11-day Tamil Nadu to Andaman Islands tour from Chennai

Temples, palaces, and island beaches across 11 days

An 11-day tour from Chennai through Tamil Nadu and the Andaman Islands, combining temple visits, historic palace museums, and coastal relaxation. You travel by private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver through Tamil Nadu's cultural heartland, Fort St. George, Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, and the rock-cut monuments of Mahabalipuram, then fly to Havelock Island for three days on Radhanagar Beach and snorkeling at Elephanta Beach. All entrance fees, 11 nights in hotels, transport, and guides are included. You choose your hotel tier at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Chennai and City Tour

• Arrive at Chennai Airport
• Panoramic city drive including Fort St. George
• Visit Marina Beach
• Visit Santhome Church
• Check in at hotel in Chennai

Day 2: Chennai to Tiruvannamalai via Kanchipuram

• Drive to Kanchipuram
• Visit Kailasanathar Temple
• Visit Ekambareswarar Temple
• Drive to Tiruvannamalai
• Visit Arunachaleswarar Temple
• Visit Sri Ramana Ashram
• Overnight stay in Tiruvannamalai

Day 3: Tiruvannamalai to Madurai via Trichy

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Tiruchirapalli (Trichy)
• Visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
• Drive to Madurai
• Visit Nayaka Palace
• Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple and evening ceremony
• Overnight stay in Madurai

Day 4: Madurai to Kumbakonam via Chettinad and Tanjore

• Drive to Chettinad
• Explore Chettinad mansions and cuisine
• Drive to Tanjore
• Visit Brihadeeswarar Temple
• Visit Tanjore Palace and Art Gallery
• Drive to Kumbakonam
• Overnight stay in Kumbakonam

Day 5: Kumbakonam to Pondicherry

• Visit Adi Kumbeswarar Temple
• Visit Sarangapani Temple
• Drive to Pondicherry
• Walking tour of French Quarter
• Visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram and churches
• Overnight stay in Pondicherry

Day 6: Pondicherry to Chennai via Mahabalipuram

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Mahabalipuram
• Visit Shore Temple
• Visit Pancha Rathas
• Visit Arjuna’s Penance
• Photo at Krishna’s Butterball
• Drive to Chennai
• Overnight stay in Chennai

Day 7: Chennai to Havelock Island

• Transfer to Chennai airport
• Flight to Port Blair
• Ferry to Havelock Island
• Check in at beach resort
• Rest and relax

Day 8: Radhanagar Beach, Havelock

• Visit Radhanagar Beach
• Swim and sunbathe
• Enjoy sunset at beach
• Return to resort
• Overnight in Havelock

Day 9: Elephanta Beach Adventure

• Breakfast at resort
• Boat to Elephanta Beach
• Snorkeling and water sports
• Return to resort
• Overnight in Havelock

Day 10: Leisure Day in Havelock

• Relax at resort
• Stroll along beach
• Optional scuba diving or boat rides
• Visit Kalapathar Beach

Day 11: Havelock to Port Blair, Departure

• Ferry back to Port Blair
• Transfer to airport
• Depart from Port Blair

The Experience

The route starts in Chennai with a city tour covering Fort St. George, a 1644 British fortress now housing a museum, and Marina Beach along the Bay of Bengal. From there, you drive inland through Kanchipuram, the "City of a Thousand Temples", to visit the 7th-century Kailasanathar Temple and the Ekambareswarar Temple with its ancient mango tree. The journey continues to Tiruvannamalai and the Arunachaleswarar Temple, one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas representing the element fire, set against Arunachala Hill where devotees walk the sacred Girivalam route.

Days three through five take you deeper into Tamil Nadu's temple belt. The drive to Madurai passes through Trichy, where you visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the largest Hindu temples and a major pilgrimage site. In Madurai itself, the Meenakshi Amman Temple dominates: a living center of Tamil culture where you can witness the evening ceremony reuniting the divine couple. From Madurai, you travel through Chettinad, known for its palatial mansions and distinctive tile work, then to Thanjavur to see the UNESCO-listed Brihadeeswarar Temple, an 11th-century masterpiece of Chola architecture with its towering vimana, and the Thanjavur Royal Palace and Museum displaying royal artifacts and ancient bronze statues. Kumbakonam, your next stop, is a temple-studded town where you explore the Adi Kumbeswarar and Sarangapani temples before heading to Pondicherry for a walking tour of the French colonial quarter and a visit to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

Day six brings you back toward the coast through Mahabalipuram, an open-air museum of rock-cut art. You see the Shore Temple, an 8th-century UNESCO site facing the sea, the Pancha Rathas (five monolithic temples carved in the 7th century), and Arjuna's Penance, an intricate rock sculpture. Krishna's Butterball, a giant naturally balanced boulder, rounds out the sightseeing before you return to Chennai for the night. The next morning, you fly to Port Blair and take the ferry to Havelock Island, arriving at your beach resort by afternoon. Days eight and nine are split between Radhanagar Beach, a Blue Flag-certified beach ranked among Asia's best with crystal-clear waters and white sand, and Elephanta Beach, where a shared boat takes you to snorkel over vibrant coral reefs and tropical fish, with optional jet skiing and banana boat rides. Day ten is yours to rest at the resort, swim, or book optional activities like scuba diving or a glass-bottom boat ride. On day eleven, you ferry back to Port Blair and transfer to the airport for departure.

What’s included

• All entrance fees to temples, monuments, and activities.
• 11 nights in standard rooms at your chosen hotel tier.
• private air-conditioned transport with English-speaking driver throughout Tamil Nadu.
• ferry transfers between Port Blair and Havelock Island.
• English-speaking government-approved guides for temple and heritage sightseeing.
• daily bottled water during vehicle travel.
• a rickshaw ride in Madurai.
• local support from arrival to departure.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Chuttibaaz

Is this one for you?Choose the 3-star option if you want comfortable, clean accommodation without frills and prefer to spend on experiences rather than lodging; the 4-star option balances comfort and value across the cultural sites and beaches; the 5-star option suits travelers who want upscale amenities, particularly on Havelock Island where resort quality shapes the island experience. The 11-day length gives you time to absorb the temple culture of Tamil Nadu without rushing, then genuinely unwind on the beach rather than treating it as a single stop.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

11 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What temples will I actually see on this tour?

The Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai is the centerpiece: a vibrant, living temple where you can attend the evening ceremony. You also visit the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 11th century with a towering vimana; the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, one of the Pancha Bhoota Stalas; and the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram, an 8th-century site facing the sea. Smaller temple stops include Kailasanathar in Kanchipuram, Sri Ranganathaswamy in Trichy, and the Adi Kumbeswarar and Sarangapani temples in Kumbakonam.

How much time do I actually spend on the beaches?

You have three full days in Havelock Island. Day eight includes an afternoon at Radhanagar Beach after arrival; day nine is a full day at Elephanta Beach for snorkeling; day ten is entirely free to rest at your resort or pursue optional water activities. The return ferry to Port Blair happens on day eleven morning.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

All entrance fees to temples and monuments, 11 nights in hotels (your choice of 3-star, 4-star, or 5-star at checkout), private air-conditioned transport with driver, ferry transfers between Port Blair and Havelock, English-speaking guides, daily bottled water, and a rickshaw ride in Madurai are included. Meals, beverages, tips, and optional activities like scuba diving or jet skiing are not included. International and domestic flights can be arranged for an additional cost.

Do I need to arrange my own flights to Port Blair?

The tour includes the ferry from Port Blair to Havelock Island, but flights from Chennai to Port Blair are not included in the base price. You can request flight arrangements through the operator for an additional cost. The itinerary recommends booking an early morning flight from Chennai so you can catch the last ferry to Havelock at 1:00 PM.

What's the difference between the three hotel options?

You choose your hotel tier when you book: 3-star hotels like La Woods or The Lotus in Chennai; 4-star options like Taj Club House or The Residency; or 5-star properties like Trident or Taj Connemara. The same choice applies across all 11 nights in Tamil Nadu and the Andaman Islands. The itinerary and activities remain the same regardless of tier.

Is snorkeling at Elephanta Beach suitable for beginners?

Yes. Elephanta Beach has clear, shallow waters ideal for both beginners and experienced snorkelers. You travel by shared boat, and the coral reefs and tropical fish are visible in the shallow zone. Water sports like jet skiing and banana boat rides are optional extras available on the day.