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 A short flight from Calcutta by air
(it is also connected by flights from Delhi and Madras) is Port
Blair, capital of the Andaman Islands. Though travel is restricted
here, those islands open to tourism, with their lovely beaches and
coral beds, are a traveller’s delight. On Port Blair, the Cellular
Jail and Anthropological Museum merit a visit. Excursions can be
taken by motor launch to the islands of Wandoor and Jolly Buoy and
to the bird sanctuary at Chiriyatapoo.
The Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands consisting of
about 293 islands (39 of which are inhabited) is situated in the
Bay of Bengal. Andaman roup of islands consists of North Andaman,
Middle Andaman. South Andaman and Little Andaman besides many
smaller islands.Nicobar group of islands comprises Great Nicobar,
Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Katchal and Chowra. The headquarters of
this Union Territory is at Port Blair, situated in South Andaman
Island.The topography of the islands is hilly & they abound in
evergreen forests.Timber is plentiful and of a vast variety. The
white sandy beaches have a back drop of luxuriant greenery & in
the clear blue waters of the lagoons enclosed by coral reefs is an
underwater world full of fish of every possible variety.
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Area: 8248 sq.kms.
(Andaman- 6408, Nicober- 1841 sq.kms.)
Altitude: Varies from sea-level to 732 metres. (Highest
Point- Saddle Peak).
Temperature (°C): Min 23, Max30
Rainfall: 3000 mms (May to Mid-September & November to
January).
Relative Humidity: 70% to 90%.
Forest cover: 86%.
Best Season: October to April.
Clothings: Cottons throughout the year.
Languages Spoken: Nicobari, Bengali, Tamil, Telegu,
Malayalam, Hindi, English.
ISD Code: +91-3192 (STD 03192) |
Entry
Formalities
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Foreigners: Foreign
tourists need a special permit to visit the Andaman Islands.
This can be obtained from Indian Missions abroad or the
immigration authorities in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Madras or on
arrival at Port Blair Airport. It can also be obtained from The
Director, Ministry of Home Affairs (ANL Division), Government of
India, 2nd Floor, North Block, New Delhi- 110 001, through
Indian Missions at least 3 months in advance. Foreign Nationals
are not allowed to visit Nicobar Islands.
This permit is valid for Port Blair Municipal Area; Havelock
Islands; Long; Neil Islands; Mayabunder; Diglipur; Rangat for a
period of one month where night halt is permitted. However only
a day's visit is allowed to places like Jolly Buoy; South Cinque;
Red Skin; Moun Hariet and Madhuban.
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Indians: Indian nationals
need no special permits to visit Andamans. However, permits are
required to visit Nicobar islands, issued by The Deputy
Commissioner, Andamans at Port Blair.
How to get
there
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Air: Port Blair is connected by Indian Airlines with
Madras, Calcutta and Car Nicobar. East-West Airlines operate
flights on Madras-Port Blair route on tuesday, thursday and
saturday. |
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Sea: Regular passenger ship services viz.
M.V.Harshavardhana, M.V.Akbar and M.V.Nicobar are plying between
Port Blair and Madras (1190 km), Calcutta (1255 kms), Vizag (1200
kms). One more passenger vessel M.V.Nancowry is likely to be
inducted soon on this run. There are 2 sailings in a month each
from Calcutta and Madras to Port Blair & vice versa. There is one
sailing from Vishakhapatnam every 3 months. The voyage takes about
3 / 4 days and the ships normally berth at Port Blair for three
days. |
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Internal Transport: There are
four inter-island passenger cum cargo vessel operating between
Port Blair and other islands. |
Places
of
interest
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Cellular Jail. The Bastille of
India Where India's freedom fighters were incarcerated
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Anthropological Museum
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Marine Museum
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Cottage Industries Museum
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Mini Zoo
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Chatham Saw Mill
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Corbyn's Cove Beach
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Marine Park
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Viper Island
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Sippighat water Sports Complex
Excursions
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