people and culture as well as the usual tourism high points. Chandan is extremely knowledgeable, professional and unabashed in his enthusiasm and frankness about his subject matter. Thinking we already knew India, Chandan introduced us to Tamil Nadu, a part of the country of which we were totally unaware. We had fun while learning a lot. Great job, Chandan, thank you!

Fiona M.United Kingdom
February 2012

Excellent tour to Kanchipuram. Very informative guide and carefull driver. Top marks to both. Thanks for a most enjoyable day.

Your Chennai tour itinerary

We will leave Chennai after an early breakfast and explore Kanchipuram temples and history. Note Kanchipuram is 80 KM from the city, and takes 2.5 hour to each way from a hotel centrally located in Chennai. Temples still in worship close at 12:00 PM and open at 4:00 PM. We will therefore aim to cover the most important "living" temples before 12:00 pm. This is why we must depart your hotel at 6:30 am, to be in Kanchipuram by 8:30 to 9 am.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Suv

Volkwagen Taigun

What's included
Other: - My services as your personal guide and interpreter for the duration of the tour. - Transportation for up to 3 people in an air conditioned modern SUB, Volkswagen Taigun
Private Guide
Tickets: Entrance Tickets
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: - Camera fees wherever applicable. - Meals. - Items personal in nature - For groups larger than 3 people (4 and above) we will hire a Toyota SUV with a driver, cost is INR 6,500. Please contact me for details.
Food Drinks Snacks
Tastings
Equipment
Classes Workshop
Services
Accommodation
Meeting location

Leela Palace, MRC Nagar, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide:

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Religious Sites
History
Architecture
Art And Culture
Tour reference number
25030
Languages
English
Activity level
Light
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Chennai best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for travellers interested in history, art, and culture. It's especially suited for those who want to explore ancient temples and learn about South Indian history and folklore. Families with children will find it engaging, as it's kid-friendly.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Chennai be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

Is this private tour in Chennai suitable for cruise ship passengers as a shore excursion?

What happens if a site is closed, crowded, or the weather changes?

What languages is this tour offered in?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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