Kanchipuram day trip from Chennai: Temples and silk route

Kailasanatha Temple tour, historical exploration, ancient temple, peaceful and intimate experience

A full-day private tour from Chennai to Kanchipuram, 80km southwest, with an English-speaking guide, visiting Kailasanatha Temple (built by the Pallava dynasty in the 8th century) and Ekambareshvara Temple, a 12-hectare precinct dedicated to Shiva as the element of earth. The tour includes hotel pickup, entry to both temples, lunch and a stop at the silk weaving district where hand-loom saris are made. Ten hours total. Minimum age 18.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kanchipuram's temples and culture

• Tour orientation
• Visit Kailasanatha Temple
• Explore Shiva earth element temple
• Discover Kanchipuram silk sari shops

The experience

What makes Kanchipuram worth a full day from Chennai is not one landmark but the layering of it: a former capital of the Pallava dynasty (6th to 8th centuries) that built the stone monuments of Mamallapuram, now a modern Indian town famous for both temples and silk. The tour moves between them with a private guide and driver, so the pace is yours and the stops are chosen for depth rather than speed.

Kailasanatha Temple, the oldest in town, draws visitors not for size but for the weight of its presence and the intricacy of its stonework. Built in the 8th century by Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, it sits quieter than other temples in Kanchipuram because heavy restoration has made it feel less crowded. Ekambareshvara Temple is the opposite in scale: a 12-hectare precinct with a 59-meter-high south gopuram carved in 1509 under Vijayanagar rule, its lively carvings still visible. Inside, a columned hall leads to the central compound where Nandi faces the inner sanctum (Hindus only), which holds a lingam made of earth and a mirror chamber where the central Shiva image repeats endlessly in reflection.

Between temples, the tour includes a stop at the silk weaving district along Gandhi Road, where thousands of families work hand looms to produce high-quality saris. The wares here are generally no cheaper than Chennai silk shops, but the chance to see the looms at work and understand the craft is the draw. Lunch is included, and the full day ends back at your hotel in Chennai.

What’s included

• Private transportation with hotel pickup.
• entry to Kailasanatha Temple and Ekambareshvara Temple.
• lunch.
• private guide in English.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 95 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Wonder tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a private guide to spend unhurried time at Kailasanatha's 8th-century stonework and quieter temple spaces, rather than moving quickly through Kanchipuram's busier sites.

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Top questions

How far is Kanchipuram from Chennai and how long does the drive take?

Kanchipuram lies 80km southwest of Chennai. The tour is ten hours total, which includes the drive, time at each temple, the silk district stop and lunch.

What is Kailasanatha Temple like compared to other temples in Kanchipuram?

Kailasanatha is the oldest temple in town and was built in the 8th century by Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, who also created Mamallapuram's Shore Temple. It is quieter than other temples in Kanchipuram because of heavy restoration, and its appeal lies in the intricacy of its stonework and historical presence rather than its size.

Can I enter the inner sanctum at Ekambareshvara Temple?

Ekambareshvara Temple's inner sanctum is reserved for Hindus only. The rest of the 12-hectare precinct, including the columned hall and central compound, is open to all visitors.

What happens at the silk weaving district stop?

The tour includes a stop at the silk shops along Gandhi Road in Kanchipuram, where hand-loom saris are woven by families in the town and nearby villages. You can see the looms and purchase directly, though prices are generally comparable to Chennai silk shops.

What is included in this tour and what should I arrange separately?

The tour includes private transportation from your hotel, entry to both Kailasanatha and Ekambareshvara temples, lunch, and a private English-speaking guide. Gratuities and beverages are not included.