Andamans

Imagine this: This is the Andaman and Nicobar Islands group. A very loved hotspot of India, away from the mainland, the Andaman’s tourist places have attracted tourists and travellers alike from all over the world. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are not only known for their beauty and pretty views, but also for their history, culture and tales of the past. I have backpacked extensively in the Andamans and have compiled a complete itinerary for you, which can be covered in a week. Below, you will find all the details that you need to plan for a successful trip to Andaman – Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Islands. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are so silently tucked away from the eyes of the world that it is difficult to spot them on a map easily. It is home to some of the last remaining tribes of our planet, which makes this place a lot more intriguing. Even though there are 836 islands in total here, not every island is accessible to the general public. Only a few of them are inhabited. If you take a close look at the map, you will find Andaman closer to Thailand than to India. Yet these islands are a part of India. Due to such a unique geographical location, the islands have suffered a lot in terms of wars and international conspiracies. Over here, you will find intensive check posts and the presence of the Indian army. The islands are heavily guarded, but despite all of these, the islands are a perfect place to relax and spend your holidays. The oceans are crystal clear, the colour of the water is deep blue, and the place has a magic of its own. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Radhika Nomllers (@radhika_nomllers) Winters are the best time to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the weather in Andaman during these months (October to February) is cool and pleasant and ideal for water activities like snorkelling, scuba diving and sea walking. However, if you are travelling during summer, the water will be quite clear for underwater photography, although the weather may feel a little uncomfortable. Usually, the footfall of tourists increases multiplefold during the months of November to May. It is best to avoid the monsoon (July to September) as most of the places may be closed, including water activities and high tidal waves. Andaman Island is separated from the mainland of India. There are no roads or rail connections to the island. You can either take a ship or a flight to cross the enormous Bay of Bengal. There are no direct flights to Andaman (Port Blair or Sri Vijaya Puram) from Delhi. However, you can get direct flights from Kolkata, Bangalore, Mumbai or Chennai. You can also avail ships from Chennai, Kolkata and Vishakhapatnam. The ship from Kolkata and Chennai sails approximately three to four times a month while once a month from Vishakhapatnam. It takes 3-4 days to reach Port Blair/Sri Vijaya Puram. You can avail of the tickets right from the shipping services in these cities, check out the government website or avail of any private services. Make sure to check the timing and frequency of the ships well in advance. Note that these ships are not cruises but government-operated ships. Distance from Port Blair to Havelock The distance between Havelock and Port Blair is 73 km. There are many privately owned cruises as well as government ferries which commute between these ports. You can book the tickets online or at the port once you arrive. However, due to the crowd, ticket availability can be an issue. I would recommend you book the tickets well in advance, in this case. A government-run ferry will take around 3 hours, while a privately-run cruise will take about 2 hours. The ferry and cruise from Port Blair to Havelock We opted for Makruzz, which I found to be quite nice and comfortable. Some of the other ferries/cruises operating between the two islands are: Sea Link Cruise, Green Ocean, Express Bhagya, and  ITT Majestic. Timings The ferry starts to operate at 6 AM and has frequent services. You can check the ferry schedule here: Andaman Ferry Ticket Booking Online – Instant Ticket & PNR Distance from Havelock to Neil Neil Island is located 37 km from Havelock Island and takes about an hour to reach. You can book the tickets online or once you reach the port. When we travelled from Havelock to Neil, the ferry was mostly empty. The ferry and cruise from Havelock to Neil We went to Makruzz again. Some of the other ferries/cruises operating between the two islands are – Sea Link Cruise, Green Ocean, Express Bhagya, and ITT Majestic. Timings The ferry operates between 11 AM to 3:15 PM. Distance from Neil to Port Blair Neil Island is located 18 km from Port Blair by sea and takes about one to one and a half hours to reach. You can book the tickets online or in the port. The ferry and cruise from Neil to Port Blair We booked Makruzz, as usual. Some of the other ferries/cruises operating between the two islands are – Sea Link Cruise, Green Ocean, Express Bhagya, and  ITT Majestic. Timings The ferry operates post-10 AM. The best way to travel within the islands is by renting a scooter. Since Andaman tourist spots are plenty, you will find it very easy to rent a vehicle, which is readily available. As soon as you get down at the jetty, you will find yourself swamped by locals offering you such services. If not, then ask your hotel staff, and they will guide you through. Usually, the cost of renting a scooter per day is INR 400 – 500, excluding petrol. I travelled across for a week, which felt heavenly. Find below the itinerary I followed and the places of interest in Andaman, along with a route map. There are many sightseeing places in the Andaman and