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Mount Harriet is the highest peak in South Andaman Island and the second-highest peak in the whole of the Andaman Islands. Mount Harriet is situated in Port Blair, the capital city of the Andaman Islands. Mount Harriet Forest National Park was initially a reserve forest which was later converted into a national park in 1979. This famous peak is named after Harriet Tytler, wife of Mr. Robert Christopher Tytler who was a British army officer and a photographer in the early 1860s.
The attraction for which this place is famous is the view of the Light House that is located in North Bay, the picture of a lighthouse on the back of a Twenty Rupees Indian Currency Note is the picture taken from this viewpoint of Mount Harriet. So the point from where this view is seen is commonly known as the “20 Rupees viewpoint” by the locals and most of the visitors, It goes without saying that being one of a renowned national park, Mount Harriet is blessed abundantly with a wide variety of nature’s flora and fauna. What makes the park particularly alluring is the fact that the place houses some species which are deemed to be extinct by many.
The hilltop offers astounding views of Port Blair city, Havelock Island and Ross Islands; you can trek to the hilltop to get a glimpse
Since it is a forest national park, it is obvious for one to expect to see some flora and fauna that is native to this place. This expectation of yours can be fulfilled to quite an extent. The most common animals found here are the robber crabs, Andaman wild pigs, and deers. Mount Harriet is also a butterfly paradise; a variety of beautiful butterflies can be spotted here if you are visiting in the right season. Both land and marine flora and fauna are found in plenty around Mount Harriet. It is more like a green garden on the hilltop. Mount Harriet is among the best places to spend some time amidst nature, also considered to be a great picnic spot for the islanders.
The park is a combination of Tropical Evergreen Forest, Hilltop Tropical Evergreen and Littoral Forests and experiences marine climatic conditions. The climate is hot and humid except for the monsoon time. Trek through this park will make you come across a wide variety of trees like numerous conifers and other trees that are seen in plenty with hanging vines creating a fabulous view.
There are a few eco huts laid out on the hilltop which can be used as shades if it pours down or if the sun glazes against your wish, or you can just use these huts as a prop of your beautiful picture.
And make sure you do not litter the area as you may be fined by law for the reason that, we in Andamans give it all to keep the island clean and green and are true followers of the Swachha Bharat Abhiyan, and we maintain our own Swachha Dweep Abhiyan even if there are no enforcements by law.
A beautiful national park is a perfect place for wildlife photography. Photographers can capture pictures of exotic endemic animals and birds in their natural habitat, the amazing views from different points of the park and the extraordinary micro and macro-organisms, etc.
The best time to visit the park is any time of the year except during the rains as it may make the hills and trekking trails slippery and keep you from enjoying the place to its fullest. Though the climate in Andaman is comfortable throughout the year but we advise you to avoid visiting Mount Harriet on the rainy days - as there is no scheduled monsoon in Andamans, we couldn’t name a month here.
There is a Forest Guest House whose service can be availed for refreshing yourself while in Mount Harriet. Clean and maintained pay-n-use Washrooms are available too. Visitors are advised to come in comfortable clothing and footwear as it is a forest area and a lot of walking takes place here. Also, carry some sunscreen and insect repellents to use if needed.
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If you are traveling from a place within the prime location of Port Blair, it’ll take around 30-minutes of each way journey combined with cab & ferry. The stay time advised is a minimum of 1- 1.5 Hours, the maximum time of staying there depends on your interest in the place. So you can finish this trip in 1st half of the day.
Certainly, our island experts are there to figure out your interests and have the flexibility to add good things in each of your days that sum up to an experience worth spending on. But we would suggest adding some places that fall Enroute. Like few museums in Port Blair on the way back to your hotel, or take a visit to the Chidiyatapu sunset point after a quick freshen up at your hotel.
It is not allowed for the visitors to stay back for the night at Mount Harriet. You have to come back to Port Blair for a stay.
Even though Mount Harriet has all the characteristics of an adventurous forest and trekking trip, but since this place is under the supervision of the forest department, no one is allowed thereafter the sunset. In short, Bonfires or camping is not possible here.
For people who are enthusiastic to experience the evergreen tropical forests, and are fascinated to have a magnificent view of Port Blair and its surrounding places should opt for Mt. Harriet in their itinerary.
People having a knee or back ailment, who face difficulty in walking or are acrophobic, should avoid planning for this trip because as the name goes, it is a quite hilly area and have steep climbs and slopes. These factors have to be considered while planning for senior citizens or kids.
A hat, sun-glasses, some bites of snacks, a bottle of water, and maybe some mosquito repellent cream is some of the pre-requisites to make your trip comfortable.
Even though there are no restrictions on your wardrobe, still a suggestion from our island experts would say, go for trekking shoes or at least any closed shoes which are walk-friendly because there are leeches at the trekking trails which might climb your legs so better wear closed shoes for this trip and prefer shorts (at least ankle lengthen) to prevent any insect climbing your clothes.