Jalakara is a small boutique hotel set in a tropical rainforest at the northern end of Havelock Island in the Andaman archipelago. Set on a hill with views to the Andaman Sea, this modern resort with stylish interiors showcase the best of handcrafted local woodwork and block-printed textiles. Owned by a high-profile London chef Marko Hill, who oversees dining, this boho-luxury style hideaway is becoming a very desirable property amongst discerning travellers to this island.
Nestled in the forest, Jalakara has just six secluded suites and one private villa. The décor is minimal but smart with lots of polished plaster and polished wood. The room to book is the Tower villa with romantic room on the first floor and private roof garden complete with double sun loungers. For those seeking more privacy and space can splash out on the private Villa that comes with a kitchen, dry sand garden and private yoga deck complete with copper infinity plunge pool.
Guests at Jalakara can expect excellent cuisine. Chef Marko Hill has created a balanced menu using locally sourced fresh organic ingredients with catch of the day seafood. Beach No. 7, one of the best in Asia is just about 10-mins drive and there are diving and snorkelling sites nearby. For relaxation there is a swimming pool and a spa offering Thai massage treatments. Other activities on offer include boat trips, jungle walks and bird watching tours.
Stay Jalakara has just three rooms, three suites and one private villa. Each are individually decorated in contemporary style, with polished concrete floors and whitewashed walls. All are spacious in size with French doors or glass walls, some with four-poster beds, draped in fine cotton sheets. The unique Tower Room, features a private roof terrace with breathtaking forest views and the single Jalakara Villa boasts a private kitchen, yoga deck, garden, infinity plunge pool, and hammocks.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Jalakara. Although there are no specific facilities available for children, the rooms have enough space for an extra cot and there is enough space in the surrounds for children to play. The in-house restaurant is flexible about children’s food and timings. Babysitting service can be arranged on request.
Dine The in-house restaurant at the Jalakara is headed by the owner-cum-chef who ensures every meal is fresh and perfect. Breakfast includes house-baked bread with eggs on order and tropical fruit and juices. Lunch is an informal affair served around the pool while dinner showcases locally caught seafood. There’s also a communal kitchen where you can make yourself coffee, tea or snacks. Jalakara's restaurant is closed on Wednesday evenings but there are great restaurants nearby.
Relax For relaxation, Jalakara has a 16-metre infinity pool with its own bar and dining area. There is also a small spa, which offers Thai massage treatments and Yoga classes held in the courtyard. Indoors is the pavilion, stocked with after dinner games for some light evening entertainment.
Experience There are wide range of activities on offer at Jalakara on Havelock Island, of which diving is the most popular. Most diving sites are no deeper than 20 meters but newer and deeper sites are being discovered. The dive sites are between 30 minutes and 2 hours by boat and vary with regards to topography and fish life. The coral reefs are full of tropical fish, turtles, barracuda, rays, Napoleon fish and the elusive dugong. Other activities include nature walks and bird watching tours.
Nov-May
29°C
IXZ
GMT+ 5.3
Indian Rupees (INR)
Location This small resort on Havelock Island in the Bay of Bengal is set in rainforest and tropical fruit trees, a short 10-minute drive inland from the quirkily named Beach No. 7. Havelock Island sits just north west of Port Blair, the Andaman's main arrival point.
Getting there Fly into Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair from several destinations including Chennai, Calcutta, Delhi or Hyderabad. Havelock is then a 1-hour 30-minute transfer by private speedboat.
When to go The best time to visit the Andamans is December to May although the high season lasts until early January. Avoid June to August as monsoons hit the island. September to November can be rainy, but still pleasant. Diving is best between December and April. Game fishing is best from mid-January to mid-March, which is also when turtles nest and dugongs come to feed on the sea-grass. Foreigners must obtain a permit at the Port Blair airport and keep it with them.
Destination
Southern, IndiaHotel Type
BoutiqueLocation Type
Remote
Featured
Discover sides of Asia you never knew existed, revealed by people who know every facet.
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Featured
June 01 - 1, June 01, 2025
Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said us recently.
“I would like to thank Asian Geographical Expeditions staff for organising a perfect holiday for my family to Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives…”
“We are grateful for the exceptional planning and care taken by Asian Geographical Expeditions to ensure our holiday was perfect.”
“… organised by Asian Geographical Expeditions following a recommendation from a close friend. He wasn’t wrong! Asian Geographical Expeditions immediately showed us their professionalism, care and attention to our wishes.”
“Thank you for suggesting the helicopter ride to Everest Base Camp and breakfast with a view of Mt Everest—a truly spectacular moment.”
“The history and cultural specialists also deserve a mention for the way they illuminated the heritage of the places we visited, as does the Buddhist scholar with his apparently boundless knowledge.”
“We were very impressed to learn that its CEO had led some amazing first-ever expeditions … Clearly, he’s still an ace at organising expeditions.”
“Tibet was a revelation … it surely was a blessing to travel back to the region after 50 years … Thank you, Asian Geographical Expeditions, for making this possible.”
"Everything went smoothly, and we want to thank our friendly guides and driver who shared their personal stories and the rich histories of their countries. That is the AGE difference."
"A heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Asian Geographical Expeditions who made this super trip possible."
"… we had a stress-free trip, ‘hands-free’, enabling us to enjoy the sights and rich cultures of Dubai and Oman ."
"The meticulous care, support and guidance provided by Asian Geographical Expeditions made the trip extra-special."
"The itinerary was as we expected... the Asian Geographical Expeditions did a fantastic job, going the extra mile to ensure we had the best holiday ever.”
"The attention to detail shone through every aspect of our journey … we gained a deep understanding of a region that remains enigmatic to many. Thanks for a remarkable travel experience!"
"I am deeply grateful to the entire team at Asian Geographical Expeditions for their dedication and hard work in crafting such a memorable holiday."
"The guides were exceptional—they clearly loved sharing their knowledge and insights into the local culture and history."
"We were really impressed with the immaculate organisation ... The Asian Geographical Expeditions team kept in communication during the tour, ensuring that each of our members was comfortable."
"The detailed itinerary and thoughtful pre-trip information removed all stress from our travels, which went off without a hitch, allowing us to dive deep into the stunning landscapes and rich cultures of Central Asia."
"The hospitality was truly remarkable... we are immensely grateful to the team for their efforts and look forward to our next adventure with Asian Geographical Expeditions."
"Every detail of our trip was superbly executed... (and) the exceptional attentiveness of the guides added a feeling of luxury and comfort that was much appreciated."
"The guides were not only knowledgeable but also truly passionate about sharing their rich cultural histories, which added a personal touch that was deeply appreciated."
"Every aspect of the trip, from guides to accommodation and the well-planned itinerary ... was seamlessly orchestrated. We will always recommend Asian Geographical Expeditions for anyone looking to explore Central Asia in unparalleled depth and comfort."
