Trifter

Looking for an Asian destination that will remind you of beaches in Caribbean? Looking for an Asian destination that will meet you budget but still give you a value for your money?  Looking for an Asian destination that will allow you to visit historical monuments, exotic beaches, extreme water-sports that include snorkeling, island camping and scuba diving?

If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, then Andaman and Nicobar islands is your answer. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a veritable Garden of Eden and a naturalist’s heaven. The clean environment, roads, greenery as well as unpolluted fresh air attract all nature lovers. The tropical rain forests and waters of Bay of Bengal are the home of a vast collection of plant, animal and marine life. Topographically the islands are hilly in places fringed with coconut palm, covered with tropical jungle and interspersed with flat stretches of crescent shaped beaches.

Floating in splendid isolation, cast of the Indian mainland is the archipelago of 572 emerald islands, islets and rocks known as Andaman & Nicobar Islands or in short The Andamans.
The Andaman & Nicobar are a group of picturesque Islands, big and small, inhabited and uninhabited, a total of 572 islands, islets and rocks lying in the South Eastern Part of the Bay of Bengal.  It is logical to presume a former land connection form Cape Negris at South part of Burma to Achin Head (Cape Pedro) in Andalas (Sumatra).  The flora and fauna of these islands, however, indicate that this land connection if it existed, should have been prior to the development of their present life form. These undulating islands are covered with dense forests and endless variety of exotic flowers and birds. The topography of the islands is hilly and abounds in evergreen forests. The sandy beaches on the edge of meandering coastline are fringed with coconut-palms that sway to the rhythm of the sea. The sea around the islands offers excellent scope for water sports. The rare flora and fauna, underwater marine life and corals, with crystal clear water and mangrove-lined creeks, offer a dream-view of the rare gifts of nature.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were shrouded in mystery for centuries because of their inaccessibility. These are the paragon of beauty and present a landscape full with scenic and picturesque extravaganza. These islands shimmer like emeralds in the Bay of Bengal. The dense forest which cover these islands and the innumerable exotic flowers and birds create a highly poetic and romantic atmosphere. “Here the white beaches on the edge of a meandering coastline have palm trees that sway to the rhythm of the Sea. The beat of tribal drums haunt the stillness and technicolour fish steer their way through crystal clear water.” This addition of strangeness to beauty which is responsible for creating the infinite romantic impact may be described in the following famous lines of Keats.

“Charmed magic casement opening on the foam Of perilous seas in fair lands forlorn.”

The scenic beauty of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, would create a sense of dissatisfaction and the human mind would rebel against “the whole mass of the motley facts of life”. He would be guided by an irresistible desire to this paradise on earth, with invincible faith on the philosophy of Wordsworth:

“Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold is full of blessing”.

Port Blair is the only major airport in the Andamans, which is well connected by the major Indian airports of Chennai and Kolkata. The round-trip airfare is approximately $450 for foreign nationals. All foreign nationals intending to visit Andamans require a permit which is valid normally for 30 days, with a one-time extension for another 15 days.

There are several hotels in Port Blair that provide a 3-5 night package-tour for couples and groups. These package tours range from $400 to $600 and include accommodation, site-seeing and food. There are several other holiday packages available on the official tourism websites of the Andamans http://tourism.andaman.nic.in/.