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Situated 1,000km off the east coast of idea in the bay
of bangal, the Andaman & Nicobar Island comprise our
most remote territory.The approximately 300 islands are
really the summits of a submarine mountain chain
stretching from Myanmar’s Arakan yoma range to Sumatra,
separating the Bay of Bengal from the Andama sea. At
732m, Saddle peak in North Andamans.The waters of the
Andaman, rich in coral reefs and marine life, have long
been acknowledged as one of the best preserved diving
sites in the world. But with 85 percent of the land
under forest cover, and no less than 12 types of forest,
ranging from giant evergreen to moist deciduous,
mangrove and littoral, among others, there’s a lot of
action above the waterline as well.
As of now, tourism in the Andaman’s is largely centered
in the islands around port Blair (South Andaman) as well
as Havelock, which is further north. Tourism in the
Andaman still remains largely of the budget variety and
low-impact, higt-end tourism is a reality yet to
materialize. |
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Andaman and Nicobar are separated by the Ten Degree
Channel. The Nicobar Islands are not open to foreign
nationals. The only island mainland Indians can visit
here without needing to procure a permit (which in any
case is difficult to come by) is Great Nicobar, the
southernmost island in the chain. The town here,
Campbell Bay, was ravaged by the tsunami. There’s
government guesthouse here but it’s almost always full.
The helicopter service is whimsical, with limited
seating. The only other approach is by a long sea
journey, but schedules for this too are irregular. So
Nicobar is really a no-no at this point.
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GETTTING
THERE:
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Getting There Indian, Jet
Airways, Simplifly Deccan and
Kingfisher fly daily from
Chennai and Kolkata to port
Blair. Additionally, Spice jet
and JetLite also operate flights
from Kolkata.
You can also get here by ship.
However, be warned. Shipping
Schedules are erratic. And when
you do acquire a berth, not
everyone can stomach a three-day
journey by sea. There are 4-5
departures a month from both
Chennai and Kolkata. There is
reportedly one sailing a month
from Visakhapatnam as well.
Fares for non-islanders range
from Rs 1,500 for a bunk to Rs
6,000 for a deluxe cabin. See
www.and.inc.in
for a tentative
sailing programme.
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WHAT TO SEE
& DO:
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Port
Blair & Around: port Blair has a number of
museums-Anthropological Museum, Fisheries
Museum, Samudrika (Naval Marine museum),
Zoological Survey of India Museum and Forest
Museum. But the star attraction remains the
Cellular jail. Don’t miss the Sound and light
show here. Other sites of patriotic interest
include the Ross and Viper islands, both short
boat rides away.
The climb to Mount Harriet (365m) is an easy day trip from town. Mount
Harriet National park is a butterfly hotspot.
Two kilometers from here is kalapathar, the spot
from where convicts were pushed to their death.
Corbyn’s Cove and chiriya Tapu are extremely
popular beaches. There’s government organic farm
at Sipper Ghat.Just 30km southwest of port
Blair, the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
offers excellent snorkeling in the coral beds
surrounding jolly Buoy and Red Skin islands.
Havelock & Around: Port of Ritchie’s Archipelago, Havelock is noted for
the Radhanagar beach (Beach no.7), dubbed by
time magazine as one of the finest in Asia.
Other islands you can explore nearby include
Baratang, Neil and Long. Infrastructure for
diving is well developed in Havelock and there
are excellent dive sites in the vicinity.
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FLORA AND
FAUNA:
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The
forests support a profusion of
epiphytes, primarily ferns and
orchids. There’s also a stunning
diversity of mangrove species.
The Andaman padauk. Noted for
its fine grain wood, is the
state tree.
Mammals include the Andaman wild
pig, crab-eating macaque;
Andaman masked palm civet,
Andaman spiny shrew, a variety
of bats and, under the sea,
dolphins, whales and dugongs
(the state animal). The spotted
deer you’ll see here were
introduced. An attempt to
introduce the leopard around
1962 proved unsuccessful. There
is also a population of feral
elephants.
Reptiles include the saltwater
crocodile, the Andaman codra, a
variety of geckos and lizards,
water mnitor, reticulated
python, kraits and pit vipers,
the pelagic sea snake, olive
Ridley and leatherback turtles
among others, and the rare king
cobra.
Around 300 bird species have
been recorded here. Endemic bird
species of the Andaman Islands
include the Andaman
serpent-eagle, Andaman crake,
Brown coucal, Andaman Scops-owl,
Narcondam hornbill, Andaman
woodpecker and Andaman drongo.
The Nicobar pigeon is believed
to be the closest living
relative of the dodo. |
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BAREFOOT
ECO-TOURS
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The Barefoot Group, purveyors of eco-friendly
tourism practices in the Andamans, offer a range
of ecotours ex-Havelock. There include half-day
tours, full-day trips as well 2D/1N and 3D/2N
excursions. The tours are competently run, with
a large support staff in tow to ensure a high
degree of comfort. Prices include meals,
drinking water, surface and boat transportation
and equipment such as kayaks and snorkeling
gear.
Baratang & North passage (3D/2N): Takes in
kayaking at Wrafter’s Creek, limestone caves
(request the mud volcano tour as well),
snorkeling in Merk Bay, and a night each of
camping at Baratang and North Passage islands.
On the return journey, there’s a stopover at
either Turtle island, Swiftlet Rock or Tamarind
Camp for some more snorkeling. A variation of
the same tour is available ex-port Blair, with
the second night at Long island instead. Rs
16,000 per person.
A 1N excursion to Baratang by dunghi will set
you back by Rs 10,500 per person. A 1N excursion
o North Passage Island will cost rs.9, 000 per
person (dunghi) or Rs 12,000 by motor launch.
The 1N excursion to Long island is similarly
priced and takes in kayaking through the inlets
of Yerrata creek and a forest walk on Long
island.
Shorter excursions are organized to Elephant
Beach, Char Nariyal and Neil Island. Of course,
it’s all itineraries to create longer, bespoke
tour.
Honeymooner’s Hideaway; this half-day excursion
has us intrigued. A dunghi drops you at a
secluded beach half an hour from the resort.
You’re left in complete privacy for as long as
you please. At a pre-appointed time, the dunghi
picks you up again and reruns you to
civilization Yes, its bit like The Blue Lagoon.
Rs 3,000 per couple.
South Andaman Eco-tour: Barefoot will soon offer
eco-tours in South Andaman based out of ANET.
Expect mangrove walks, dunghi rides in the
lohabarrack Crocodile Sanctuary and snorkeling
in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National park. Tour
are expected to cost in the range of 2,000-3,000
per day, with all proceeds going to ANET. |
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For more information on Tour for glimpses
of Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan , please do email us
on inbound@rajjastours.com
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developed by - e-Soft
Solutions
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Rajjas Holidays :
f-109 1st floor, Mukhija Chambers, Opp. Raymonds Showroom, M.I. Road,
Jaipur 302001 , INDIA
Phone : +91 -141- 3271968, 2371289, 4012299 Mobile : +91-98290-63767, +91-9314510158
Email us : inbound@rajjastours.com
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