Enjoy challenging hiking in an aery realm of grand glacial cirques, crystalline lakes, snow-capped summits, mighty waterfalls, and magnificent beech forests. Along the way we fuel our hikes with hearty mountain fare from cassoulet to Roquefort cheeses.
The Andaman Islands and South India
Lavish Temples, Royal Palaces, the Dussehra Festival & Indian Ocean Snorkeling
with Roger Williams
From the remote Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal to French colonial Pondicherry on the palm-fringed coast, South India radiates a tropical ambiance all its own. With veteran Asia explorer Roger Williams, we visit the World Heritage Site of Mahabalipuram, with its rock-carved temples along the beach, watch puja ceremonies at Madurai’s fabulous Sri Meenakshi temple, soak up the atmosphere at the old British hill station of Ooty, and attend the fantastic Dusherra Festival in Mysore, where celebrants mark the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. Our grand finale finds us in the far-flung archipelago of the Andaman Islands, enjoying walks in the rainforest, birdwatching, and snorkeling in the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean. Roger has lived and studied in India and is the perfect guide for this unique south India odyssey.
Highlights
- World Heritage temples of Thanjavur and Mahabalipuram
- Andaman Islands white-sand beaches and coral reefs
- Madurai’s colossal temple, with its Shiva shrines, and Mysore’s elaborate palaces
Details
- 19-day trip begins and ends in Chennai
- 18 nights in hotels
- All meals included
- Cultural exploration and walking tours, rugged road travel
Tour Costs
$7795 (13-15 members)
$8395 (10-12 members)
$8995 (6-9 members)
Single supplement: $1850
Internal airfare: $1100 (subject to change)
Prices are for 2010 dates
Departures & Leaders
Oct 9-27, 2010 Roger Williams
Suggested Reading
Reading list, click here.
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-3
Chennai / Pondicherry
After visiting the beautiful Hindu temples at Mahabalipuram, with their romantic beachside setting, we head to Pondicherry, former capital of French India, to walk the seaside promenade and visit the Sri Aurobindo ashram, which attracts thousands of devotees from around the world.
Days 4-6
Thanjavur / Chettinad Villages
No other part of India is as famed for temple architecture as is the state of Tamil Nadu. We visit magnificent Thanjavur, a World Heritage Site where over 90 temples built between the 9th and 13th centuries during the Chola kingdom still stand. Thanjavur’s skyline showcases the breathtaking Brihdishwara Temple, with its fantastic bronze sculptures. We depart Thanjavur via Chettinad to see the unique village architecture of the traditional Nattukottai Chettiars.
Days 7-9
Madurai / Ooty / Mysore / Dussehra Festival
In Madurai, we explore the Shri Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar temple complex, with its ongoing weddings and pujas (prayer ceremonies) at innumerable shrines. A beautiful drive brings us up to Ooty, where the British Raj once came to enjoy the cool highland climate. In Mysore, with its fairytale palace of the former maharajas, we watch the festivities of Dussehra, the homecoming of Lord Rama, celebrated in majestic processions, dances, and musical events that enliven the city. We also visit the peaceful Buddhist monasteries at the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe.
Days 10-12
Bangalore / Chennai
Heading to Bangalore, we visit Srirangapatnam, site of Tipu Sultan’s splendid summer palace, with its walls covered with murals depicting the armies of his kingdom, and continue to Chennai.
Days 13-19
Port Blair / Chennai
We fly to Port Blair, capital of the Andaman Islands, and visit the tiny fishing village of Chiriya Tapu, snorkel the fine reefs at Wandoor, and walk the forested slopes of Mount Harriet. Depart on Day 19 via Chennai.
This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure