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The Iconic Limestone Caves

Admit it… there are only a few places on earth where you may have seen the excellence of nature. If you haven’t seen anything like Andaman’s limestone caves, you are not alone. But once you get there, you will just gaze and wonder how it just happened. These limestone caves are dated back to millions of years which make you feel that it’s all worth it to take a jetty ride to reach these caves.

In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Limestone Caves are accessed on Baratang Island which had been the best kept secret of nature for a long time. The island also houses the world’s most dangerous tribe, Jarawa Tribe. Baratang Island was once a barren island which is rich in mud volcanoes, dense greens, limestone caves and mangroves. The ministry has recently opened this island for tourism purposes.

About Limestone Caves

These beautiful limestone caves in Andaman are millions of years old. You can spot the rocky and conical structures in the caves from their floor. These formations are known as “Stalagmites” which is the creation of cyanobacteria, single celled algae. It is great to see these stunning rocks arranged in the caves. In the form of waves, the flowing calcium looks like a piece of art. You will be gaping inside the cave at the structures. It is truly amazing to see how nature conceives such a beautiful thing.

These limestone caves are formed naturally near Baratang Island. These are the hottest-favorite tourist spots for the tourists who love to do something exciting and don’t mind a long trip. You need to cover a long boat journey to reach these caves. These caves are far-reached but are truly beautiful. You have to trek along the Jarawa Forest and take a ferry to Baratang to reach Limestone Caves. These are perfect choices for adventure lovers but you need to do a small trek to get there.

These caves are located a quick 15 minutes of walk from boat parking. You can find sedimentary rock in all parts of the caves and limestone hangs in huge chunks from the ceiling. Some of the rock formations you can find are flowstones, speleothem, stalagmites, stalactite, and columns. Most of them are stalagmites and stalactite. These structures are the ultimate charm and got the same form for over a century.

Interesting Facts You Need to Know

Here are some of the cool and amazing facts about Baratang Limestone Caves –

You will spot different calcium deposit patterns in these rocks.
These limestone structures run from floor to ceiling height and vice versa.
You can find a diverse range of flora and fauna across the caves which will be appealing to your eyes.
These rock formations are not permanent and are evolving constantly year by year.
You might spot people from Jarawa tribe on the way. Just ignore them.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to explore these limestone caves is from November to February on Baratang Island. It is because weather remains pleasant over there with reduced chances of rainfall. It won’t keep you from visiting these caves. You cannot go inside the caves in the darkness. So, you need to go back to your resting place before sunset and complete the trip in daylight.

Getting to Limestone Caves

In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Limestone Caves are located 100 km from Port Blair on Baratang Island. You need to take a ferry to reach the island, which is the only way. Then, you will need to trek along the dense jungles for a few kilometers once you reach the jetty. It takes around an hour for the boat ride to reach Baratang. Believe it, the journey is even more beautiful than destination and you will be enthralled by the serene views.

A lot of tour operators organize day trips in Andaman to Limestone Cave in Baratang every day. You can also book Andaman and Nicobar Package which combines Mangrove ride and Mud Volcano. You would need to start the trip in the morning at 3am in order to cover all the three attractions. If you just want to visit the caves, you can start your trip at 6AM.

Tips for Travelers before Visiting Limestone Caves

It is always recommended to start your trip early in the morning to make it to the island on a timely basis. Baratang Island is truly a beautiful place. But you shouldn’t stay there late at night. You should start the journey at 6 in the morning, as per the itinerary.
Since you are going to walk a lot in the caves, it is better to wear cozy clothes as well as shoes.
You should avoid this place if you have fear of congested spaces or you are claustrophobic.
Tribal people are known to inhabit this place. You are not allowed to take their pictures or interact with them. Or you will be in serious trouble.
To enjoy this activity, you will need to take a full day. When planning to take a tour to the island, don’t plan any other activity the same day.
The exit and entry to these caves are the same. So, it is recommended to wait outside or make some space for your turn to go in.

Bottom Line

Limestone Caves are just one reason to get to Baratang Island in Andaman. You can add a jerry ride to Mangrove jungles and mud volcanoes to your itinerary. When going for vacation to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, you shouldn’t miss this place. In order to have a great experience, you should take a week at least to have a great holiday in Andaman.

Karmatang Beach – A Complete Guide to Visit this Turtles’ Paradise in Andaman

Karmatang Beach is one of the rare paradises where you can witness some of the rare species of turtles hatching there. This is the reason why it is known as the turtle’s paradise in Andaman. Along with the nesting parks for turtles, Karmatang Beach is also a place with water sports and beach parties.

You can easily explore the nearby attractions and the beach without having any guide by your side. It is the tourist-friendly territory and the best place for Andaman and Nicobar Islands honeymoon India. However, a few parts have been conserved for turtle hatching. You shouldn’t harm them in any way. You can enjoy the beach on your own with its mangroves, creeks, and streaks. It is truly a paradise for honeymooners, nature lovers, zoologists, and marine life researchers.

Things to DO

Recreation

The traditional huts and hanging hammocks are the main attractions in this beach. It is very wide and there is a private place for every tourist where they can enjoy different recreational activities and sea breeze. You can easily visit this beach for partying day and night. Sometimes, beachfront resorts also host wedding ceremonies. You can enjoy the beach by staying in beachfront resorts. You can taste authentic and delicious seafood here from beachside vendors in Andaman.

Stroll along the beach

You can also do a quick beach strolling around the shore. Most of the parts of the beach have muddy wet sand that comes and being washed away by high tides. You can also find some mangroves, forests, and creeks. You can also enjoy a nature walk along the Andaman Ocean. You can also witness some birds and reptiles here.

Turtle Nesting Farm

One of the vital activities in Andaman is visiting the turtle nesting farm at Karmatang Beach. You can witness how villagers and forest department keeps the turtle eggs for hatching. You can also witness the freshly hatched turtles slowly moving to the seawater. They don’t move anywhere else. You will be amazed to see this. From December to March, the beach remains closed for tourists in the evening. This is the period when huge numbers of turtles lay their eggs here. It has been happening naturally for several years. Marine life lovers and children will definitely love this place.

Party Hard

In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Karmatang Beach is definitely the best place for having beach parties all day and night. The beach resorts also arrange food and beverages here. There are also several wooden seating arrangements and eco-friendly huts in Mayabunder Town. You can make a bonfire and enjoy the soothing breeze while partying in the nighttime. The beach is open 24×7 for the public. It also has a lot of parking spaces. You can party late at night and get back to your resort or hotel. However, the night party is not allowed at the beach in laying season for turtles, i.e. from December to March.

Trekking to Mount Harriet

If you visit Karmatang Beach for long week holidays, you can trek to Mount Harriet. It is Andaman’s highest mountain peak. You can easily get here on a day trip. You can explore the serene flora of the island. You can pass through several streaks when you cross the water above the wooden bridges. You may want to trek along with the streaks which are also the trekking tracks to Mt. Harriet. It is also the source of fresh water. Mayabunder has a lot of scenic hamlets to pass through. The people are very friendly here. You can witness the beautiful views of the Andaman Sea as the height rises.

Visit Madhuban Beach

You should visit Madhuban Beach, especially if you are an elephant lover. Your children will definitely love the giant animals by getting up close. The locals also give the training to tame the elephants for lumber and lifting works. You can also explore the beach with an elephant safari. You can explore the training ground on a day trip. A lot of trained elephants are also available for safaris.

Have delightful seafood

A lot of restaurants are located in Mayabunder Town near Karmatang Beach. A lot of beachside vendors also offer seafood here. If you are getting to the beach, don’t forget to taste the authentic seafood. They also sell mineral water bottles and beverages. You can taste both local and continental dishes in hotels and restaurants here. However, they are expensive as compared to beach vendors.

How much time does it take to visit Karmatang Beach?

You can easily visit the turtle park and the beach on a day trip. A weeklong holiday is enough to soak in the vibes of beach with trekking at Mount Harriet and seawater sports.

Weather

Geographically, Karmatang Beach is positioned in the heart of the Andaman Sea coast and this tropical zone covers the whole stretch of Andaman and Nicobar. You can expect a tropical climate all around the year. The temperature rises to over 35oC in the summer. You can enjoy the soothing breeze all day and night and you can indulge in any water or recreational sport without taking sunburns. In winter, the temperature goes down to 20oC. The Indian Ocean is located by the south and the Bay of Bengal is located on the west.

When to Visit?

Dry Season

Karmatang Beach receives dry season from December to May when you can enjoy a lot of attractions. You can enjoy hiking, water sports, trekking, and recreational activities.

Wet Season

Monsoon starts here from the last week of May till November. Expect heavy rain followed by thunderstorms. You shouldn’t visit here this season as public transport via sea and road are negligible here.