Baratang Island, located between Middle and South Andaman, is the first gateway up north from the capital city. It is around 140 kilometers from Port Blair and so requires an entire day to appreciate its magnificence. The most popular natural attractions, the limestone caves, are nature's own architecture, having evolved organically in the Andaman Islands. You may reach these caverns by walking through extensive mangrove trees, which are a visual treat. They have formed as a result of years of rusting. Here, you will see a wonderful texture that will leave you speechless. The limestone formations protrude from both the roof and the floor. It would be a miraculous experience to witness nature transforming, evolving, and producing gorgeous architecture.

Overview

Baratang Island is less developed, but it is still a great natural treasure. It is not a prominent tourist destination because not everyone is aware of this Andaman Island hidden gem. There are no tourist attractions, fine restaurants, or luxurious accommodations. The bulk of the people in the area does not speak English. But believe us when we say that all of this adds to the beauty and natural radiance of the location. Fortunately, the island has not yet been commercialized, which is a positive thing.

Adding the unique limestone caverns would be an extra feather to your Andaman holiday, as its magnificence would leave you speechless. A natural wonder like this is extremely rare to find anywhere else.

It is recommended that you bring enough cash with you because there are only a few ATMs on Baratang Island. The ATMs here are restocked every four to five days. As a result, when exploring limestone caves, you should have adequate cash with you. If you visit Port Blair on this trip, you won't have to worry about cash because it has numerous ATMs and you won't have any problems.

Best Time to Visit Baratang Island

Baratang Island is best visited between October and March. These months provide good weather, which is great for touring. However, even the cooler months of October and March may feel warm to some visitors because exploring the main attractions on Baratang Island necessitates spending time outside in the sun.

In March and April, the temperature begins to rise. The main summer season lasts from May through June, however, the monsoon season can begin as early as the end of June. Due to constant rain and strong winds, visiting Baratang Island during the peak monsoon season of July to September is not advised.

Due to tree falls during the monsoon, the Andaman Trunk Road to Baratang, which travels through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve, is periodically closed. Due to high tides and choppy seas, even the ferries cease operations.

How to Reach Baratang

The journey from the capital town Port Blair to Jirkatang Check Post, which is located about 42 kilometres distant, takes one to one and a half hours. The check post opens only at defined periods of the day - (6 AM to 6:30 AM; 9 AM to 9:30 AM; 12 PM to 12:30 PM; and 3 PM to 3:30 PM) (6 AM to 6:30 AM; 9 AM to 9:30 AM; 12 PM to 12:30 PM; and 3 PM to 3:30 PM). Consequently, you will have to reach Jirkatang before these slots. If you are visiting Baratang for the day, you should get to Jirkatang as early as possible (between 6 and 6:30 AM) to give yourself plenty of time to explore the island before returning in the last time window (i.e. 3 PM to 3:30 PM convoy).

We departed for the Jirkatang Check Checkpoint at 4:30 AM in a private cab. We noticed a lengthy (read: several kilometers long) line of vehicles that had already formed before us as we drew near the checkpoint. At the checkpoint, we had to complete a few pieces of paperwork and present copies of our photo IDs, which our driver assisted us with. At Jirkatang, there are a few lined-up stores that open at 5 AM and serve breakfast and snacks to the people in the waiting line. Here, you may anticipate a straightforward breakfast.

Travel with our Professional Drivers

The forest administration officials at Jirkatang advised against stopping car or snapping any photos or movies while travelling through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve. Continued traveling as 6 AM rolled around, following a forest vehicle. We did happen to spot a few people from Jarawa tribes on the way, but as instructed, we didn't stop or click. Another hour of journey on the ATR (Andaman Truck Road) took us to Middle Strait Jetty, where the tribal reserve ends. Many cars would be parked at Middle Strait Jetty while they awaited their turn to board a boat. Public restrooms are also present here.

To get to Limestone Caves, one must first travel a really interesting trek. To get there, you must take a jetty trip through the woods. The walk is breathtaking, and you will feel as though you are in the midst of nature. You will arrive at these incredible caves in 10 to fifteen minutes.

Visiting Lime Stone Cave on Baratang Island

The main tourist attractions in Baratang are the expansive mangrove-covered streams and the limestone cave formations near Nayadera. The island is famous for its limestones, which generate intriguing structures and layers when they deposit themselves either above or below the earth.

At the Nilambur jetty, you can easily board a boat to travel to the well-known caves. You may enjoy the beautiful coastline and mangrove forests along the way, and you'll even sail through mangrove-lined canals, adding to the thrill of the journey.

To view this natural splendour, you must descend for roughly 1.2 kilometres from the wooden pier at Nayadera. Massive formations that dangle from the ceiling like chandeliers decorate the cave walls here.

The stalactites and stalagmites shimmer and glow as a result of the water that is perpetually dripping from the roof. The terrible thing about this place is that tourists that go to the caves are trashing these natural treasures and leaving their names on the prehistoric formations.

How to reach Limestone Cave from Baratang Jetty

The distance between the Baratang Jetty to the limestone caverns is 12 km by boat and 2 km on foot.

Booking a ticket and boarding a fibre motorboat are required after you arrive at Baratang Island. There may be a line, in which case you will have to wait.

Guide With you at Baratang Island 

Depending on its size, this boat may often hold 6 to 8 passengers.

The trip should last for around 25 minutes, and the scenery is stunning. You will travel along broad and narrow paths that have mangroves on either side. Sometimes the river is so narrow that you must crouch to avoid getting scratched by the branches. The entire voyage is filled with adventure.

Some Refreshments 

If you get tired of walking 1 km after some while you will be able to see the Lemon Juise counters.

Later, the boat would be parked close to a wooden bridge. The limestone caves are located at the conclusion of a 2-kilometer jungle journey that begins at this bridge. Typically, the boatman also serves as your tour guide, and you will board the same boat to return.

Formation of Mud Volcano

Mud volcanoes, also known as 'Mud Domes,' are generated when mud slurries, water, and gases erupt. Mud volcanoes are formed through a variety of geological processes. Yet, unlike true active volcanoes, mud volcanoes do not erupt with lava. Furthermore, their eruption is not magmatic. Mud volcanoes range in size from one to two meters to 700 meters high and one to two meters to ten kilometers broad.

Mud volcanoes produce mud when they erupt, as their names suggest. And it is this mud that is responsible for the formation of a hot water spring. As mud and spring water interact, they generate mud slurries that are forced upwards through fissures due to hidden pressure. The majority of mud volcanoes are subterranean. Nonetheless, several of them have been discovered on or near land.

Mud volcanoes typically have lower temperatures than true ingenious volcanoes. For the most part, they remain stable, ranging from 2 degrees Celsius to roughly 100 degrees Celsius. All volcanoes emit different gases, and mud volcanoes are no exception. Methane, on the other hand, accounts for a large amount of the gases emitted by the creation of mud volcanoes. At the same time, some of it is made up of carbon dioxide and other gases.

Visiting Mud Volcano in Baratang

The only known mud volcano in the nation is this one. They have intermittently erupted. The 2005 eruptions were thought to be connected to the Indian Ocean earthquake of 2004. The previous significant eruption was noted on February 18, 2003. The mud volcano is referred to as "jalki" by the locals. There are several other volcanoes nearby. The Geological Survey of India has designated the volcano on Narcondam Island as a dormant volcano. Ritchie's Archipelago's islands are located fourteen kilometers to the east. About 45 kilometers from the southernmost point of Baratang Island is Port Blair, the main city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

How to reach Mud Volcano

From the Baratang Jetty, a private jeep can take you to Mud Volcano. You can also get there by taking a government bus. A few rides per day are guaranteed, but there is no set schedule. You can take a taxi at the jetty for a roundtrip since getting around is difficult there. 

Visiting Parrot Island

In the Indian union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Parrot Island, which is a portion of Baratang Island, is regarded as one of the most stunning islands. This isolated island is home to thousands of parrots and is a haven for birds. This makes it a destination that nature lovers and enthusiasts must visit. The island also provides a breathtaking view of the expansive sea from the water.

How to reach Parrot Island

The easiest way to go to Parrot Island Andaman, which is connected to Baratang Island. Take a cab on NH233 in the direction of Diglipur. 30 kilometre’s separate Parrot Island from Baratang Jetty. About 30 minutes are required for the short dhingi ride to the parrot paradise.

This island is an Andaman bird watcher's paradise, according to the mythology of locals. Five parrots are said to visit the island every evening to inspect it, according to the residents of Baratang. During a ten-minute break, a large flock of parrots arrives and settles in the mangrove vegetation.

The best way to travel is by dhingi to Parrot Island's mangroves and the hordes of parakeets that are circling the forest on every trip by boat provide a pleasant sight. Ideal for capturing a lovely scene!

The amazing thing about the mangrove forest on Parrot Island is that the parrots that regularly visit the island every day keep it maintained. It is startling to learn that parrots utilize their beaks for this natural activity, which preserves the forest in pristine condition.