Diglipur

2 daysBest: Oct–MarNatural Landscapes#hills#oranges#offbeat

Northern gateway of hills and orchards

Why this weekend?

Ross & Smith sandbarKalpong riverOrange orchards

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · Arrive & the coast
- Morning travel from Port Blair
- Kalipur beach
- Mud volcano detour
- Sunset on the coast
Day 2 · Saddle & sandbar
- Saddle Peak trek (early)
- Ross & Smith crossing
- Snorkel off the twins
- Return or onward to Rangat

Geography & terrain

Diglipur is the north-Andaman district town, 300 km of twisting road and ferry from Port Blair, snug under Saddle Peak — the archipelago's highest summit at 732 m — with the Kalpong river valley, the Aerial Bay port and the Kalipur coast on its doorstep, and the Ross & Smith twin islands just offshore.

History & culture

Named for a British era 'Digitalpur' settlement, the town grew on rice, rubber and fishing; its role as North Andaman's capital saw the Kalpong dam dug in the 1980s and the Kalipur point develop as the launching pad for the north's wildest islands — Ross & Smith and, in season, turtle-nesting shores.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

Saddle Peak
Ross & Smith sandbar
Kalipur turtle beach
Mud volcano
Kalpong reservoir

Eat & drink

Grilled reef fish
Coconut and seafood curries
Tropical fresh fruit platters

Getting there

Fly: Veer Savarkar Airport (IXZ), Port Blair
Train: No rail — island chain served by ferries
Road from Port Blair: road + ferry hub for all islands
Getting around: Autos and scooters on the islands; ferries between them

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹5,000–11,000 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,000–5,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Activities: ₹700–1,100

Month by month

Jan · Best: 23–30°C · None rain
Feb · Best: 23–30°C · None rain
Mar · Good: 24–31°C · None rain
Apr · Good: 25–32°C · Light rain
May · Hot: 25–32°C · Moderate rain
Jun · Monsoon: 25–30°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 25–29°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 25–29°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon: 25–30°C · Heavy rain
Oct · Good: 24–30°C · Moderate rain
Nov · Best: 23–30°C · Light rain
Dec · Best: 23–30°C · None rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi / Bengali / Tamil (multi-language islands) (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Oct–Mar
Connectivity: Patchy off the main islands — download offline maps
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The Port Blair–Diglipur run eats a day each way — plan 3 nights minimum
Turtle season is November–February; nights on Kalipur are the watch
The Saddle Peak trek needs water, leeches-gear and a morning start

Frequently asked questions

How do I reach Diglipur?

By road via the Middle Andaman ferries from Port Blair (about 10–12 hours of travel), or by flight to Port Blair plus the same road; overnight stops at Rangat are common.

What is the one must-do?

The Ross & Smith crossing in clear weather — wading across the sandbar between two islands is the north's signature image.

When do turtles nest?

November to February on Kalipur beach, at night — hatchlings typically from January; a ranger or homestay host is needed to visit responsibly.