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Offered languages
- English
Discover Chennai on our exclusive private day tour led by accomplished, highly educated cultural custodians with backgrounds in History, Architecture and Fine Arts.
This comprehensive tour of Chennai takes you to all the highlights of Chennai - Fort St George, Egmore Museum, St Thomas Basilica, St Georges Cathedral, Kapleeshwar Temple and more.
We 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.
Whether you're keen to delve into history, explore bustling markets, or savor authentic cuisine, this tour promises memories to last a lifetime.
Please note:
1) The two museums usually part of the tour are closed on Fridays and other special holidays. We will visit alternate sites depending on your interests on such days
2) Lunch is not included. You must pay for your lunch as well as for the guides lunch.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Let us know where to pick you up from
Itinerary
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1Fort St. George
The first stop is on the private tour of Chennai is Fort St George, the first fort built by the British in India, completed in 1639. This is where the story of Chennai started. The fort houses an interesting Museum and 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.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
2
The Santhome Basilica was originally built by the Portuguese in 15 CE. The cathedral today is a magnificent building in the Neo Gothic style. Portuguese tradition has it that St. Thomas arrived and preached in Chennai between 52 A. D. and 72 A. D. It is believed that it is here that St Thomas was buried - making it one of the 3 churches in the world built on top of a grave of an Apostle.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
3Kapaleeshwarar Temple
The Kapaleeshwarar temple is an ancient "living" temple - a temple which is still in daily use. 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.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
Marina Beach (Pass by)
Slow drive past the Marina beach - one of the longest urban beaches in the world. There are many colonial era buildings on the facade and you will be engaged in lively conversations about them
Admission ticket free -
4
We will drive by a fishing market. Deep sea fishing is not done using big trawlers, but by the use of small boats. Everyday, fishermen venture into the sea and come back with catch, which is then sold on the beach
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
St Georges cathedral is a magnificent church built by the British in 1815 using a lottery fund. St. George's occupies an important place in the history of Protestant Christianity in India. The church has some amazing stained glass windows, as well as very interesting memorials, tablets and statues. We will also take a walk in the churches graveyard - one of the oldest Anglican graveyards in India. As eerie as it sounds, it is not, and is rather fascinating. Some grave stones really have stories to tell here!
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
6
The Egmore Museum is one of the finest and oldest museums in India. The bronze sculpture gallery is an highlight and has on display some of the greatest ancient sculptures ever made.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
7
Pondy Bazaar is a thriving market, and we will walk through
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tour is of low intensity, but does require some amount of walking on uneven surfaces.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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