Great Andamans: Trip Plan & An Open Invitation

So, finally I am travelling to Andamans. And, no this is not a riding trip :/ but yes, it’s indeed a trip I longed for a long time.

Trip Plan
(Courtesy Google Map, Clip Arts here and here)

There is always a story preceding a trip, especially since the day stopped travelling for love and happiness but for escaping from being what I have been. Philosophies apart, this trip has got many a reasons:

I am all scheduled (tickets and rooms booked) for a Phuket-Bangkok trip, travelling there before visiting the best waters of my own country – the Great Andamans – seems like a treachery against the Nation.
August is the time when only a few have been to Andamans, or at least only a few bloggers have been to this place. So, attempting Andaman in August ensures lesser crowd as well cheaper stay. Seasons starts post September.
I have been planning for Dive course since an eon (I know it’s a cliché, but still), and now loaded with time, cheap (relatively) tickets and some good time to spare, I am all prepared.
Philosophically, escaping from the life I am spending out here in this society (this is gonna be another cliché).

Plan is to utilise the Independence Day leave, so the trip is planned during 11^th – 18^th August.

As the flights from Chennai/Kolkata for Port Blair take off in wee hours, the trip from Mumbai starts after office hours on 10^th August, Saturday.

August 11: Reaching Port Blair Airport at 7:35 AM, take easy way to Jetty to catch the 2PM ferry for Havelock.

August 12-15: PADI Open Water Course at Barefoot, Havelock. Evening to be spent cycling across the island, bathing at beaches, fishing and as it turns out :)

August 16: Morning ferry to Port Blair

August 16-17: Visiting Cellular Jail, trip to Neil Island & Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, and meeting Couchsurfers.

August 18: Flight back to Mumbai

Unplanned Part: I am not able to find out how to go to Barren or Narcondam. The chartered plans, which seem to be only option, are no way good for Backpackers (or even couples, if they aren’t that way rich). So, I am still searching a way for it. Boarding SeaPlane, which probably costs Rs 4100 /- a trip, budget en-tour, will decide it.

Budget: Rooms are particularly costly in Havelock. And the cheaper ones aren’t rated good on TripAdvisor/HolidayIQ, so new in to Backpacking I am still unsure about how to spend on room. Excluding air tickets and the course fee, and taking room at around 1500/- a night at Havelock and 500/- a night (found a really good Resort with a standard Non AC room), total budget should be well within Rs 20,000/- for a week. Even if have to upgrade the rooms at PortBlair, it would be around 20k only.

Invitation: So, here is the Invitation to backpack Andamans with me, join in on any date and leave on any date, spend some time together and be featured in my memories – that’s the Best Deal I can offer :)

Mail me or leave a comment, I will reply you asap...

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Georgy7 June 2013 at 20:55
Dude.... even me and a few of my friends are planing to visit andamans frm 3rd aug to 9th aug.
i hope the weather will not hit us hard .
fingers crossed!!
Prashant
Punit Dubey7 June 2013 at 21:08
Wow! Great! So, you too are planning for Dive and all? Wish you meet the Best of Andamans :)

And, do share with me your trip experiences...
dive andaman4 December 2013 at 16:03
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