| One
of the world's last outposts of virgin rain forest islands,
the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a string of 300
odd islands in the Bay Of Bengal. Remote, not easily
accessible, it was preserved the way it had evolved,
still inhabited by tribes considered to be the oldest
living communities in the world. A fantasy world of
silver sands, clear blue seas, coral reefs, swaying
palms, tropical forests, volcanic mountains and a gently
undulating landscape. Boasting of an idyllic landscape
and immense natural attractions, it is one of the popular
tourist destinations in the country. Located between
the Indian mainland and the long Burma (Myanmar) coast
up to Sumatra, these coral islands with a unique ecology
of its own, were till recently inhabited by tribals.
The islands were annexed by the British in the 19th
century and used as a penal colony for Indian freedom
fighters. During World War II, the Japanese occupied
the islands and created their own record of cruelty.
The local tribes took up guerrilla activities against
the Japanese. After India gained independence in 1947,
the islands were incorporated into the Indian Union.
Port Blair is the administrative headquarters of islands.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands comes under the rule
of the central Government of India
The main
islands in the Andamans are Land Fall Island, Middle
Andaman, South Andaman, Port Blair and Little Andaman.
Nicobar, lying to the south, comprises of Car Nicobar,
Great Nicobar, Chowra, Teresa, Nancowrie, Katchal and
Little Nicobar. The two groups of islands, Andaman and
Nicobar, are separated by a deep ten degree channel.
12 of the islands, particularly Car Nicobar in the north,
are inhabited, while Great Nicobar, the largest and
southernmost island in the group, is virtually uninhabited.
The capital
of this Union Territory is Port Blair, on the Andaman
Islands, which is the landing and departure point for
boat excursions in the Andamans and an ideal base for
touring the archipelago of 321 islands. The island has
been named after Lt. Reginald Blair, who conducted a
survey of the area, in 1789. One of the fascinating
features of the land that can be seen throughout the
islands, is that of houses built on poles. The island
also houses all the administrative and government buildings
and people from all parts of the world live here, thus,
giving it a rather cosmopolitan look.
The main
aboriginal group in the Andamans are the Onges, who
live on Little Andaman. Onges, like other Andamanese
tribes, are of Negrito origin. They are food-gatherers
who hunt, fish and collect honey, and are the only tribe
on the islands, who freely accept contact with the outside
world. In the Nicobars, the only aboriginals are the
Shompens, who are averse to any contact with the outside
world. The Nicobarese, the largest group, seem to be
of mixed Burmese, Malay, Mon and Shan origin. They are
a friendly and cheerful lot, who do not accept money
and prefer the barter system. Communing with the dead
is one of the many intriguing rituals practiced in Nicobar.
Forests green
extend over the islands. The reserved and protected
forests extend over 86% area of the territory and the
forest cover is more than 92 %. About 50 % of the forests
has been set aside as Tribal Reserves, National Parks
and Wildlife Sanctuaries, which are inviolate. Luxuriant
mangroves, perhaps the richest in the world, occupy
nearly 11. 5 % of the territory. More than 150 plant
and animals species are endemic in nature. Mahatma Gandhi
Marine National Park is rich in corals, varieties of
colored fishes, sea turtles etc., besides other marine
life. It is a birds paradise - more than 271 varieties
of birds inhabit the idyllic landscape, out of which
39 are endemic. Megapode, Swiftlet, Hornbill and Nicobar
Pigeon are some of the specialties of the Andaman &
Nicobar Islands.
Day 1 Fly
Madras or Calcutta / Port Blair Assistance on arrival. Transfer to your Hotel.
Regular flights operate from Madras and Calcutta to
Port Blair. Afternoon sightseeing of Port Blair - Visit
the Cellular Jail and museum. A close look at the Death
House and the Instruments of torture brings alive India’s
freedom struggle and the contribution of those listed
on the jail walls.
Familiarize
yourself with the town. Visit the emporia and the little
shops. Browse around and get a feel of Port Blair
Later Swim at Corbyn’s Cove or one of other safe
beaches. But first check on undercurrents and tide timings
from your hotel. This is important. Overnight at Hotel
Accommodation in Port Blare is accommodation
available for all types of Budget including a five star
hotel.
Day 2
Port Blare Visit
Jolly Buoy or Cinque. Swim, snorkel and visit the underwater
world (full day).
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 3
Port Blare / Ross Island / Port Blare
Full day excursion to Ross & Viper Island with picnic
lunch..
Ross Island
– walk through the ruins of British architecture. See
if you can identify the buildings most of them are labeled
now. Relive the glory of early 20th century
colonial life. You can swim or make friends with the
deer. The island is 200 acres and a ferry from Phoenix
Bay, gets you there in a few minutes. Early morning
Ross is a bird-watcher’s paradise. Go on to Viper
Island and see the dungeons and a natural ‘ampitheatre’,
where you can hear your voice echo and marvel at the
acoustics.
Overnight
at Hotel
Day 4
Port Blare / Havelock Island Morning
fly to Havelock Island by helicopter. It is unspoilt
and beautiful. If you are lucky and get a permit, a
visit to the home of the Onges in Dugong Creek is a
must. Stay overnight at Havelock – it takes you back
a hundred years to camp life and pristine beauty.
Overnight
at Hotel / Lodge
Havelock
Island also have a professionally run Scuba diving club
which also offers courses for learners.
Day 5
Havelock Island / Port Blare Morning return to Port Blair. Save this day to continue your
study of the island’s flora and fauna or go to Chiriya
Tapu or Wandoor. Overnight at Hotel
Day 6
Port Blare
Visit the Sippighat Farm – 80 acres with a wealth of
exotic flora and fauna (2 hours).
The Chatham
Saw Mills are interesting and among the oldest in Asia.
Here there are rare samples of tropical timber – like
paduk and the marble and satin woods (1 hours). Two
museums and a zoo. The anthropological Museum, Marine
Museum and Mini Zoo. See a panorama of the life of the
Paleolithic islanders, a display of marine life with
sea crocodiles, dolphins, barracuda and pearl oysters.
(2 hours).
After noon
at the beach. Round it off with a harbour cruise that
takes you round the South Andaman Island and gives you
a bird’s eye view of mangroves, rain forests and other
delights of this, living museum (3 hours).
Overnight
at Hotel
Day 7
Port Blare Repeat
what you loved most or try a new spot. Commune with
the birds and flowers – visit the sea to swim and dive.
Take a walk so that the feel of the islands seeps in
to last you till your next interlude. Say farewell to
the people. Prepare to go back to ‘civilisation’ and
away from this ‘never-never land’.
Every evening
in Port Blair should be spent tasting its sea food –
lobsters, shrimps and a variety of fish. Drink as much
as you can of fresh coconut water and try tropical
fruit; papayas, pineapples, sapota and a variety of
bananas.
Overnight at Hotel
Day 8
Port Blare / Calcutta / Madras Morning
transfer to airport for flight to Calcutta or Madras
End of the tou
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