Andaman Tour Packages

Location

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a unique territory, is situated between 6E and 14E North Latitude and 92E and 94E East Longitude, this group of 572 islands / islets lie in bay of Bangal 193 Km from Cape Negris in Burma, 1255 km from Calcutta and 1990 km from Chennai. Two principal groups of islets are Ritchie's Archipelago and Labyrinth island. The Nicobar islands are situated to the south of Andaman, 121 km from little Andaman islands. There are 36 inhabited islands, including 24 in the Andaman island. And 12 in the Nicobar District.

Two-third population live in Nicobar, while the Andaman population is cosmopolite consisting of Indians, Burmese and aboriginal tribes. Almost the entry population of the Nicobar Island is tribal.

The Andaman Islands were once called kala Pani, a penal settlement established by the British in India. It was intended for political prisoners and criminals surviving a life sentence. The island gained importance on the arrival of the Europeans in India in India in 16TH century.

History

The original inhabitants of the island lived in the forest by hunting and fishing. There are four Negrito tribes, viz, the Great Andmanese, Onge, Jarawa and Sentinalese and Shompen in the Nicobar group of the island, and two Mongoloid tribes, viz, Nicobarese and Shompen in the Nicobar group of island. Among these, the Jarawas and the sentinalese have not yet learnt the concept of covering their bodies.

The modern history of the Andaman and Nicobar Island begins with the establishment of a settlement by east India Company in 1789. Portuguese came first who were followed by the Dutch and the British; however, in 1796 this settlement was abandoned.

Then came the revolt in 1837 in India. Andman offered ready-made solution for the rebels. The construction of cellular jail was taken up in1896 which was carried out by the convicts. Following the first war of Indians independence in 1857, the British India Government founded the penal settlement in these islands in 1858, and dreaded criminals from the mainland India which continued till the second world war. During the second world war, the Japanese forces occupied the Andaman and Nicobar islands till 1942.

The constitutional reforms of 1935 necessitated a through revision of policy in September 1938 the first beach of prisoner's left the Andmanand by January 1938 all prisoners were released. The National flag was first hoisted here in 1943 by the great leader subhash Chandra Bose. The Second World War and subsequent Japanese occupation from 1942-45 brought the island a taste of foreign military occupations. After evacuation of the Japanese in 1945, the Islands, a part of India, become free on August 15, 1947. In November 1956, the Andman Nicobar Island were constituted into a Union Territory administered by the president of India.

A Sound and Light Show at Ross Island, the erstwhile British HQ, and at the Cellular Jail provides an insight into the sufferings of the inmates and their indomitable spirit. For history enthusiasts, The Heritage Walk, 'Naqsh-e-Kadam,' is a guided walking programme covering the heritage buildings at Port Blair such as Cellular Jail and Clock Tower.

Explore Andaman Holiday packages

The distinct tenor of the saxophone echoes on the walls of the pre-independence Cellular jail. An audience of 500 listens spellbound to the instrumental rendering, and the baritone voice recapping a distant past – heroic and tragic – yet a fitting tribute to freedom fighters from a bygone era.

At Port Blair, Andaman, the memorable Sound and Light Show, a daily feature for tourists and history buffs, has come to an end. The peepal tree within the complex lives on as a mute spectator. The waves seem to unravel in every ebb, endless footprints in the sands of time.

From the past to the present, the pristine Andaman and Nicobar Islands will continue to be a study in contrasts: repository of heritage and history vying with its status as a leisure tourism destination, categorized as a Union Territory but larger in land area than many Island nations, an ocean of communities but an island of calm, tribals preserving their identity while blending into the mainstream, so far from the Indian mainland and so near to Thiland – the closer you look, greater the intrigue of the emerald isles.

For millions of Indians, Andaman and Nicobar have always been a far flung dot on the country's map. They may travel across the length and breadth of India, but not many have visited the islands off the Eastern coast, south of Myanmar. They really should.

The capital and entry point by sea and air is Port Blair. The Union Territory comprises of two island group – the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands. In total, the archipelago has 572 islands, of which 38 are inhabited. The total land area is approximately 8,249 km and estimated population over 4, 65,000 (2009).

The harmonious co-existence of tribals, and settlers from Bengal, Tamilnadu, Andhra, Bihar and other States stand testimony to a mini India away from the mainland. The major languages spoken are Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Nicobarese, in addition to Malayalam and English.

For the uninitiated, this Special issue will serve as a guided tour, and a window to what many term as a Paradise on Earth. However captivating a narrative may be, however enchanting the pictures may seem, the natural beauty can come alive only when you take your first step on the beach sand, dive into the blue sea, embark on a Sea Walk on the ocean bed (yes you can), swim along the coral reef, watch its endemic birds or meander through mangroves.

In every which way, Andaman is a' must see destination, and why wait to add it to your bucket list? Read on to know what the islands have in store for your next holiday.

North and Middle Andamans - The Hidden Jewel

Baratang, in North and Middle Andamans, Has majestic limestone caves, with massive sedimentary limestone formation hanging from top and rising from the ground.

That's just one wonder of Nature. You can witness another in the form of Mud Volcano, which oozes cold mud.

Parrot Island is a treat for bird watchers, where parakeets assemble in thousands as the sun sets.

An excursion to Aves Island, by a boat ride from Mayabunder, is a rewarding experience.

Aamkunj Beach and Moricedera Beach near Rangat are recreation spots for locals and tourists alike.

Dhaninallah, named after the local mangrove, Dhane Patti, is a 'must see' and has the longest teak mangrove walk extending to 732 meters.

Ross & Smith Island, located in Didlipur, is famous for a narrow sand bar that narrows and widens twice daily, exhibiting Nature's magic.

Saddle Peak, the highest peak of Andaman, has a hiking trail that is ideal for avid trekkers.

A visit to the serene Ram Nagar Beach, near Diglipur, is a 'must do' activity.

Andaman and Nicobar Holiday package with airfare from Delhi

For more options on Andaman holiday Packages, Andaman Nicobar Tours, Andaman and Nicobar islands tour packages, Andaman and Nicobar Holiday package with airfare from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and more destinations contact Swan Tours at www.swantour.com, One of the top travel agents in Delhi,India