7 DAYS TOUR
AT
ANDAMAN & NICOBAR
Day 1: Port Blair
Get into town Arrive in Port Blair and check into a hotel of yours choice--just
be sure that you have spectacular views of the sea. Go trekking in Madhuban or
after lunch, head into town to visit the Cellular Jail and National Museum.
Later head to the zoo or fisheries museum, near the water sports complex, a
showcase of the unique marine life of the area and Samudrika (Naval Marine
Museum) in Delanipur.
Day 2: Island hopping
Distance: Three island hop
cruise
Time: Day long trip
After breakfast, head out for the three island hop cruise available from the
harbour. First stop is North Bay with crystal clear waters ideal for
snorkelling, sea walking or just lazing on the pebbly beach with soft, cool
winds blowing. Then head to Ross Island and wander around the erstwhile capital
of the British in the Andaman islands, which bears the distinct stamp of
colonialism. Scattered all over the island are dilapidated buildings-government
offices, church, hospital, bakery, press, even a ball room and swimming pool
now in ruins and run over by thick roots and trees bring to mind the visions of
Angkor temples. End with Viper Island, named after the vessel which brought the
first Britishers.
Day 3: Baratang
Distance: 115 km
Time: 3 hours by road
Head out early for the long drive to Baratang Island in the north. Travelling
through the South Andaman to Baratang is a bit like stepping into Joseph
Conrad's darkly mysterious Heart of Darkness. Thick, dark forests and scattered
rustic habitations line the roads and visitors can occasionally get a glimpse
of the Jarawas, the indigenous tribals with their distinctive Negroid features.
To add to Baratang's mystique, a long boat ride past dense mangroves and a
narrow path leads to ancient limestone caves, while another part of the island
contains the only known mud volcanoes in India. Head back to Port Blair.
Day 4: Marine Park
Distance: 15 km
Time: 1.5 hour-by road and boat
A short drive to Wandoor takes visitors to a jetty from where large boats leave
for an hour-long ride into the Mahatma Gandhi Marine Park, a protected area
with such diversity and richness of marine life that it is stunning. The park
is a cluster of 15 islands and many islets with fascinating names. The boat
winds its way past a labyrinth of mangroves filled with wildlife. But the
ultimate destination is Jolly Buoy Island with a stunning range of marine life
and coral reefs.
Day 5: Havelock
Distance: 70 km
Time: 3 hours by boat
After early breakfast, head to the jetty for the three-hour transfer to the
popular Havelock Island. Check into Silver Sand Beach Resort
(www.silversandhavelock.com) on Vijay Nagar beach. Untouched, the island has a
number of beautiful beaches. Relax for the afternoon against the backdrop of
the beautiful ocean.
Day 6: Havelock
Indulge in watersports
Time: Entire day
Depending on the level of enthusiasm and ability, there are a variety of
activities for visitors. Snorkellers and scuba divers are bound to have much of
the fun. Among the most novel things is snorkelling with elephants, where you
can swim along the gentle giants to enjoy their company and view the treasures
of the sea. For the hardcore, there's surfing.
Day 7: Port Blair
Distance: 70 km
Time: 3 hours by boat and road
Have an early breakfast ahead of the boat ride. If you are lucky you might
catch some dolphins. Stop at Aberdeen bazaar for some last minute souvenir
shopping; shops such as Queen Sea Shell Craft, Ratna Shell Gallery offer
interesting keepsakes, before heading to the airport for the flight back home.
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