Mount Harriet National Park Andaman & Nicobar

The highest point of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mount Harriet National Park at 365 meters is one of the nearest wilderness filled areas from Port Blair. Spread over 42.62 square kilometers, the forest supports a remarkable biodiversity, predominantly birds such as Columba palumboides, Andaman Treepie, Nicobar Megapode, Sunda Teal, Andaman Black Woodpecker, Nicobar parakeet, Black-Naped Tern, etc. Apart from birds, the park has a good population of King Cobra, Andaman Cobra, two nesting marine turtles-green sea and Olive Ridley, saltwater crocodiles, robber crab, turtles and wild pigs. Some important peaks in the park are Mt. Carpeter (346m), Mt, Koyob (459), Mt. Hext (425), Mt. Harriet (422) and Mt Goodrige (376). This verdant and tranquil national park is sheeted with lush evergreen and semi-evergreen woods blessed with the breathtaking grandeur of Mother Nature. The complete region of Mount Harriet National Park forms a major cluster of hill ranges on the eastern side of South Andaman. The park got its name from the Robert Christopher Tytler’s wife. Tytler, who was a soldier in British force, was the Superintendent of the Convict Settlement in Port Blair region from 1862 to 1864. His love for nature made him discover this place. The park is so beautiful that it has even found a space in the Indian Rs 20 note.

Getting There

Mount Harriet National Park is 70 kilometers from Port Blair. From Chatham Wharf or Phoenix Bay in Port Blair take a boat to Bamboo Flats Jetty. Then take a taxi till the entry point of the park.

Things to Do & See in and around

On a visit to the Mount Harriet National Park, do go for trekking as there are many well-marked trails. 2 kilometers walk to Kala Pathar is good for short trekking the and 16 kilometer trail to Mahuban beach is suitable for medium. If traveling with family then do see the watch tower, children's park, orchidarium, and butterfly house. Missing binoculars would be a crime as one can get to see a good variety of birds.

Timings

07:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Best Time to Visit

January to March is just the perfect time to visit the Mount Harriet National Park over a holiday in Andaman, and Nicobar Islands. Weather is good; also this is when one can see the maximum no of birds.