Off Beat

Day Trips

A day trip to Barathang:
Day Early Morning (4 am) departure to Baratang Island: that’s a long 4 hours road drive, one way crossing the grand Andaman Trunk Road, covered with dense reserve forests on both the side. As the area is restricted area kindly restrain from taking pictures and venture out of vehicles during the journey. Crossing two islands passages via ferry boats, comes a very exciting part of the journey; the Mangrove creek journey by boat leading to the Limestone Caves. Then a short trip the mud volcano in Baratang Island. & BACK 15.00 HRS Baratang to Port Blair Reach Port Blair at 18.00 hrs.

Trip to Jolly Bouy Island, Port Blair
A Trip to Jolly bouy island is among the most exotic attraction that one should avail on their visit to Andamans. This island comes under the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Reserve and is opened only for 6 months in a year usually from October – April. Glass boat rides and the turquoise water here are more beautiful than Havelock Island. Few things to know before traveling to Jolly Bouy Island are that you are not allowed to stay in this island and also you cannot carry any plastic bags/bottles to this attraction. A prior permit is required to visit JollyBouy Island.

Day trip to Cinque Island:
Hardly 5-10% of the travelers who visit Andaman Island visit this destination because of its remote locality. Lying Southwest of South Andaman this destination is an ideal destination to let yourself loose. Well, you will find no one around this virgin island except for you, your loved ones, crew members and yes off course the boat. Travel to Virgin Island Cinque and anchor for a night around this island. Sea Horse, an exclusively customized boat takes you to Cinque Island from Chidiatapu. This will be an ideal trip for adventure lovers and a group of friends who wish to experience the island from a different perspective. Sea Horse can also take you to the only active volcano in India, Barren Island.

Traveling to India’s only active Volcano, Barren Island:
There are various ways one can travel to the Only active volcano in India, Barren Island. You may get into Sea Horse for a trip to Barren Island. This trip can be availed by a group of up to 7-9 persons where you can combine the trip with fishing activities and visit to other Virgin Islands around the Andaman archipelago as well. The boat is equipped with bedrooms, kitchen, restrooms and an over deck sitting area to enjoy the ride. You can spend a couple of nights on this boat to experience the beauty of Andamans while riding the waves in the Bay of Bengal.

Turtle Nesting in North Andaman Islands- Karmatang Beach, Mayabandar
If you are anytime arriving in the Andaman Islands from November – March then it’s recommend you explore the Northern parts of Andaman Islands- Karmatang Beach at Mayabandar. Around 80% of the travelers visit South Andaman and thus miss this unheard experience happening in the northern part of the islands. All our Adventure tour packages to Andaman Islands make sure that you surely get a chance to experience turtle nesting at Karmatang Beach, Mayabandar.

Ross and Smith Beach, Diglipur:
These two islands are joined by a sand bar through which you can walk during low tide and during high tide it just disappears. A natural wonder in the island and during your trip to the North Andaman Islands you can visit this attraction as well.

Bird Watching in Andaman Island

Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been major attractions for bird watching and ornithologists because of its rich, unique and endemic biodiversity. It is a birding paradise with around 270 species of which 39 are endemic, the State Bird of the Andaman is the Andaman Wood Pigeon.

Birding is one of the silent adventure activity that simply shouldn’t missed during your Andaman vacation. Bird watching is your lifetime ticket to the theatre of nature as you watch birds in their natural environment.

If you enjoy wild birds watching start by getting down to Port Blair for the rare species of birds found in this island.

The notable areas visited during the Andaman Endemic Birding Tour are:

Chidiya Tapu
Anybody who loves birds must plan to trip to Chidiya Tapu of Andaman. It is also stated to as the Bird Island. Chidiya Tapu is situated 25Km away from Port Blair. Chidiya Tapu is recognised for wide group of birds such as Drongos, Hanging Parrot, Long Tailed and Red Breasted Parakeets, Emerald Dove, Green Pigeons etc.

Parrot Island
It is a small uninhabited Island located near Baratang jetty. What makes it attractive for tourist is the mystery that this island holds, which calls thousands of parrots every evening. On this lovely island each evening thousands of parrots flock together and roost here. They leave this island next morning. This island is now a roosting ground for many parakeets, the birds that come to Parrot Island are called parakeets as they are varied groups.

Mount Harriet
Its natural charm and beauty attracts lot of visitors. The avifauna of the park is very rich and diverse due to dense forests. The greenery everywhere provides you immense feel that you are in a deep forest. One can have a glimpse of different kinds of birds from this point. Watch the beautiful birds in their natural habitat and be mesmerised by their divine beauty. The park is also a butterfly hotspot.

Few other spots for bird watching are:

Wandoor and Jolly Buoy Islands, Havelock Island and Diglipur.

Blessed with forests, mangroves and plentiful species of birds, hear the constant chirruping and sights of birds found in every shape, size and colsor in Andaman. Their early morning calls are especially worth watching. Don’t miss it. Boat Ride

Trekking in Andaman Islands

Trekking is a standout amongst the most looked adventurous experience sport in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is one of the most energetic adventures sports in the Islands. If you love nature and enjoy walking in the hills and cherishing the views, then you can trek in the Andaman. Trekking in the Andaman Island is rewarding, as most of the islands are covered with thick tropical rainforests, teeming with wildlife, rare and endemic plants. Hiking on the Andaman is best to be done with a local guide, trekking routes on the Andaman Islands are available with all the office of Andaman Tourism. One can hire various trekking equipment and tents from Andaman Teal house, these equipment are available at very affordable price.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands have some splendid hills that are perfect for beginners as well as trained. You can easily get hold of all sorts of trekking equipment from Tour operators. Sometimes, trekking expeditions are only a day or two long but trekking at Andaman and Nicobar Islands can extend for a week or even months. Here are some amazing treks in the Andaman Islands that will blow your mind

Best Places for Trekking in Andaman Islands

Mount Harriet
Many people specifically come to Andaman to trek in Madhuban. The virgin natural beauty of Madhuban is complete with a huge assortment of flora as well as fauna. Madhuban is the perfect spot for trekking, lush green forests, several indigenous flora and fauna and breathtaking natural beauty makes an adventure’s seekers delight. One can go trekking through the nature trail from Mt. Harriet to Kalapathar and enjoy the rare forest life, flora, and fauna. The zig-zag ways, the wooden bridges, thick forest cover you all around. This trekking demands attention. Route from Madhuban to Mt Harriet is the most popular.

The variety of birds and butterflies make the trek an amazing experience. The place offers an exceptional spot for trekking to the venture lovers. Starting from Mount Harriet the trek to Madhuban is 16km long that includes some rocky terrain and curved roads making it a favourite among trekkers. The trail takes you to the highest point in the Andaman Islands and the scenery from here is breathtaking. The tropical weather of Madhuban is simply picture perfect for the explorers. Make sure you reserve a day for this trek.

Chidiya Tapu
For adventure lover Chidiya Tapu has more to offer. A trekking trail which passes through forest and beautiful coastline to reach the Kala Pahad. The trail starts at the shore of Chidiya Tapu beach and moves up passing through the dense forest. Upon reaching Kala Pahad, an elongated black cliff at the edge of Chidiya Tapu with an open seascape is an amazing and exclusive site, which most travellers visiting these islands miss. This place is famous for sunset view and for bird watching. If you are interested in watching the sunset, it is advisable to take an afternoon trip to this place.

Also there are various other trekking routes which let you experience some of the most picturesque sights of the place.

Havelock-Elephant beach
Usually Elephant beach is visited through boat but people who wish to get immersed in the beauty of the islands they can trek through mangrove mesh to reach Elephant beach.

It is recommended to hire a guide at the starting point of the trek, which is located two kilometers from Radhanagar beach. Trekkers need to cover a ground of approximately 300 meters through marshland and mangrove forest. The guide helps you all through this, finding ways for you. This trek takes approximately 30-45 minutes of time, depends on how fast you are. Once you reach Elephant beach you rest and make yourself comfortable.

Saddle peak:
saddle peak trek is a must trek if you plan a trip to Andaman. It is a beautiful place and a delight for trekking lovers as it offers an 8km long trek from its entry to the peak of the mountain. The trail takes you to the highest point in the Andaman Island and the scenery from here is simply breathtaking.

Baratang-Limestone caves:
start trekking in the way of the cave and appreciate is a splendid feature. The non-touristy trail leads up to here to the famous Limestone cave. Trek through dense forest is in itself a great treat. Walking on a 2km nature trail provides visitors a real sense of being in the tropical rain forest hosting diverse species of plants and palm trees. Including giant bamboo and other standing trees along the way the trekking route is suitable for your considerably physically feet. About half of the route is very steep, though wooden steps were installed to easy the walk. Reach the open cave and ultimately enjoy the tranquility of its surrounding famous for its stone arch. Enjoy peaceful picnic lunch.

Things to Remember for Andaman Trekking

  • Carry some water and food before starting your trek.
  • Do not wear loose clothes, pack your sports shoes or shoes appropriate for trekking.
  • Keep all the major trekking equipment include food, water, stoves, hydration bags to carry water and other useful materials.
  • Be mesmerize with the exotic endemic birds, butterflies which are an interesting sight of this wilderness trek.
Camping in Andaman Island

If you love to sleep under the stars and enjoy the open environment then camping is an ideal adventure for you. It is one of the most popular adventure activity for family vacationers. Camps are the right choice for nature lovers who wish to enjoy the sun, sea and nature by spending calm holidays right on the beach.

The adventure lovers can pack their tents and camp some of the best beaches in the world or in the forests. As a matter of fact, island camping in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is not so much dissimilar from orthodox camping. The tourists principally assemble at the beach front forests to carry out island camping in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The islands are a home to a wide variety of flora and fauna species and most of the area is covered with canopied rain forest where you can see different species of plant including mangrove, woody climbers, wonderful tropical vegetation with lush green dense forests and mangrove marshland on the water’s edge.

Island of Andaman and Nicobar is a unique destination for enjoying the island camping. It is like heaven for those who love nature and find peace and solace with themselves. With island camping you get the chance of tenting the beaches itself enjoying the spectacular sights and sounds of the sea. There are several locations perfect for camping activities. You can hire a tent at a moderate rate from tourist operators who will arrange for you.

Camping is best for the people who love to enjoy the nature’s pristine beauty. Spending quite holidays on the beach is a great gift. Let the goddess nature greets you in a world where the fresh breeze pampers your tired body and mind, and the serenity of the surroundings gives you ample time to devote with your family members, away from all hustle and bustle. This eco-friendly activity not only brings you close to nature but also enriches children’s knowledge about the country’s rich biodiversity.

For more information, one can contact the Tourism Information Counter of the Directorate of Tourism at Port Blair.

The island campers in Andaman and Nicobar Islands generally spend one or more than one night at the camping spot. Be careful to check out safe and commonly used camping locations and avoid venturing into unknown and unexplored places. Andaman is the land of the aborigines who do not take us human being lightly.