Day 1: Arrive Chennai

Upon arrival in Chennai, you will be met by your private guide and transferred to your hotel. The first stop on your sightseeing tour of Chennai will be Fort St. George, which was built by the British in the 17th century. You will then proceed to the Government Museum, which houses an impressive collection of South Indian bronzes and other artifacts. The final stop of the day will be the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a beautiful Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

 

Day 2: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Trichy (350kms)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for Kanchipuram, a city renowned for its ancient temples and silk sarees. Here, you will visit several famous temples, including the Kailasanatha Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, and Varadharaja Perumal Temple. Later in the day, you will continue your journey to Trichy and check in to your hotel.

 

Day 3: Trichy - Madurai (140kms)
After breakfast, you will visit the Rock Fort Temple, an ancient fort and temple complex perched on a hilltop in Trichy. From here, you will proceed to the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the largest temple complexes in India. Later, you will drive to Madurai, where you will visit the Meenakshi Temple, a beautiful and ornate temple dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, and the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, a 17th-century palace built in the Dravidian style.

 

Day 4: Madurai - Rameshwaram (170kms)

After breakfast, you will drive to Rameshwaram, an island town located in the Gulf of Mannar. Here, you will visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple, one of the most famous Shiva temples in India, and the Dhanushkodi Beach, which is known for its scenic beauty and spectacular sunsets. After a relaxing day, you will return to your hotel in Rameshwaram for an overnight stay.

 

Day 5: Rameshwaram - Chettinad - Thanjavur (250kms)

After breakfast, depart for Thanjavur. En route, stop at the Chettinad region, known for its mansions and cuisine. Visit some of the old mansions and learn about the unique architecture and history of the area. Continue your drive to Thanjavur, where you will visit the Brihadeeswara Temple, one of the most magnificent temples in South India.

 

Day 6: Thanjavur - Darasuram - Gangaikonda Cholapuram - Chidambaram - Pondicherry (180kms)

After breakfast, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram, before proceeding to the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple complex, built by the Chola dynasty. Continue your drive to Chidambaram to visit the ancient Nataraja Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Later, drive to Pondicherry for an overnight stay.

 

Day 7: Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Chennai (150kms)

After breakfast, visit the French Quarter of Pondicherry, known for its colonial architecture and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Later, drive to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the ancient temples and rock-cut sculptures. Return to Chennai for an overnight stay.

 

Day 8: Chennai - Port Blair (flight)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

 

Day 9: Port Blair - Neil Island (by scheduled ferry)

After breakfast, transfer to the jetty for your ferry to Neil Island. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and explore the beaches and villages of the island.

 

Day 10: Neil Island

After breakfast, visit the Bharatpur Beach, known for its coral reefs and snorkeling opportunities. Later, visit the Laxmanpur Beach and the Natural Bridge, a unique rock formation. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

 

Day 11: Neil Island - Havelock (by scheduled ferry)

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to the jetty to board the ferry to Havelock Island. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and explore the island on your own. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 12: Havelock

After breakfast, embark by boat to Elephant Beach, known for blue shallow waters, the perfect spot for beginner snorkelers. It's also a great place to spend the day lying on the beach and relaxing. The beach is very scenic with fallen trees and white sand, giving the photographer some interesting shots. The reef here starts very close to shore at a depth of about 1 metre. The large reef is mostly made up of hard coral and has plenty of marine life. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 13: Havelock

Today, after breakfast, enjoy a day at leisure to relax and explore the island on your own. You can opt for various water activities like scuba diving, sea walking, or just relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 14: Havelock - Port Blair (by scheduled ferry)

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and proceed to the jetty to board the ferry back to Port Blair. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Later visit Cellular Jail, a colonial prison used by the British to exile political prisoners. Next, visit the Anthropological Museum, showcasing the culture and history of the indigenous tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Later, proceed to Corbyn's Cove Beach, a serene beach with picturesque surroundings. In the evening, visit the Sound and Light Show at the Cellular Jail, where the history of the Indian freedom struggle is brought to life through light and sound effects. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 15: Port Blair - Chennai (flight)

After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and proceed to the airport for your flight back to Chennai. On arrival in Chennai, you will be transferred to the hotel for an overnight stay.

- Assistance on arrival at airport.

- 14 Nights' accommodation in selected price category hotels.

- Daily breakfast at hotels.

- Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.

- English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.

- Monument entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.

- Port Blair - Neil Island - Havelock Island - Port Blair transfer by scheduled ferry.

- Transfer for mentioned Island activities.

- Bottled drinking water in car.

- Government taxes.

 

Hotels Used or Similar (14 Nights Accommodation)

3-Star Hotels

• Chennai (3 nights): ZONE By The Park / Raj Park
• Trichy (1 night): Red Fox Hotel / Hotel Blossoms
• Madurai (1 night): JC Residency / Hotel Royal Court
• Rameshwaram (1 night): Daiwik Hotel / Vinayaga by Poppys
• Thanjavur (1 night): Sangam Hotels
• Pondicherry (1 night): Shenbaga Hotel / Hotel Annamalai International
• Port Blair (2 nights): Hotel De Pebbles / Zone Connect by The Park Port Blair
• Neil Island (2 nights): TSG Aura Resort / Pearl Park Beach Resort
• Havelock Island (3 nights): Havelock Island Beach Resort / Silver Sand Village Resort

4-Star Hotels

• Chennai (3 nights): Accord Metropolitan / The Park Chennai
• Trichy (1 night): Courtyard by Marriott
• Madurai (1 night): Fortune Pandiyan Hotel / Regency Madurai by GRT Hotels
• Rameshwaram (1 night): The Residency Towers
• Thanjavur (1 night): Courtyard by Marriott
• Pondicherry (1 night): The Residency Towers / Accord Puducherry
• Port Blair (2 nights): Seashell / Lemon Tree Hotel
• Neil Island (2 nights): Silver Sand Beach Resort Neil / Sandy Waves Beach Resort
• Havelock Island (3 nights): Seashell / Silver Sand Village Resort

5-Star Hotels

• Chennai (3 nights): Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels / Radisson Blu Hotel GRT Chennai
• Trichy (1 night): Courtyard by Marriott
• Madurai (1 night): Courtyard by Marriott / The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai
• Rameshwaram (1 night): The Residency Towers
• Thanjavur (1 night): Svatma
• Pondicherry (1 night): Palais De Mahe / La Villa
• Port Blair (2 nights): Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels
• Neil Island (2 nights): Seashell / Symphony Summer Sands Beach Resort
• Havelock Island (3 nights): Tilar Siro Andamans, CGH Earth / Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans

- Chennai - Port Blair - Chennai flight fare approx INR 10500 per person in economy class.

- Camera charges at monuments if any.

- Meals other than mentioned in the inclusions.

- Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc. 

- Gratuities and optional activities.

- Anything not mentioned in inclusions.