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One of the best national parks in the Andaman Islands is the Saddle Peak National Park. This park is uninhabited by humans so the wilderness is protected and preserved. It has luxuriant, thick, and lush green tropical rainforests. It is also home to rare species of flora and fauna like Andaman hill myna, imperial pigeons, water monitor lizards, saltwater crocodiles, and many more. The park also has a freshwater pool, around 10 perennials, and 32 seasonal streams. Get ready to discover this one-stop destination and include this in your next trip.
Saddle Peak National Park Location
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Saddle Peak National Park lies in the northern part of the Andamans. It is 22 km away from Diglipur by road. This park is around 300 km from Port Blair by road and 180 km away by the sea.
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Andaman In December
How To Reach Saddle Peak National Park
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Depending on where the journey starts, this national park can be reached by road and by sea.
By Road: It is a 10-minute journey by bus from Kalipur Beach and a 300 km journey from Port Blair. From Port Blair, tourists can either take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Diglipur.
By Sea: Boats and ferries also run from the Port Blair route but are lesser in frequency.
Things To Do In Saddle Peak National Park
1. Trekking
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Tourists here can trek to the 732-meter-high Saddle Peak and witness the aerial view of the Andamans. They can experience the varied flora and fauna while climbing up the natural steps. The trek usually begins early in the morning as the sun sets around 5:30 pm and the trekkers need to reach back at the base by 4:30 pm.
Timings: 4:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Suggested Read: The Festivals Of Andaman And Nicobar Islands
2. Visit Turtle Nesting
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To witness the turtle nesting ground for Olive Ridley Turtles, tourists must visit Ramnagar Beach. It is a sight to watch this species of turtle secure a place on the beach to lay its eggs. The only time for watching them is from December to February.
3. Snorkelling And Scuba Diving
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To indulge in water sports like snorkelling and scuba diving, tourists can visit Kalipur Beach, located at a distance of around 35 km from this national park. Here, they can witness the rich aquatic life and explore the various sea creatures, corals, and endangered species of turtles. The colourful submerged world at this beach is worth exploring.
Cost: ₹500 – ₹3500, depending on the activity chosen
Suggested Read: Scuba Diving In Andaman Islands
Places To Visit Around Saddle Peak National Park
1. Ramnagar Beach
This beach is just 40 minutes away from this national park and is accessible by road and water from Port Blair and Diglipur. It is also known as turtle nesting ground for Olive Ridley. Surrounded by palm and coconut trees, it also has an artificial hatchery set up here for tourists to watch. There are some open tree houses, benches, and eco-huts for the visitors to sit and watch the sea.
Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM
2. Kalipur Beach
Photo: Skasish / Wikimedia Commons
This beach is a popular picnic spot for tourists, as people come here to enjoy its calmness and also to indulge in water adventures like snorkelling, scuba diving, swimming, etc. It is located at a distance of just 18 km from Diglipur via bus or cab. Jellyfish, mangrove plants, and dead corals are often found on the shores. This beach is famous for turtle nesting and is home to some rare turtle species like Leather Back, Olive Ridley, Hawk Bill, and Green Turtles.
Timings: 24*7
Suggested Read: Snorkelling In Andaman
3. Lamiya Bay Beach
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This beach is very unique in Andamans as it has rolling hills and dense rainforest cover, near the shore. This beach is uninhabited and tourists who visit find small turtles in shallow water and on beach sands. It is a very clean and quiet beach, hence a great getaway for tourists who are looking for calmness. Tourists here also indulge in swimming, trekking, and snorkelling too.
Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM
Where To Stay
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There are no accommodations inside the national park, but there are some good properties nearby Diglipur, to have a comfortable stay – Turtle Resort, Titlee Guest House, Saddle Peak View Resort, Pristine Beach Resort, and APWD Guest House.
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Andaman
Where To Eat
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There are no eating joints inside the national park, but tourists can get decent options in Diglipur especially a lot of bakeries. Some of the good restaurants and food outlets here are – Hira Restaurant, Anu Bar and Restaurant, Foodies, The Hangout Restro, and Dolphin Restaurant.
Best Time To Visit
Photo: Skasish / Wikimedia Commons
Saddle Peak National Park timings are from 5 am to 4 pm, on all days of the week. The ideal time to visit this serene park is between November and April, as the weather is pleasantly cool and suitable for all kinds of outdoor activities.
Suggested Read: Nightlife In Port Blair
Other Factors To Consider
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Average Cost Of The Trip
Saddle Peak National Park ticket price is ₹25 per adult and is the only cost that will be incurred. Apart from travel to the park, there is no other expenditure.
Tips For Travellers
- Wear comfortable clothing and trekking shoes
- Apply sunscreen and insect repellent
- Carry water and light snacks for the trek
- Carry a hat, and sunglasses to stay comfortable under the sun
- Keep a day if trekking to Saddle Peak – the highest peak in Andamans
Located near Diglipur, Saddle Peak National Park is the highest point of the archipelago of the Bay of Bengal. This 85 square km park in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a haven for a variety of flora and fauna. If you are looking for a stress-free vacation amidst nature and wildlife this is the destination for you. Plan a trip with TripXL and have the best experience.
Cover Photo: Sonaal Bangera / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
