The island of Baratang is located about 150 kilometers north of Port Blair. South Creek, Adazig, and Nilumbur are the only three small districts on the island. The island of Baratang is part of the North and Middle Andaman group of islands. If you want to enter a world away from the chaos of modern life, Baratang is the place to go. Because the island is so remote that the central region has almost no inhabitants, mobile networks are scarce, and thus the Internet is extremely rare.
1. Visit the Limestone Caves
The limestone caves are located approximately 3-4 kilometers south of the Nilambur jetty. It takes about 15 minutes by speed boat, so hold on to your hats, and then another 15 minutes of trekking through the jungle, so no heels.
The trip on the speedboat is the highlight of the trip to the limestone caves. Gliding across the creeks in a speedboat while wearing a life jacket and surrounded by mangrove forest will make you feel like Indiana Jones or Bear Grylls.
As you glide into the narrow waterway, you will come to a small jetty. There will be a 15-minute trek through the jungle, with small huts along the way to rest, before arriving at the cave’s entrance. Because there is only one entrance to the cave, you may have to wait your turn. It is best to stay with the group you came with during the journey.
2. See the Mud Volcano
To begin with, the mud volcano erupted for the first time in 1988. Basically, it all went downhill in the evening, and the next day, an area the size of a football pitch was covered in mud and rose up to around 6-7 feet. Teak plantations in the surrounding area were burned, leaving only the tree trunks. My father, who lived in Baratang at the time, told me about it.
This Mud Volcano is now located about 7 kilometers from the Nilambur Jetty in Jarawa Creek.
Now, when one thinks of a volcano, the first thing that comes to mind is a huge mountain, lava flowing around, hot gases, and a breathtaking view.
The mud volcano is not visually appealing, but it is a very rare geographical phenomenon, so you should go see it. The mud volcano is essentially a small bubbling mud pile. In the Jarawa Creek area, there are numerous smaller mud volcanoes.
3. Take A Trip to Parrot Island
It takes approximately 30-40 minutes to reach the island from the Nilambur jetty. As the name implies, the island is famous for large gatherings of parrots. You must visit the parrot island at dusk if you want to enjoy it. This means you’ll have to spend the night in Baratang. If you enjoy nature, this island will provide you with memories to last a lifetime. Thousands of parrots chirping and flying around the small island sounds like something out of a fairy tale.
This island is not visited by many people, and your boat may be one of the only ones there. It’s a very romantic journey, and the sunset is breathtaking. Imagine ending your day with the sound and sight of parrots, the setting sun, the sound of water, and the surrounding mangroves. You’ll have to stay the night and contact the boat association about 3 hours ahead of time to arrange a boat. It will cost 3500 for up to 5 people on a boat and 700 for each additional person. The hours are 4 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
4. Spend Some Time at Baludera Beach
Baludera beach is approximately 9 kilometres from the Nilambur jetty. This beach is popular among (not many) locals, but it is quite isolated, with no shops or facilities nearby. So, if you require small bites every few minutes, be prepared ahead of time. When it comes to the beach, it has a long-curved stretch; however, if you go to the beach in the evening, you should take the necessary precautions. If you’re only in Baratang for a day, you can skip the beach. However, if you are staying for the night, you can go see the sunrise.
5. Eat Local Thalis
There are several small dhabas near the Nilambur jetty where you can sample local Andamani cuisine. Because of the diversity of settlers from all over India, Andaman cuisine is a fusion of cuisines from various parts of the country. Dhaba thalis (meals) include dishes from Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. You can also sample some local delicacies. My personal favourite is “Goli,” a snack made by frying a refined flour-sugar paste. It is best served with a cup of tea and has a crispy outer crust and a soft inner core. In terms of thalis, the Nilambur jetty has a canteen (Port Canteen) where you can try “macchi suruva.”
If you are visiting the Andaman Islands, you should make a trip to Baratang. Make sure you have enough days because there is so much to see and people frequently get stuck with the limited time they have in the Islands. I also recommend that you spend a night in Baratang so that you can visit Parrot Island.
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