About 1370 kilometre east of mainland India, the archipelago that is Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal with Myanmar to the east and north, is an idyllic landscape of translucent waters, sun-dappled, white beaches, mangrove wilderness and coconut groves offering a cool shade to your hammock as it sways gently in the wind. A part of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Andaman Islands are settled by Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Myanmarese and Nicobarese folk, though they are primarily home to the indigenous Jarawa and Sentinelese tribes. Of the 572 islands including the Myanmar-controlled Coco Islands in the north, only a few can be accessed by tourists, the remaining are out of bounds to protect the right to privacy of the Sentinelese who are to this day wary of contact with the outside world. For its turquoise waters, sugary sands and sun-drenched beaches, Havelock is a magnet for ardent divers and leisure seekers. Port Blair’s perfect setting and history, home to the Cellular Jail outside of the very British Ross and Viper Islands, will be the perfect starting point for your sojourn into the Andaman Islands.
Best time to visit Andaman
There are three predominant seasons in Andaman; the summer, winter and monsoon, and each governed by the presence of the Bay of Bengal giving it an overall tropical climate. Monsoons between July and September should be avoided like plague owing to the tropical storms, high tides and incessant rains. October to March, the winter season, experiences a mild lowering of temperature averaging between 20 and 30 degree Celsius, making it the best time to visit the islands. The summer months between April and June are also reasonably good to visit Andamans, whether it is Port Blair, Ross and Smith Islands from Diglipur, Havelock Island, Neil Island or Little Andaman. The lowest summer temperature is a pleasant 24 degree Celsius with cool breeze always wafting from the sea, but it can peak to a 37 degree Celsius, so avoid the noon time for exploration.
How to reach Andaman
You can either arrive into Andaman by air or sea.
Flights to Andaman : Chennai and Kolkata are the only two destinations that operate direct flights to Port Blair. Some of the airlines covering the route include SpiceJet, Air India, GoAir, with a flight duration of about 2.5 hours. From Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi there are hopping flights with a stopover in Kolkata. All flights land at Port Blair’s Veer Savarkar International Airport which is about a couple of kilometres to the south of the city. Not to mention, the airport is a naval air base.
Ships to Andaman : There are government-run vessels from Kolkata, Chennai and Vizag that take approximately three days to dock at Port Blair. The ones from Kolkata can take a tad longer. You can buy the tickets from your respective city’s shipping service. Be mindful of the fact that these are proper ships operated by the government and not fancy cruises, and if you are prone to sea sickness you should avoid taking this route. You can look up the timings on the government’s Andaman ship schedule website. These journeys are flagged off from once to twice a week and come with a booking window that opens a fortnight prior to departure. Do bring a hard copy of your ticket aboard the vessel. But if you have less time at hand, choose to fly.
Also get exclusive deals on Popular Andaman Theme Packages like Andaman Tourism, Andaman Honeymoon Packages, Andaman Family Packages and Andaman Adventure Packages.
Arrival at Port Blair in the morning/afternoon by flight and our representative will be waiting outside holding a placard with your name on it. You will be taken to your hotel where you relax and rest.
Later will start the breathtaking trip to Corbyns Cove Beach, one of the most picturesque, coconut palm fringed beach, 7 kms away from Port Blair town, and to the Cellular Jail, a place of pilgrimage for all freedom loving people. One can also view the history of the heroic freedom struggle which is brought alive in a moving Light & Sound Show at the Cellular Jail.
Check out from the hotel with packaged breakfast and board ferry to Neil Island, upon reaching the Island our representative will take you to respective resort. Rest and then proceed for Laxmanpur beach, lies 2 km north of Neil jetty. Stay to view the mesmerizing sunset.
After Breakfast, checkout and proceed to Bharatpur Beach and Natural Coral Bride. Later we depart to Andaman Islands most amazing destination, Havelock Island. The destination is rated as the best island in India. Depart from Port Blair to Havelock Island in a ferry. Upon reaching Havelock, our representative attends you and will drop you at your hotel. Rest and Relax in a beachside resort. Later we begin our journey to one among Asia's best beach, Radhanagar Beach. Explore this white sand beach and bask in the beauty of this natural wonder. Post this we drop you back to your resort where you relax and unwind. Overnight stay at respective Hotel / Resort at Havelock Island.
After Breakfast, checkout and proceed to Kala Pathar beach by road. Get a glimpse of various Resorts & Dive centres enroute. Spend rest of the day at leisure enjoying white sand beaches. In the evening catch the ferry and return to Port Blair. Our representative will meet you at Port Blair and drop you to your hotel for overnight stay. Ferry Timing from Havelock to Port Blair is around 4:00 PM.
Drop to Airport for Return journey with wonderful holiday memories.
Payments:
For the services contracted, 50 % advance payment should be made to hold the booking on a confirmed basis and the balance amount can be paid before 7 days your departure from your city in India but definitely before the commencement of the services. We hold the right to decide upon the amount to be paid as an advance payment, based on the nature of services and the time left for the commencement of the services.
Apart from the above in some cases like special train journeys, hotel or resort bookings during the peak season (Durga Puja, Diwali, X-Mas, New Year and any other festival) full payment is required to be sent in advance.
Mode of Payment:
Booking advance payment can be made through wire transfer to our bank or through Mail Authorization through Master/Visa credit card. Upon arrival in India, the payment can be made through currency notes or travelers cheque or through Master/Visa / American Express credit card. In case of payment through credit card, the bank charges-as applicable-would be levied over and above the total amount.
Policy Regarding Cancellation / No Show / Early Departure:
In case of cancellation of tour/travel services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reason/s we must be informed in writing. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive letter in writing and cancellation charges would be as follows: -
In case of special train journey and peak season hotel bookings a separate cancellation policy is applicable (which would be advised as and when required).
In case you cancel the trip after commencement refund would be restricted to a limited amount that too would depend on the amount that we would be able to recover from the hoteliers we patronize. For unused hotel accommodation, chartered transportation and missed meals etc. we do not bear any responsibility to refund.
Uniworld Trip reserves the right to change/modify or terminate the offer any time at its own discretion and without any prior notice.
In case of unavailability in mentioned hotels, alternate accommodation will be arranged in a similar category hotel.
Refund:
In regard to refund of unused / unutilized services (which are paid for and cancelled in advance) the refund amount would be worked out on the basis of cancellation policy as described above and the money would be accordingly refunded to the person who has made the payment to us. Please note that the refund process may take 2 - 4 weeks due to banking procedures. If the refund is made to the credit card account OR to Bank account, the bank charges would be debited from the refund amount.
Our Liabilities & Limitations:
Please note that after the finalization of the tour/service cost, if there are any hikes in entrance fees of monuments/museums, taxes, fuel cost or guide charges by the Govt of India, the same would be charged as extra.
Uniworld Trip act only in the capacity of agent for the hotels, airlines, transporters, railways & contractors providing other services & all exchange orders, receipts, contracts & tickets issued by us are issued subject to terms & conditions under which these services are provided by them.
All itineraries are sample itineraries, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, the physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before the tour or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change any schedule in the interest of the trip participants' safety, comfort & general well-being.
Our rates are based on the prevailing rates as negotiated by us with the hotels, airlines etc. Hotels and Airlines retain the right to modify the rates without notice. In case of such changes the rates quoted before the modification, can be changed by us according to the modifications by hotels or airlines. All hotel bookings are based on usual check in and check out time of the hotels until unless indicated in the itinerary.
We shall not be responsible for any delays & alterations in the programme or expenses incurred - directly or indirectly - due to natural hazards, flight cancellations, accident, breakdown of machinery or equipment’s, breakdown of transport, weather, sickness, landslides, political closures or any untoward incidents.
We shall not be responsible for any loss, injury or damage to person, property, or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation or other services, resulting - directly or indirectly - from any act of GOD, dangers, fire, accident, breakdown in machinery or equipment, breakdown of transport, wars, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferages, epidemics, medical or custom department regulations, defaults, or any other causes beyond our control.
We do not have any insurance policy covering the expenses for accident, sickness, loss due to theft, or any other reasons. Visitors are advised to seek such insurance arrangements in their home country. All baggage's & personal property/s at all times are at the client's risk.