South India Temples & Andaman Island Tour from Chennai

Duration	Destination	Departure
16 days and 15 nights	India (Chennai, Kanchipuram, Trichy, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Thanjavur (Tanjore), Chitdambaram, Pondicherry, Port Blair, Neil Island, Havelock Island)	India (Chennai)

Description

South India Rich Temples, Culture and Heritage private tour from Chennai is design to cover all major small & large temple of Tamilnadu in South India. Visit the monuments, museums and art gallery in Chennai then embark on a driving tour stopping at Kanchipuram a pilgrimage site to Hindus and home to nearly thousands temples. Further drive to Trichy, Madurai & Rameshwaram see some largest active temple. Continue to visit Thanjavur, Darasuram & Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the UNESCO WHS of the Great Living Chola Temples. Also visit Chidambaram Temple, Pondicherry the French colonial town & Mahabalipuram temple before flying to Port Blair the capital of Andaman & Nicobar Island. From here head to Neil & Havelock Island which offers miles long virgin beaches and water sport activities.

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Category
3 Star Hotels (Private Tour) Bed & Breakfast en
Price includes  Assistance on arrival at airport.  15 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.  Meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)  Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.  English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.  Monuments 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. Price does not include  Any flight tickets.  Camera charges at monuments.  Meals other than mentioned in day plan.  Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.  Gratuities & optional activities.  Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
4 Star Hotels (Private Tour) Bed & Breakfast en
Price includes  Assistance on arrival at airport.  15 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.  Meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)  Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.  English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.  Monuments 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. Price does not include  Any flight tickets.  Camera charges at monuments.  Meals other than mentioned in day plan.  Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.  Gratuities & optional activities.  Anything not mentioned in inclusions.
5 Star Hotels (Private Tour) Bed & Breakfast en
Price includes  Assistance on arrival at airport.  15 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.  Meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)  Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.  English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.  Monuments 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. Price does not include  Any flight tickets.  Camera charges at monuments.  Meals other than mentioned in day plan.  Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.  Gratuities & optional activities.  Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

Program

Day 1:
Arrive Chennai
Arrival transfer to hotel (check in/out time 12pm). Visit Fort St. George, St Mary Church inside the fortress, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Vadapalani Murugan Temple, Government Museum, Dakshinachitra Museum, Santhome Cathedral & Marina Beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2:
Chennai - Kanchipuram - Trichy (350kms)
Drive to Trichy via visiting Kanchipuram an ancient city famous as city of thousands temple. On arrival check in at hotel. Later visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Rock Fort Temple & Jambukeshwara temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3:
Trichy - Madurai (140kms)
Drive to Madurai check in at hotel. Later visit Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Alagar Koil, Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple & Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4:
Madurai - Rameshwaram (170kms)
Drive to Rameshwaram check in at hotel. Later visit Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga Temple & Adams Bridge. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5:
Rameshwaram - Chettinad - Thanjavur (250kms)
Drive to Thanjavur via Chettinad well known for its 19th-century mansions, whose wide courtyards and spacious rooms are embellished with marble and teak. Continue drive to Thanjavur check in at hotel. Visit Brihadeshwara Temple & Fort built by great Chola king in the 10th century. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6:
Thanjavur - Darasuram - Gangaikonda Cholapuram - Chidambaram - Pondicherry (180kms)
Drive to Pondicherry via visiting The Great Living Chola Temples at Darasuram & Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and Nataraja Temple at Chidambaram. Arrive Pondicherry check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7:
Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Chennai (150kms)
Visit Aurovil & Pondicherry Museum. Drive pass through stunning French Quarters, which include French consulate, Raj Nivas, Government Square, Churches & French schools. Later drive to Chennai enroute stop at Mahabalipuram to visit Monolithic Temples, Five Rathas, Krishna Butterball, Cave Temples, Shore Temple & The Arjuna Penance. Arrive Chennai check in & Overnight at hotel.

Day 8:
Chennai - Port Blair (flight)
As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Port Blair.
On arrival at Port Blair airport assistance & transfer to hotel. Later visit Corbyns Cove beach. Evening attend Sound & Light Show at Cellular Jail where the heroic saga of the Indian freedom struggle is brought alive. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9:
Port Blair - Neil Island (by scheduled ferry) (B)
Transfer to the jetty to board ferry to Neil Island.
On arrival transfer to hotel check in. Later visit Laxmanpur Beach and Bharatpur. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10:
Neil Island (B)
Day free & easy to relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11:
Neil Island - Havelock (by scheduled ferry) (B)
Transfer to the jetty to board board boat for Havelock.
On arrival transfer to hotel check in. Rest time to relax and unwind on the beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12:
Havelock (B)
Sharp 7am ensure you are ready as the boat will leave at 8.30am for Elephant Beach. Embark on the most memorable trip for blue shallow waters the perfect spot for beginner snorkelers. Its also a great place to just 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. NOTE: (1) The trip may changed to light house subject to weather conditions and visibility. (2) Havelock Island Boat Owners Association is providing complimentary snorkelling activity at Elephant beach for 5 minutes. However activity will be subject to operational rules of the Havelock Island. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13:
Havelock (B)
Day free & easy to relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14:
Havelock - Port Blair (by scheduled ferry) (B)
Transfer to Jetty to board ferry for Port Blair.
On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15:
Port Blair (B)
Sharp 9am depart from Water Sports complex in a boat to see under water marine life and varieties of corals at North Bay. After North Bay (Snorkeling & Glass Bottom boat at extra cost), proceed to Ross Island (Wednesday Closed), the erstwhile capital of Port Blair during the British regime. The island presently houses the ruins of old buildings like Chief Commissioner House, Government House, Church, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool, Cemetery, etc. all in dilapidated condition. Evening back to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16:
Port Blair - Chennai (flight) (B)
As per flight schedule departure transfer to airport to board flight for Chennai. From Chennai board connecting flight for onward destination.
Complementary transport will be provided if require for transit use in Chennai.

Price includes

 Assistance on arrival at airport.
 15 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.
 Meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)
 Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
 English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
 Monuments 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.

Price does not include

 Any flight tickets.
 Camera charges at monuments.
 Meals other than mentioned in day plan.
 Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
 Gratuities & optional activities.
 Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

Itinerary

Day	Overnight	Itinerary highlights
1	Raj Park/ MGM East Woods or similarChennai	Chennai - Airport
2	Red Fox Hotel/ Grand Gardenia or similarTrichy	Kanchipuram
3	Astoria by Sparsa/ Madurai’s Residency or similarMadurai
4	Daiwik Hotel or similarRameshwaram
5	3 Stars HotelThanjavur
6	Shenbaga Hotel/ Annamalai International or similarPondicherry	Chitdambaram
7	Raj Park/ MGM East Woods or similarChennai
8	Hotel De Pebbles/ Sun City Resort or similarPort Blair
9	TSG Aura Resort/ Pearl Park Beach Resort or similarNeil Island
10	TSG Aura Resort/ Pearl Park Beach Resort or similarNeil Island
11	TSG Blue Resort/ Munjoh Ocean Resort or similarHavelock Island
12	TSG Blue Resort/ Munjoh Ocean Resort or similarHavelock Island
13	TSG Blue Resort/ Munjoh Ocean Resort or similarHavelock Island
14	Hotel De Pebbles/ Sun City Resort or similarPort Blair
15	Hotel De Pebbles/ Sun City Resort or similarPort Blair
16		Chennai - Airport

Accommodations provided in each place

Place	3 Star Hotels	4 Star Hotels	5 Star Hotels
Chennai	Raj Park/ MGM East Woods or similar	The Raintree/ Accord Metropolitan or similar / The Raintree/ Accord Metropolitan or similar	ITC Grand Chola/ The Leela Palace or similar
Trichy	Red Fox Hotel/ Grand Gardenia or similar	Sangam Hotels or similar
Madurai	Astoria by Sparsa/ Madurai’s Residency or similar	GRT Regency/ Fortune Pandiyan Hotel or similar	Courtyard by Marriott/ The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai or similar
Rameshwaram	Daiwik Hotel or similar		Hyatt Place Rameswaram or similar
Thanjavur	Grand Gardenia/ Oriental Towers or similar	Sangam Hotels or similar	Svatma or similar
Pondicherry	Shenbaga Hotel/ Annamalai International or similar	Le Pondy/ The Windflower Resort & Spa or similar	Palais De Mahe/ La Villa or similar
Port Blair	Hotel De Pebbles/ Sun City Resort or similar	Seashell / Fortune Resort Bay Island or similar / Seashell / Fortune Resort Bay Island	Seashell / Fortune Resort Bay Island or similar
Neil Island	TSG Aura Resort/ Pearl Park Beach Resort or similar	Seashell/ Symphony Summer Sands Beach Resort or similar
Havelock Island	TSG Blue Resort/ Munjoh Ocean Resort or similar	Seashell/ Silver Sand Beach Resort or similar	Barefoot at Havelock or similar