3 TIPS FOR EXPLORING ANDAMANS' WILDERNESS
In this blog, we won’t talk about how to reach the Andamans, as everyone can Google it, rather we will be talking about how and what it takes to travel through National Highway-4, which is famously known as the Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) of the Andaman Islands. Specifically, 3 must-knows about travel which everyone should be aware of.
The ATR connects Port Blair to Diglipur via the major towns of Ferrargunj, Baratang, Kadamtala, Rangat, Billiground, and Mayabunder. It runs from Chidiyatapu (Port Blair) to Aerial Bay (Diglipur), i.e., 315 km.
However, the distance will vary if you are travelling in public vehicles or on your own. Tourists prefer to visit Baratang because it is accessible and has lovely spots like Limestone caves, Mud volcanoes, etc.
Also, due to time constraints, most people are not able to enjoy the entire stretch. For many, it might be exhaustive as well, because of the reason that it takes around 10-12 hours to cover 300-odd kilometers as the path runs through Reserved Forests and there are convoy systems to cross two islands via vehicle ferries. Also, the broken patches in between make the journey embittered.
Therefore, until and unless you cover the entire stretch of ATR and explore the Middle and North Andaman, your trip to Andaman is a complete miss.
We will cover 3 important aspects which you need to keep in mind while traveling. Also, there are some beautiful locations mentioned that you should not miss on the go.
1. Preferable Modes of Travel
If you do not have time and budget constraints, book a cab so that you can reach some untouched locations. If you do not want to dig into your pockets, then the best way is to book a seat on a private bus, which will be the most comfortable and cheapest mode of travel. The best time frame to start is by 5 AM early in the morning, as the first convoy timing is 6 AM from the first pit stop. Other modes of travel include seaways through Inter-Island shipping services.
Important Spots and Locations:
- Jirkatang: This place acts as a first pit-stop as from here the Reserved Forest Area starts. This forest is the home of an indigenous tribe named “Jarawa”. The Government has strict laws to minimize tourist contact with the Jarawa tribe. Hence, only vehicle convoys with armed escorts are allowed. It is an offense to click photographs of the tribes.
- Middle Strait: The port connects Baratang Island to the other end by vehicle Ferry. You can get to see lush mangroves here on both sides of the stream.
- Baratang: The major attractions here are Limestone Caves, Mud Volcano, Parrot Island, and Baludera Beach.
- Rangat: It is one of the scenic places, having white sand beaches and waterfalls in rainy weather. Major attractions are Amkunj Beach, Dhani Nallah Mangrove Nature Walkway, and Panchvati Hills.
- Mayabunder: It is an amazing and peaceful place with some exotic beaches and spots. Among the sightseeing places, Karmatang Beach tops the list, which is an eco-friendly destination and also a nesting ground for turtles. A small but significantly beautiful, Avis is a place known for coconut plantations. There is a beautiful spot famous for the remains of a German jetty. Rampur Beach is known for its pristine surroundings and mangrove forests. The Austin Bridge, constructed over the Austin Strait, connects Diglipur to Mayabunder, which is a great spot to spend time in the evening hours.
- 2.The Roads
The worst part of travelling through ATR is the roads themselves. Almost 70% of the roads go through the tropical rain forests, and the views are just breathtaking, but hey, if you are the driver of your vehicle, then you need to be careful, or else it might take your breath away. The patchy roads and potholes make the journey so tedious that you might feel lethargic at times. So, it is always suggested to travel in heavy vehicles on ATR.
3. The Food
You can get food on the go at a lot of restaurants, but there are some specific locations where you will find some good options. So if you’re travelling from Port Blair, then breakfast at Jirkatang and lunch at Rangat are the ideal stops. Although you get options, it is still recommended to pack some light food so that you do not get caught up in any emergencies like delays in convoys or so.
So these are some important tips that everyone should consider while travelling through the ATR. We hope this helps!