The ultimate guide for Mount Harriet National Park in the Andaman

India has an array of beautiful tourist attractions and one of them is the Mount Harriet National Park located in Port Blair of the Andaman islands. The National park is not only popular for its collection of flora and fauna but also offers enviable views of the neighboring islands. Moreover, with the calm Andaman Sea in the backdrop, the charm of the lush green forests grows manifold. Mount Harriet National Park is a perfect place to spend some ‘me’ time amidst nature while on your Andaman tour package.

History of Mount Harriet National Park

Established in 1987, this park was originally forest reserve in Port Blair. Furthermore, the Mount Harriet National Park served as the British headquarters for a long time and got its name from the British artist Harriet C. Tytler. At the present date, the park is spread over a stretch of 4.62 square kilometres while homing rich biodiversity and breathtaking panoramic views of the area.

How to reach the Mount Harriet National Park?

The capital of Andaman and Nicobar island, Port Blair has direct flight connectivity from major Indian cities including Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. From Port Blair, reaching the Mount Harriet National Park can be in two ways – road and sea.

• Via road: The park is roughly a 2 hours drive from Port Blair via Ferrargunj.
• Via sea: Board the ferry at Chatham dock in Port Blair which will take you to Bambooflat harbor just in 15 minutes making the sea route is much faster.

Best time to visit the Mount Harriet National Park?

Port Blair endures a tropical climate, making the best time to visit Mount Harriet National Park from October till mid-May. The park is also accessible during the rainy season from late May to September. But due to the strong winds and regular rains, a visit during the monsoon might not let you enjoy the park completely.

Flora and Fauna of the park

Mount Harriet National Park, Andaman houses a diverse range of diverse wild plants, trees, and animals. Some of the top flora include Albizia lebbeck, Canarium mania, Endospermum Chinensis, Dipterocarpus Gracilis Mesua ferrea, Terminalia balata, etc. With its variety and diversity, no wonder that the trekking trails are extremely popular here. Moreover, over 90 species of birds reside within this park. Some of the common birds spotted here are Andaman treepie, Andaman cuckoo-dove, Andaman Scops-owl, Andaman coucal among many more reptiles and animals such as Andaman Cobra, Asian Elephant, turtles, chital, lizards, etc.

Things to do

• Bird Watching
• Trekking
• Photography
• Camping
• A glimpse of culture and arts
• Nature viewing
• Butterly watching

Travel tips

1. Wear comfortable shoes or boots for the hike and to avoid leech bites.
2. There are no shops in the place, so carry enough snacks, drinking water and don’t forget the sunglasses and caps especially during the summers.
3. Make sure to get the forest entry permit at the park entrance.
4. Park charges to be paid:
   – Indian adult: INR 25
   – Indian child: INR 10
   – Foreign national: INR 250
   – Vehicle charges: INR 30
5. There are no charges for using a mobile camera but professional camera charges apply as INR 250.
6. At least one individual per group should have an ID proof for getting the entry permit.

The Mount Harriet National Park in Port Blair is an excellent getaway if you are planning for a quick escape amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. So reach out to Pickyourtrail to plan a trip into the lush green forests and enjoy the magnificent views from the mountain top on your next trip to Andaman island.