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I hope readers have been enjoying our first article on Havelok and Neil Island. We are talking about the Jawaras who are the India’s oldest tribal group. Our destination was Baratang Island, Andaman on that day and one of the interesting facts is that the route to the Baratang Island is go inside the forest land of Jawaras. The schedule of that day was started at 3 AM ,so we were get ready as per the schedule. We were hiring a car from our hotel and let went for our destination. The journey is divided into 2 phases – 1st P.Blair to Jirkatang (40 km, 1 hr 15 mins) and then Jirkatang to Baratang (49 km, 1 hr 15 mins, no overtake zone through Jarawa Reserve Forest). From Nilambur Jetty at middle strait ferry. After 2 hours we were covering the 40km at 5 am. The morning weather was very pleasant. We were fill up the form at that place about our personal details like contact no, location etc. this was the starting point of Jarawas land, almost 47km occupied the area of the forest. The gate was open at 6 am. Almost 50 cars were entering the forest like food car of government, tourist car, car of forest officer etc. Be sure to carry your identity papers which are required at every step of the journey from making passes at the convoy till you hire a boat to Baratang. One should pack the one’s breakfast because on way of the Baratang the grocery stores are a few.

“Jarawas Land”
The vegetation is lush green of every hue except the green hue of envy and temptation. The wonderful flora of ferns and the trepidation of seeing a tribal in their natural habitat keeps you on the edge of your seats. Do not try to stop your vehicle, or even click a photograph even you come across one which is totally banned. if you are lucky you may see tribal “Jarawa” people on this route just keep yours eyes open.
To protect the Jarawa tribe the supreme court has passed the judgment that within a five kilometer radius the around Jarawa Tribal Reserve in Andaman and Nicobar Islands banded all kinds of commercial and tourism activities. Few year The greenery view of the forest is an astonishing. People can enjoy this mesmerizing view, the whole day was lowering so some time the heavy rainfall was occurring and last 5 km we were facing heavy shower.
New experience.
In the Murshidabad tour I was stupefied to see the Maruti car range over the Bhagirathi River in Andaman like local bus and transport all things was being crossed by jetty with us , it’s a new experienced for me.

“Boat journey”
After 10 mintues we were reached Baratang Island. From here we made it to the station about 20 minutes later by boat. From there, 2.5 kilometers to our destination.

We were surprised to see it but we didn’t know the big surprised was waiting for us, after 20 minutes we were realised that . The dull weather was interrupted our journey and we were waiting for 20 minutes and moved towards it, we entered the mangrove forest.. .
In west Bengal, Sundarban and Bhitarkanika in Odisha are same type of mangrove forest like Baratang ,The rainy day was addition of extra touch to beauty of the mangrove forest of the regions, it’s a new experience Boat parking station.
There are rest places (small huts) which can accommodate 15 to 20 people. The place is protected by forest department and guards are posted in that area.

The wooden bridge is inside the mangrove forest and it is towards limestone cave. The road was muddy and inconvenient to travel on it because of heavy rainfall, But We moved on muddy road. The aged people are preferably waiting at the starting point of the mangrove forest because the whole road was stairways. The forest guards’ role was played by the boat crew member and guides us. We were reached at limestone cave but all of us were tired after walking 2.1km. Travel isn’t only about the destination. It is about the journey too. When it comes to the Limestone caves in Andaman, this saying rings true.

The beautiful Limestone cave in Andaman is an eye soothing place for nature lovers. Limestone is a sedimentary rock formed at the bottom of the sea. It is formed over millions of years due to various deposition of marine life. In Araku valley Bora limestone cave is as same as Andaman.

The guide was told us about the shape of the limestone cave and we were spending almost 15 minutes and came back. Officially the Andaman tour is the end at that point but a little surprised is remain to be seen.

We came back to Baratang Island, here another surprising land form called mud volcano. It is situated only in India. We didn’t saw the mud volcano but this information have been given for readers. The jeep is taken from Baratang Island to visit mud volcano. After arriving the island The weather was deteriorated at that time our ferry boat was coming and we were waiting for stared the ferry boat. That day was alerted for cyclone we knew at that time. We were waiting for recovering the weather condition. The cyclone alert on ocean was very hazardous and without saw that situation one can’t understand it.

After 15 minutes we were reaching the Jikratang Island, at that time weather had been better .but we were waiting for 2 hours because in between 47km 3 bridge was situated. The rain water was over flowed from the bridges so vehicles didn’t allow to travel on it from forest department. We started our journey after 2 hours and we reached the hotel at 5pm.
The next day our flight was at 11 am, we arrived in Kolkata at 1pm. It’s the best tour in my life till date.

You can view our video also LIMESTONECAVE | Andaman | Exploretours | My Family Travels

Tour Summary : :
Date – 24/08/2019-31/06/2019
Tour Members : 4
Kolkata to Andaman Tour plan :

Some more info :
Things to Do and Don’ts :-
1. Visit the Mud volcano
2. Trekking activity in Jungle
Do not mess the ocean with plastic bags.
The best time to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands is considered between October and May as the weather is pleasant.

You can also visit our full album : Click here.

Now its Your turn, what is your travel experiences on this place?

Thanks

Team Exploretours

My name is Supriya Kumar Mitra. It is the diary of travel experiences of some passionate travelers. We are sharing our tour experience in this site. As the name Exploretours is a blog on everything that leads to travel. To us, tour is not memory or images its connect to nature.. This website is dedicated for those who love to travel..

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ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS WEATHER