IOANNINA, GREECE
The Migrated Bird
INDIA
EAST SIDE'S ISLANDS
The Andaman and Nicobar are one of union territory and a group of the island of the bay of Bengal and Andaman sea. The territory is near to Indonesia and Thailand and Myanmar, the Andaman island located on north latitude and Nicobar islands are located on south latitude.
Who ruled on the islands?
1. Chola Empire
2. Danish Colonial
3. British Colony
4. Japanese (World War II)
Capital City : Port Blair
Airport : Veer Savarkar International Airport, Port Blair
Mobile Network : BSNL, Vodafone and Airtel
TOURSIT SEASON : October to February
Click For Airport Portal
Map Showing Air and ferry connectivity from big cities
Map Showing internal ferry connectivity from Port Blair to Havelock and Neil Island
PLACES ON GROUP OF ISLANDS:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands are developing into a major tourism hub with exotic-looking beaches and pristine islands having equally exotic names, wonderful opportunities for adventure sports like snorkeling and sea-walking.
In Port Blair, the main places to visit are the Cellular Jail, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Andaman Water sports complex, Chatham Saw Mill, Mini Zoo, Corbyn's cove, Chidiya Tapu, Wandoor Beach, Forest Museum, Anthropological Museum, Fisheries Museum, Naval Museum (Samudrika), Ross Island and Viper Island. Other places include Havelock island famous for Radhanagar Beach, Neil Island for Scuba diving/ snorkeling, Cinque Island, Saddle peak, Mt Harriet and Mud Volcano. The southern group (Nicobar islands) is mostly inaccessible to tourists.
Photo showing Blue sea of Andaman and Nicobar island
Documents Require to Visit Andaman and Nicobar :
For Indian :
Indian tourists do not require a permit to visit the Andaman islands but if they wish to visit any tribal areas they need a special permit from the Deputy Commissioner, Port Blair.
For Foreigners :
Permits are required for foreign nationals. For foreign nationals arriving by air, these are granted upon arrival at Port Blair.
Connectivity from India Main land:
Flights:
1. Chennai to Port Blair to Chennai
2. Kolkata to Port Blair To Kolkata
Ferry From Chennai and Kolkata to Port Blair :
http://www.shipindia.com/services/passenger-services/andaman/andaman-schedule.aspx
( Depend on Weather condition )
Internal connectivity For Islands
BY HELICOPTER :
http://www.exploreandaman.com/fare-schedule-helicopter-service-andaman-nicobar-islands.php
BY PRIVATE FERRY :
2. http://greenoceancruise.com/
BY GOVENRMENT :
https://trip.experienceandamans.com/ferry/government-ferry.html
Note : Please book online ferry otherwise cost will increase of the ferry.
How can you do Planning for Andaman and Nicobar ?
Without planning of Andaman and Nicobar trip will be waste your time and money, you will have to wait longer for the ferry to reach on destination islands, because of less the ferry services.
Step 1. Check Ferry Schedule for Havelock Island And Neil Island before book your air ticket. There are private and government ferry operating for tourist and local people from Port Blair and Havelock Island. You can check online tickets and book for the private ferry. We are suggesting you the private ferry because the private ferry is fast and with good facilities.
Step 2. Check in and Check out of your’s Hotel, because of there are variations in check in and check out of hotels on the different island. If you check then you don’t need to wait in the reception area.
Step 3. Air Tickets, there are few airlines flying from Chennai, Kolkata to Port Blair, so tickets will costly and if you check air tickets again and again online then, airlines company will have increased tickets rate, however, you can stop this rise rate of tickets by delete history and cookies from your computer.
How many days required for Andaman and Nicobar trip ?
The numbers of days for travel to Andaman and Nicobar are depending on the purpose of travel, budgets, and adventure activities.
Traveling time : keep 2 days
Port Blair : you can accommodate two days traveling time on Port Blair – 2days
Neil island : 1 or 2 days
Havelock island : 4 days
Others Island Trip : 2 days for tribe area, Mud volcano island, Chidiya Tapu, Mangrove Creek Safari and Limestone cave
TOTAL DAYS REQUIRED : 7 to 10 days Minimum
DAY - 1 - PORT BLAIR
Chennai To Port Blair flight Duration 2.10 hours.
After a long wait and tiring journey finally, we landed at Port Blair Airport after collection of our luggage we hired Taxi from airport to our hotel.
If you booked the ferry for another island then run to jetty or port, but before you go to the jetty please confirm the timing of the ferry online during your itinerary because of the ferry is going not frequently on a different island.
After having little rest in afternoon, we went to Cellular Jail Museum which is main tourist attraction in Port Blair.
What can you do on the first day in Port Blair?
The Cellular jail :
The cellular jail had been built by British during the rule of India. The main purpose of this jail was to keep political prisoners. The prison’s torture on political prisoners was worst part to see on those cells, Even today, in those cells of the jail you can feel the tyranny over those prisoners.
Many notable freedom fighters had been kept in this jail during the struggle of India's independence fight, Batukeshwar Dutt, Yogendra Shukla, and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar were among those prisoners.
Cellular Jail Light and Sound Show :
You must see this show when you are there in cellular jail visit. The show will give you the brief explanation about jail, inmates, torture on freedom fighter and daily life in the prisons. The cellular jail management is showing the light show in Hindi and English, so please check link HTML for the opening time and show time of the cellular jail.
Image of external view of Cellular Jail (KalaPani), Port Blair
Image of internal court yard of Cellular Jail (KalaPani), Port Blair
Image of internal view of Cellular Jail (KalaPani), Port Blair
Images gallery of Cellular Jail (KalaPani), Port Blair
Next Morning
After a wonderful day/ night in Port Blair, we had started our journey toward Neil Island. during our sight scene, we had booked rickshaw(three-wheeler) so we had booked the same driver for our morning ride to the jetty. if you booked a hotel away from the city in Port Blair then please take a mobile number of the driver for sight scene or internal transportation because many hotels have not transportation facilities.
Port Blair Jetty for internal ferry to Neil Island and Havelock Island
Note : Please Keep away danger articles from yours luggage because when you enter that time security will check your bags, however you can carry two bottles of liquor. read more on click HTML
DAY - 2 - NEIL ISLAND
This tinny island is located between Port Blair and Havelock Island. because of the area of this island, The fewer numbers of tourists are visiting this island every year. this island is comparatively smaller than another island so tourist does not visit this island, however, this island you will find more relaxing than another island, so I would recommend strongly this island for Honeymoon couple.
Tourist Attraction :
1. Sitapur Beach
2. Bharatpur Beach
3. Laxmanpur Beach
4. Howrah bridge Arch
Image showing Bharatpur Jetty area, Neil Island
LAXMANPUR BEACH
The place is not vibrant like other beaches around the world, No shack, no bar and no facilities like other beaches have, however, you can feel pure peace, please enjoy the tranquillity of this beach.
This beach is also known as a sunset point. so, it is not necessary to visit this beach at evening but you can visit anytime a day.
Laxmanpur Beach, Neil Island
Laxmanpur Beach, Neil Island
BHARATPUR BEACH
Bharatpur Beach is famous for adventure activities like snorkelling, Scuba diving, coral reef view, glass bottom boat and many water sport activities.
Images gallery of Bharatpur Beach, Neil Island
HOWRAH BRIDGE ARCH
Rain forest Trees , Neil Island
ACCOMODATION, NEIL ISLAND
You can book resort or hotel as per your budget and purpose. The Andaman and Nicobar group of islands are growing as a honeymoon destination in India, so if you going for a honeymoon or in the group then book good resort but if you are going solo then go for small budget hotels.
If you want to save money then booked a small budget hotel, because of most of the time you will be on beaches or tourist places.
The wifi would be available in hotel’s reception area with weak speed, and mobile networks are not available for many services.
Mobile Network – BSNL, Vodafone and Airtel
SILVER SAND RESORT, NEIL ISLAND
http://www.silversandneil.com/
The silver sand resort is one of the best resort for a honeymoon couple. Unique architecture, good services, and food give rest to the most tourists in the resort.
The Neil Island is very small so you can reach to any resort easily. you can hire a rickshaw which will be charged you rupees 100 or you can hire a bike from Bharatpur jetty or sometimes hotel reception can help you to hire a bike from locals.
Images gallery of Silver Sand Resort, Neil Island
DAY - 3 - HAVELOCK ISLAND
The ferry booking is an essential thing to be done before traveling to this island, in tourist peak season you will have troubled to get a booking, sometimes shipping company rises ticket rate for Havelock and Neil island, so it is advisable to book a ticket in advance.
Havelock Island is the largest island in the group and it is a most visiting island by tourists. Your trip without a visit to this island will be considered incomplete. Lots of tourists spend more days on Havelock island than other islands. If you want to do water adventures like snorkelling and scuba diving then Havelock island is heaven from that kind of people.
Transportation from Ferry To resort : Taxi or Auto- rickshaw : charge - Rs 100 to 200
For Sight Scene : two wheeler bike or Moped
Accommodation day -1 on Havelock Island
1. Ocean Pearl Resort, Govind nagar
ROOMS AVAILABLE : A/C Deluxe Cottage, A/C Deluxe Rooms And A/C Huts
LOCATION : Next to Govind Nagar Beach
Activities on day -1 on Havelock Island
GOVIND NAGAR BEACH - Behind the resort (Morning Walk)
Govind Nagar beach is peaceful and waveless, the blue sea and dark green coconut trees making this beach vibrant. Govind Nagar beach was located behind our resort, It is very easy to access from the resort. If you book resort along Govind Nagar beach then you can spend quality time in morning and afternoon on the beach every day. Govind Nagar Beach is best for Scuba and snorkeling in morning.
RADHANAGAR NAGAR BEACH - Sunset point
Radhanagar beach is the best and beautiful among Asian’s beaches. Silver Sand and blue water of this beach make the natural portrait. The beach is neat and clean, the main feature of this beach is Shallow water which keeps tourists safer than another beach. The waves and cool breeze make this beach more romantic, so we recommend you to spend your evening on the beach.
The beach is located along the rainforest, the huge trees, and lush greenery gives more freshness when you would sit on the silver sand beach.
SUNSET POINT: Radhanagar Beach is a sunset point on Havelock Island. lots of tourists come to Radhanagar beach for sunset ambiance.
Sunset at Radhanagar Beach
Rainforest along Radhanagar Beach
Images gallery of Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island
DAY - 4 - HAVELOCK ISLAND
Day four on Havelock Island, we had kept for an underwater adventure. The scuba diving was on our bucket list, and we had done it. The scuba diving was a great experience for me to explore life below the sea surface. I can say that one of the best scuba diving in India.
Activities on day -2 on Havelock Island
SCUBA DIVING TIPS
Marine Diversity under blue water makes you rejuvenate after your first dive. After your first dive, The scuba diving will change your perspective on marine life.
Best Location : Govind Nagar Beach, Havelock Island
Best Time : Early Morning, In Daylight
Season : Sunny Winter
Requirement : Swimming or Non-Swimmer can go to Scuba Diving.
Trainer : All trainers have good skills for scuba dive.
Depth : Maximum 5 meter for unskilled divers but if you have a certificate or you have been trained then the instructor can take you 30 meter deep
Medical History : If you have a heart-related problem, asthma or other breathing related problem, then it is better to talk to your instructor.
Training : The instructor will give you 10 min training in shallow water before entering into the deep water. The instructor will be teaching you signs, which you can use during your diving into the deep water.
Pressure : You will be feeling tremendous pressure in your ears, and you will feel recall of your diving, but if you resist pressure for 5 minutes to 10 minutes then I am sure that you will see best underwater life.
Duration : 45 minutes
Price : Depend on the season and your bargaining skill, some people will give you bargaining price on the hotel reception desk or on the roadside. please do check your price (including photography). we had paid 1700/- per person after bargaining.
My First Scuba Dive Experience
Accommodation - day -2 on Havelock Island
2. Havelock Island Beach Resort, Govind nagar, Havelock Island
The resort is located nearby jetty, if you walk from the jetty to resort, it would take hardly 10-15 minutes, but if you carry baggage then hire a taxi from the jetty.
One of the best resort on Havelock island, the rate of the rooms and cottages are not on the high side. The rooms are very neat and clean and bigger, the bathroom in the room is big enough.
In peak season you will not get a room easily in the resort, so always book rooms or cottages in advance. We had booked the room just for one day because of unavailability.
Images gallery of HAVELOCK ISLAND BEACH RESORT, Havelock Island
KALAPATHAR BEACH, Havelock Island
You will see only two roads on Havelock island, one road ends on Radhanagar Beach and another road ends on Kalapthar beach. The shallow beach along the narrow road is also known as a sunrise point and if you are get up in the early morning then you can enjoy the tranquillity of the beach surround and the beautiful sunrise.
Main Feature of the beach: Shallow beach, Rainforest trees, and lush greenery but in the water, you will see lots of rocks, so be careful when you are in the water.
Sitting with your family or life partner and spend leisure time in morning or evening will be your most mesmerize memory. you can take Bedshit or rug with you, you can carry light breakfast with you.
You will see only two roads on Havelock island, one road ends on Radhanagar Beach and another road ends on Kalapthar beach. The shallow beach along the narrow road is also known as a sunrise point and if you are get up in the early morning then you can enjoy the tranquillity of the beach surround and the beautiful sunrise.
Main Feature of the beach: Shallow beach, Rainforest trees, and lush greenery but in the water, you will see lots of rocks, so be careful when you are in the water.
Sitting with your family or life partner and spend leisure time in morning or evening will be your most mesmerize memory. you can take Bedsit or rug with you, you can carry light breakfast with you.
Kalapathar Beach, Havelock Island
DAY - 5 - HAVELOCK ISLAND
Accommodation - day -3 on Havelock Island
3. Silver Sand Beach Resort, Govind nagar, Havelock Island
Govind Nagar beach is peaceful and waveless, the blue sea and dark green coconut trees making this beach vibrant. Govind Nagar beach was located behind our resort, It is very easy to access from the resort. If you book resort along Govind Nagar beach then you can spend quality time in morning and afternoon on the beach every day. Govind Nagar Beach is best for Scuba and snorkeling in morning.
Activities - day -3 on Havelock Island
ELEPHANT BEACH, Havelock Island
The name of the Elephant Beach sounds strange, but the name is because sometimes here elephants from the forest come to the beach to swim. Elephant Beach maintains a distinct identity for the most beautiful and clear water in Havelock Island. Due to the tsunami in 2004, Havelock Island and other nearby islands were damaged, during which tsunami had overthrown mangrove tree from the root, those dead trees you will see on the seashore of elephant beach.
Relics of the Mangrove trees on Elephant Beach, Havelock Island
How to Reach on elephant beach ?
The elephant beach is not connected to any road or hard track, so if you want to reach on beach then you have to take boat or mud track.
BOAT OR CRUISE :
For cruise, if you book your ticket for elephant beach in prior then there is a chance to get a ticket at a cheap rate or you can book your ticket from the jetty on the same day. The booking office can offer you rates for activities on elephant beach but it is little tricky to get the best rate for water sports.
MUD TRACK ( JUNGLE ROUTE ) :
when you go on Radhanagar beach road, on the same road you will see the start point of tracking to elephant beach. on the same point, you will see local people who give an offer for tracking, sometime they will give you offer for tracking and snorkelling, you can bargain for snorkelling with this people. these local people are safe for you company during your tracking.
The condition of muddy track toward elephant beach depends on Weather, in monsoon this track becomes full muddy, on that muddy track it becomes very difficult to walk and that will become a fun part for your tracking. Sometimes your feet will go down up to your kneel into the muddy track.meanwhile in your tracking the, a local person will guide you of local indigenous trees species. the guide will also warn you for some tree species, which can cause you itching.
I can say tracking was fun for our visit to the elephant beach, but it`s not suitable for everybody.
This things you should keep when you tracking :
1). Water bottle
2). Long Hard Stick or tracking poles
3). Any allergic medicine
4). Odomos cream for mosquitoes
5). Snacks
6). Put Only Slipper ( in Muddy situation )
7). Camera
Images gallery of Tracking to ELEPHANT BEACH, Havelock Island
ON ELEPHANT BEACH :
Blue Sky, clean water, and green vegetation make elephant beach delightful. Wooden Blogs Here's a wonderful element which gives a unique blend with Silver Sand, Clear Water, and Green vegetation.
LOCKERS FACILITIES : on elephant beach, some local people gives locker facilities, so you can carry Camera, extra clothes, towel with you. keep your trust in local people in their facilities.
SHOWER & CHANGING : facilities available - Charges - Rs 10-20
Beauty of Elephant Beach, Havelock Island
Images gallery of ELEPHANT BEACH, Havelock Island
UNDERWATER ACTIVITIES on ELEPHANT BEACH
Snorkelling : we suggest, you should do snorkelling on this beach. the elephant beach is famous for, cleanest water and best marine life. therefore we suggest you to do all underwater adventures. during your snorkelling the instructor will accompany you.
Scuba Dive : we are not sure about this activity but you can ask on the beach to any agent.
Underwater walk : This activity is available on the beach, you should try it.
LAST EVENING ON HAVELOCK
VIJAY NAGAR BEACH, Havelock Island
Vijay Nagar beach is located between Govind nagar and Kalapathar beach. The Vijay Nagar beach is attached with many resorts along, so if you stay in resort which located near Vijay Nagar beach then evening is best time to spend on the beach. one of clean and shallow water beach.
Vijay Nagar Beach, Havelock Island
Images gallery of VIJAY NAGAR BEACH, Havelock Island
Natural Landscape on Havelock Island
Road on Havelock Island
DAY - 6 - BACK TO - PORT BLAIR
After spending a nice and exciting moment on Havelock Island, we headed towards Port Blair, we had booked a ferry ticket 2 days earlier, otherwise, the ticket booking on traveling day will be expensive or will not available.
Abandoned boat nearCruise Jetty on Havelock Island
Accommodation - day - 6 - on Port Blair
The Oceanus Resort, Port Blair
The Oceanus resort is located near chidiya tapu, the resort is far away from cruise jetty and port Blair jetty. the best beach resort for honeymoon and relaxation, so we booked. on our first day on Port Blair, we had already visited the cellular jail and Port Blair City, so we wanted to stay away from Port Blair.however, if you want to visit cellular jail, museum, Rose island, Viper Island, Limestone Cave, Baratang, and mangroves creek, then book your resort near by Port Blair city.
Photos of The Oceanus Resort, Port Blair
Activities - day -6 - on Port Blair
Sunset point ,Chidiya Tapu, Port Blair
The Chidiya Tapu is distinguish place on Port Blair for it's the spectacular sunset. the sunset on this place you will see like painting. if you are on Port Blair, do visit this place for sunset and photography.
you can reach on this place by Car or Bike, its also depend on your stay in Port Blair. The some portion of the route to chidiya tapu pass through jungle, so if you go by bike to this place then leave this place early for your hotel.
Beautiful Sunset on Chidiya Tapu , Port Blair
CLICK ON IMAGES FOR ENLARGE
DAY - 7 - BACK TO - CHENNAI
With a memorable moment, we ended the journey of Andaman and Nicobar. This journey has become a memorable moment of our lives. the stunning blue sea, silver sand, green rainforest, scuba dive, snorkeling, tracking in the forest became the best moments of our life.
Sitting on the silver sand beaches and enjoy the sunset was the best time of my life. the trip on this beautiful island immense my energy level and gave me positivity in my life. Bike riding in beautiful rainforest and feeling of peace of mind were an amazing experience. but, due to a shortage of time, We had not visited Baratang island limestone caves, and mangroves trees safari. but we recommend you to visit these places.
YOU CAN PLAN DAY- 8 & 9
1. Baratang island limestone caves
2. mangroves trees safari
3. Rose Island
4. Other places in Port Blair
THANK YOU
By : Jugal Solanki
