Summary
Short description
Contrast the chaos of Chennai and Kolkata with the idyllic escapism of India's Andaman Islands
Highlights
- Head off the beaten track to explore the remote and untouched Andaman Islands
- Relax on pristine Radhanagar Beach
- Take in the history of Port Blair, the Andamans' sleepy capital
- Bookend your island escape with luxury stays in Kolkata and Chennai
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Beach | History & culture | Natural world
Welcome to India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a stunning archipelago of 572 tropical islands, 1,000 kilometres from the Indian mainland in the heart of the Bay of Bengal. Here travellers will discover an idyllic blend of pristine beaches, lush forests and a fascinating colonial history, while rich and varied marine life and resplendent coral reefs offer some of the finest snorkelling and diving in the Indian Ocean. Bookended by luxury stays in Kolkata and Chennai, this tailor-made holiday takes in the best of the Andaman Islands, with one night in Port Blair – the Andaman's laid-back capital – and four nights on postcard-perfect Havelock Island, where beautiful snow-white beaches and crystalline waters set the scene for one of Asia's most idyllic retreats.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-2
Depart UK
Start your holiday in style with included airport lounge access before your overnight flight, arriving in India on day two.
Days
3-4
Kolkata
Arrive into Kolkata where a private transfer will whisk to your hotel - the Taj Bengal. Here, modern luxury and old-world charm combine to create a wonderfully relaxing base from which to explore the colour and chaos of the 'City of Joy'. Indeed, you're just a stone's throw from some of Kolkata's most prominent landmarks, with the Victoria Memorial, Horticultural Gardens, Eden Gardens, National Library and St Paul's Cathedral all within easy reach. The next day, after some free time to relax and enjoy the hotel's spread of leisure and fine-dining facilities, you'll head out with a guide to take in some of these very highlights, ending with a visit to Mother Teresa's former home, and the centre – Nirmal Hriday – where her legacy lives on.
Stay: Taj Bengal (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
5
Port Blair
Wake early this morning for your transfer back to the airport for your flight to Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, a stunning tropical archipelago, 1,000 kilometres from the Indian mainland in the azure waters of the Bay of Bengal. On arrival you'll be met and transferred to your hotel, located in the heart of the Andaman's sleepy capital. Spend an afternoon relaxing and exploring at your own pace, before enjoying an evening light and sound show at the city's Cellular Jail, a former colonial prison that played an important role in the island's colonial past.
Stay: Hotel Peerless or Hotel Sea Shells
Meals: B
Days
6-9
Havelock Island
Check out of your Port Blair hotel this morning and transfer to the city's harbour where you'll board a ferry for the short journey to Havelock Island. Spend the next three days relaxing in one of the world's most idyllic island settings, home to dazzling beaches and spectacular marine life. Visit Radhanagar Beach, which is the best on this island and offers a shallow sandy seabed, which is perfect for swimming, as well as some superb diving and snorkelling on the nearby coral reefs. And once you're finished with the beach there are several jungle treks available, affording the chance to discover the unique flora and fauna of the island's forested interior. An upgrade to the Taj Exotica adds in everything from fine dining to indulgent spa treatments.
Stay: Jalakara Resort (Superior) or Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Andamans (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
10
Chennai
After breakfast you'll board a flight to Chennai, where you'll be met and transferred to your landmark city-centre hotel, the wonderfully luxurious Taj Coromandel. Take time to relax with a dip in the pool, before a private afternoon tour introduces you to Chennai's highlights, including the Victoria Art Gallery, the Madras Museum and St. Mary's Church - the oldest Anglican church in Asia. Your final stop is colourful Kapaleeswarar Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, where you have an opportunity to mingle with the devotees and observe the unique rituals of Hinduism. Return to the hotel this evening, perhaps enjoying a treatment in the opulent Jive Spa.
Stay: Taj Coromandel
Meals: B
Day
11
Depart for UK
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your flight. Arrive back in the UK and continue your onward journey home.
Meals: B
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
11-day tailor-made holiday
from £3,275 pp incl. flights
Superior (Jalakara on Havelock)
Low Season
from £3,275 pp. incl. flights
High Season
from £3,445 pp. incl. flights
Includes:
- Complimentary UK airport lounge access
- International flights between the UK and Kolkata and Chennai and the UK
- Domestic flights between Kolkata and Port Blair and Port Blair and Chennai
- Return ferry transfers between Port Blair and Havelock Island
- Private airport transfers
- 3 nights accommodation in 5* (Deluxe) hotels on a B&B basis
- 5 nights accommodation in 4* (Superior) hotels on a B&B basis
- Private touring
Terms & Conditions
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply.
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