Arrive at Chennai International Airport (MAA). Collect your luggage and proceed to the pre-paid taxi counter or use a ride-hailing app like Uber or Ola for a transfer to your hotel.

Check into your pre-booked hotel. We recommend staying in a central area like T. Nagar, Alwarpet, or near the ECR for easy access to attractions.

Visit the magnificent Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, a stunning example of Dravidian architecture dedicated to Lord Shiva. Explore its intricately carved gopurams (towers), mandapams (halls), and the large temple tank.

Enjoy a traditional South Indian 'Thali' (a platter with various dishes) or try some classic tiffin items like dosa and idli. Mylapore has many legendary eateries.

After exploring the fort, head into the bustling George Town area for lunch. This historic commercial hub offers a variety of local eateries.

Explore the first English fortress in India, built in 1644. The complex houses St. Mary's Church (the oldest Anglican church in India) and the Fort Museum, which showcases artifacts from the British colonial period.

Visit one of the oldest museums in India. The complex is renowned for its Bronze Gallery, which has a superb collection of Chola-era bronzes. The Indo-Saracenic architecture of the buildings is an attraction in itself.

Head to Marina Beach, the second-longest urban beach in the world. Enjoy the evening breeze, watch locals play cricket, and see the statues of Tamil icons. The sunset over the city from the beach is a classic Chennai experience.

Chennai is famous for its fresh seafood. Indulge in some fish curry, prawn fry, or crab masala at a well-regarded restaurant.

Explore this center for the preservation of traditional Indian arts, especially Bharatanatyam dance and Gandharvaveda music. Take a guided morning tour to see the beautiful campus, craft centers, and possibly witness students in practice.

Have lunch in the Adyar neighborhood, known for its excellent restaurants offering a range of cuisines.

Check out of your Chennai hotel and take a private car down the scenic East Coast Road (ECR) to the historic town of Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram).

Arrive in Mahabalipuram and check into your hotel. Options range from luxury beach resorts to charming guesthouses.

Relax and unwind with dinner at one of the many laid-back restaurants along the beach, offering fresh seafood and multi-cuisine options with the sound of waves in the background.

Start your day early to witness the breathtaking sunrise at the iconic Shore Temple. This 8th-century structural temple complex, perched on the edge of the Bay of Bengal, is one of the oldest in South India.

Visit the Pancha Rathas, a monolithic rock-cut temple complex. Each of the five structures is carved from a single piece of granite and is named after the Pandava brothers and their wife Draupadi from the Mahabharata epic.

Take a break for lunch at a local restaurant. Mahabalipuram offers a variety of options, from simple South Indian meals to international cuisine.

Witness Arjuna's Penance, a massive open-air rock relief depicting the story of the descent of the Ganges. Nearby, marvel at Krishna's Butterball, a gigantic granite boulder resting precariously on a short slope.

Climb the Mahabalipuram Lighthouse for panoramic views of the coastline, the town, and the surrounding monuments as the sun sets.

Take a short drive back along the ECR to visit DakshinaChitra, a fascinating living-history museum dedicated to South Indian heritage, art, and architecture. Explore authentic reconstructions of traditional homes from across the southern states.

Enjoy a simple and authentic meal at the restaurant within the museum complex, which serves traditional South Indian cuisine.

Choose your afternoon adventure. Option 1: Take a surfing lesson at one of the local surf schools. Mahabalipuram has gentle waves suitable for beginners. Option 2: Visit the numerous stone sculpture workshops to see artisans at work, continuing a centuries-old tradition.

Enjoy a special farewell dinner at one of Mahabalipuram's top-rated restaurants, reflecting on your journey through Tamil Nadu's cultural heartland.

Spend the morning picking up some last-minute souvenirs. Mahabalipuram is famous for its granite sculptures, pattachitra paintings, and items made from seashells and palm leaves.

Enjoy one last delicious South Indian meal before you head to the airport.

Check out of your hotel and take a pre-booked taxi to Chennai International Airport for your departure.

Depart from Chennai, concluding your cultural tour of Tamil Nadu's coast.