EXPERIENCE ANDAMAN- BEYOND KALAPANI

Published by: Imtiaz Ullah aka NomadLawyer

https://www.nomadlawyer.org/

This trip was curated by NomadLawyer.

Trip planning is by no means an easy task rather it can be really daunting. It requires a lot of patience, attention to detail and above all understanding the traveler’s mindset. 

There are a number of things that come to mind viz. Where do you begin? What’s step one? What’s step two? What’s step three? It’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially when you start as a novice. 

The journey of NomadLawyer started by planning trips for myself, friends, colleagues etc. As the journey progressed and until now NomadLawyer has planned countless trips and helped people get out the door and into the world. 

This time the request to plan a trip came from my brother Rizvi Ullah who recently got married. Over a glass of single malt, my brother said, ” you have planned innumerable trips and now, it is the time to plan a trip for me”. 

Without any hesitation, I said, “Yes” and I call it a “Dream Trip”. But honestly, I was a bit nervous because at the back of my mind, I knew if it was not the best from the rest, I may be judged. 

To my utter disbelief, I got to know that he doesn’t have a passport. This was like a bolt from the blue to me as it limited my scope for deciding the destination. So, now my goal was to plan a trip within India and also preference was a “Beach Vacation”. 

I wanted to plan a trip beyond cliché and after extensive thought and research, we settled for Andaman. 

Know about Andaman 

Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the union territory of India lies in the Bay of Bengal consisting about 527 islands both small & large with a coastline that stretches for about 100 km. It is close to the Arakanmayo mountain range of Burma that lies to the side of Sumatra of Indonesia. The island consisting of two groups, the Andaman & Nicobar are separated by 300 km, covers an area of about 8293 square kilometers with Port Blair as its capital. The islands are covered with dense green forest, high mountains and long coastline with wide roads, new buildings. 

Experience the Andaman 

Port Blair: 03 nights Havelock : 02 nights Neil Island: 01 nights 

Day wise breakdown. 

Day-1 Fly in to Port Blair Airport. 

First half of the day is at leisure. Later in the afternoon proceed to visit Cellular Jail followed by light and sound show. The Cellular Jail has a pride of place in India’s freedom struggle. 

The day draws to a gentle close with the Sound and Light Show at the historic Cellular Jail which gives you a vivid experience of its strong association with the freedom fighters and their struggle for independence. Overnight stay at respective Hotel / Resort at Port Blair. 

Things to remember 

1) Cellular Jail is closed every Monday and national Holidays. 2) Entry to Cellular jail and Museum closes by 1600hrs and light n sound show is open every day 1800hrs. For English show Request to TM only on Mon , Wed & Friday * light n sound is Subjected to weather conditions and tickets issued are non-refundable. 

Day 2 Excursion to Coral island North Bay & Ross Island After breakfast, set out for a full- day excursion to Coral Island (North Bay) to see coral reefs, exotic varieties of beautiful ornamental fish and other marine life. This is an ideal place for snorkelling as this sandy beach coupled with clear water creates a breathtaking view. Please carry your lunch pack, drinking water & changing dress 

After North Bay Coral Island, visit Ross Island, the former residential and administrative island of the British during their rule of South-East Asia, was nicknamed the Paris of the East. This island was completely destroyed in an earthquake, now in ruins. Overnight stay at respective Hotel at Port Blair. 

Things to remember 

1) Ross & North Bay remains closed on every Wednesdays. 

2) Ferry departs at 0930hrs – subject to weather conditions, please report to Rajiv Gandhi Water sports complex latest by 0900hrs. 

3) Contact us if you want a private chartered boat for above trip perfect for 5-7 person.) 

· The boats to Ross Island and North Bay Coral Island are managed by a boat association who need individual guest to fill a consent form after which boats are allotted based on rotation and sharing basis. 

· Due to limited boats guest may have to wait until their boat is allotted and we have no control over the wait time. 

· Please carry a change of clothes, towels, caps, sunglasses, and sunscreen and wear comfortable clothing for this trip. 

Things to do at North Bay: Sea Walk Glass Bottom Boat Semi submarine Coral safari Dolphin Boat ride 

Day 3 

Port Blair to Havelock/ Excursion to Radhanagar beach 

After breakfast or with pack breakfast if your hotel offers as per ferry timings , get transfer to Phoenix Bay Harbour to catch a ferry to Havelock. 

The Island (often just called Havelock) is one of the most beautiful and largest islands of Ritchie’s Archipelago and is a placid heaven like no other. Situated 57 km north east of the South Andamans with an area of 92 Sq. Kms she offers a breathtaking trail of nature expeditions. The island is primarily populated by Bengali settlers. This picturesque Island with beautiful sandy beaches and lush green forest is also rated as the seventh most beautiful island in the world. It hosts two of the world’s most renowned beaches. 

On arrival the cab will be provided to pick-up and drop to hotel and later post lunch proceed to visit Beach No 7, Radhanagar beach rated as the best beach in Asia. Spend the day relaxing on this beach. Later proceed to selected hotel. 

Stay here overnight amongst sandy beach and lush green forest in a comfortable beach resort. This day, your breakfast will be at Port Blair if you are travelling by an early morning ferry ask the Hotel to pack the breakfast if they offer. 

Ferry timings are mentioned in the tickets provided to you please report 45minutes prior to departure with a valid photo id card – ferry operation is purely subjected to Govt clearance and weather conditions ) class of ferry and timings is subjected to availability at the time of confirmation only 

Day 4 Havelock Island /Excursion to Elephant beach Trip to Elephant Beach- Embark on the most memorable trip, just 40 min by Boat this beach offers calm blue shallow waters and is the perfect spot for water sports lovers . The boat goes right up to the beach, It’s also a great place to just spend the day lying on the beach and relaxing. The beach is very scenic with fallen trees and white sand giving the photographer some interesting shots. The reef here starts very close to shore at a depth of about 1 meter. The large reef is mostly made up of hard coral and has plenty of marine life. (Note- This trip is inclusive of transfers & boat charges, this trip may change to Light house due to weather conditions, Ferry Operation is purely Subjected to Govt clearance 

The boats to Elephant Beach are managed by a boat association who need individual guest to fill a consent form after which boats are allotted based on rotation and sharing basis. 

Due to limited boats guest may have to wait until their boat is allotted and we have no control over the wait time. 

Please carry for change of clothes, towels, caps, sunglasses, and sunscreen and wear comfortable clothing for this trip. 

Things to do at Elephant Beach Scuba Diving Underwater sea-walk Jet Ski Glass Bottom boat Speed boat ride Parasailing 

*All the activities are subjected to govt clearances and as per weather conditions only. 

Day 5 October- Havelock Island to Neil Island/ Excursion to Laxmanpur Beach After breakfast, the cab will be provided to pick-up and drop guest to Havelock harbour to catch a ferry to Neil Island as per ferry timings advised. Neil Island dwells with lust green surroundings of paddy fields, banana plantations and tropical trees. It occupies an area of 18.9 square kilometres (7.3 sq mi). The island is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) east of Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Pristine sandy beaches at Bharatpur and Laxmanpur are some of the best beaches to explore. A quite heaven for Backpack travellers. On arrival at Neil Island, get transferred to selected hotel & after check in half of the day is at leisure. Later in the afternoon proceed for a trip to Laxmanpur beach (sunset point). Spend the evening relaxing on this beach & enjoying the amazing sunset view. Stay overnight at respective Hotel / Resort at Neil Island. (Note- 1) Ferry timings are mentioned in the tickets provided to you please report 45minutes prior to departure with a valid photo id card issued by govt. competent authority. 2) Ferry services are subjected to weather conditions)Class of ferry and timings is subjected to availability at the time of confirmation only. 

Day 6 

October- back to Portblair: Market Hopping and relax 

Day 7 Fly back to your destination 

Suggested Place to Stay

Port Blair:

TSG GRAND / NORTH REEF/ HOTEL SHOMPHEN /DIVIYUM MANOR/ De Pebbles/COMFORT INN BLU WAVES / PEERLESS RESORT BEACH RESORT / KEYS AQUA GREEN /CORAL COVE 

HAVELOCK 

HAYWIZZ HAVELOCK ISLAND RESORT /HOLIDAY INN (HAVELOCK PLAZA) / OCEAN PEARL / SANDS MARINA BEACH RESORT ( EXECUTIVE ) / HAVELOCK HOLIDAY BEACH RESORT/ TSG BLUE RESORT /SANDS MARINA (COTTAGE ) / SHMPHONY PALMS/(COTTAGE ) / OCEAN TREE BEACH RESORT (VILLA) 

NEIL ISLAND PEARL PARK (SUPER DLX)/HOLIDAY INN(PARADISE NEST ) / NK ECO VILLA/SEA SHELL(COTTAGE ) /SUMMER SAND ( CASA AQUA ) / TSG AURA RESORT( BEACH VILLA) 

Nomad Lawyer- is a travel site dedicated to transformative travel, responsible tourism, eco-tourism and caused based travel, where the readers will be enriched by intriguing travel experiences, a sneak peek into the travel laws of a country and an overview of various projects relating to social responsibility and volunteer tourism. 

Bon Voyage! 

“Don’t just be a traveller, but a responsible one”. 

“ Mother nature has gifted us with beautiful places to explore and it’s our duty to pay  back"