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A Tale of Two Cities and the Andaman Islands

This 11-day holiday blends city and beach. Explore Kolkata and Chennai, two extraordinarily atmospheric cities shaped by textured history and layers of culture. There's scope to explore at your own pace concentrating on spectacular colonial architecture, colour-rich temples and cosmopolitan scenes or choose from unique guided activities for deeper context. In between you can enjoy six rejuvenating nights at a hotel that ups-the-ante in the Andaman Islands deliciously stranded 850 miles east off the Indian coast.

Tour type Itinerary

Duration 11 days

Min price range p/p

£3,550 - £3,950pp including international flights

Recommended itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kolkata

On arrival in Kolkata, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy India's cultural capital, also known as the ‘City of Joy,’ for worthy reason set on the buzzing banks of the Hooghly River. Once the capital of the Raj, the city is now an intriguing concoction of colonial-era architecture and cosmopolitan residences marrying churches, synagogues and labyrinthine bazaars with a lively art and food scene. Soak up the atmosphere at your own pace - you could get lost in the romantic views of the Victoria Memorial - or plunge headfirst on an optional introductory market walk and Bengali cooking lesson under the tutelage of a local family. Overnight at Taj Bengal.

Day 2

Kolkata

Continue exploring Kolkata independently today or take a guided tour to Dalhousie Square, the city’s European quarter built by the British in the 18th century. You'll navigate streets overwhelmed with hand-pulled rickshaws, Royal Enfields zipping by, vendors touting marigold wreaths and steaming pots of chai. The street food here speaks to the soul with indulging dishes such as kathi rolls filled with kebab meat, paneer and spiced potato (a firm favourite among locals). If you’re looking to dig a little deeper, opt for an adda experience – a form of spirited, intellectual conversation for which the city is so well known. This takes place in the comfort of a family home complete with religious Baul music and dinner with your host. Overnight at Taj Bengal.

Day 3

Kolkata & Andaman Islands

Transfer to Kolkata Airport to board a flight for Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman Islands. It takes a ferry ride and bumpy drive to your base in Havelock Island but the journey is worth it for this beautiful remote escape. Your hotel (and the smartest in the area) is immersed into the rainforest located just behind Radhanagar Beach often credited as one of the best in the world for its deliciously white, curved sand and crystal-clear waters. Smart villas echo the local Jarawa style set on stilts with thatched roofs providing natural camouflage. However if you’re looking for a more rustic escape we recommend staying at Barefoot at Havelock or avid divers may fall in love with Tilar Siro. Overnight at Taj Exotica.

Day 4

Andaman Islands

On your first full day on Havelock Island, explore your surroundings and enjoy some well-earned rest. Cool off in the Olympic-sized pool marvellously planted among the tree-top canopy from where you can glimpse the distant ocean. The food itself may keep you grounded, headed by a chef who travelled all over the country to implicitly understand India's regional dishes, while at the same time being devoted to showcasing indigenous flavours. You have a choice of three restaurants offering everything from intimate dining experiences to delicious international cuisine. Overnight at Taj Exotica.

Day 5

Andaman Islands

Enjoy endless fun in the water from sunrise to dusk. The gin-blue Indian Ocean surrounding the Andaman Islands is home to one of the richest coral reef ecosystems in the world. Thanks to an unusually low impact from water sports, over 135 marine species have flourished in this unspoiled spot. Luckily for serious scuba divers, the key sites on the archipelago are concentrated on Havelock Island itself and best explored with Taj's in-house dive centre making it easy to discover the cast of coral-grazing marine life and nearby shipwreck. Overnight at Taj Exotica.

Day 6

Andaman Islands

Today you might like to venture inland for a different perspective of the island. If you’re feeling active, stretch your legs on a naturalist-guided forest trek or up the pace exploring by bicycle. Overnight at Taj Exotica.

Day 7

Andaman Islands

Today you may wish to pamper yourself from head to toe at the spa known for its indulging treatments. Looking to spend your evenings a little differently? Staff can arrange night kayaking in the mangroves to see the ethereal bioluminensce as you paddle through the dark. Overnight at Taj Exotica.

Day 8

Andaman Islands

Today we suggest keeping it local and enjoying a blissful last day on the islands. Make the most of the pool and the sun-swathed beach where the feeling of being stranded is nothing but welcome. Allow time to dissolve with the sound of the waves and rustle of lush greenery. Overnight at Taj Exotica.

Day 9

Andaman Islands & Chennai

After breakfast, board the ferry back to Port Blair and transfer to the airport for your flight to Chennai. Once a seaport for the East India Trading Company, the city blends Portuguese, Dutch, French and British influences with Tamil culture and is today considered the gateway to South India. At its heart is the Mylapore district, the city’s cultural hub with a history dating back 2,000 years, where tuk-tuks whizz past ornate gopuram temple towers, European churches, and 17th-century relics so vibrant they almost feel alive. Overnight at Taj Connemara.

Day 10

Chennai

Today is a full day to explore this steaming, buzzing city. One of the best ways to make the most of your time here is the Peacock Trail tour where you can discover Mylapore, a district that's older than Chennai itself and where you'll see the famous Dravidian-style Kapaleeshwarar Temple adorned with colourfully painted sculptures. In the afternoon, you may want to get down with the local culture trying your hand at Bharatnatyam, India's ancient classical dance form led by a local expert. Alternatively wander the streets at your own pace as you make the most of your final day in this captivating city. Overnight at Taj Connemara.

Day 11

Chennai & Departure

Transfer to Chennai Airport for your flight home or onward travel.

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