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Experience Palau in the phenomenally scenic Rock Islands, 300 limestone outcrops filled marine lakes, old-growth coral gardens, reef fish aquariums, and secluded tropical beaches. Our eco-friendly kayaks allow us to explore and snorkel, in peace and harmony with the delicate ecosystem.
The Andaman Islands and South India
Lavish Temples, Royal Palaces, the Dussehra Festival & Indian Ocean Snorkeling
with Roger Williams
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $7795 see pricing |
|---|---|
| Length: | 19 days |
| Arrive: | Chennai, India |
| Depart: | Chennai, India |
| Lodging: | 18 nights in hotels |
| Meals: | All meals included |
| Activity: | Cultural Adventures |
| Trip Level: |
Cultural exploration and walking tours, rugged road travel
explain
|
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
Choosing the Right Trip
We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
Email Area Manager
References
We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.
Email Area ManagerDeparture Notes
Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.
Resources
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.
Itinerary at a Glance
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
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.
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2, easy to moderate. It is a vehicle-based cultural and natural history adventure. Accommodations are in hotels and lodges. Although this is not a difficult trip, please remember that overland travel in southern India can be an adventure. The essential requirements are flexibility, a sense of humor, curiosity, enthusiasm about new peoples and places, and an openness to the unexpected.
Departures & Leaders
Oct 9-27, 2010 Roger Williams
Tour Costs
Prices are for 2010
$7795 (13-15 members)
$8395 (10-12 members)
$8995 (6-9 members)
Single supplement: $1850
Internal airfare: $1100 (subject to change)
more on pricing
Tour Cost Includes:
- expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
- accommodations
- meals as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
- sightseeing, land and boat transportation, and airport transfers as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
- baggage handling
Tour Cost Does Not Include:
International airfare to and from India or flights within India, individual airport transfers, meals not specified in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional gratuities to leaders and staff, additional hotel nights made necessary by airline schedule changes or other factors, expenses such as immunizations (if any), travel insurance, and other items of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, bottled water and so on).
Roger Williams
Roger Williams has led Wilderness Travel trips for over 20 years. He is a Tibetologist who lived in Nepal for eight years, studying Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhist iconographics, Himalayan languages, and woodblock art. He lived in Kyoto for two years studying Japanese woodblock art, Japanese language, and Shingon Shu, an esoteric sect of Japanese Buddhism. Roger has led many trips for us through India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, along the Silk Road, in Southeast Asia, to Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Iran, Mongolia, and into remote corners of the Russian Far East. Since 2002, Roger has been working as a technical advisor with USAID consulting in tourism development projects in Mongolia, Armenia and Croatia. In July, 2010, he returned from his third The Great Game journey, a special WT Expedition that included visits to the Wakhan Valley as well as Mazar i-Sharif and Balk (formally Bactria) in northern Afghanistan. When not leading trips, Roger is the director of Snow Lion Graphics/SLG Books in Berkeley, California, a publishing house specializing in books and calendars relating to Asian cultures.
Upcoming Trips:
Central Asia Explorer, September 2-20, 2010
The Andaman Islands and South India, October 9-27, 2010
Treasures of Southeast Asia, January 18-February 7, 2011
The Great Game, May 20-June 14, 2011
The Great Game, June 17-July 12, 2011
The Four Corners of Mongolia, August 5-31, 2011
Armenia and Beyond, September 23-October 16, 2011
Passage to India, November 20-December 13, 2011
The Burma Road, January 2012
India's Wild Northeast Frontier, February 24-March 17, 2012
Client Testimonials:
Tibet is a place like no other on the planet! Roger’s language skills and knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism opened many doors.Connie Diernisse, Alamo CA
Heart of Tibet
Exceedingly knowledgeable, very caring.Priscilla and Franklin Osgood, Malvern PA
Mystical Bhutan
Roger knows how to run a trip. He’s very organized and clearly communicates the daily plan. Also, he's a lot of fun and I was impressed with his expertise on Buddhist iconography.Fran Mueller, Mill Valley, CA
Hidden Himalayas
Roger is remarkable. This trip showed him at his best. We could never have traveled across the roof of the world without his preparation and energy. Thanks for a grand experience!Ruth and Frank Harold, Edmonds WA
In the Footsteps of the Great Game
Roger takes good care of his travelers and we learned a lot about the people, their culture, and history. His love for this part of the world is infectious.Ruth Gibbons, Del Mar CA
In the Footsteps of the Great Game
Roger is great! Hard working, knowledgeable, personable. He really makes a difference.Bill Rowland, Walnut Creek, CA
Passage to India