ANDAMAN ISLANDS TOUR

This itinerary is designed to give the traveler the best of sightseeing in Tamil Nadu (Madras), concluding at the Barefoot at Havelock. On your arrival at Chennai airport, you will overnight at the Taj Club House, in the heart of Egmore district.

The 500 year old Samode Palace, nestled in the Aravalli Hills, is one of the finest heritage hotels in the state of Rajasthan. The ‘Durbar Hall’ boasts of original frescoes & mirror work done 250 years ago. The court yards, pavilions & the fortress high above the hill provide an excellent entry to your Rajasthan tour.

Your next destination is Mahabalipuram, enroute, visiting Ekambareswar Temples at Kanchpuram; the temple has beautifully sculptured granite walls and a thousand-pillared hall. Mahabalipuram is an ancient 7th century port and a temple town, containing 14 cave temples & 9 monolithic chariot (Rathas) shrines, 3 stone temples & 4 relief sculptured rock panels. These are dedicated to either Shiva or Vishnu.

Pondichery, a former French colony, which was settled in the early 18th century as a colonial enclave and it retains a mildly Gallic air superimposed on a typical Indian background. You shall enjoy a heritage walk, in this former French colony.

Your next destinations are Thanjavur & Madurai, the former dominated by the World-Heritage Brihadishwara Temples and the latter by Sri Meenakshi Temple complex and the evening temple ‘aarti’ is a delight to watch.

While travelling between Thanjavur & Madurai, you shall stop for lunch at one of the local restaurants at Chetinad. The Chetinad cuisine is well known in the South of India, elegantly presented on banana-leaf!

Your final port of call is the Havelock Islands, where you shall be staying at the beautiful Barefoot at Havelock, with its sandy white beaches, crystalline lagoons, tropical rainforests and dazzling corals.
Tentative Itinerary