Some Fascinating Festival Cultural Events of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Most of us would have heard about the most beautiful archipelago of India called the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Situated on the shores of Bay of Bengal the island always captivates the tourists with its astounding beauty and marvelous landscape imbibed with numerous natural resources. From the above lines do not think that I have visited the island several times. For the first time when I came to know about Andaman and Nicobar Islands is from my history books. Even though the island is famous all over the world for its beauty and climate, I came to know about it when I studied about the infamous cellular jail situated on the island. It was the place where many innocent and brave freedom fighters were imprisoned during the colonial days. Over there they were brutally tortured physically and mentally. From then onwards I had a concept that the entire Andaman and Nicobar Island comprises of many infamous places. Such misunderstandings were wiped off my mind when my best friend shared the pictures of the island, where they celebrated their exotic holidays. From here, I came to know many astounding features of the mind-blowing island. Even though both Andaman and Nicobar comprise of 572 islands out of them only 37 islands seem to be inhabited by humans. Due to geographical constraints, the islands seem to be unapproachable by humans. Only it is the only place where you could find aboriginal tribes namely Jarwa and Sentinel. They are the ones who love to follow the ancient lifestyle and hesitate to interact with modern people and bring changes in their lifestyle. Considering their privacy the governments have strictly prohibited to visit those areas. Apart from these two islands Andaman and Nicobar provide a plethora of opportunities to participate in various kinds of aqua venture activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, underwater sea walking, jet skiing, and so on. She told me that most of the travelers avail of tour packages to marvel their hearts with the surreal beauty of the island and also to be part of the enthralling games.

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On returning from Andaman and Nicobar Island she shared the sweet memories she experienced over there. For her it was really difficult to describe the beguiling charm of the island in mere words. Yet she said no other place in the world could be compared with that of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. As she visited the island at the end of December, she was able to participate in different festivals celebrated by the islanders. I exactly do not remember all the festivals of the island. Only a few I remember and that I would like to share with you. Island Tourism Festival is one of the prominent tourism festivals celebrated every year on 5th January in major parts of the island. Even though the festival is celebrated mainly in Port Blair, other islands such as Kamorta, Havelock Island, Neil Island, Diglipur, Hut Bay, Wimberlygunj, Campbell, Rangat, Mayabunder and so on also contribute to the festival and increase its beauty and grace. The inaugural function of the festival would be hosted by the honourable Lt. Governor. Followed to the inaugural function there would be an array of cultural programmes performed by the versatile and eminent actors of Bollywood. Along with it, one can witness the live music concerts of both classical and semi-classical. The islanders would not allow you to be as a spectator throughout the event. They will ask you to participate in various enthralling games such as scuba diving, parasailing and so on and win attractive prizes from the Island authorities.

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Monsoon music festival conducted annually during the monsoon season grabs hundreds of travel enthusiast and art lovers from various corners of the world. To make the event well-renowned across the globe many eminent singers from different nations perform and increase its elegance. The festival is usually conducted during the monsoon season and mainly in Port Blair. Along with the cultural event to attract the tourist, they also conduct a free show of Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air force. Beach festival is another fascinating festival celebrated during the scorching summer days i.e. in the month of April. The festival not only attracts international travellers but also a domestic travel enthusiast. The main events practised over there are Volleyball, Kabadi, tug of war and also musical chair. Females irrespective of age could participate in musical chair competitions and win attractive prizes.

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 Whatever be the festival one could find unity and brotherhood among the islanders. Along with various competitions, the locals of Andaman and visitors could also get a chance to relish many traditional and local dishes of the island prepared by experienced chefs. As the island is surrounded by waters on the four sides one will get immense opportunities to savour the plates of seafood prepared in different styles. Hearing this much I was not able to control my emotions and I expressed my wish to visit the island. I inquired how to visit the island without spending huge bucks. She said that it was Andaman Tour Travel she purchased the tour packages. They are the one who curates the packages at cheap prices. As we were hailing from Chennai they gave the provision to book the packages via online. What makes the travel agency is they provide excellent hospitality services. Also, they curate excellent itineraries by inculcating best sightseeing destinations. The customer support team of the agency are so helpful that they provide full support and also clarify our doubts each and every moment.

Some Intriguing Points of Practising Angling in Andaman and Nicobar

Famously known as Indian archipelago, the Andaman and Nicobar Island is known to be a haven for adventure enthusiast and nature lovers. Hundreds of travel lovers visit the iconic destination to mesmerise its beguiling beauty. There are many factors that make the destination favourite picnic spot for thousands of people residing in various corners of the world. The alluring beauty of the island will delight your soul with fascinating views of untouched nature. Words are insufficient to express the beauty of the islands. The most popular water sports that are practised in the pristine shallow waters are snorkelling, scuba diving, underwater sea walking, parasailing, and windsurfing and many more. While speaking about water sports how could I forget to mention about the angling? It is one of the most famous water sports that are practised in every part of the world. Ask your tour operator to inculcate the angling in your tour package and make your holiday into a memorable one. There are many ways to reach the shores of the island from any states of India. Frequent flights fly from the Chennai International Airport to Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar. If you are interested in ship voyages you can sail in the government ferries sailing from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam. Therefore, people from Madurai could easily visit the fabulous island at a short period of time by spending reasonable rates.

Different levels of angling?

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When compared to past now many aqua venture lovers have come forward to learn the basics of angling. It is one of the few sports in the world that do not require any initial investment and this feature lures youngsters to the field. But as you think angling is not easy. It requires years of practice to become a professional game fisher. Just like any sports, even angling consists of different levels. Starting from novice, casual fisher, avid enthusiast, and finally, the professional game fisher will make you an expert in angling. The islands of Andaman and Nicobar are known to be a paradise for various kinds of fishes. You can learn the basics of angling by catching the small fishes and later you could move to the large-sized fishes. You must be able to balance the fishing rods only then when you become an expert you trap the large fish bodies without much difficulty. While exploring the secluded island of Andaman you can also come across the undistinguished the natural resources hidden in the deep waters.

Famous fishes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

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The most famous fishes that the fishers like the most are the Giant Trevally. Giant Trevally is popularly known as ‘Kokkari’ by the local communities. Weighing around 200lb catching the giant fish from the sapphire crystal water is a tedious task. Watching the strenuous effort of fishermen to envelope them in the large fishing net is itself is an entertaining event for any age of people. Blue Fin Trevally is another most favourite aquatic creature that is loved by all the fishers. Understanding its importance many foreign nations are ready to pay a huge amount for it. Catching Blue Fin Trevally is more tedious than Giant Trevally. Green Jobfish and coral trout are famous for their exceptional fighting skills. Doradus is the only fish that is seen largely in contaminated waters of the island. Hawai Surumai and King Mackerel are the few fishes that know the various tricks to escape from human beings. So to catch them you will have to learn advanced level of angling. Even the professional fishermen have failed to defeat them.

How can an international traveller do angling in Andaman and Nicobar Island?

If you are not a resident of the famous Andaman and Nicobar, you are requested to apply for RAP before availing for tour packages to the Island. The Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is a kind of an entry pass that allows a foreign citizen to traverse the lanes of the inhabited islands. As Andaman is part of India, Indians do not need to do these formalities. Followed your arrival at the island you will have to seek the special permission from the fisheries department before practising the angling. To save your time and to make your journey more comfortable seeking the services from Andaman Tour Travel at cheap rates. They are one of the few travel planners who curate exciting tour packages by providing exciting features of islands in a limited time period.

 When to practise angling in the charming Andaman Islands?

If Giant Trevally and Blue Fin Trevally are your target fishes then you can visit the island at any time during the year irrespective of the seasons. But if you are focusing on particular species of fishes then you will have to consult the online resources or fisheries department and check the favourable time to practise the angling. It is true that no one can predict the sudden changes in the climate even the islanders fail so. Therefore you can see many angling lovers eagerly waiting with their rods for good climatic conditions.

 There are many more features that make angling smooth and comfortable in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. As everybody knows the island is a paradise for aqua venture activities it does not mean that island does not carry any sightseeing places. Just as water sports there are numerous mind-blowing landscapes that shelters historical monuments, aboriginal tribal settlements and many more. To enjoy the splendid beauty of the island in a limited time period at reasonable rates you can contact the Andaman Tour Travel and avail of their services. If you have any concerns regarding their activities you can send messages to their WhatsApp number or send an email. While traversing the unexplored island do not forget to carry a high-resolution camera.

6 Unbelievable Facts on Cinque Island of Andaman That You Probably Didn’t Know Yet

One of the major motives of planning your journey to any exotic islands would be to spend your holiday at those serene and peaceful locations away from the crowds. Or it could be to relieve all those stresses of the busy everyday lives. Well, the islands of Andaman and Nicobar are that one-word solution to all these problems. And the tempting things conferred here are very much in sync with the features of Cinque Island, which is located to the southernmost part of Port Blair beyond the Andaman Sea. Moreover, the solitary islet is all for surprises of the visitors frequenting them occasionally. Given below are the unbelievable facts about the Cinque Island of Andaman at you did not know before.

You could move from one islet of Cinque Island on foot

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 Even though they are a single landmass, they are comprised of numerous islets, so do the Cinque Island belonging to the South Andaman Island groups. Nevertheless, the most astonishing part of this particular island is that it has got an adorable sand bar by which you will be able to merely walk on foot and reach the other islet. Here the narrow landmass accentuated by a spectacular spread of white sands binds the Northern and Southern Cinque Island. Anyhow, all of these captivating landmasses belong to the Labyrinthine group of Islands. Nonetheless, the entry to Cinque island is only permitted only when you have got the dire permission from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest Department, as otherwise is banned for both the tourists and locals.

Catastrophic Tsunami led to the formation of a sand bar across its shore

Sand bar of Andaman

It is a true fact that natural disasters could bring about damages to any piece of land. And it is not just the isolated islands of Andaman and Nicobar that was drastically affected the disaster waves of the 2004 Tsunami that had hit the seashores and unrecognisable. However, nature had more surprises for these exotic islands. The aftermath of the disaster, nature gave a few form and shape to these islands. At the shore of Cinque Island, a whole new sand bar was formed, which during low tides makes it possible to stride past between the North and South Cinque Island. If you are visiting the islands on any honeymoon packages, you both may stroll across the sand bar when either side will be lashings by waves and the views alluring.

Not even a single human had inhabited in the Cinque Island

It would be surprising for you to realise that Cinque Island had not been inhabited by any sole presence of humans, other than the occasional visits of very few tourists. Moreover, a larger part of the island is covered in dense forests making them unfavourable to inhabit. Such a situation is indeed unexpected as the bustling capital city of Port Blair is just a few distances away. So you might have wondered why the islanders had missed to settle down this island at proximity when they had travelled to the distant places like that of Little Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. Nobody exactly knew why such a pattern of settling down in unknown islands was followed.

Crystal clear ocean waters surrounding the island allow you to behold the marine life inhabiting in the deep water

A major part of the sea surrounding the Cinque Island has shallow waters making way for the visitors to gaze at the stunning aquatic life living underneath the surface waters. It is said that through the crystal clear waters, you will be able to watch the amazing visuals of oceans beyond 80 feet. Such a phenomenon can be seen from the beachside of any other coastal cities of the mainland, whether it is Chennai, Kochi or Mumbai. Moreover, being part of the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, most of the plant and animal species are endemic to these islands of Andaman that can be found nowhere else in the entire world. And yet another variety of flora and fauna to which the island is home to, are endangered.

A lighthouse can be seen towering in the island, where no traces of humans had been spotted until now

Lighthouse

The towering structures like that of a lighthouse are usually built in the vicinities where there is the dwelling place of people or to show the directions to the vessels travelling to and fro to other regions via that particular shore. However, the Cinque is in no way related to both these aspects, yet you could find a tall lighthouse erected on one of the three islets located in Northern Cinque Island. As they are built on the tallest of the rocky terrain of the entire landmass that if you had climbed to its topmost point, you could get to sight the scenery beyond them in a birds eye’s view including the sand bar connecting its northern and southern parts. Furthermore, various findings show that the lighthouse of Cinque Island was established in 1972.

The island is home to both innocuous colourful fishes and dangerous saltwater crocodiles

salt water crocodile

Yes, you could spot some very hostile looking saltwater crocodiles at the beaches of Cinque Island. Nonetheless, you do not have to be worried of that and be frightened to plan a trip to the island on a getaway and enjoy the marine wildlife dwelling in both on the land and sea, as they can only be found in some of the shores. Henceforth, when you are vacationing on the island, you must be willing to pay heed to the instructions given by your tourist guide. Without which, you would end up acquiring some bad experiences. On the other side, if you are obeying them, it would be bliss to catch a glimpse of the marvels of nature found on the island.

Like them or with many other exciting features, numerous charming islands are spread over this archipelago those can be explored. A vacation spends thus, would always be cherished forever in your memories. To acquire those kinds of unique experiences from these islands, you may get in contact with Andaman Tour Travel, as they had created some awesome travel deals to fulfil your dreams of vacationing in these isolated yet mesmerizing islands. Just call them up in the WhatsApp number given on their website. So book your tour packages now at extremely lower prices and stay thrilled throughout this exhilarating Andaman trip.

 

9 Interesting Facts on Chidiya Tapu You Need To Look Out For While You Are in Andaman

Dipping into the white sandy beaches that are pampered by pristine clear ocean water would be quite evident while you are vacationing in the scenic islands of Andaman. But the sights and the experience that you are going to acquire from this particular area is indeed tantalizing, which is situated to the southern end of the island that also comprises the capital of Port Blair. We are talking none other than the awe-inspiring coastal stretch of Chidiya Tapu. Given below are the interesting facts on Chidiya Tapu you need to look out for while you are holidaying in the exotic island of Andaman.

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Sunsets that you get to witness here are of varied hues

Chidiya Tapu is one of the most popular beaches for watching those mesmerizing sunsets that these exotic islands do offer you. People visiting the calm beach had claimed that they had seen the bright large sun in the shades of golden yellow, bright orange and deep crimson. They would provide a different splendid view when they hid behind the dark clouds.

The nomenclature of the place was done citing the birds visiting here

The very naming of the beach and its areas goes behind the Hindi word for ‘bird’s paradise.’  It might have been done by the early settlers of the islands who had also migrated from the north of India. They are very deservingly called so, as you could see a large population of flying friends indulged in their own business and sometimes soaring out of nowhere.

Location at the tip of a large group of Andaman Islands

 As cited earlier, the charming coastal of Chidiya Tapu is located in the southernmost tip of the Emerald Island, which is in the South Andaman.  Astonishingly, moving a few distances off the shore, you could enter into a thick green mangrove forest, which is composed of entirely different ecology. One may lend their ears to the chirping birds and squirrels in the background.

 

Biological Park can be sighted near the beach

Due to the diversity of the flora and fauna existing in the region, they had been conserved as a Biological Park. So when you are visiting Chidiya Tapu, you could get to see the wild animals such as white-spotted deers and birds that are endemic to these parts of the island. Apart from that, you may collect seashells from the park. You may also note the remarkable orchids only at these parts of the island. The areas around this beach, Munda Pahar and Sylvan Sands together constitute the biological park.

The natural disaster made the shore more beautiful

The drastic Tsunami of 2004 had devastated various parts of the Archipelago. However, to the huge trees of the beach, these huge waves created yet another enchanting look. The massive trees at the shores were uprooted by them and now just lay lifeless and horizontally on the white sandy beaches of Chidiya Tapu. All of these are the coming photographers’ favourite points. Also, the visitors to Chidiya Tapu rest on these heavy trunks and admire at the vast expanse of the Andaman Sea.

Diverse birds do visit the beach frequently

As the very of the place indicates, the type of bird those appear on the shores and at the end of the dense mangrove forest are truly diverse. It is said that some of them were migrated from distant places, whereas the others are the endemic species of the islands, numbering around 46 types of them.

There is a trekking zone nearby the beach

No one would ever imagine a trekking zone like this at this part of the island destination, but they do exist. They are better known as Munda Pahar and is located quite adjacent to the beach itself. There is even a guest house near the beach that is at the top of a peak. From that very point, you could view at a panoramic and mesmerizing view of a large expanse of this Emerald Island. Even some urban spaces of Port Blair can be spotted.

Beach can be reached from the capital very quickly

Barely 45 minutes of drive from Port Blair covering 25 km of distance could take you to the beachside of Chidiya Tapu. So the travellers coming to the archipelago on tour could easily access the captivating beach. So they do not always have to rely on any random tour packages that are going to spare you more cash. Moreover, they are situated on the same island as the capital of Andaman is located.

Various diving sites are located at the seashores

Scuba diving could one of the most adventurous water sports activities to the traveller coming to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on tour. Some of them visit the alluring archipelago solely for this purpose, even from the major cities of the mainland such as Mumbai and Delhi. Therefore, by planning a weekend at the beachside of Chidiya Tapu, you too could indulge in the daring underwater activity. Inevitably, you will not get mesmerized by the appealing beauty of dead coral reefs and colourful fishes.

These facts would truly beckon any wanderlust to visit them in real. For the same purpose, you may contact Andaman Tour Travel, who could provide you with exciting tour packages that nobody else could, especially at such a lower price. Most excitingly, you may try your hand in the thrilling water sport activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, banana boat riding, sea-walking and so on in these beaches. You may have to get in touch with their tour consultants who will inform you about the latest travel deals they provide. Pick up the most convenient one among the given packages that would be most appropriate to your travel preferences.  Moreover, their tour packages would cover all the major tourist locations of the archipelago such as the Cellular Jail Museum, Neil Island, Chidiya Tapu, Ross Island, Chatham Saw Mill, Baratang Island, Havelock Island and many others. You could make the best use of their travel deals and explore the picturesque island destination to its fullest.

8 Engaging Things to Do in and Near Elephant Beach in Andaman

The largest-ever mammals swimming across the turquoise blue seawater could be the very picture that appears initially if you had googled ‘Elephant Beach in Andaman.’ However, in reality, it is not so. You could rarely find any such full-grown elephants swimming on these white sandy beaches. Yet the aesthetic beauty of the charming seashore pampered by the pristine and shallow ocean waters could tempt any nature over to dip in them and have fun to its fullest. However, it is not only this particular beach that attracts its growing number of tourists thronging to the exotic archipelago on every passing year but also various other splendid adjacent tourist places.

Listed below are the engaging things to do in and near Elephant beach in Andaman.

Go fishing in sea waters

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Such an activity need not be suggested by any tour operators or their guides. The least polluted ocean waters around each of its islands provide that golden chance for the fishing enthusiasts to have their leisure time spent very fruitfully. Various tour companies based in the islands would let you go fishing in the serene water that is aplenty of rich marine life. You may try your fishing skills at the seashores of Elephant beach itself either by normal angling or the more popular game fishing of Andaman.

Relish some seafood from any nearby local restaurants

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Your taste glands would be at its peak of the gratification when you are savoring with the spicy seafood recipes that are exclusively prepared in the islands of Andaman. The seafood those are more popular here is cooked from shrimps, crabs, squids, sharks, and other small fishes. These delicacies had got many takers among both its tourists and the local population. Moreover, the real essence of Andaman cuisine is a blend of various other tastes, namely Bengali, Tamilian, Odisha and many others that will be visible in the majority of the food that they serve.

Kayaking once the sun sets in

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The magical phenomenon of Bioluminescence can be experienced from the Havelock Islands, which is one of the most popular islands of Andaman. From the ocean waters surrounding the Elephant beach, you would feel that you are witnessing the ethereal reflection of the starry sky in them from November to February. In real they are the beautiful beam of the glowing phytoplankton in the deep blue ocean waters on any pitch-black night, the happiness of which cannot be compared with any other sightseeing activities. There could be exclusive tour packages that offer you with this spellbinding night activity.

Stopover to Marina Park and Aquarium

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Situated in the nearby island of the Elephant beach, they can be reached from Havelock Island on a ferry to this place. Once you reach this land, you will be welcomed to the rich marine life living in the in pristine waters of the Andaman Sea. The park and aquarium is home to a whole lot of aquatic life such as turtles, crabs, sharks and various other fishes numbering to around 350 types. So you could spend an entire day at this marina with the whole family by roaming along the marine drive and the new lane of the restaurant to satisfy your tummies.

Do some snorkelling

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Corals, sea cucumbers, anemones, sea spiders and flamboyant fishes will be in your close encounters even if you are not too deep from the surface of the water. The view just below that line of water is indeed surprising and truly mesmerizing. Furthermore, it is claimed that this particular water activity can be experienced to its fullest at this shallow and pristine seawater of Elephant beach. Unlike scuba diving, you could indulge in snorkelling without the knowledge of swimming. Besides, you will be accompanied by well-trained instructors to help you around in this refreshing activity.

Drop into Cellular Jail Museum

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Among all other historical reminiscents of the archipelago, Cellular Jail Museum could be the most visited and significant one. Dropping to this British built jail can be worthy of your visit, as you could get to know about the mishaps the prisoners of the jail had to go through. The sufferings that its inmates had tolerated at the years of their imprisonment and up to death could be thought-provoking. Moreover, the historical jail can be reached from the Elephant beach once crossing a small strait kind of a part and arriving at Port Blair.

Go deep into the sea on Scuba Diving

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The mysterious underwater sea can be explored to another level by engaging yourself in the challenging watersport of Scuba diving. Elephant beach of Havelock Islands delivers this provision under tight safety issues and after training from the expert instructors. Moreover, the underwater sea in the proximity of Elephant beach is surprisingly very clear and rich with diverse marine life. The situations of worriedness can be zero while scuba diving in the ocean waters of Andaman as all of them are certified instructors and the activity under special supervision.

Sail in a ferry

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This particular activity needs to be considered as a separate venture, as you will be compelled to indulge in it while you are moving to every island of   Andaman. In most common situations, such a provision will be already added to the packages curated by common tour companies based on the island. Anyhow, your sailing across the serene sea waters of Andaman would be refreshing to any travelers, lest they are some nature lovers.

The beautiful sights of the islets do not limit here with the places and interesting things to do around Elephant Beach of Havelock Island in Andaman. You might have already noted that the activities that can be indulged here are exclusive to the picturesque and unpolluted island groups of Andaman. So when you are on tour to these parts of the archipelago, you should not miss any of these sights and fascinating activities. If you had planned your holidaying with any reputed and efficient tour operator such as Andaman Tour Travel based in Port Blair, you could experience these experiences quite expressively. Their tour packages do cover various tourist locations and other interesting activities that you could avail while you are sightseeing in the islands of Andaman. Above all that, you could avail their services at the lowest prices once you are willing to contact them by over phone or online.

An Auto Rickshaw Ride That Took Me to the Ferry Services of Andaman

It was one fine afternoon I was returning back from the weekly shopping from the supermarket. After waiting for a long one hour I finally got an auto-rickshaw. As the Diwali festival was commencing I had to buy many ingredients for preparing sweets for the festival. I somehow managed to keep all the things in the auto-rickshaw. The driver found it very hard to come out from the hectic road traffic. After struggling for nearly 10 minutes we manage to escape from the crowd. For the next 10 minutes, the journey was smooth and the cool breeze absorbed my sweat and tiredness. As I was started to relax suddenly I jumped like I got some electric shock. For a second I couldn’t understand anything. It took a few seconds for me to come back to the normal state. I just inquired about the matter to the driver. He just first apologized for his mistake. I asked him for what? He said he didn’t notice the hump and that was the reason why I felt discomfort. Within the next 10 minutes, I reached my home safely. Over there my parents were tensed for me being late. They helped me to carry the bags. After quenching my thirst I told them the whole incident. I started cursing the driver for his carelessness and also the government for taking measures to control the booming traffic in the city. My dad asked me to control my temper. He said that such incidents are part and parcel in everyone’s life. As I was born and brought up in a foreign country, adjusting with such limited resources in India is really difficult for me. Hearing to the conversation my mother joined us.

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 She asked me to consider the lives of people who have very little or never got an opportunity to travel by road. I just asked her are you joking mom. We are living in the 21st century and according to the reports the whole world is completely developed and I don’t think there would be anyone in this universe that hasn’t traveled by road. She smiled and kept her palms on my hair and said such people are there in the world and a small portion of them are living in Andaman. I asked her is that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands- the famous Indian archipelago. My dad nodded with a smile. It is really very difficult for me to believe that the islanders have never traveled by road. It is not like roads are not there but the islanders mostly like to depend on water transportation my mother said. She also added that there are many places on the island which are yet to be explored therefore roads could not meet all the corners. I was really amazed, over here in Madurai where we used to rarely get a chance to travel by water and over there in Andaman people have rarely seen roads in fact. So strange. I asked them, how the tourists who avail of tour packages from various parts of the world would be visiting the island. He said that either by airways or waterways.

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To travel from one island to another, islanders, as well as tourists, rely on the ferry services or row canoes on their own. The ferry services are considered as the cheapest and the best mode of transportation. Islanders have to pay low charges when compared to travelers who visit the island by availing of the tour packages. The charges may vary according to the size and facilities provided by the ferries. My dad told that there are mainly two types of ferries available in Andaman. They are known as Government ferries and Private ferries. The directorate of shipping services (DSS) directly operates the government ferries. The government may not provide all the modern amenities like a private cruise but always turn out to be the friendly transport services for the common people. As they do not have online booking services travelers will have to queue up in counters. They provide their services to not only the famous islands like Port Blair, Havelock Island, Neil Island, Baratang Island, and Diglipur Island but also to the regions which are least explored such as Mayabunder, Rangat, Campbell, Long Island and Hut Bay or Little Andaman.

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I asked my father to share something he knows about the private ferries. Private ferries are operated by private companies. Among them, Makruzz Gold is one of the prominent ferries in Andaman. It was constructed in the year 1996 and has the capacity to accommodate 330 passengers in a single go. It is also considered as one of the luxurious cruises in Andaman. Therefore the tickets are a little bit expensive travelers above age 2 are requested to avail of tickets worth 1000 INR. Traveling in Makruzz Gold will definitely provide a marvelous experience. The next one is the Coastal Cruise. The Coastal cruise was constructed in Singapore and has the capacity to carry 218 travelers at a single go. When compared to Makruzz the Coastal Cruise is really affordable. Travelers above 2 years will have to pay INR 600 onwards whereas tourists below 2 years are supposed to pay INR 105. And the last one is the Green Ocean cruise. The speed of Green Ocean is similar to that of the Government ferry. When compared to other private ferries the Green Ocean’s speed is comparatively low. As the cruise is spacious and allows passengers to walk over the deck it is a paradise for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.

Through my parents, I came to know a lot about Andaman and their modes of transportation. I was amazed by their lifestyle. I expressed my wish to visit the stunning islands. My dad told that he will fulfill my dream by availing of the packages. I inquired from where he is planning to buy the packages. It is through the famous travel partner called Andaman Tour Travel. He also said that it is the leading travel partner who crafts the packages to Andaman at affordable rates and provides excellent hospitality services.

A Quick Glance into the Tourist Attractions of Andaman and the Nicobar Islands

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a group of about three hundred Islands located in the Bay of Bengal is not just a string of Islands for India. Andaman and Nicobar Islands have played a major role in molding India in its current form and in fact, continues to play but as a major tourist destination of the country. Every year a remarkable amount of tourists come to behold the beautiful vistas of the rich flora and fauna and pure white-sanded turquoise beaches. Andamans has all the potential to keep tourists on their toes. No wonder, Andaman and Nicobar tourism has proved to be an asset for the Indian economy. However, the best way to make the most out of these lovely Islands is by booking a tour package with a well experienced and efficient tour operator. It is because the Andamans are secluded Islands where even 2G internet has not been launched yet. Therefore it is necessary to have a perfect itinerary planned and arranged by people who are well versed with the Andamans. Also, the Andamans is home to various sorts of tribes such as the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and Sentinelese, the Shompen and Nicobarese and it is certainly not a good idea to get lost in their territories. There are many a tour agencies operating on Andaman travel packages. however, the Andaman Tour Travel have proved to be the best in their service. Neverthless, it would be useful for you to have a little research from your side about the tourist attractions in the Andamans before talking to your tour operator about formulating your package. In this way, you can add or delete the tourist spots from the standard Andaman tour packages of the tour operators according to your likes and dislikes. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss some of the most popular tourist attractions available in the Andamans. I will also discuss some of the less popular places, in case, if secluded and peaceful spots are your thing.

Generally,  Port Blair and Havelock are the two most common names that you will come by when you research on Andaman. However, Andaman is much more than that and there are so many more beautiful Islands in the Andaman. But anyway I will go along with the usual pattern of starting with Port Blair and Havelock. Port Blair is the capital city of Andaman and probably the first place you reach while on your Andaman tour. The most prominent spot to explore in Port Blair is the cellular jail, the standing testimony of the struggles which our forefathers went through for adorning India with independence.

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The cellular jail is, in fact, architecturally very interesting as it takes the shape of a bicycle spoke. The interior looks quite scary as the tiny cells have only got a small opening to place the plates of food for the prisoners and windows are perched high above on its walls that barely see the blue clouds and lush greenery outside. There are also lifelike installations in its compound indicating how hectic the prisoner’s lives were in the hands of the British. It’s indeed an eye-watering moment and when you walk out of the cellular jail your heart will be filled with gratitude.

Aberdeen bazar is another tourist-friendly spot in the Andamans where you can buy gorgeous souvenirs and alluring ancient artifacts. You can certainly spend a few hours here and invest in some goodies to take home which you can either keep with you as a memory or gift your near and dear ones as a token of love.

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Chidiya Tapu is another famous landmark in the Port Blair. It is, undoubtedly a paradise for bird watchers. You can spot regional as well as many a migrating bird flying across the sky or playing on the large trees. The happy chirping of the birds itself will make your day awesome.

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Moving on to Havelock Island, it has some of the best beaches which are very popular among the tourists. Radhanagar beach is the most famous as it’s got snowy white sand and crystal clear waters. The crimson sunset on this beach presents a unique beauty that will make you go speechless.

andaman and nicobar tourism

Elephant beach and kalapathar beach are other famous beaches in Havelock. Elephant beach is good for diving, kayaking, snorkeling, and glass-bottom boat rides. Kalapathar beach as the name suggests is lined by some back rough rocks but yet serene and pristine. It is pretty much far away from the main town but for the same reason it makes up for a great spot where you can enjoy the peacefulness. It’s an ideal place to come for picnics with your family with some home-cooked food.

Apart from the breathtakingly beautiful beaches, nature has blessed Andaman with some amazing limestone caves as well. The Baratang Island houses the amazing limestone formations that happened billions of years ago and what is more interesting is that both the stalactites and stalagmites are present inside the caves and you can almost spend half a day here admiring the beautiful creation of nature.

ANDAMAN NICOBAR TOURISM PACKAGE

Cinque Island, an Island not so common in travel itineraries, is indeed a great place to explore. It is located towards the north of Port Blair, lying between the passage and the Duncan Island and is divided into north and south Cinque Island. It is as far as more than 20 km from the Port Blair city. The Island is not inhabited but it offers a lot of adventure activities for tourists such as snorkeling, sea walking, diving, etc. and the marine life is so rich here that it has given rise to the formation of beautiful corals in different shapes, sizes, and colors all around the Island. Camping on this Island is allowed and it would be a great experience to sleep under the stars listening to the roaring sea nearby. Regular ferry service is provided from the Chidiya Tapu to reach Cinque Island.

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The Little Andaman Island, home to the onge tribe, is still an unknown heaven among most of the globe trotters. The best thing about Little Andaman is that most of the tourist attractions here does not require an entry fee. Butler bay beach on a little Island is great for surfing. There are also some awesome waterfalls on the Island such as white surf waterfalls and whisper wave waterfalls. If you love rainbows, white surf waterfalls are your cup of tea, because when the mist in the air comes in contact with sun rays, rainbows are often formed. Whisper wave waterfalls are as lovely as white surf waterfalls but are prone to crocodile attacks. Therefore, do take care to take the crocodile warning signs seriously.

andaman holidays

 

Red palm oil plantation is one unique spot the tourists are immensely attracted to. It does not require an entry fee and you can see and understand the various processes going on there. You can even take some time to interact with the workers here to obtain a clearer understanding of the whole processes going on or even clarify your doubts. However, you require a special permit to visit this Island and also camping is not allowed here. Food courts are available in hut bay but they offer only basic items. So if you are planning to do cooking on the Island, don’t forget to bring the cookware and the required raw materials. You can reach the Little Andaman Island either through sea or via air. There are government-issued ferries from Port Blair to hut bay which takes around 6 to 8 hours depending on the condition of the sea. Private helicopter rides are the alternate option, obviously expensive, but takes only 1 hour to reach. However, the seats are limited and also you will be only able to take limited luggage with you.

 

andaman nicobar tourism

 

All the aforesaid tourist attractions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands make it a tempting holiday spot not only for the international vacationers but also for the domestic ones. Especially the people of Gujarat find Andaman and Nicobar Islands very interesting that the demand for Andaman and Nicobar tour packages from Ahmedabad are so high. This is due to the simple psychology of people that they always find the things they don’t own as desirable. The beige sanded blue beachess of Gujarat are so much in contrast to the snowy white sanded turquoise blue beaches of Andamans and thus, makes it damn appealing for them. Also, Andamans are blessed with a much more pleasant climate to enjoy the beaches than the rather dry climate of Gujarat.