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EXPLORE ANDAMAN |
 Peerless
Sarovar Portico is the only hotel situated right in
front of the only beach at Port Blair the Corbyn’s
Cove. The name Corbyn’s derived from reverend
Corbyn chaplain of Port Blair who was placed in charge
of Andaman Home at Ross Island established in 1863.
Corbyn’s Cove is the most popular bathing beach
at Port Blair.
THE ANDAMAN & NICOBAR
GROUP OF ISLANDS are a chain of 572 islands
in the Andaman & Nicobar sea at approx 1100 Kms
to the south of Kolkata. The Nicobar is prohibited for
tourists purpose. The Andaman Island is 355 Kms long
and 60 Kms wide. There was a time when ancient tribes
lived here. It is said, some of the natives are remarkable
resemblance to the aboriginals tribes of Australia.
Today some tribes have receded into the deep forest
while others have been resettled. Port Blair, its principal
port, is a picturesque and bustling town, full of greenery.
The islands are situated on volcanic rocks. The main
season of Andaman Islands are October to April.
 THE
UNION TERRITORY is stretched over an area of
more than 700 kms from North to South with 36 inhabited
islands. The most of the parts of these islands are
covered with dense forests and endless variety of indigenous
and exotic flowers and birds. These, along with silver
sandy beaches on the edge of meandering coastline and
the excellent scope of water – sports, diving,
carefree destination. With the tourist point of view,
Andaman Group of Islands is the featured islands where
one can enjoy the beauty of nature. Port Blair, the
capital of Andaman Islands, is the only connected place
from Main Island. People can go to the other islands
by inter islands ships.
CAPITAL
OF ANDAMAN ISLANDS, Port Blair was named after
the East India Companies' Lt. Archibald Blair who occupied
the Andamans in 1789 to keep his ships safe and protected
in the rains as a safe harbour and as a penal settlement
for prisoners. But, because of the unhygienic climate
and outbreak of diseases and the expenses in maintaining
the harbour, he had to abandon the Andamans in 1796.
Early in the first decade of the 19th century the roots
of the East India Company were firmly entrenched in
India. The British were subjecting Indians to a lot
of abject atrocities, snatching away land from peasants,
destroying the livelihood of craftsmen, increasing taxes,
usurping the states from the Nawabs and native kings.
Ordinary people, soldiers, nawabs and kings were all
being terrified and harassed. Generally everywhere there
was resentment and revolt. People were determined to
do away with the East India Company.
Port Blair is situated 1255 KMs away from Kolkata and
1200 KMs from Visakhapatinam and 1,190 Kms from Chennai.
Different communities are living in harmony and use
Hindi as their language. |
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| GENERAL INFORMATION |
| Area: |
Andaman : 6,408 Sqm
and Nicobar – 1841 Sqm. |
| Population: |
3,56,152(Andaman - 314,084
& Nicobar – 42,068) (As per 2001
census) |
| Rainfall: |
3180 mm (annual) |
| Temperature: |
Max 30.40 c |
| Clothing: |
Cotton. |
| Languages: |
Common language is Hindi,
other spoken languages are Bengali, Tamil,
and Malayalam. |
| Money Changers: |
State Bank of India. |
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| IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS (STD CODE –
03192) |
| Govt Hospital: |
232101 / 233473 / 232102 |
| Police Station: |
232400 / 232100 / 100 |
| Railway Enquiry: |
233042 |
| Indian Airlines: |
233198 (Office), 234744(Airport) |
| Jet Airways: |
235922 (Airport), 236922
(Office) |
| Air Deccan: |
329704 |
| Spice Jet: |
244670 |
| Jet Lite: |
244364 |
| King Fisher: |
231009 |
| IP&T: |
232694, 232747 (Office),
232644 (Airport) |
| Govt Of India Tourism: |
233006 |
| Coast Guard: |
232584 |
| SBI Main Bank: |
246789 |
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BEST SEASON: The best season to come
to Port Blair is from October to April.
APPROACH:
Andaman is connected either by air or sea route. By
air, it is connected either from Kolkata or Chennai.
On a daily basis, in season, there will be about 9 to
11 flights. The major flight operators are INDIAN AIRLINES,
JET AIRWAYS, AIR DECCAN, SPICE JET AIRLINES, JET LITE
AIRLINES, KINGFISHER AIRLINES.
The other approach to Andaman Islands (Port Blair) is
by sea from Kolkata, Chennai or Visakhapatinam. The
Shipping Corporation of India is operating four ships
namely MV AKBAR, MV SWARAJDEEP, MV NICOBAR, MV HASHWARDHAN.
(Phone No – 233347, 230975)
ENTRY
FORMALITIES
INDIANS Indian Nationals need no permit to
visit Andamans. However, visiting tribal areas of Andaman
and Nicobar Districts are prohibited. Permits to visit
the tribal areas can be granted by the office of the
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Andaman District, Port
Blair in special cases on receipt of application in
prescribed form.
FOREIGNERS
require a permit to stay in the islands, which can easily
be obtained on arrival at Port Blair (either by Air
or Sea) from the Immigration authorities for 30 days.
This can be extended by 15 days with permission. In
addition, permits can also be obtained from: Indian
Mission Overseas, Foreigners Registration Offices at
Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and the immigration
authorities at the airports at Delhi, Mumbai Chennai
and Kolkata.
GO AROUND: To
go around in the city, you can find tourist cabs and
auto rikshaws.
ACTIVITIES:
You can go around the city for local sight seeing which
comprises of Cellular Jail, Fisheries Museum, Anthropological
Museum, Samudrika and Sagarika – Cottage Emporium
for shopping. Apart from the local sight seeing, you
can go Ross Island, Coral Islands, Harbour Cruise. In
Andaman, there are experts who take you for game fishing
and scuba diving. Best season for scuba is October to
April and for Game Fishing – November to April.
TOURIST TRAILS
CELLULAR JAIL A National Memorial (Also
called Bastle of India) has started its construction
in the year 1896 and it had been completed in the year
1906 with 698 cells. The Jail was constructed with seven
wings, spreading out like a seven-petal flower. In its
centre it has a central clock tower with a turret. Connected
to this were the three storeys high seven wings with
698 isolated cells. This is why it is called the Cellular
Jail. (Phone No – 230117)
Visiting Hours: Tuesday to Sunday (Closed on Monday
and government holidays)
Time : 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
SOUND LIGHT SHOW: The saga of the heroic
freedom struggle is brought alive in a moving Sound
& Light Show at Cellular Jail. (Phone No –
233388)
• The show is daily and subject to
weather condition.
Show Time: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM - Hindi
6:45 PM to 7:45 PM (English Show – Monday, Wednesday,
Friday & Hindi Show – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday,
Sunday)
ANTHROPOLOGICAL MUSEUM
Anthropological Museum, devoted to the Andaman and Nicobar
tribes, include weapons, tools and also rare photographs
of the region's. After scaring the aborigines, the visitors
marched into one of their hunting camps and make off
with the bows, arrows and other artifacts now displayed
in the museum. (Phone Number – 232291 / 240372)
Closed on Thursday & Govt Holidays), Timing : 9:00
AM – 1:0 PM, 1:30 pm – 4:30 PM)
AQUARIUM (FISHERIES MUSEUM) Situated
near Andaman Water Sports Complex, Aquarium exhibits
species of marine life peculiar to the islands and found
in the Bay of Bengal. (Phone Number – 231848).
Closed on Monday, 2nd Saturday & Public Holidays
Timing : 9:00 AM – 1:0 PM, 1:30 pm – 4:30
PM)
SAMUDRIKA NAVAL MARITIME MUSEUM
Situated at Delanipur and set by the Indian Navy. Information
regarding marine shells found on the Islands as well
as the people and environment of the Andaman’s
is provided. (Phone Number – 232012) Closed on
Monday & Public Holidays, Timing : 9:00 AM –
1:0 PM, 1:30 pm – 4:30 PM)
SAGARIKA
– COTTAGE EMPORIUM Displays different
types of gift items of Art, Craft, Shell Craft, leather
made and mother of pearl and wooden coverings for tourists.
(Phone Number – 234774, Closed on Sunday) Timing
: 9:00 AM – 1:0 PM, 1:30 pm – 4:30 PM)
CHATHAM SAW MILL Chatham Island
has a Saw Mill lying on the tiny island connected by
a bridge over a stretch of seawater. This Saw Mill was
one of the biggest and oldest in Asia. Earlier called
Mark Island, later on named after the General Chatham
of UK.
GANDHI PARK Children’s
Park, Water sports, paddle boat.
VIPER
ISLAND The tiny, serene, beautiful island viper
is situated near the Port Blair Harbour. The island
derives its name from the vessel 'Viper' in which Lt.
Archibald Blair came to the islands in 1789 with the
purpose of establishing a penal settlement. The vessel,
it is believed, met with an accident and drowned near
the island.
A Mute Witness Of The Indian Freedom Struggle Viper
Island witnessed the untold sufferings the freedom fighters
had to undergo. Dangerous convicts found guilty of violating
the rules of the penal settlement, were put in chains
and were forced to work with their chains on in this
island. Freedom fighters like Nanigopal and Nandlal
Pulindas, who had resorted to hunger strike at the Cellular
Jail, were imprisoned at Viper Island. Sher Ali, the
Pathan, guilty of murdering Lord Mayo, was condemned
to death and hanged in gallows at the Viper Island.
Now the ruins of jails and gallows can be seen on the
island.
Boat timings: - 3:00 PM from
Aberdeen Jetty.
ROSS ISLAND In November
1857, the Government decided to establish a penal settlement
in Andaman and send "hard-core elements" among
those who took on the British. The main reasons were
to keep them away from other prisoners and the other
is to send a message to others revolutionaries that
similar treatment will be given to them also who dare
to challenge the British rule.
After two months, the British took possession of three
islands in and around Port Blair and Captain H. Man,
Executive Engineer, hoisted the Union Jack flag. In
March, J.P. Walker, an experienced jail superintendent,
arrived in Port Blair with four European officials,
an Indian overseer, two doctors, 50 naval guards and
773 freedom fighters.
According to Writer Gauri Shankar, there was water scarcity
has motivated Walker to go out of Port Blair and settle
at Ross Island. Named after the marine surveyor Sir
Daniel Ross, the Island soon became the base. Initially,
crude barracks of bamboo and grass were put up for freedom
fighters while the rest of the party stayed on board
the ships that had brought them. Later, the freedom
fighters built houses, offices, barracks and other structures
at the Ross Island, after which they were promptly sent
to Viper Island, where the first jail was built. The
bungalow, meant for the chief of the Penal Settlement,
was constructed at the northern summit of the Island.
Called Government House, the large-gabled home had Italian
tiled flooring on the ground level. Now, some remains
of the flooring are there, of course in a decrepit condition.
Ross Islands was the seat of British Administration.
It is situated North of Port Blair just across a narrow
stretch of sea. This island with an area of about 200
acres was a small world in itself with chief commissioner’s
residence. The place came into decay with the shifting
of the Chief Commissioner's Office in 1942 as areas
close to the shore had developed serious cracks and
it was felt that the building was not safe. The Japanese
occupied the Island in March 1942. In October 1945 the
Islands were reoccupied by the British. Today the Island
is deserted.
Boat Timings : - 8:30AM,
10:00 M, 12.00 PM, 2:00 PM from Aberdeen Jetty. (Closed
on Wednusday)
WANDOOR / NEW WANDOOR
Situated 27 KM away now declared as Mahatma Gandhi Marine
National Park. It has got a beach for swimming. Boat
for Jolly Buoy & Red Skin, Mahua Dera leaves from
Wandoor Jetty.
SIPPIGHAT AGRICULTURE
FARM (14 KM AWAY) A Govt Agriculture Farm experimenting
in development of various species.
MOUNT
HARRIET It was the summer Head Quarter of British
Chief Commissioner. Named after Mrs. Harriet Tytler,
wife of Col R C Tytler, Superintendent of Port Blair
Penal Settlement (1862 – 64). It is situated on
1200 ft above sea level – ideal place for trekking
in Jungle. Boat leaves every half an hour from Chatham
jetty.
NORTH BAY Offer a
breath taking view of underwater Coral and Marine life.
Ideal for sea bathing and basking in the beach. Ideal
for scuba diving and snorkeling. Boat leaves
from Aberdeen Jetty on daily basis. Boat Time : 9:00
AM.
CINQUE ISLAND
Cinque actually comprises two islets, joined by a spectacular
sand isthmus, with shallow water either side that covers
it completely at high tide. The main intention to come
here is the superlative Diving and Snorkeling around
the reefs. Famous for scenic beauty & scuba Diving.
APPROACH TO CINQUE ISLAND Although
there are no ferries to Cinque, it is possible to arrange
dinghies from Wandoor Jetty. The dive centers in Port
Blair also regularly come here with clients. Overnight
stays are prohibited. Both the nationals (Indian and
Foreigners) have to obtain forest permit to go there
HAVELOCK ISLAND External
54 KM away and connected by the ship. Famous for its
sandy beaches, forests, underwater coral life. During
sun times, Havelock’s much photographed Radhanagar
beach often touted as the most beautiful in India can
feel overwhelmed.
Approach to Havelock Island Foreign national does not
require permit to go to Havelock. Boat Timing : 6:00
AM fdaily from Phoenix Bay Harbour
NEIL
ISLAND Tiny, triangular-shaped Neil is the
most southerly inhabited island of Ritchie's archipelago,
40 Km away from Port Blair, a couple of hours' ferry
ride northeast of Port Blair. Neil & Havelock named
after the tyrant British General Neil & Havelock
who butchered hundred of 1857 heroes in the open street
of Meerut and Kanpur. There is great public demand t
orename these islands. The source of much of the capital's
Fish, fruit and vegetables, its fertile centre, ringed
by a curtain of stately tropical trees, comprises vivid
patches of green paddy dotted with small farmsteads
and banana plantations. The beaches are mediocre by
the Andaman's standards. Boats leave Port Blair everyday
& depart 6:30 am & 2:00 pm, continuing on to
Havelock and Rangat.
JOLLY BUOY
An island in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Jolly
Buoy offers a breath taking underwater view of coral
and marine life. It is an ideal place for Snorkeling,
Sea Bathing and Basking on the sun kissed beach. Boat
Time : 10:00 from New Wandoor Jetty. Weekly Holiday
on Monday.
RED SKIN ISLAND
Red Skin Island is another island in Mahatma Gandhi
Marine National Park that has a nice beach and offers
spectacular view of Corals and marine life. Boat
Time : 10:00 from New Wandoor Jetty. Weekly Holiday
on Monday.
BARREN ISLAND
At a distance of about 135-km from Port Blair is the
land of volcano, Barren Island, the only active volcano
in India. The Island, about 3-km long, has a big crater
of the volcano, rising abruptly from the sea, about
½-km from the shore and is about 150 fathoms
deep. The island can be visited on board vessels. Special
type of goat found at Barren Island who drink salty
water.
BARATANG :
Baratang, off the Middle Island, is a relativity new
entrant to the scene. It is around 110 KM from Port
Blair. A three hour ride through evergreen and deciduous
forest is a soothing journey through stretches of the
“highway” through the JARAWA reserve, land
set aside for the Jarawa. If luck favours then one can
get a glimpses of the Jarawa. As it is prohibited to
get down or to stop the vehicle in that area, the ride
ends beyond Middle Strait, where a large ferry capacious
enough to hold a few buses to parked themselves aboard.
A circlet of mangroves accompany through the journey
to Baratang. The open jaws of a roaring tiger, is sneering
face, nature is at work at lime stone caves of Baratang.
World wide lime stone caves are much admired for their
natural sculpture created by lime stone, the Baratang
caves are still novices, with only one cave open to
the public for a few years now. Mud Volcano is another
must see in the Baratang. Much cooler than their lava
counterparts. Mud Volcano is just a toddler, about a
foot high, gives a good miniaturized view of how Volcanoes
work.
The splendor of Baratang is a silver lining in the mind
and memory of natures art brings contentment to the
travelers.
CAUTIONS: For Baratang
trip, guest should contact authorized travel agents
at Port Blair as the same vehicle is not permitted to
come back on the same day. Permit to visit the tribal
areas can be granted by the office of the Deputy Superintendent
of Police, Andaman District on receipt of prescribed
forms. |
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Trip |
Rate |
| Airport transfer (one
way) |
400.00 |
| Ross Island |
1,200.00 |
| Viper Island |
1,200.00 |
| North Bay |
1,200.00 |
| City Tour |
1,200.00 |
| City Tour With S. L.
Show |
1,500.00 |
| Sound & Light Show |
1,200.00 |
| Chidiyatpu |
900.00 |
| Wandoor |
900.00 |
| Mount Harriet |
900.00 |
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The above rates are exclusive of service tax
Cars provided will be Maruti Omni or Ambassador
Entry tickets/boat tickets/ferry tickets charges extra |
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