If you’re planning an exotic excursion to India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands territory then don’t miss the opportunity to visit the splendid Mount Harriet National Park in Port Blair. Replete with forestry splendor, Mount Harriet National Park is a national park awash in much of Mother Nature’s beauty. Established in 1969, this first-rate national park is very popular with photography buffs and travelers who simply want to enjoy nature’s tranquil landscape. Majestic wildlife, colorful birds, and delicate butterflies are spied throughout this heavenly setting. To ensure you make the most of your time here we’ve assembled a guide to Mount Harriet National Park, Port Blair.
Things to do / Highlights
Explore history and culture
Along with nice recreational items like a kid’s park with fun playground equipment, a lovely deer park, and exciting watchtowers, this attraction showcases distinctive past treasures of the Nicobarese tribe. Marvel at a traditional Nicobari hut: a circular, tropical-style treehouse with a grassy roof and sturdy wooden pillars to support the structure.
Explore the park further and you’ll come across an old anti-aircraft gun utilized by the Japanese military during World War Two. Mount Harriet Nation Park’s Kalapathar viewpoint displays the grim aspects of history by marking a site where prisoners of war were thrown in a ravine to their death during the British rule in India.
Climb the mountain's peak
Some of the most enviable views in the region can be found at Mount Harriet National Park. Scale the park’s prominent mountain peak and you are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Port Blair, the bays, neighboring islands, and beyond. If you’re not up to climbing a mountain then check out the park’s watchtowers that also afford nice scenic sights.
Bird- and butterfly-watching
The park is a must-visit for nature fans, filled with a large array of flora and fauna indigenous to the area. About 90 species of vibrant birds reside in this national park. Discover exotic feathered creatures from Oriental Magpie Robins to Purple Moorhens and so much more. Visitors can even catch glimpses of Andaman wood pigeon: the state bird of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
This region of Andaman is also considered a hotbed of butterfly activity. So be on the lookout for these colorful winged insects when roaming the trails.
Orchidarium
If you have a diehard lover of orchids in your traveling party then a stop by the park’s Orchidarium is a must. This area is a brilliant space nestled between lush evergreen and gently sloping terrain.
Travelers tips
Monsoon season
Port Blair has a tropical climate so that means heavy rains. The peak time to visit Mount Harriet National Park is from October until mid-May if you want to avoid monsoonal-style showers. The monsoon season - with its fierce winds and frequent downpours - usually starts around late May and continues until September.
Comfortable shoes
Wear comfy footwear like close-toed shoes to protect your feet from the elements while walking or hiking. Wearing hiking boots is a necessity if you want to avoid leech bites, particularly if you trek through the Kalapathar view point.
Pack essentials
Make sure to carry effective sunscreen, sufficient amounts of bottled water, and protective sunglasses to guard against the heat particularly during hotter summer months. Be aware there are no shops or stores at the top of Mount Harriet so it’s vital you carry anything you may need when climbing the mountain.
Busiest days
This park’s busy days include Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. The hours between 12pm and 1pm are the most crowded.
How to get there
Rent a car
For those adventuresome travelers planning to rent a car and drive, Mount Harriet National Park is located in Hope Town, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744107, India. The drive is about two hours from Port Blair. If you’re going by car and want a quicker choice there are large ferries that accommodate vehicles.
By taxi
The simplest way to get there is by scheduling for a taxi pick-up. But again the travel time is two hours.
By plane
If you’re vacationing off the island and plan to do Mount Harriet National Park as a day trip, Port Blair provides handy direct-flight action from the cities of Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
By ferries
By sea, Port Blair offers several ferry options. Of course, passengers would then need to secure road transportation to the park. Your point of departure can be at Phoenix Bay Jetty - a ferry terminal in Port Blair - which arrives across the water in Hope Town or you can head to the Chatham Jetty to ferry across to the village of Bambooflat. No public transport is available at Bambooflat so tourists have to rent a jeep to make the 20-minute drive to the park entrance. All ferries usually run every 15 minutes. Both the Chatham Jetty and Bambooflat are 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) from this attraction.
By bus
You can hop on a bus at Port Blair Central Bus Stand - the island’s main bus station - located at Mohanpura, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744104, India. Be aware a bus ride may take even longer than a car ride.
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Mount Harriet National Park information
Mount Harriet National Park
Address: Hope Town, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744107, India
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 3 USD
Department of tourism: Visit Andaman
History
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