Start with an early Chandigarh–Delhi intercity bus or train, allowing roughly 4–5 hours depending on traffic and the service you choose. For a group of 10, a pre-booked tempo traveller or Chandigarh pickup can be easier than coordinating separate taxis. From Delhi, continue by flight to Chennai International Airport, allowing at least 2½ hours before departure for airport formalities. With transfers and possible Delhi traffic, the full journey will usually take 8–11 hours, so keep snacks, medicines, and light luggage easily accessible. If driving to Delhi airport, reserve parking in advance; otherwise, arrange a group airport transfer rather than relying on multiple last-minute cabs.
After checking in and resting briefly, take a cab to Marina Beach in Triplicane, ideally around 5:00–5:30 pm. The beach is free and best enjoyed as a relaxed first introduction to Chennai: walk along the promenade, watch the evening crowds, and try familiar local snacks such as sundal or roasted corn from hygienic, busy stalls. Avoid swimming—the currents are strong—and keep valuables secure in the crowd. From the airport, the ride to central Chennai can take 30–60 minutes depending on traffic; from most central hotels, allow 20–30 minutes.
Head next to Saravana Bhavan in T. Nagar for an uncomplicated vegetarian dinner, roughly ₹250–₹500 per person. Order a mix of dosa, idli, vada, meals, and filter coffee so the family can sample several South Indian staples. A meal for 10 may take a little time during the dinner rush, so expect some waiting and consider splitting across tables if needed. From Marina Beach, allow about 25–40 minutes by cab in evening traffic; after dinner, return to the hotel and keep the night early, since the long journey from Chandigarh will make tomorrow’s sightseeing much more enjoyable with a proper rest.
Begin early in Mylapore, ideally around 7:00–7:30 AM, when the lanes are cooler and the temple area feels most atmospheric. Spend about an hour at Kapaleeshwarar Temple, one of Chennai’s finest examples of Dravidian architecture; dress modestly, leave footwear outside, and note that non-Hindus may not be permitted into the inner sanctum. There is no general entry fee, though donations are welcome. Afterward, walk through Mylapore Tank and Mada Streets for another hour, browsing brassware, flower stalls, handicrafts, and small local shops. The streets are best explored on foot, but for a group of 10, two autos or a pre-booked cab will be more practical between wider junctions.
Have a quick South Indian breakfast or tiffin nearby, then take the East Coast Road south toward Dakshinachitra Museum in Muttukadu. Allow roughly 60–90 minutes from Mylapore, depending heavily on traffic; leave by about 10:30 AM and use two cabs or a 12-seater vehicle rather than relying on multiple app taxis. The museum is generally open from around 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and usually takes 2–3 hours, with reconstructed traditional homes from across South India, craft demonstrations, and occasional cultural performances. Check the official schedule before leaving, especially for group-ticket details and performance timings.
From Dakshinachitra, continue north toward The Farm in Semmenchery for a relaxed farm-to-table dinner. The journey usually takes 30–45 minutes, but allow extra time on the busy OMR corridor. This is a good place to slow down after the museum: expect approximately ₹800–₹1,500 per person, and call ahead for a table for 10 because seating and service can be leisurely. Finish the evening with your pre-booked vehicle back to your Chennai hotel; avoid scheduling anything late, as the return traffic from OMR can be unpredictable.
Start at the Government Museum in Egmore around 9:30 AM, before Chennai’s heat builds. Allow about two hours for the bronze gallery—especially the celebrated Chola bronzes—along with the archaeology and Amaravathi sculpture collections. The museum is generally closed on Fridays and national holidays; admission is inexpensive, usually under ₹100 for Indian visitors, but check the current opening time before leaving. From central Chennai, a short auto-rickshaw or cab ride is easiest for a group of 10; ask the driver to use Pantheon Road, where the museum entrance is located.
Take a cab south to Semmozhi Poonga in Teynampet, roughly 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. Spend about an hour walking its landscaped paths and shaded botanical sections—a welcome pause after the museum. Entry is usually modest, around ₹20–₹50 per person, though timings and access can change for maintenance. Have lunch nearby rather than carrying the group across the city; Sangeetha Veg Restaurant on Anna Salai is practical for a large family, with quick South Indian meals, dosa, meals, and child-friendly options. Expect roughly ₹250–₹450 per person.
By about 4:00 PM, head to Pondy Bazaar in T. Nagar, allowing 20–40 minutes from Teynampet depending on traffic. This is best treated as a relaxed shopping walk rather than a checklist: browse the clothing shops and handicraft stalls, and try local snacks such as sundal, bajji, or fresh juice. The main shopping streets become crowded after 5:00 PM, so keep valuables secure and arrange one clear meeting point for the family. Finish with dinner at Murugan Idli Shop in T. Nagar, known for soft idlis, podi, vadai, and several chutneys; budget approximately ₹200–₹400 per person. For 10 people, expect a short wait and consider splitting into two autos or booking a larger cab for the return to your hotel.
Take a morning direct flight from Chennai International Airport to Veer Savarkar International Airport, allowing about 2½ hours at the airport and roughly 2¼–2½ hours in the air. With 10 travellers and checked luggage, pre-arrange airport transfers and ask the airline about the group’s baggage allowance. On arrival, collect luggage and use a prepaid taxi or app-based cab to your hotel in Port Blair; the airport is close to the town centre, usually 15–25 minutes by road depending on traffic. Keep the afternoon relatively light after the flight.
After hotel check-in and a short rest, head to Aberdeen Bazaar in the late afternoon, about 1 hour. This is the practical heart of Port Blair, good for browsing small shops, buying snacks and water, and picking up anything needed for the islands. Walk rather than taking multiple cars if your hotel is central; otherwise, a short auto-rickshaw or taxi ride is convenient. The market is liveliest from around 4:00 PM onward, but prices are usually negotiable only modestly. Keep your ferry and hotel documents safely together, and avoid buying fragile souvenirs before the rest of the island transfers.
Reach Cellular Jail National Memorial by around 4:30–5:00 PM for the galleries and courtyards before the evening light-and-sound presentation. Allow approximately 2½ hours in total, including security and seating; show timings and language can vary, so confirm the English or Hindi slot when booking. Tickets are generally inexpensive, but seating fills quickly in November, so reserve ahead where possible. Afterward, take a short taxi or auto-rickshaw ride to Annapurna Restaurant for a straightforward vegetarian dinner—budget approximately ₹300–₹600 per person. For a large group, call ahead for seating, order shared thalis and rice dishes, and aim to finish by about 9:00 PM so everyone can rest before the next day’s island activities.
Leave Port Blair around 7:00–7:30 AM for Chidiya Tapu, allowing about 45–60 minutes each way by hired tempo traveller or two taxis. The road runs through forested South Andaman, and the group should carry water, hats, insect repellent, and light snacks; swimming is not the main attraction here, and sea conditions can be unpredictable. Spend the morning walking along the coastal viewpoints and forest edges, keeping an eye out for birds and macaques without feeding them.
Continue to Munda Pahad Beach, a quieter stretch within the Chidiya Tapu area. Allow about an hour for the coastal walk and relaxed family photographs. Wear shoes with a good grip, as parts of the trail can be uneven, and avoid lingering after heavy rain. Return to Port Blair after lunch; a simple packed meal is often easier than relying on restaurants along this route.
After resting at the hotel, visit Samudrika Naval Marine Museum for about an hour, ideally between 3:00 and 5:00 PM. The displays on coral, shells, marine life, and the islands’ indigenous communities make this a good low-effort activity for a mixed-age family. Entry is usually inexpensive—roughly ₹10–₹50 per person, though fees and timings can change—so check locally before leaving. The museum is in the Delanipur area, around 10–15 minutes by auto-rickshaw or taxi from central Port Blair.
Have dinner at New Lighthouse Restaurant, near the Aberdeen waterfront, around 6:30–7:00 PM. It is popular for seafood, but the menu also includes Indian dishes for children and non-seafood diners; expect approximately ₹600–₹1,200 per person. For 10 people, call ahead or arrive early because seating can fill quickly. Ask for a table with harbor views, order seafood only if it is clearly fresh, and arrange your return taxi in advance rather than relying on several autos at closing time.
Take your reserved Makruzz or Nautika ferry from Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island), aiming for an early sailing. With a group of 10, arrive at the terminal 60–90 minutes before departure for check-in and luggage handling; keep ferry tickets, ID, and hotel confirmation together. The crossing usually takes 1½–2 hours, and sea conditions can make the ride bumpy, so anyone prone to seasickness should sit near the centre of the vessel and carry medication. After arriving at Swaraj Dweep, arrange the pre-booked hotel transfers or use two local auto-rickshaws/taxis—allow roughly 30–45 minutes to reach the beach areas. Drop bags at your accommodation and have a light breakfast before heading out.
Continue by hired vans or autos to Kalapathar Beach, around 30–40 minutes from the jetty. Spend about 1½ hours walking the quiet forest-fringed shoreline and enjoying the views of driftwood, turquoise water, and the distinctive dark rocks along the coast. This is more of a scenic stop than a swimming beach, and swimming may be unsafe depending on the tide and currents, so follow local signs and lifeguard advice. Facilities are limited: carry drinking water, hats, sunscreen, and snacks, and avoid leaving plastic behind. Return toward the main market area for lunch rather than waiting for substantial food options at the beach.
After lunch and a short rest, leave for Radhanagar Beach, usually a 30–45-minute drive from the Kalapathar side. Give yourselves around three hours here: walk along the broad sandy shore, swim only in the marked safe zones, and stay until the late-afternoon light softens. The beach generally closes around sunset, so do not plan to remain after the gates and lifeguards begin clearing visitors. Carry a change of clothes and a waterproof pouch for phones; changing facilities and snack stalls are available near the entrance, but they can be busy with large groups. Later, return toward the central Govind Nagar area for dinner at Full Moon Café, where a relaxed meal typically costs ₹600–₹1,200 per person. For 10 people, call ahead or arrive early for a larger table; allow about 1½ hours, and confirm the kitchen’s closing time locally as island hours can change with the season.
Leave your Swaraj Dweep accommodation by about 7:30–8:00 AM for Elephant Beach, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes to reach the boat jetty by auto-rickshaw or pre-arranged island taxi. The usual visit combines a shared or private boat with time for swimming, snorkeling and optional activities such as sea walking or glass-bottom-boat rides. For 10 people, ask your hotel to arrange a group boat in advance and confirm the morning departure, total price, life jackets and weather policy; expect approximately ₹1,000–₹2,500 per person depending on the boat and activities. Carry dry clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, waterproof phone pouches and only essentials, as facilities at the beach are basic. Keep the morning flexible because boat services can be delayed or cancelled in rough seas.
Return around lunchtime and eat near Govind Nagar, where small local restaurants and hotel dining rooms are more practical for a large group than trying to find one table directly on the beach. Allow time to rest after the boat trip, then spend about an hour walking along Govind Nagar Beach. The shoreline is usually calmer and less activity-focused than Elephant Beach, making it a good place for children and older family members to unwind. Autos are easy to arrange for short island journeys, but confirm the fare before leaving; for 10 people, two or three autos or a pre-booked tempo vehicle will be more comfortable.
Around 4:00 PM, continue to Vijaynagar Beach for a slower final outing. The coastal road and mangrove-lined stretches are especially photogenic in the softer late-afternoon light; stay on established paths and avoid walking on exposed mangrove roots or slippery rocks. Afterward, have dinner at Something Different—A Beachside Café, a relaxed choice for a mixed-age group, with Indian and continental dishes and enough variety for different appetites. Budget roughly ₹700–₹1,400 per person, and reserve or call ahead because a group of 10 can take time to seat during the evening rush. Island kitchens may serve dishes gradually, so order shared starters first and plan on about 1½ hours rather than a quick meal.
Take your reserved morning ferry from Swaraj Dweep to Port Blair, arriving with enough time for luggage collection and the short transfer into town. Keep ferry tickets, identification, and any hotel confirmation accessible; sea conditions can occasionally delay sailings, so avoid booking anything non-refundable immediately after arrival. A pre-arranged tempo traveller is the easiest option for 10 people, particularly with beach luggage.
Once checked in or after leaving bags at the hotel, head to Chatham Saw Mill, usually open during daytime working hours except on government holidays. Allow about an hour to see the historic machinery, timber displays, and old island photographs. The mill is close to central Port Blair, and the entry fee is generally modest—roughly ₹20–₹50 per person, subject to revision. Wear closed shoes, as parts of the site are industrial and uneven.
After lunch near Aberdeen Bazaar, take a boat from Port Blair harbour to Ross Island—now officially Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island. Allow roughly 2½–3 hours for the boat ride, walking, and return, and confirm the afternoon sailing schedule at the jetty because boats operate on fixed timings and may be weather-dependent. Explore the atmospheric ruins of the former British administrative headquarters, including the old church and crumbling buildings, while keeping an eye out for the island’s tame deer and peacocks. Carry water, a hat, and comfortable footwear; shade is limited on the paths.
Return to Port Blair and finish at Amaya Lounge Bar, a relaxed rooftop venue suited to a group dinner. Plan about 1½ hours and budget approximately ₹800–₹1,500 per person, depending on drinks and seafood orders. It is worth calling ahead for a table for 10, particularly on a Saturday, and asking about the evening menu and seating availability. After dinner, keep the rest of the evening easy—your group will likely appreciate an early night before the next day’s departure.
Have breakfast early and leave your hotel around 5:00–6:00 AM for Veer Savarkar International Airport. The airport is usually a 15–30-minute drive from central Port Blair, but allow extra time for a group of 10, luggage loading, and airport security. Aim for an early direct flight to Delhi; the flight generally takes around 3½–4 hours, though schedules and fares vary considerably. Book everyone on the same PNR if possible, and keep luggage within the airline allowance—extra baggage for a large family group can quickly increase the fare.
After landing in Delhi, allow at least 3–4 hours before continuing to Chandigarh. A connecting flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport is the quickest option, taking about one hour in the air, but a road transfer may be cheaper for 10 people if you can arrange a pre-booked tempo traveller. The drive to Chandigarh is commonly 4½–6 hours via NH44, depending heavily on Delhi traffic; avoid accepting an airport taxi without confirming the total fare, tolls, and luggage capacity in advance. If your onward flight or bus is late in the evening, stay within the airport complex rather than crossing into central Delhi.
For a same-day return, expect roughly 8–12 hours door to door, with a longer day if you travel from Delhi by road. Keep snacks, water, medicines, and a change of clothes accessible rather than packed in checked luggage. Because this is a long island-to-mainland journey, do not plan additional sightseeing or a tight bus connection after landing; arrange a large pre-booked vehicle for the final transfer home and allow time for baggage collection and regrouping.
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