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PORT BLAIR
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Port Blair
Port Blair is capital and largest city of the Andaman and Nicobar island group, with a population of around 100,000.
Get in
By air
For now the only way to reach the Andamans by air is from the Indian mainland. There are talks of opening up flights from Bangkok, which could drastically change the situation in the islands.
Air Deccan started daily flights in March 2006 from Kolkata and Chennai and are now the cheapest way to get to the islands. Fares from Rs 3000 one way.
Jet Airways fly from Kolkata and Chennai. They charge a much higher rate for foreigners than Indian residents.
Indian Airlines fly from Kolkata and Chennai. They charge a much higher rate for foreigners than Indian residents.
Air Sahara just started the first flights from New Delhi direct to Port Blair.
By sea
It is still possible to take a ship from Kolkata, Chennai or Visakhapatnam which takes almost 4 days to arrive in Port Blair. However, with the arrival of the Air Deccan flights that allow foreigners to fly for the same rate as Indians, and cost about the same as the boat, there is little reason to spend 4 days at sea unless you're in it for the experience. Apparently at the same time of the new flights arriving the ship operators stopped letting foreigners into the most basic budget class, which would actually make this more expensive than flying.
Get around
Walking is a good option - Port Blair is a fairly small town .
Auto-rickshaw's are abundant, and within town should cost Rs 20-40 (bargaining is usually necessary)
Local buses are also an option.
Scooters & motorcycles are available for hire from a few shops around MA Rd. Ask around, and also try your hotel.
Private hire cars are also available for local sightseeing around Port Blair and South Andaman.
Boats are available to destinations like Ross Island. You can also pay the local fishermen to take you on day trips to mangrove creeks (Bridget Creek is nice) or places like Mt Harriet National Park (where you can beach your boat and go birdwatching). Don't pay more than Rs 2000/day for the boat, and you can often bargain it down to much less. Be sure to check with the Forest Dept before heading out, as many destinations require certain permissions.
See
Corbyn's Cove - an ok beach, and the closest to Port Blair, popular with locals for swimming and watching the sun set.
Cellular Jail - a British built jail, come here for a taste of what was suffered under colonialism.
Mini Zoo - A small zoo containing some species only found on the islands.
Side-trips from Port Blair
Ross Island - once the capital under British rule, it was moved to Port Blair after a 1940's earthquake. A great 1/2 day side trip from Port Blair.
Chiriya Tapu - a small fishing village with good snorkeling, located at the southern tip of South Andaman. Buses run several times per day from Port Blair and take 1.5 hours, or rent a scooter and drive yourself. The best snorkeling is at...
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| Full day city tour of Old and New Delhi by private vehicle |
8 hours |
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Welcome to India's bustling capital city!
Delhi is a delicious contrast of 'old' meets 'new'. With the spacious and planned New Delhi, built as the imperial capital of India by the British and action packed Old Delhi served as the capital of Islamic India. Strolling through the city streets you will experience the ringing bells of bicycle rickshaws to the Mercedes Benz dodging the resting cow in the middle of an intersection. Eating out also poses a multi cultural image from a rich Mughlai curry to a wood fire pizza. On this tour you will encounter the delightful differences this amazing city has to offer.
In the morning, you will be transferred from your hotel and leave for a tour of Old Delhi. You will visit Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana-the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Jama Masjid - the biggest Mosque in India and drive past the famous Red Fort which is a Moughal Monument made of red sand stone and Chandni Chowk an old and busy market.
After lunch, either at the hotel or any restaurant, (lunch is at own expense) you will visit New Delhi.
In New Delhi you will visit sights such as the impressive Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199 from sandstone and marble, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch) and Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. You will drive past the President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping centre.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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| Full day excursion to Agra with Taj Mahal by private vehicle |
12 hours |
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Early morning you will be collected from your hotel and proceed to Agra. Agra is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Delhi.
In Agra, you will visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan in 1630. Legend says the tomb was built for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their fourteenth child. The death of Mumtaz left the emperor so heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned grey overnight. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in the same year and was not completed until 1653.
After lunch at a restaurant of your choice in Agra town (lunch at own expense), you will visit the Agra Fort, the Halls of Public and Private Audience and the Tomb of Itmad - ud - Daullah built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father.
At the end of the day you will be driven back to Delhi and transferred to your hotel.
Click here for more information and Booking Details
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