Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Andaman Islands,Eastern India & Calcutta
100% customisable for you
Perhaps equipped with some inspirational reading matter for quieter moments, board your direct, overnight flight to Bangkok. The journey is around 11-and-a-half hours.
Back at Bangkok airport, check in for your flight north to Bhutan, landing in the dramatic Paro Valley around three hours after take-off. You'll be greeted by your driver and guide for the hour-long journey to the country's capital, Thimphu. En route you can call at Tamchhu Lhakhang, a temple that's only accessible by crossing the fast-flowing river on the delightful iron suspension bridge built by a 14th century saint, Thangtong Gyalpo.
On arrival in Thimphu, you can go with your guide to the iconic National Memorial Chorten in the city centre followed by the National Textile Museum where you'll see how the country's famously vibrant fabrics are woven into their intricate patterns. You can also head to the informative Folk Heritage Museum for a closer look at the workings of rural life in Bhutan. The three-storey house contains exhibits showing clothes making, food preparation and crafts while outside is a watermill, farming equipment and vegetable gardens.
If there's time, your guide will also take you for an hour's walk to a local monastery before returning you to your hotel for a delicious supper.
After breakfast, take a wander round the city, perhaps choosing some prayer flags for later in the day. Your guide and driver will then drive you up into the mountains to the magnificent Dochula Pass. At just over 10,000ft, the panoramic views from up here are outstanding, with the dazzling white peaks of the Himalayas visible way into the distance on a clear day. You'll also visit the 108 immaculately presented white shrines (chortens) constructed in memory of soldiers killed in battle in 2003 and you can attach your own prayer flag alongside the hundreds already here, fluttering peacefully in the breeze.
On your descent through deep forests into the Punakha Valley, you'll stop off at the intricately decorated fertility temple blessed by the much-loved Buddhist master and patron saint of Bhutan, Drukpa Kunley. Frequented by couples praying to conceive, the temple unabashedly features numerous depictions of phallus symbols as well as the traditional prayer flags and beautifully carved prayer wheels.
Driving on alongside the Mo Chhu River, look out for the impressive 17th century Punakha Dzong, a huge wedding cake of a building on the riverside. On arrival in Punakha, you'll check into your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Today you'll bid farewell to Bhutan, with your driver delivering you to the airport in time for your direct flight to Kolkota, India. The journey time is around an hour and a half, then you'll be met at the airport and transferred to check in at your city hotel where you'll stay for one night. Late in the afternoon, you'll be collected from your hotel and taken to Babu Ghat for a private sunset boat cruise down the Hooghly River.
Along the way, tea and home-made snacks will be served and you'll discover how Kolkota evolved from being a small riverside village to becoming the first capital of Britain's imperial Raj and now a city of over 4.6 million people. See how the river plays a huge significance in the lives of Kolkota's people, from those living aboard houseboats to the pilgrims who worship here.
At the end of the cruise, you'll disembark at Belur Math in time for the enchanting nightly Hindu light ceremony (aarti) before being driven back to your hotel for the night.
Return to the airport early this morning in time for a short flight south to Port Blair. It's a flight of around two hours and 20 minutes. On arrival, you'll be met at the airport for the short transfer to the port where you'll board a catamaran for the two-hour sail to Havelock Island, arriving late afternoon.
From here, you'll be met and transferred to your luxury accommodation with the rest of the day free to relax and explore the resort.
Today it's time to leave behind this idyllic island, hopefully chilled out and reinvigorated. You'll be taken to the catamaran for the two-hour trip back to Port Blair. From here, you'll be transferred to the airport for the short flight to Chennai (formerly Madras), taking around two hours.
On arrival, you'll be collected from the airport and taken to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
