Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Archipelago of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Where are the Andaman Islands

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Andaman Islands located in the waters indian ocean , between and . This luxurious resort is a picturesque archipelago with total area a little bit more four thousand square kilometers.

Peculiarities

The administrative center of the archipelago is the city of Port Blair, which is home to only 100 thousand people. Thanks to the convenient geographical location and mild climate, the Andaman Islands in a short time turned from a provincial British colony into one of the prosperous resorts of India. White sand, bright green palm trees and small bizarre shells are the hallmark of this exotic paradise. Largely due to the fact that the resort is as close as possible to the best European examples, it loses its national Indian flavor, which can only be seen in the architecture of a few temples scattered across the archipelago. In general, the Andaman Islands are a great place to stay in India, as evidenced by their great popularity. Indian resort among the many tourists who every year tend to the shores of the Andaman Sea.

general information

The Andaman Islands, which number 204, occupy an area of ​​6408 square meters. km. The population is 343,125 people, of which only 500 people remain indigenous people.

A brief excursion into history

For a long time these lands were inhabited local tribes natives, known to the world as the inhabitants of the Great Andamans. It is curious that today about five hundred indigenous people live on the islands. They live far from the coast, in the thicket of the evergreen jungle and shy away from numerous tourists who have chosen sunny coast archipelago. The aborigines live by hunting, farming and fishing. If desired, curious tourists manage to look at the life and everyday life of the indigenous population, but this is extremely rare, as the locals are good at hiding from prying eyes.

Climate

The best weather conditions are established from January to mid-May. It is also the best time for diving. At this time of the year it is sunny and the sea is calm. Monsoons usually start from the end of May and last until the end of July - this is the most unfavorable time when it is windy, high waves rise in the sea and low underwater visibility. Heavy showers are possible from August to November, but diving is good during this period.

How to get there

From Moscow and other regions of Russia, the Andaman Islands can be reached via Delhi, Bangkok and other major cities. Budget flights from Calcutta, Chennai, Madras fly to the local airport of Port Blair.

Transport

Passenger ferries are the only relatively inexpensive way to travel between the islands. It is better to book places in advance. Renting a shuttle helicopter or seaplane is very expensive, but such a service is also possible. On the islands, auto rickshaws are usually available for transportation, taxis are available only in Port Blair.

Resorts

Most popular resorts Andaman Islands are the beach areas of Viper Island, Port Blair, Bird Island, Karmatong, as well as the islands of Diglipur and Havelock. The resorts are dominated by lush, green vegetation, and the coast is replete with wide sandy beaches with unusually clear water. Along coastline there are luxury hotels with a large territory and plenty of entertainment. The tourist infrastructure of this fashionable resort in India has excellent conditions for a varied holiday, as a result of which there are simply no bad, and therefore cheap, hotels in the archipelago.

Accommodation

There are many hotels of different categories on the islands, which are managed by Andaman & Nicobar Tourism.

Kitchen

On the Andaman Islands, fish products are in abundance. You can try dishes in gourmet restaurants in Port Blair or local cafes. In restaurants, prices are higher than in local cafes, but the dishes are worth it.

shopping

The Andaman Islands are famous for their beaches and diving expeditions, but shopping here is also a lot of fun. AT mall and other places in Port Blair, you can find a variety of shells, mother-of-pearl jewelry and coral souvenirs. You can buy straw hats, various handicrafts, beaded jewelry, bamboo crafts. You should definitely ask the seller for a check in order to avoid problems with the purchased goods.

Precautionary measures

Andaman Islands - safe place, but do not take pictures and try to contact with local natives. North Sentinel Island is inhabited by local Aborigines who reject contact with other people.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a unique island state of India, located in the Bay of Bengal, 1400 km from the mainland. There are not so many resorts here, but those that are are above all praise. The islands are famous for their wonderful climate, amazing rich vegetation, privacy and "environmental friendliness". In addition, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a closed zone, the territory of national reserves, to visit which you need to obtain a separate permit.

The total number of islands is about 570, of which 550 are in the Andaman Islands. There are only about 40 inhabited in the territory, including 26 in the Andaman part; about 10 islands are open for tourists.

The capital and largest city is Port Blair. Major cities are Diglipur, Rangat and Mayabunder.

visa, permission

To visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, you need a special permit, which is issued upon arrival at Port Blair, at the immigration office at the Haddo Jetty pier. However, when traveling to the islands by sea, it is necessary to obtain this permission in advance, on the mainland (Foreigners’ Registration Office in Chennai - tel.: 044-28278210, in Kolkata - tel.: 033-22473300), or when applying for a standard Indian visa. The permit is usually issued for up to 30 days; travelers who do not have return tickets or an invitation from the hotel can only get a "permit" for 15 days.

In addition, the permit can be extended in Port Blair, but only for a maximum of 15 days.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a closed zone, the territory of national reserves, to visit which you need to obtain a separate permit.

The permit is usually checked by hotels, island administrations, ferries and at departure, so it is not worth losing it.

The following islands can be visited with a permit: South Andaman, Middle Andaman, Little Andaman (not including indigenous areas), Neil, Havelock, Long Andaman, Diglipur, Baratang, islands included in the territory national park them. Mahatma Gandhi (except Boat Hobday, Twin, Tarmugli, Malay and Pluto; overnight in marine park possible only after notification to the administration) and North Passage Island.

Daytime visits to Jolly Buoy, South Sinque, Red Skin, Ross and Smith, Narcondam, Interview, Brothers, Sisters, Mount Harriet, Madubana, and Barren Volcanic Island are also permitted (by boat only, no landings allowed).

How to get there

By air

The capital of the islands, Port Blair, receives flights from Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. Tickets should be booked in advance, as during the season their cost increases significantly, moreover, it becomes possible to stay without them at all. Soon it is planned to open international flights (in particular, from Bangkok).

Indian Airlines flies every day from Chennai (travel time 2 hours 5 minutes) and Kolkata (travel time 2 hours). In addition, JetLite airlines fly from Chennai and Delhi (via Calcutta, about 4 hours on the way) and Kingfisher Red from Chennai (one of the most budgetary companies).

On water

From Calcutta, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) to Andaman, there are regular boats that take several days to travel, and is an adventure in itself. As a rule, 4 to 6 flights per month arrive in Port Blair from Kolkata (on the way 56 hours, ship MV Akbar), and in season - one more flight per week from Chennai (60 hours, ships MV Nanchowry and MV Swarajdweep) . MV Harshavardhana operates from both ports. Once a month there is a flight from Visakhapatnam (Vizaga).

Search for flights to the city of Delhi (the nearest airport to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands)

Weather in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The climate is tropical, the minimum temperature is +23 °C, the maximum temperature is +31 °C. humidity - 70-90%. Best time for a visit - October-May. From May to mid-September, as well as from November to mid-December - the rainy season. In late summer, strong storms are frequent, causing serious destruction.

Tourist safety

The locals got acquainted with civilization not so long ago, so the complete absence of clothes, or loincloths and bright beads, is an absolute routine for the islands.

Aboriginal settlements are most often closed to tourists, in addition, video and photography are prohibited there.

Transport

There is a ferry service between the islands, as well as helicopters. Flights are highly dependent on the weather, in severe storms they can be canceled altogether. Tickets are inexpensive, from Port Blair to Havelock ~150-250 INR.

Tourist ferries are quite comfortable, designed for 100 people, there is air conditioning, which, however, does not always cope. Regular ferries are much larger and less comfortable, designed for 400 people, located on two levels.

At Highlock and in Port Blair, there is incredible excitement in front of the box office. You can buy tickets in relative calm in (!) the women's queue, where tickets are sold for everyone, regardless of gender.

The fare depends on the class of service: 600, 700 or 1000 INR (leather seats and own TV). In high season it is worth booking tickets at least a day in advance.

You can move directly to the islands by auto-rickshaws (in Port Blair and Havelock Island), taxis (only in the capital) or scooters, which can also be rented only in the capital and on Havelock Island. Rental price 350-400 INR per day, deposit ~ 800-900 INR.

Prices on the page are for April 2019.

Travel to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Beaches in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• Corbin Bay - best beach next to Port Blair. This is a small area of ​​soft white sand, hidden from prying eyes by a green palm canopy. There is a good restaurant, guesthouse and resort hotel Peerless Resort. 30 km south is the "Bird Island" of Chirya Tapu, which can be reached by a single road through the jungle and swamps from a small fishing village to a wide bay with shell beaches.
• Viper Island is a tiny quiet island located inside the Port Blair harbor. The beaches of the island are sandy, the rest of the territory is covered with greenery.
• Havelock Island is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches, the most popular of which are Vijayanagar and Radhanagar. Crystal clear waters and stunning coral reefs, as well as numerous marine life, including dolphins, turtles and large fish, invariably attract many tourists to the island. On Vijayanagar Beach there is a diving center - an ideal place to explore the life of marine life. In addition, you can even see elephants in the forests of the island.
• Karmatang is located in the northern part of the Middle Andaman, 136 km from Port Blair. This is a nice quiet beach, where the big turtles lay their eggs.
• Diglipur Island (136 km from Port Blair) is famous for sandy beach Ramnagar: fragrant oranges grow here, and under the water you can see hundreds of amazing fish and others like them. The island is crossed by the only river in the archipelago - Kaplong.
• Rutland Island is an ideal place for eco-tourism. You can stay in the small cottages of Totani Resort, from where you can start exploring the beautiful mangroves and coral reefs of the island.
• Neil Island is quieter than Havelock, famous for good beaches and snorkelling opportunities.

Vandour Beach - Gateway to national park named after Mahatma Gandhi.

• Vandur is the gateway to the Mahatma Gandhi National Park.
• Baratang Island is attractive for its atmosphere, preserved from ancient times in its original form.
• Barren Island is volcanic, the only one in all of India.
• Long Andaman is perfect for a Robinson Crusoe-style getaway. There is nothing on the island, you need to bring all the equipment and food with you.
• Little Andaman will appeal to fans of surfing.

Entertainment and attractions

Port Blair - the capital of the state, is famous for its white beaches located near the city center, as well as a large dive center, anthropological, forest and maritime museum, the historic building of the "Cellular Prison", now turned into a National Memorial.

More than 3,000 species of plants can be seen on the islands, including 150 species of ferns, 100 species of orchids, a variety of palms and fruit trees.

Countless colorful fish swarm in the underwater coral forests. In addition, there are 96 reserves and 9 National Parks on the islands.

Diving and Snorkeling in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The best diving is on Havelock Island, in the national park. Gandhi and South Sinque.

Snorkeling - North Bay, MuaTerra Beach and Havelock Island. Equipment is inexpensive and can be bought or rented.

On the island of Jolly Buoy you can take a ride on a glass bottom boat.

The beautiful dark emerald waters of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are surrounded by pristine jungle and mangrove forest; snow-white beaches melt under the rays of crimson sunsets; friendly people - immigrants from the South and South-East Asia and the Negrito ethnic groups, whose appearance on the islands is still an anthropological mystery. Geographical position Andamans are, rather, Southeast Asia: 150 km from Indonesia and 190 km from Myanmar, which is even more intriguing.

The Nicobar Islands are closed to tourists, but there are still hundreds of islands to explore.

Story

When the first settlers appeared on the Andamans and Nicobars, it is not known. According to anthropologists, stone tools have existed here for 2000 years. And experts on human migration believe that the local tribes are from Southeast Asia, from the Negrito and Malay ethnic groups. In other words, the islands have become inexhaustible source legends for foreigners.

The word "Andaman" is thought to be derived from the name of the monkey god Hanuman, who Hindus believe used the islands as a bridge between India and Sri Lanka. According to anthropologists, stone tools have existed here for 2000 years, but it is not known exactly when the first settlers appeared here.

The Persian traveler Buzurg Ibn Shahriyar wrote in the 10th century about a chain of islands inhabited by cannibals; later Marco Polo added that the natives had dog heads, and those found in Thanjavur (ex. Tanjore) that in the state of Tmilnad the archipelago was called Timaittivu - "dirty islands".

This information, of course, is not for a tourist brochure, but nevertheless, travelers continued to arrive: at the end of the 17th century, the Marathas, and 200 years later, the British, who used the Andaman Islands as a penal colony for political criminals. During the Second World War, some of the islanders welcomed the invasion of the Japanese military, seeing them as liberators. Despite the formation (puppet) governments of Indian politicians, the Japanese proved to be brutal conquerors.

After the independence of India in 1947, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands became part of the Indian Union. After migrating from the mainland (including Bengali refugees who fled the post-separation chaos) The population of the islands increased from a few thousand to 350,000 people. During this migration, the rights of the tribes, as well as the protection environment, often neglected. And, although there is some improvement now, the situation of the native tribes still leaves much to be desired.

In 2004, the islands were devastated by an Indian Ocean earthquake, coastal aftershocks and subsequent tsunami. The Nicobar Islands were particularly hard hit: by some estimates, a fifth of the population died here, someone moved to Port Blair, and many of them still have not returned. Despite the fact that now life has returned to normal, and tourists have returned with it, there are places like Small Andaman, which guests are still in no hurry to visit (By the way, check it out).

Climate

Thanks to the sea breeze, the temperature in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is maintained here within the range of 23-31 ° C, and the humidity is 80% all year round. It's very humid here when the southwesterly wind blows. (wet) monsoon - somewhere from mid-May to early October, and in November-December, the northeastern (dry) monsoon.

Geography and nature

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands form the Arakan Mountains, a range that begins in Eastern Myanmar (Burma) and stretches across the ocean to Sumatra in Indonesia.

The isolation of the islands has led to the evolution of many plants and animals, characteristic only for this area. Of the 62 mammals found here, 32 live only on these islands, among them the Andaman wild pig, crabeater macaque, Himalayan civet, several species of tupaya and bats. Of the 250 species of birds that live here, almost 50% can be found only in the Andamans and Nicobars, including the Nicobar bigfoot, salangan and the emerald Nicobar pigeon. Turtles lay their eggs on deserted beaches, and combed crocodiles wait in the rivers for prey. You can often see dolphins here, but dugongs, which used to be abundant in this area, are now almost never seen.

Mangrove trees form a protective barrier between sea and land. Valuable species of trees grow in the forests, for example, the famous paduk - hardwood with light and dark textures.

Things to do

Thanks to a certain isolation, transparent clean waters, magnificent corals and diverse underwater world The Andaman Islands are considered one of the the best places in the diving world.

The main season for divers lasts from November to April, but people come here in the summer during the rainy season (June August), however, they go closer to the coast. Basically, the most favorable conditions for diving are formed in September and October. The only thing to consider is the rain.

Local diving centers offer scuba diving training courses (from 4000 rupees), PADI open water courses (Rs 18,000) and advanced courses (Rs 13,500), as well as Divemaster training. Prices vary depending on location, number of participants and duration of the course. In general, you can dive in the Andaman Islands from a boat for 2000/3500 rupees for one / two dives. In national parks, you have to pay an additional 500 rupees per person per day.

Havelock Island is located far from the main diving centers, although the appropriate equipment and equipment can be found on Neil and South Andaman. See the relevant sections for more details.

It is much easier and cheaper to organize snorkeling lessons. Havelock Island is one of the best snorkeling destinations, with boat trips to reefs and islands not otherwise accessible in almost all tourist spots. You can also enjoy excellent snorkeling at Neil Island and Kalipura.

Due to recent coral bleaching, some reefs have been damaged, but despite this, diving here remains world-class, and more and more places are opening up.

Information

Despite the fact that the Andaman Islands are located a thousand kilometers from the mainland, they live here according to Indian time. Therefore, at 5 pm it is already dark here, and at 4 am it is already light, so people here usually get up quite early. All telephone numbers must be dialed with the area code - 03192, even when calling locally. Andaman & Nicobar Tourism (IP 232747; www.tourism.andaman.nic.in; Kamarai Road (Kamaraj Road), Port Blair; 8:30-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 Mon-Fri, 8:30-12:00 Sat) Grab the helpful Emerald Islands travel booklet (100 rupees) here or at the airport.

Accommodation

The prices in this chapter are for the middle season. (from October 1 to April 30, excluding high season) . Prices rise sharply during peak season (from December 15 to January 15). May to September is the low season. Camping is currently prohibited on public lots and in the islands' national parks.

Permission

Most government officials from the mainland do their two-year service in Port Blair. Due to such staff turnover, be prepared for unexpected changes in the rules and regulations for issuing permits.

All foreigners must obtain a permit to visit the Andaman Islands, which is issued free of charge upon arrival. 30-day permit allows tourists to stay in Port Blair, South and Middle Andaman , on North Andaman (Diglipur), on Long Island, North Passage, Little Andaman (excluding native territories), on the islands of Havelock and Neil. You can extend the permit for 15 days as in the immigration office in Port Blair (03192-239247; 8:30-13:00 and 14:00-17:30 Monday to Friday, Saturdays until 13:00), and at the police station on Havelock.

This permit also allows day visits to the Jolly Boy Islands. (lolly Buoy), South Sink (South Cinque), Red Skin (Red Skin), Ross, Narcondam (Narcon-dam), Interview (Interview) and Rutland, as well as the Brothers (brothers) and Sisters (Sisters).

To obtain a permit, tourists arriving by plane must present their passport and fill out a form upon arrival at Port Blair Airport. Permits are usually valid for a maximum of 30 days (be sure to check).

Tourists arriving by ship are usually met by an immigration officer at the port. Otherwise, you must go to the immigration office at Haddo Pier immediately upon arrival. (Haddo Jetty). Keep the permit for the entire duration of the trip - without it you will not be able to move around the islands. The police often ask you to show permission, especially when you go ashore on their island, and you also need to provide it when you check in at the hotel. Check current rules sea ​​voyages in any of the following services: Andaman & Nicobar Tourism (03192-238473)

Chennai Foreign Citizens Registration Office (044-23454970, 044-28278210) ; Kolkata (033-22470549, 033-22473300)

Shipping Corporation of India (SCI; www.shipindia.com) chennai (044-5231401; Jawahar Bldg, 6 Rajaji Salai); Kolkata (033-2482354; 1st floor, 13 Strand Rd)

National parks and reserves

To visit some national parks and reserves require additional permits. The Tourist Board in Port Blair has a branch of the Department of Forestry (9:00-15:00 Monday-Friday, until 13:00 Saturday), where you can find out if a permit is required to visit a particular island, how you can get it, how much the service costs and whether it is possible to get it at all.

If you're planning something complicated, you'll be sent to the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW; 233321; Haddo Road, Port Blair; 8:30-12:00 and 13:00-16:00 Monday-Friday), where is your application, consisting of a letter stating the essence of your case, the name of the ship and the dates of the visit. If you do everything in accordance with the requirements, in less than an hour you will be issued a permit.

With most day permits, the problem isn't so much red tape as it is price. Permission to visit areas such as the Marine National Park. Mahatma Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park), Ross and Smith Islands near Diglipur, costs Rs 50/500 for Indian citizens/foreigners. A permit to visit Saddle Peak National Park, also near Diglipur, costs 25/250 rupees.

Students who have a valid student card with them will be charged the minimum fee, so don't forget your student card.

The Nicobar Islands are closed to everyone except Indians involved in research, government work, trade.

The road to the Andaman Islands and back

Airplane

There are daily flights to Port Blair from Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, although the flight from Delhi and Kolkata very often passes through Chennai. A round trip ticket costs from US$250 to US$500, depending on the time of booking. Some airlines offer one-way flights for as little as US$80, but tickets need to be booked months in advance. At the time of the study, Kingfisher Airlines had the cheapest last minute tickets to the islands. (1800 2093030; www.flykingfisher.com). You can also use the services of Air India (Chennai 0044-28554747; Kolkata 033-22117879; Port Blair 03192-233108; www.airindia.com) and JetLite (Chennai 080-39893333; Kolkata 033-25110901; Port Blair 003192-242707; www.jetlite.com).

There are no direct flights from Port Blair to South East Asia, although at the time of research, the schedule was chartered flight from Kuala Lumpur. But don't count on it too much.

Motor ship

Someone thinks that the infamous ships in Port Blair are "the only real way to get to the Andaman Islands", while someone thinks that these are just unnecessary difficulties. The truth is somewhere in the middle. Between Port Blair and mainland India there are usually 4-6 flights monthly: every other week from Kolkata (travel time 56 hours), once a week (in high season) from Chennai (60 hours), once a month from Vizag (56 hours). In Chennai, you can book tickets through the Deputy Head of Transportation (044-252268/3; Rajaji Salai, Chennai Port). Shipping Corporation of India (SCI; www.shipindia.com; 033-22482354 in Kolkata, 0891-2565597 in Vizag) sends flights from Kolkata and Vizag. Flight schedules are flexible, so please call ahead. All ferries from the mainland land at Haddo Pier.

(Phoenix Bay)

Don't take the travel time entirely for granted: Tourists have reported spending nearly 12 hours aboard a ship in the harbor at Kolkata, while others near Port Blair have waited several hours before landing. Due to delays and various sea and weather conditions the journey may take 3-4 days. A round trip ticket can be purchased at the Phoenix Bay Ferry Ticket Office. (Phoenix Bay). You will need 2 passport photos and a photocopy of your authorization. Please visit www.and.nic.in/spsch/sailing.htm for updated information on prices and tariffs.

Classifications of places on different ships differ little. The cheapest bunk bed is Rs 1,700 - Rs 1,960, then Class 2 B is Rs 3,890, Class A is Rs 5,030, then Class 1 is Rs 6,320 and Luxury is Rs 7,640. Akbar also has air-conditioned dormitories, where a bed costs Rs 3,290. Tickets for more expensive places cost the same as the plane, if not more. If you have chosen a shared cabin, be prepared to wake up to the chorus of people “sniffling” and snorting, the almost complete lack of personal space and the toilet, which after three days of travel is ... unpleasant to enter. But on the other hand, it's a great way to get to know the locals.

Food (local snacks for breakfast, thali for lunch and dinner) costs about 150 rupees a day and almost always contains rice. Take something with you on the road (especially fruits) to diversify your diet. Some bedding is provided, however if you are traveling in a shared cabin please bring your own sheet. Many travelers take hammocks with them and stretch them on the deck.

Officially, there are no ferries between Port Blair and Thailand, but try to hire one of the yachts on this route. You cannot legally cross from the Andaman Islands to Myanmar (Burma) by sea, although it is said that someone managed to do this on their own boat. But be careful: being caught for such an attempt by the Indian or Burmese fleet, you risk ending up in prison or even worse.

Bad weather can seriously mess up your plans: if the sea is too rough, ferry flights are cancelled. Have a couple of days in reserve in case you miss your flight as a result of a delay on the island (Though maybe it's not always so bad...).

Moving around the islands

Airplane

A helicopter runs between the islands. From Port Blair it flies to Little Andaman (Rs 1488, 35 minutes, Tue, Fri and Sat), Havelock Island (850 rupees, 20 minutes) and Diglipur via Mayabunder (Rs 2125 or 1915 from Mayabunder, one hour). Preference here is given to civil servants and passengers with luggage less than 5 kg, which prevents most tourists from using this service. Although you can try your luck by submitting an application to the Secretariat (230093) in Port Blair and returning to see if you were lucky at 16:00.

Ferry

Most of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can only be reached by water. It sounds romantic, of course, but ferry ticket offices are a real hell: be prepared for waiting in the heat, slow service, trying to skip the line and brawls at the ticket office window. To keep your place in the queue and advance in it, you must either behave a little aggressively (but don't be a jerk) or be a woman (women's lines are a great success, however, they only happen in Port Blair). You can buy tickets on the day of your trip by arriving at the pier an hour before your trip, but this is quite risky in high season, and there are no guarantees on Havelock all year round. In cities like Rangat, ferry ticket office hours are fluctuating and unreliable. At the time of the study, there was a requirement to provide a copy of the permit. Arrange this before arrival.

There are regular sea services to Havelock and Neil Islands, as well as to Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur and Little Andaman. If all else fails, there are still fishermen who are willing to take you for 2000 rupees, for example, from Port Blair to Havelock. Timetables for boats between the islands can be found at www.and.nic.in/spsch/iisailing.htm.

Bus

All roads (and ferries) lead to Port Blair, and you will certainly spend a day or two here, booking a future trip. The main group of islands - South, Middle and North Andaman - are connected by road, ferries and bridges. Cheap public and expensive private buses run from Port Blair south to Bandur (wandor) and north to Bharatang (Bharatang), Rangat, Mayabunder and finally Diglipur, 325 km north of the capital. Around 15:00, most of the Jarawa reserve is closed to traffic, so buses whose route lies through it depart from 4:00 to 11:00.

Private jeeps and minivans

Cars run from village to village, and you can get in and out of them throughout the route. You can also rent the whole car at an inflated price.

Train

You can get a train ticket to the mainland at the railway ticket office (233042; 8:00-12:30 and 13:00-14:00) located in the Secretariat office south of Aberdeen Bazaar (Aberdeen Bazaar) in Port Blair. Hotel owners can provide their guests with all the necessary information on this issue.

Islanders

Indigenous peoples of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands make up only 12% of the population, and in most cases this percentage is declining. Onge, Sentinelese, Andamanese and Jarawa are tribes belonging to the Negritos ethnic group, which is very similar to African peoples. Sadly, over the past century, many tribes have died out. In February 2010, the last member of the Bo tribe died, taking their language with them and putting an end to the history of the people, which lasted 65,000 years.

Onge

Two-thirds of Onge Island in Little Andaman was placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of Forestry and settled in 1977. About 100 remaining members of the Onge tribe are limited to two reservations with an area of ​​25 square kilometers: Dugong Creek (Dugong Creek) and South Bay (South Bay). According to anthropologists, the decrease in the number of onge was due to a decrease in the morale of its representatives, associated with the loss of territories.

Sentinelese

Unlike other tribes living on this island, the Sentinelese resist contact with the outside world. For years, delegations have come to the shores of North Sentinel Island, the last stronghold of the Sentinelese, bringing gifts of coconuts, bananas, pigs, and red plastic buckets to be hit by a hail of arrows. Although some natives were not so hostile. There are currently about 150 Sentinelese left.

Andamanese

Now the number of Andamanese is only about 50 people, and it seems that this tribe will not be able to avoid extinction. In the middle of the 19th century, there were about 7,000 Andamanese, but friendship with the colonialists led the tribe to death: by 1971, its number was reduced to 19 people due to epidemics of measles, syphilis and influenza. The Andamans were resettled on the tiny island of Strait.

Jarawa

Currently, the 350 remaining Jarawa live on the 639 sq. km on the islands of the South and Middle Andamans. In 1953, the chief commissioner proposed to bomb the Jarawa settlements, and their territories were destroyed due to the Andaman highway, deforestation and the invasion of invaders and tourists. Most Jarawa are hostile.

Chompen

Only about 250 shompen remained in the forests on Great Nicobar. This semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer tribe lives along river banks. They resisted integration and are now avoiding the territories occupied by immigrants from India.

Nicobars

The Nicobarese are the only tribe whose population is not declining and is 30,000 people. Most of them converted to Christianity and almost assimilated into modern Indian society. They live in villages where they raise pigs and grow coconuts, sweet potatoes and bananas. The Nicobars, who probably descended from the peoples who inhabited Malaysia and Myanmar, live on several islands of the Nicobar group centered on Car Nicobar (Car Nicobar), the region most affected by the 2004 tsunami.

Be careful with corals!

In general, snorkeling in the Andaman Islands should only be done during high tide. At low tide, you can accidentally step on the coral, which can irrevocably destroy this delicate organism. Even a touch with a flipper can hurt. In addition, you risk getting a painful thorn prick. sea ​​urchin when you hit the bottom. Divers should take extra care when diving near reefs. A serious impact with coral in full gear can cause environmental damage.

Port Blair

Green, calm, sometimes attractive Port Blair - the capital of the Andaman Islands - a vibrant combination of cultures such as Bengalis, Tamils, Nicobars, Burmese and Telugu. Most tourists don't stay here for long. (usually one or two days to book onward travel or go home), and at full speed rush straight to the islands. While Port Blair can't compete with the beaches of Havelock, the city's fascinating history has contributed to its outstanding attractions.

Most Port Blair hotels are located in the Aberdeen Bazaar area. The airport is located 4 km south of the city. Typically, middle-class housing is fully redeemed for the period from September to December and is included in tour packages to India.

Attractions Port Blair

Cellular Jail National Memorial (GB Pant Road (GB Pant Rd); entrance 10 rupees photo/video shooting 25/100 rupees; 8:45-12:30 and 13:30-17:00 Tue-Sun) This is a former British prison, and now a museum dedicated to all the political prisoners who once served time here. The Cellular Jail is worth a visit to understand the importance of the Andaman Islands in Indian history. The construction of the prison began in 1896 and ended in 1906. Initially, in seven buildings (some of which were destroyed by the Japanese army during World War II), diverging like rays from the central tower, there were 698 cameras. Like many political prisons, the Honeycomb Prison became a kind of university for freedom fighters, who were awaited by dungeons and guards for their books, ideas and disputes.

Here on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 18:45 musical and light performances are arranged. (entrance for adults/children 20/10 rupees) in English.

Anthropological Museum (03192-232291; MG Road (MG Rd); entrance 10 rupees; 9:00-13:00 and 13:30-16:30 Fri-Wed) it best museum Port Blair, and here the tribes inhabiting the islands are described in great detail. The glass display cases may be outdated, but they are nowhere near as ancient as the Jarawa breastplate decorated with simple geometric patterns, or the skull left under the Sentinelt canopy, or the totem spirits represented by Nicobar shamanic sculptures. Brochure for sale in the gift shop (20 rupees) about Aboriginal culture, written by local anthropologists.

Maritime Museum of Samudrik (Haddo Road (Haddo Road); entrance for adults / children 20/10 rupees, photo / video shooting 20/50 rupees; 9:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 Tue-Sun) The museum was founded by the Indian Navy. A variety of exhibits are exhibited here, telling about the ecosystem of the islands, their indigenous population, plants, animals, marine life. The museum has a small aquarium. Outside, there is a skeleton of a blue whale washed ashore on the Nicobar Island of Kamorta. (Kamorta Island).

Chatham sawmill (admission 10 rupees; 8:30-14:30 Mon-Sat) The factory, located on Chatham Island, which is connected to Port Blair by a road bridge, was built by the British in 1836. It was one of the largest timber processing enterprises in Asia. The plant is still operating, and although not everyone likes it (especially environmentalists), a visit here is an interesting excursion into the history and economy of the island. There is also a huge crater left from a bomb that the Japanese dropped during World War II, and a rather dull museum of the forest.

No one goes to Port Blair for the beach, however, if you still need to lie on the sand, Corbin Bay, 7 km south of the city - the best option. This small palm-fringed stretch of coastline is very popular with local population and tourists - a great place to swim and sunbathe. The cost of a trip from the city by autorickshaw is 200 rupees. On the other hand, in addition to being a great way to travel along the coast road, you can see many Japanese bunkers left over from the Second World War.

Burmese Buddhist mission - small bell-shaped stupa (tomb), perhaps not very impressive, but it is an example of Burmese Buddhist architecture, unusual in India, and also a reminder that geographically you are closer to Southeast Asia than Hindustan.

Information

Port Blair is the only place in the Andamans where you can change currency or travelers checks. ATMs are installed throughout the city, and the Western Union office is located in the post office. Aberdeen Bazaar has several internet access points.

Aberdeen Police Station (03192-232400; MG Road (MG Rd))

Andaman & Nicobar Tourism (1P 232694; www.tourism.andaman.nic.in; Kamaraj Road Kamaraj Rd); 8:30-13:00 and 14:00-17:00 Mon-Fri, 8:30-12:00 Sat) The main island tour operator. Here you can book public housing and get permits to visit wild places. The staff is kind and unhurried.

e-Cafe (Internet at hour 30; 8:00-00:00) In Aberdeen Bazaar, right in front of the clock tower.

GB Pant Hospital (03192-233473, 232102; GB Pant Rd)

Main post office (MG Road (MG Rd); 9:00-19:00 Mon-Sat)

State Bank of India (MA Road MA Rd); 9:00-12:00 and 13:00-15:00 Mon-Fri, 10:00-12:00 Sat) Here you can exchange travelers checks and currency.

Neighborhoods of Port Blair and South Andaman

Ross Island

Visit Ross Island (not to be confused with the island of the same name in North Andaman)- it's like finding something hidden in the jungle lost city like Angkor Wat; however, the ruins here are more Victorian than Khmer. To the former headquarters of the British government in the Andaman - Ross Islands (permit Rs 20)- half a day's journey from Port Blair. At one time, little Ross was affectionately called the "Paris of the East" (along with Pondicherry, Saigon, etc.). But the pretty name, the social life, and the tropical gardens were all destroyed in a double whammy in 1941: an earthquake and the Japanese invasion. (who left behind several machine gun nests that have become a local landmark).

Today, old English buildings can still be found, despite the fact that they were almost completely swallowed up by the green wave of the rapidly growing jungle. There is a small hole with exhibits and photographs of Ross Island from its heyday, and a small park where deer nibble leaves from the bushes.

Ferries to Ross Island (75 rupees, 20 minutes on the way) depart from the pier behind the Port Blair Aquarium at 8:30, 10:30, 12:30 and 14:00 every day except Wednesday. Please check the timetable when purchasing your ticket, as tides can affect the departure time.

You can also take the ferry to Viper Island at 9:30 (75 rupees), where you will see the remains of the gallows built by the British in 1867. But to be honest, this is not the most memorable excursion.

Wandur and Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park

Bandur is a small village 29 km southeast of Port Blair. There is a pretty beach here, although swimming was prohibited at the time of the survey due to sightings of crocodiles in the area. But more Bandur is known as a starting point for a trip to the Marine National Park. mahatmas (Indian/foreigner Rs 50/500). Spread over an area of ​​280 sq. km, it occupies 15 islands with mangroves, tropical forests and reefs, home to 50 species of corals. There are two places for sporkling in the park: Jolly Boy (November 1 - May 15) and Red Skin (May 16 - October 30). Accessible by popular daytime flight from Bandura Pier (Rs 450; Tue-Sun). Still, if your Andaman itinerary includes the Havelock or Neil Islands, it may be easier and cheaper to go scuba diving there - of course, if you are not going to pay crazy money. It’s just that ships don’t stay here for a long time, and you simply won’t have time to swim to your heart’s content. If you want to explore the region thoroughly, we advise you to contact Lacadives (9679532104; www.lacadives.com). There are several hotels in Vandoor. Permits can be obtained at Bandura Wharf or at the Tourist Office in Port Blair.

Buses from Port Blair to Bandur (12 rupees, 1.5 hours).

Chiriyatapu

Chiria Tapu is located 30 km from Port Blair. This is a small village with beaches and manf trees. 2km south you will find the best snorkeling outside of Havelock and Neil. This is a great place to watch the sunsets. There are 7 buses from Port Blair daily. (^10, 1.5 hours). You can also get here by ship from Sink Island. New biological park (Indian/Foreigner Rs 20/50; 9:00-16:00 Tue-Sun) not completed yet (planned to be completed in 2015), but here in the forest there are already several spacious naturally fenced areas where crocodiles, deer and warthogs live.

Sink Island

The uninhabited islands of North and South Sinca, connected by a sandbar, are part of the wildlife sanctuary in the south of Bandura. The islands are surrounded by coral reefs and are considered the most beautiful in the Andamans.

Day visits are allowed here. But, if you are not coming from travel agencies that periodically arrange group tours here, you should get permission to visit the Chief Wildlife Warden in advance. The islands can be reached by ship from Chiria Tapu (2 hours) or from Bandura (3.5 hours). Here is considered valid permission to visit the Marine National Park. Mahatma Gande (Indian/foreigner Rs 50/500).

Havelock Island

White sandy beaches, turquoise shoals, dark jungles, shack-lined shores, a plethora of tourists from all over the world - this is Havelock, a tropical gem of budget tourism. In a few years, it will correspond in status to the Thai Koh Phangan (Ko Pha-Ngan) except for the nightlife. Here, in coastal hotels and resorts, a rather hectic life is in full swing, but it never comes to crazy parties under the moon. In addition to idleness, Havelock offers diving and snorkeling activities, and many tourists spend most of their time here in the Andaman Islands.

What to see and do

Havelock - main island for lovers of scuba diving in the Andamans. There is no shortage of dive operators along the main tourist road. You just need to chat with some and choose the one you like the most.

The snorkeling here is simply amazing. The best way to go diving is to order dungi through the hotel (wooden boat). The trip costs from 1000 to 2000 rupees depending on the number of participants, distance, etc. -if there are many people in the group, you can be charged only 250 rupees. Snorkeling equipment can be easily obtained on Havelock - in hotels, restaurants - but usually it is of rather low quality.

Fishing is another popular activity here. It is also better to organize it through the hotel. There are several sport fishing operators in the city.

Some hotels organize jungle walks for hikers and birdwatchers. Be careful, after the rain the soil in the forest is very eroded. From within a tropical forest is a delightful emerald cave and bird watching (especially on the edge)- a rewarding job. Note the blue-black racket-tailed drongo with its amazing tail and, for contrast, the brightly colored oriole.

Approximately 5 km from village No. 5 is Kalapathar, where there is an elephant training camp. At the time of the study, it was planned to arrange demonstrations of elephants at work. Beyond Kalapathar, the road passes another unspoiled beach and then gradually gets lost in the forest.

The most beautiful and popular sandy beach is the much acclaimed Radha Nagar, also known as beach number 7. White sand, perfect spiral sea ​​wave, the forest, as from the picture - this is Radha Nagar. What about sunsets? Yes, they are just great! The road to the beach, located in the northwest of the island, 12 km from the pier, lies through the inner part of Havelock - a green dream (an auto rickshaw will take you around 150 rupees). Or, if you like, you can get here from village number 1 by bus. 10 minutes northwest of the beach you will find a magnificent "lagoon" at Neil Bay, another paradise with pristine sand and clear water. In 2010, a crocodile attack happened here, so it might be worth clarifying how safe it is to swim here. In high season, you can ride elephants (adults/children Rs 25/15; 11:00-14:00 Mon-Sat) along the beach, posing and “cheesy” smiling for a photo.

Slo new beach (Elephant Beach) Elephant Beach, a great place for snorkeling, is further north. Go to him for about forty minutes along the path laid by elephants. There are signs on the road, but after the rain it is quite difficult to go. The beach itself literally disappeared after the tsunami in 2004, and is now impossible to reach during high tides. Lifeguards are on duty on the shore, who make a remark to everyone who litters (God help them!).

Where to stay and where to eat

Most Havelock hotels are beach houses. They all claim to be "eco-houses" ("eco" obviously means "cheap building material"), but it is excellent value for money, especially in the low season.

All of the listed accommodations offer a tolerable tourist-oriented menu of Western and Indian cuisine. If you want something traditionally Indian, go to the food stalls in the city (Village No. 1) or the main market (Village No. 3). There is a liquor store in village number 1.

Almost all housing is located on east coast between villages No. 2 and No. 5.

crocodiles

The tragic death of an American tourist on Havelock in April 2010, who was attacked by a saltwater crocodile while snorkeling, shocked the entire public. In many areas of the Andaman Islands, crocodiles have become part of everyday life, but in Neila Bay near Radha Nagar, where the incident occurred, crocodiles have not been seen before. Moreover, the attack took place in the open ocean on coral reefs, which is considered extremely unusual. There is a lot of speculation how the crocodile ended up there. He was most likely expelled from his habitat in the mangroves in the western part of the island after losing a battle for territory. As a result, the crocodile was caught (now in the zoo in Port Blair). Since then, these reptiles have not been seen here, but this place is still treated with a great deal of caution. According to the general opinion, this was an isolated case and should not scare away people who want to swim here. However, it's important that you stay informed. Heed the warnings from the authorities, do not swim alone in the western part of the island and stay out of the water at sunset and at night.

This warning also applies to places like Corbina Bay, Wandour Beach, Baratang and all of Little Andaman.

Information

Village #3 has two ATMs side by side. You can also use extremely slow internet here. (80 per hour).

The road there and back

Ferry schedules vary, but there are always direct flights from Port Blair to Havelock and back, at least once a day, but usually two or more times. (ticket for a foreigner 195 rupees, 2.5 hours). It is best to book your ticket at least a day before your trip. The ticket office is open from 9.00 to 11.00. You can also take the more comfortable Makruzz ferry. (from 650 rupees, two hours).

Several government ferries a week run between Havelock and Neil (Rs 195). It is also the most convenient way get to Long Island (Rs 195), which, moreover, stops in Rangat, from where you can proceed by bus further to North Andaman.

Moving around the island

local bus (7 rupees) walks between the pier and the villages about once an hour, but here it is useful to get your own transport. You can rent mopeds or motorcycles (from 250 rupees per day) and bicycles (from 40 to 50 rupees per day) in your hotel or village no.3.

Neil Island

Conveniently nestled in the shadow of its more famous neighbour, Neil has everything you need to relax and more. Its beaches may not be as luxurious as Havelock's, but it's spacious and has great cycling routes. The pace of life here is unhurried. During cycling tours through picturesque villages, both children and adults locals will greet you warmly. From Neil Island about 40 km to Port Blair, a short ferry ride to Havelock and a few universes back home.

At the time of the study, there was no Internet and there was nowhere to change currency. There is a post office on the territory of the bazaar.

What to see and do

There are five beaches on Neil Island (numbered 1 to 5) each with its own unique charm.

Beach number 1 is the prettiest and most accessible. Located 40 minutes walk west of the marina and village. At high tide, you can do the best snorkeling on the island near the coral reef in the far (western) end of the beach. Inside the Pearl Park Resort there is a great place to watch sunsets. Tourists and locals gather here in the early evening.

Beach number 2 is located in the northern part of the island. Here the rocks form a natural bridge, which can be reached at low tide by walking around the rocky bay. To get here by bike, take the side road through the bazaar and then turn left at the fork. Swimming is best on the beach! although its proximity to the marina is slightly annoying.

Beach number 3 is a secluded bay with sandy shores. The most convenient way out is from Blue restaurant Sea Restaurant. Next is a wilder beach (5 km from the village). You can get here along the village road leading to the eastern part of the island. This is a great place for walking along the coast. At low tide you can visit small limestone caves.

You can go diving with India Explorers (9474238646; www.indiascubaexplorers.com) or rent equipment for snorkeling (Rs 150 per day) at your hotel or in the city. You may be lucky and you will see a dugong on Beach No. 1 looking for food in shallow water at high tide. For 1000 - 2000 rupees you can rent a fishing boat and go snorkeling or fishing on it. The cost depends on the distance of the trip, the duration of the dives, etc.; usually several people are taken on board.

The main bazaar has a pleasant atmosphere and a lot of people gather here in the evenings. Gyan Garden Restaurant offers cooking classes (from 200 rupees). Behind the restaurant is a path that will take you up the hill to observation deck from where you can see the whole island up to the sea.

Where to stay and where to eat

In the low season, simple bungalows on the beach are very profitable. Most popular places is Nango Beach Resort: (03192-282583; bungalows Rs 50-350, cottages Rs 600-1000) and Pearl Park Resort (03192-282510; bungalows Rs 100-250, cottages and rooms Rs 400-1600), both on beach number 1. They are like reflections of each other - this impression is created due to their close proximity and external similarity. Both offer cute thatched bungalows or less interesting but more comfortable concrete rooms. The main difference is that Tango offers sea breezes and ocean views, while Pearl Park offers sunsets and lush gardens.

A-D Beach Resort (214722; bungalow 300-700 rupees)- another great option on beach number 4.

The food on Neil Island is surprisingly good. In the market you will find cheap and delicious Bengali food.

Moonshine (main dishes 40-150 rupees) on the way to the beach number 1 - this is a favorite restaurant among tourists. Here they cook excellent homemade pasta and dishes from it. (shrimp pasta is amazing) and serve cold beer. Located in the market Chand Restaurant also popular. Here you will be served strong coffee and delicious grilled fish. Gyan Garden Restaurant (main dishes 50-200 rupees) offers a great selection of seafood dishes.

How to get and move

A ferry departs from Phoenix Bay in Port Blair every morning to and from Neil. (195 rupees, two hours). There is also a daily ferry to Havelock which departs in the morning.

Bicycle rental (from 50 rupees per day)- a great way to get around the island: the roads here are smooth, and the distances are short. An auto rickshaw will take you from the pier to beach number 1 for 50 rupees.

Middle and North Andamans

The Andaman Islands are not only sun and sand. It is also a jungle, as dense as the forests of the Amazon and ancient as Jurassic Park, as if created by Mother Nature on a whim. This densely overgrown, wild side of the islands can be seen during a long jolting bus on the Andaman Highway. (ATR). Traveling overland to Diglipur, you will find yourself on bumpy roads lined with ancient trees and overlooking ferries that surf the tannin-red rivers inhabited by combed crocodiles.

But there is also a downside to traveling the ATR: the road passes through Jarawa settlements, which puts the tribe in constant contact with the outside world. Modern India and tribal life cannot seem to coexist - every time Jarawa and visitors interact in some way, misunderstandings occur, leading to dissension and unrest, or, in the worst case, to acts of violence and death. Indian anthropologists and local human rights organizations such as Survival International are calling for the closure of the ATR. At the time of the study, the status of the highway was under discussion. Currently, vehicles are only allowed with an escort and at set times. from 6:00 to 15:00. Photography is strictly prohibited, as is stopping and interacting with the Jarawa, who are becoming more and more dependent on handouts from passing tourists.

Most interesting place north of Port Blair are impressive limestone caves (closed on Mondays) in Baratang. They can be reached by boat. (200 rupees) from the pier, which takes 45 minutes. The path lies through the picturesque mangrove forest. A permit is required, which can be issued at the pier.

Rangat - second main city, transport center, nothing else remarkable. If you still get stuck here, we recommend the hotel PLS Bhawar (single/double from 150/250 rupees), the best of many bad hotels. There is an ATM nearby. Ferries depart for Port Blair and Havelock Island (50/195 rupees, 9 hours) and Long Island (7 rupees), from the Yeratga pier, which is 8 km from Rangat. There is a bus to Port Blair daily. (95 rupees, 9 hours).

December to March hawksbill (moss turtles) nest on the beaches of Cuthbert Bay, a 45-minute drive from Rangat. A northbound bus will take you here. Hawksbill Nest (03192-279022; bedroom for 4 people 600 rupees, 2-bed 400 rupees, air-conditioned 800 rupees) is the only place to stay. The room must be booked at the A&N Tourism office in Port Blair. Permission (250 rupees) can be issued at the forester's office in Betapur.

Long Island

Friendly residents and the leisurely pace of life on Long Island make it perfect place for those seeking peace and tranquility. The island has no motorized Vehicle and sometimes it seems like you are the only tourist here.

One and a half hour walk in the jungle (not recommended after rain) will lead you to the secluded bay of Lalaji with a white sandy beach and a comfortable swimming area. By hiring dungi (deposit 1500 rupees), you can get to the bay much easier, especially if you don't like leeches. You can also rent dungas and go to North Passage Island for snorkeling in the magnificent Merck Bay with its dazzling white sandy beach and clear water. You can also go to South Batgon from here. (South Button).

blue planet (9474212180; www.blueplanetandamans.com; room with/without bath from Rs 300/700)- this is not only a great hotel, but also an excellent example of architecture using washed-ashore bottles. Paduk grows around simple rooms, on which hammocks are stretched. Here they feed and provide very slow internet. Follow the blue arrows to get here from the pier. There are separate cottages (from 2000 to 3000 rupees) nearby. Long Island does not sell alcohol, so you will have to stock up in advance.

There is a ferry from here three times a week to Havelock and Port Blair. (Rs 195) and once a week in Rangat (8 rupees).

Mayabunder and its environs

On the "upper" Middle Andaman there are several villages inhabited by the Karens, a Burmese hill tribe who were resettled here during the colonial rule of Britain. In Mayabunder, stay at Sea "n" Sand (03192-273454; [email protected]; room from 200 rupees), is a simple cabin, restaurant and bar overlooking the ocean. Located 1 km from the city center. The inn is run by Karens Titus and Elizabeth with their extended family. This discreet place is suitable for those who want to be away from the crowds. It offers a number of day trips by boat. (500-2500 rupees per tour) which, depending on the season, may include trips to the Forty-One Caves where the Salangans build their prized edible nests, snorkeling off the coast of Avis Island, a jungle trip to the eerie Interview Island, home to a small population of wild elephants released after a closure in 1950 years of a woodworking enterprise. You will feel very strange. Permission required (500 rupees). which is best obtained through Sea "n" Sand.

Mayabunder is located 71 km from Rangat. There is a daily shuttle bus from Port Blair. (l30 rupees, 10 hours) and three times a week - ferry (on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays). There is an unreliable ATM here.

Diglipur and surroundings

Those who make it to these far northern lands will be rewarded with spectacular sights. Though don't expect much from Diglipur, the northernmost big city in the Andaman Islands, which is an elongated sandy market town with an ATM and slow internet (40 rupees per hour). You should head straight to Kalipur where you will find lodging and views of the ocean and outlying islands.

The ferry arrives at Aerial Bay Pier, which is 11 km southwest of Diglipur, the bus station and the administration building, where you can book tickets for the boat. Kalipur is located on the coast, 8 km southeast of the pier.

What to see and do

Ibis, leatherback, olive and green turtles nest on the coast of Diglipur from December to April. Tourists can help collect eggs for incubation; contact Pristine Beach Resort for more information. There are also several caves in the area.

Connected by a sandy strip, the twin islands look like beautiful tropical scales. Since this area is considered a marine reserve, you will need to obtain permission from the Department of Forestry to visit it. (Indian / foreigner 50/500 rupees; 6:00-14:00 Mon-Sat), which is located opposite the Aerial Bay pier. These islands are some of the best in the Andamans; and great snorkeling here. You can rent a boat to leave the village for 1000 rupees per day.

Craggy is a small island near Kalipur, where it is also nice to go snorkeling. Strong swimmers can get there on their own, or you can rent dungas (Rs 200 round trip).

Mount Saddle Peak - highest point Andaman Islands (732 m above sea level). A walk through the subtropical forest from Kalipur to the summit and back will take 6 hours; from the top you have a magnificent view of the archipelago. It also requires permission from the Department of Forestry. (Indian 25 rupees, foreigner 250 rupees), and a local guide will help you not get lost - more detailed information can be found at Pristine Beach Resort. Otherwise, follow the red arrows drawn on the trees.

How to get and move

From Diglipur, located 80 km north of Mayabunder, there is a daily bus service to Port Blair (170 rupees, 12 hours) and back, as well as to Mayabunder (50 rupees, 2.5 hours) and Rangat (70 rupees, 4.5 hours). There is also a ferry service from Port Blair to Diglipur that returns from Diglipur at night (seat/bed 100/295 rupees, 10 hours).

Buses from Diglipur to Kalipur run every half hour; an auto rickshaw costs about 100 rupees.

Small Andaman

Gaubolambe - this is the name of Small Andaman, located in the southernmost part of the archipelago, its inhabitants from the Onge tribe. Here you seem to be at the end of the world (to a tropical paradise): there are almost no tourists, the locals are so friendly that you perceive them as family, and the island itself is a lush mangrove and jungle that has existed here since the creation of the world.

Little Andaman was badly damaged during the tsunami on December 26, 2004 and is now slowly recovering. But despite the fact that tourism infrastructure here is not yet developed, new hotels are already starting to open. The main settlement here is Hat Bay, a small town 120 km south of Port Blair, where mainly smiling Bengalis and Tamils ​​live. To the north of here you will find secluded beaches, clean and fresh.

What to see and do

Netaji Nagar 11 km north of Hat Bay and Butler Bay another 3 km north are beautiful desert (unless a cow meets by chance) beaches and great waves for surfers.

A little further from the coast in the forest there are White Surf and Whisper Wave waterfalls. (the latter involves a 4 km walk, for which we highly recommend taking a guide). You will see magnificent waterfalls and you might want to swim in their lakes, but beware of crocodiles.

Small Andaman lighthouse 14 km from Hat Bay is another worthwhile excursion. 41 m up, exactly 200 steps - and before you opens a magical view of the coast and the forest. The easiest way to get here is by motorcycle, but you can work hard and ride a bike. You could also hire an auto rickshaw and then, when the road becomes impassable, walk along the peaceful deserted beach. The walk will take no more than an hour.

Harbinder Bay and Dugong Creek are the tribal areas of the Nicobars and Onge, respectively; their visit is prohibited.

Among intrepid surfers, Little Andaman has been rumored since its opening to foreigners a few years ago. In between reefs, only experienced surfers are recommended to ride, and sharks and crocodiles are not uncommon here. Connect with the surf freak Muth (9775276182) from Havelock, he will provide you with the necessary information about the waves around Little Andaman and the surrounding area. There are several habitable surfer yachts that go here and take you to more remote, inaccessible places. Contact Surf Andamans (www.surfandamans.com).

How to get and move

Ferries arrive at Hat Bay Pier on the east coast; the beaches are north of here. Buses (10 rupees) go to Butler Bay whenever they want. You can rent a local jeep (100 rupees).

Water transport runs to Little Andaman from Port Blair daily. You can choose between an 8-hour night cruise on a slow ship or a 6-hour day trip on a speedboat. (seat/bed Rs 25/70).

If you are planning to fly by helicopter, this is a great opportunity for you. This way you can not only avoid the 7.5-hour boat trip, but also enjoy incredible views from above - although limiting the weight of luggage to 5 kg complicates things a bit.

How to get there? What country do they belong to? Is it important to know the answers to these questions when it comes to absolute paradise from the famous advertisement of coconut chocolate. yes, rae. . . In which there is absolutely nothing to do. . . :)

Far away... Do not think that we are now trying to dissuade you from visiting the Andaman Islands. Quite the opposite.
Travel by land, water and air for several days, apply for an Indian visa, and then a special permit, manage not to burn out on the first day under the cosmic scorching sun ... Smeared with sunscreen, crawl out of a bamboo hut for a couple of hours in the morning and evening .. .
And, most blasphemous, forget about. Generally. Even the slowest.

Only in this case insight comes - all the difficulties that you have done for the sake of this beautiful moment, the moment of doing nothing. Surrounded by perfectly white sand flour, soothingly crispy underfoot, the azure surface of the ocean, which is almost invisible due to transparency while swimming, delicious coconut that daily extends your hand, and complete peace, so necessary in the frantic rhythm of our daily life.

Welcome to distant lands - to the Andaman Islands. By the way, you heard right, the Andaman archipelago belongs to India.
Only it is "seen" better from Myanmar. Between them about 150 kilometers. While the islands are removed from the "native" country by almost one and a half thousand. For those who are not indifferent to seascapes, endless expanses and ship rolling, this distance is mere trifles.
Once a week, a ship departs from the port of Kolkata, going to the target for several days. And for those who like to travel by air, of course, the plane is only a couple of hours on the way.

Whichever option you choose, there will be a queue to get permission. However, you should not worry - it is given to almost everyone. And after a phlegmatically slapped stamp in the passport, all roads open. On any of the islands of the archipelago. Although no, not on any. I'm exaggerating. The fact is that out of more than 500, less than 50 are inhabited ...
And the rest are untouched corners, where there is simply no fresh water and where, most likely, no human foot has set foot. Most of the so-called "wild" islands are still inhabited by those who are not familiar with civilization. They say that among them there are direct descendants of primitive people. Although there is no way to check this, the Aboriginal settlements are declared reservations, which are strictly guarded by the authorities, and it is forbidden to visit them.

Interestingly, in Port Blair, the capital of the archipelago, many travel agencies offer excursions to the "wild" islands. This refers to a dozen pieces of land with several nationalities (Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, etc.), the number of which does not exceed a couple of hundred people. These are aboriginal pygmies who got acquainted with the civilized world quite recently, and as clothes they use only loincloths and bright beads.

Tourists arriving on the islands are allowed to move away from the boat only a hundred meters. There are no fences, of course. Just outside the designated area, as the organizers of the trips assure, there is a risk of running into trouble. In the access zone Of course, the above-described "wildness" - a rare exception. And you should not be afraid of them if you purposefully go to the islands from the permitted category.

So, in 20 ferry minutes from Port Blair, perhaps the most sightseeing of them - Ross Island. Or "Paris of the East", as it was pompously called during the residences of first the French and then the British colonial authorities. It was here that the first correctional settlement for convicts was built on the archipelago. To this day, only a few walls, artistically overgrown with vines, a church on top of a hill and an old cemetery adjacent to it, have remained from the brick prisons. Guests of the island are greeted by the owners of the territory - sika deer axis, allowing themselves to be stroked.

Unlike Ross, neighboring viper island much smaller and completely covered in greenery. It got its name in honor of the ship of the same name, which was wrecked here in 1789. It was on it that the English lieutenant Archibald Blair first arrived at the Andamans in order to build prisons (one on Ross Island, the other in the capital of the archipelago). On Viper, whipping poles are preserved as relics - evidence of a sad colonial past. Because of them, this place is also called the "island of the gallows." And the path to them from the pier leads along a winding brick path.

The most peaceful of the islands - Nile. A ferry from Port Blair lands on its shores only three times a week. Its territory is considered an exclusive recreation center for wealthy ecotourists and snorkeling fans. The coral reef here has been preserved in its original form, and the island itself resembles a triangle with several bays and charming beaches. You can see them in a couple of hours by bike.
And to feel the place, it is better to stay for a week. During this time, you can relax and dive. Also eat exotic fruits. Nile, by the way, the inhabitants of the archipelago called the "food bowl." After all, it is from here that it is exported the largest number all "Andaman" fruits and vegetables.

And if this little tropical paradise gets boring, welcome to Havelock- the most popular and touristic of all the islands. You can get to it on the same ferry as to the Nile, just get off at the final one. And from the pier, anyone will reach the right place in a matter of minutes. The main attraction of the island is Beach 7, which deserves, perhaps, the highest rating on the Bounty scale.
Framed by greenery, a wide lagoon of white sand, the road to which lies through a real tropical forest, majestic and calm ocean, and, finally, a crystal blue sky...

The first days of your stay on Havelock, the surrounding landscapes do not let go of the idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe complete “photoshop” of what is happening. Only forty minutes later, and we are at the elephant beach, where, of course, for a fee, you can even swim with a huge animal. A few more kilometers to the south, and we are waiting for an invariable meeting with dolphins and turtles. And overnight - in a bamboo hut with cozy hammocks on the porch. On their roofs made of palm branches, ripe mangoes fall from the trees before dawn, which are pleasant to quench your thirst during the day.
Every new day you can visit a new beach, scuba dive or snorkel, travel in the jungle. Or just sit on the sand and watch the boats that do not float, but seem to hover over clear water.

In pursuit of "shanti"
It may seem to many readers that Andamans is an absolute paradise, where you can roam endlessly. Desert, mangrove, ocean, ocean, ocean...
But all this beauty can hardly be called a tourist place in the style of the UAE, the Maldives and other popular tourist places. There are no luxury hotels, pretentious restaurants, nightclubs and any significant architectural sights on the Andamans.
People go to the Andaman archipelago to lazily cruise between the "wild" beach and the hut vibrating in the wind. However, in this case, the word "laziness" does not carry a negative connotation. Here, rather, the well-known state of “shanti”, the harmony of the inner and outer worlds, is implied. And if this makes you feel good, it means that you got to a place where it’s just good, without any conventions.

Have you ever wondered what a "bounty" is, besides a chocolate bar? But this was originally the name of a warship that crashed off the coast of small islands to southeast from New Zealand. The very ones that later became the "Bounty", a symbol of "heavenly pleasure" ...
And if you are ready for a long and difficult trip to the Andaman Islands in order to slowly and lazily catch the poetry of beach everyday life on them, breathe in the atmosphere of freedom and engage in “doing nothing”, then you should not put it off until later. Because, most likely, such a trip will turn out to be one of the most interesting adventures in the travel list. And proof of how wonderful it is to laze around in an almost heavenly setting.

On the northwest of the Indian Ocean; territory of India. Presumably from Malay. Pulo Handuman o wa Handuman named after the deity Handuman. Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001. Andaman Islands… Geographic Encyclopedia

In the Indian ca., between the Bengal Bay. and Andaman m., part of the territory of India. St. 6 thousand km². Surrounded by coral reefs. Height up to 732 m. Tropical monsoon forests. In the Andaman Islands, Port Blair … Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

In the Indian Ocean, between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, part of the union territory of India. Over 6 thousand km2. Surrounded by coral reefs. Height up to 732 m. Tropical monsoon forests. On the Andaman Islands, Port Blair. * * *… … encyclopedic Dictionary

- (probably from the Malay name of the deity Handuman) an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Part of India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The largest islands: Sev. Andaman, Wed. Andaman, Yuzh ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

A group of islands in the Bay of Bengal in the southwest. from Cape Negrais, the western tip of Pegu, between 10 and 14° N. lat. and 92° 60 and 93° 60 east. duty. (from Greenwich) with a space of 6497 sq. km. Geologically, A., like those lying to the south ... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

Andaman Islands- in the northeast of the Indian Ocean; territory of India. Presumably from Malay. Pulo Handuman o wa Handuman named after the deity Handuman… Toponymic Dictionary

Barren Island Volcano activity in 1995. Snapshot ... Wikipedia

Hindi Andaman and Nicobar Islands Status Union Territory Administrative center Port Blair ... Wikipedia

Andaman taxon: family or 2 families Range: Andaman Islands Number of speakers: 400 Classification ... Wikipedia

Union territory of India, on the islands of the same name. 8.3 thousand km2. Population 279 thousand people (1991). The administrative center of Port Blair. * * * ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS (Andaman and Nicobar Islands),… … encyclopedic Dictionary

Books

• , Makeev A.. The book of the traveler and journalist Alexei Makeev is dedicated to the description of his very first journey. The author talks about life modern India, living gods, miracles seen, about ...
• Bharat, or Journey through India of the 21st century, Adeksei Makeev. The book of the traveler and journalist Alexei Makeev is dedicated to the description of his very first journey. The author talks about the life of modern India, the living gods, the miracles he saw, about ...