Cast Away in the Andamans Day 1 Port Blair
If it is an under-the-radar holiday that you seek, go island hopping in the archipelago of Andaman and Nicobar.
Begin your island adventure at Port Blair, which is a two-hour flight from Kolkata or Chennai. With a shoreline stretching along the Andaman Sea, the lively capital of the archipelago has a number of luxury resorts like Sinclairs Bayview Resort ( starts from ` 10,200/ USD138; sinsclairshotels.com)
and Fortune Resort Bay Island ( starts from ` 10,000/ USD135; fortunehotels.in).
Spend your day strolling in the Aberdeen Bazaar or drop by the Sagarika Government Emporium to shop for pearl and seashell jewellery, sarongs, bamboo cane craft, and carved wooden furniture. For lunch, gorge on fresh seafood at the The New Lighthouse Restaurant (Marina Park). Later, take a 45-minute drive to the Chidiya Tapu beach (17 kilometres from Port Blair), which offers one of the best sunsets on the island along with a mini-zoo where you can spend time birdwatching. In the evening, catch the Light & Sound Show at the Cellular Jail that narrates the story of India’s freedom struggle every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (` 100/USD1.3 is charged per foreign national as the
entry ticket; the show ticket is priced at an additional cost of ` 100/USD1.3; andamantourism.gov.in).
Day 2 Ross Island
Recently renamed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, Ross Island is a 15-minute ferry ride from Port Blair’s Aberdeen Jetty. The former British administrative headquarters in the Andamans is known for its colonial-era architecture. A one-day trip reveals wonders such as an old church with a grim history, man-caves crocheted by roots of fig trees, and a protected forest. However, staying overnight here is prohibited. Once back in the capital, kayak on the calm waters of Corbyn's Cove Beach and relish Oriental dishes for dinner at Corbyn’s Delight restaurant at Peerless Sarovar Portico ( peerlesshotels.co.in).
Day 3 Havelock Island
The Makruzz ferry leaves from Haddo Jetty in Port Blair to Havelock Island (recently renamed Swaraj
Dweep) every day at 8 am. Book yourself a seat on the upper deck to enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean during the 90-minute journey ( starts from ` 1,400/ USD19; makruzz.com). Stay in a tent, thatched cottage, or villa at Barefoot at Havelock ( starts from ` 11,500/USD155; barefoot-andaman.com),
a luxury eco-resort on Radhanagar Beach. Havelock Island is, undoubtedly, the highlight of any Andaman itinerary, and Radhanagar Beach is probably why. A long powdery curve fronted by aqua waves and fringed with swaying palms, it is one of the best beaches in Asia and is ideal for underwater adventures. With Barefoot Scuba, dive deep into turquoise waters, swim with schools of fish, witness striking corals, and immerse yourself in the quietude of the underwater world. If you have a few days to spare, stay back for a fourday course to get the Open Water Diver certification ( barefootscuba.in). On Beach 3, the Full Moon Cafe is where weary divers and tourists arrive to gorge on fresh catch.
Day 4 Neill Island
Catch the Green Ocean ferry at 8.30 am ( starts at ` 1,044/ USD14; greenoceanseaways.
com) to arrive early on Neill Island for the last leg of your Andaman adventure. Officially renamed Shaheed Dweep, Neill Island has an undulating landscape of rice paddies, coconut palms, and fruit plantations. Pearl Park Beach Resort offers a luxury stay in the middle of it all ( starts from ` 9,500/ USD128; andamanpearlpark. com). Ride a cycle along long empty roads through quiet clusters of homes, and take long walks along the coastline. If you are up for some underwater fun, take a glass-bottom boat ride and go snorkelling to explore virginal reefs near Bharatpur Beach. Tour operators like Experience Andamans ( experienceandamans. com) and Travel Triangle ( traveltriangle.com) offer luxury tour packages to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.