AN03 - Andaman with Baratang Island
INR - 30900 7N/8D
Baratang Island
Baratang Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is located between Middle and South Andaman Islands. Approximately, 110 kms from Port Blair, Baratang Island is another major attraction for most of the tourist visiting the islands. The Baratang Island trip is considered to be an adventurous trip due to its long distance from the capital town of Port Blair.
While Andamans being a beach destination brings thought of Blues and sands coming in your album with your trip memories, here adding Baratang to the travel itinerary can come out to be very fascinating for travelers who want to see the greener version of Andamans. Baratang is the home to the Jarawa tribes who are the major inhabitants of this island following the few Ranchi settlers.
The major attractions at Baratang:
The major attractions at Baratang are the Limestone Caves and Mud Volcano. There is another delightful place to see in Baratang that is Parrot Island. But one has to stay back for the night at Baratang to visit Parrot Island. We’ll show more detailing on getting to this place in our coming sections of the article.
What to Expect while visiting Baratang Island at Andaman Islands?
What would you expect when you visit a tropical island? Dense Forest, Tribal inhabitants, Mangroves, boat rides through the mangroves, beaches, birds, caves, trekking, volcano; Baratang is a platter serving all of this on your visit.
Even though Baratang is now growing briskly popular as a tourist destination, still it is considered a remote location. The telecom networks are not very good and there are very limited options for restaurant and hotels.
Govt restrooms are available and these are the only option (yet hygienic) while traveling to Baratang.
On your way to or from Baratang, falls the area of Jirkatang to Middle Strait, here you will pass through the Jarawa Tribe reserve. The reserve is controlled and operated by the government for protection of the Jarawas against diseases from which they do not have natural immunity. The government also provides medical aid to these indigenous tribes. This is the area where you might get an opportunity of seeing the Jarawa tribes by the roadside. But remember, this is not a part of your sightseeing. So do not fall prey to the myth that you’ll be taken to visit the Jarawas. It is recommended not to offer any food or take pictures of these tribes during this time. Interacting with them, giving them food or clicking their pictures is strictly prohibited and is a punishable offense.
Things to do and see at Baratang Island
In a day trip to Baratang, You can spend your time amidst the mangroves, seeing the Limestone Caves, visiting the Mud Volcano; if going through roadways, you’ll experience the lifeline of Andamans, the Vehicle ferries which takes all the vehicles aboard to cross the waters between Nilambur Jetty at Middle Strait and Baratang. Moreover, you can see many species of birds during this trip. If you are a nature photography lover, get ready for some amazing clicks. You can also visit the Parrot Island for seeing many species of seasonal birds flying into the island but a visit to Parrot Island is subjected to the condition that you have to stay overnight in Baratang. People mostly prefer going for a day trip to Baratang due to lack of proper accommodation options here. People on longer vacations mostly move further to stay at Rangat or Diglipur and others return to Port Blair on the same day after seeing Baratang for the day.
Limestone Caves: Limestone Caves is the most sought after attraction in Baratang.
Mud Volcano: The Mud Volcano is the second most visited attraction in Baratang.
How to reach Baratang Island from Port Blair?
- SHARED TRIPS:
- By Government Bus: There are shared trips in Govt NON AC Buses. They start from Port Blair early in the morning. These buses, go further from Baratang to North and Middle Andamans, may not return to Port Blair on the same day. So you have to take a different bus from the Baratang Bus terminus to return on the same day. This is the most economical mode to reach Baratang. However, the con here is that these buses do not pick you from your place. You have to board the bus either from the main Bus terminus or at some designated point on the ATR (Andaman Grand Trunc Road) where the bus may make pit stops. You have to book the seats for these buses in advance from the Govt. Bus terminus and confirm your pick up point with them only.
- By Private AC Coaches: Just like the Govt Buses, the private buses also start from Port Blair early in the morning. Being AC Coaches, it is understood that it is slightly expensive than the government buses. But the additional cost is always worth the comfort. There are also special coaches available who go on a day trip to Baratang and come back on the same day. These coaches also need to be pre-booked and like the government buses, these private coaches also do not pick you from your accommodation place. You have to board the bus either from the starting point of the bus as mentioned on the tickets or somewhere on the ATR where the bus may make pit stops. In this case, you have to confirm with the bus operators or the concerned travel agency to check that which is the nearest point from where you can board the bus.
- By Government ferry from Port Blair: Government ferry services are available from Port Blair to Baratang but this ferry doesn’t come back to Port Blair on the same day. So it is not suitable for a day trip. The route of this ferry is such that it sails from Port Blair to Baratang, drops the passengers at Baratang and goes off to Havelock (No waiting time- just touch and go). In case you have a plan to stay at Baratang Island, then you may opt for this option. However, you cannot combine the ferry & cab service, this may become expensive for you. The other way is to return from Baratang in a Government Operate bus. However, it’s uncertain because the availability of Government buses will be known only after reaching Baratang. Hence, such a last-minute surprise can spoil the rest of your trip if you are on a fixed duration holiday.
- Private Trips
By AC Cabs: If you are looking for a private as well as comfortable journey, then taking cabs for going from Port Blair to Baratang will be the best option and for obvious reasons, it’ll be a little expensive than the shared trips option. After a few kilometers from Port Blair when you leave the city behind you, and the journey amidst the forest starts, the road towards Jirkatang is quite bumpy for about an hour or more. So a bus journey is not normally preferred. The AC Coaches or tempo travelers may be an option but not those which ply regularly for Baratang. You can book a private cab based on the numbers you are traveling in. The cabs are generally 5-7 seated you can go for Tempo travelers if your group size is 15 or above. You can contact us to get this trip arranged for you or get this arrangement added to your itinerary.
What is the Journey to Baratang like?
If you are planning to cover the Limestone Caves & Mud Volcano during your trip to Baratang, we recommend you to start around 03:00 to 03:30 Hours so that you can reach timely and see the sights and get enough gap of time before you return or proceed further from Baratang.
The distance of Baratang from Port Blair can be 120kms approximately. And it takes 3 to 3.5 hours to cover this distance each way. So one can assume the total travel duration can be about 6 hours. There is a speed restriction of 40kmph for all the vehicles while crossing the tribal reserve area.
The day trip to Baratang is a full day trip. If you want to visit Baratang from Port Blair, then you should be staying at Port Blair for the previous night as well as the night after completing the day trip to Baratang. Or this day you can also move towards North Andaman for an overnight stay. However, make sure to plan this before you arrive in the Andamans for better execution and best experience.
After you have traveled about 45-60 minutes from Port Blair, soon you would leave the city behind and pass through scarcely populated areas. The jungle along both sides during your travel would be a treat to watch. On your way you would pass through Jirkatang, a couple of decades ago people feared to stay or pass through these places because of attacks by the native tribes who usually used to come to these places in search of food. Until recently, the government has made efforts to help and protect these tribes after which the attacks on people staying or passing through these places were reduced and now almost diminished.
After reaching Jirkatang check post, the vehicles would take a pit stop. You can get down for some refreshments here. From here when the vehicle proceeds further to cross the check post, the vehicles will be allowed to go in a group of 7-10 vehicles at a time. A couple of security personnel will board the front and back vehicles (with rifles) for the safety of both travelers and the tribes. You would now pass through the Jarawa Tribe reserve, the driver may ask you to switch off your mobiles and cameras at this point of time, which is again due to the restrictions of taking pictures in the reserved areas (as mentioned earlier in this article- it is a punishable offense).
After passing through the tribal reserve you would reach Nilambur Jetty. You would then be transferred to a vehicle ferry, which would take you to the Baratang Island. These ferries can accommodate buses, trucks, cars & bikes and the passengers too, to cross the waters between Nilambur Jetty at Middle Strait and Baratang.
Tour Itinerary
Port Blair
Port Blair: Upon arrival at Port Blair airport; our vehicle will pick you up & proceed to hotel. Check-in to the hotel. After lunch, start the breathtaking trip to:
- Cellular Jail- a place of pilgrimage for all freedom loving people
- Carbyn’s cove Beach - one of the most picturesque, coconut palm fringed beach which is 7km from Port Blair.
- In the evening, enjoy the history of the heroic freedom struggle which is brought alive in a moving Light & Sound Show at Cellular Jail.
Overnight stay at Port Blair.
Port Blair
Two Island Tour (Ross Island & North Bay): After breakfast proceed for a full day cruising towards Two Island tour.
- First we start with an exhilarating journey (by boat) to Ross Island- the erstwhile capital of Port Blair during the British regime. The island presently houses the ruins of old buildings like Chief Commissioner's house, Government house, church, bakery, press, swimming pool, cemetery etc. and all in dilapidated condition.
- After that, proceed for water sports activity and under water corals at North Bay (Coral Island). One can enjoy many water sports activities in this island.
Overnight stay at Port Blair.
Port Blair - Havelock
Port Blair – Havelock [approx 3hrs/69kms – Radhanagar [approx 20mins/7kms]: After breakfast, board Green Ocean Cruise / Makruzz for Havelock Island. Our representative will receive from Havelock jetty and escort you to check-in to the hotel. After a little relax, proceed for famous Radhanagar Beach which is rated the #7 among the finest beach in Asia. It is an ideal place for swimming, sea bathing and basking on the Sun-kissed beach.
Overnight stay at Havelock Island.
Havelock – Kalapathar
Havelock – Kalapathar [approx 20mins /8kms]: After breakfast, proceed for:
- Kala Pathar Beach which is located in one corner of the Havelock Island surrounded by thick forests and excellent for solitude seekers and guest looking to do a bit of bird photography. The emerald seas, the tropical forests on one side of the road, the Kalapathars (black rocks) that decorates the coastline, the silken smooth silver sands and the sheer solitude makes this beach a great place to relax.
Overnight stay at Havelock Island.
Havelock – Neil
Havelock – Neil: After breakfast, board Green Ocean Cruise / Makruzz for Neil Island. Our representative will receive from Neil island jetty and escort you to check-in to the hotel. After a little relax, proceed for Bharatpur, Laxmanpur & Sitapur Beach.
Overnight stay at Neil Island.
Neil - Port Blair
Neil – Port Blair: After breakfast proceed to green ocean cruise / Makruzz and return to Port Blair.
Overnight stay at Port Blair.
Port Blair – Baratang
Port Blair – Baratang [approx 3hrs/101kms]: Early morning, tour start for Baratang. Visit:
- Limestone Cave & Mud Volcano.
- On the way, one can see the local tribal’s called Jarawas.
Overnight stay at Port Blair.
Port Blair
Port Blair: After breakfast proceed to Port Blair airport to board the flight for hometown.
Inclusion :
- Accommodation in the above mentioned hotel on twin sharing basis.
- Meet and greet service at the airport.
- Meal Plan: MAP [07 Breakfast & 07 Dinner – veg & non veg]
- All sightseeing & transfer by Ac vehicle
- Ferry / Cruise Tickets Included.
- All entry tickets and permit charges.
- Parking charges
- Tour Guide
Exclusion :
- 5% GST
- All kind of water sports activities
- All kind of personal expenses
- Guide charges and camera fees
- Charges for optional or suggested tours or activities
- All meal charges apart from the mentioned meal plan
Location Highlights :
- Port Blair
- Havelock
- Neil
Notes :
- Since Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Island is under restricted area category please carry a valid photo identity proof for all the travelers issued from competent authorities. For foreign nations, please contact Immigration authorities at airport first to get your RAP (Restricted Area Permit).
- Check out time at most of the hotel at Port Blair / Havelock Is 08:00 hrs, Late check-out can be possible as per availability only, although we can guarantee for late check-out only after paying 50% of the room charges.
- Our Executive will hold the name placard at our side of the airport exit gate.
- We do not book any of our clients to Havelock or Neil Island in Govt. Inter-Island ferry, until and unless there is any emergency or disruption caused.
- Please carry child age proof document for trouble free touring.
- Additional Gala Dinner supplement on Christmas & 31st Dec as per the hotel policy.
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