Mount Harriet

Half dayBest: Oct–MarAdventure#trek#rainforest#viewpoint

High point with rainforest treks

Why this weekend?

Mount Harriet viewMadhuban trekBirding

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The day-by-day plan

Half day · The hill morning
- 8 am ferry to Bambooflat
- Taxi to the gate
- Summit walk
- Trail loop
- Noon return ferry

Geography & terrain

Mount Harriet, rising to 383 m, is the tallest peak of South Andaman, seven kilometres inland from the Bambooflat jetty across the harbour from Port Blair — a green fortress of a hill whose summit looks over the capital, the harbour and the bays toward Rutland.

History & culture

The hill was the British-era home of a chief commissioner who named it for his wife — the 'Harriet' of colonial Port Blair — and its summit later kept a forest inspector's house and, in the 2000s, a natural-history route; the steep road up is now managed as a park with an entry gate and heritage walks.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

Summit panorama
Forest trails
Hornbill birding
Harbour views
Bambooflat crossing

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: ₹8,500–15,000 (2 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,000–5,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹1,200–1,600
Per day · Activities: ₹2,000–2,400

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

Morning is the window — the hill bakes by midday
Drive or taxi to the gate, then walk; the road is the trail
Rain gear helps even in dry season — the wet forest drips

Frequently asked questions

How do I get up the hill?

Ferry to Bambooflat, then a taxi or share jeep to the park gate; the final approaches are a walk under the canopy.

Is it worth it after the beaches?

For the view and the birds — yes, and it's a scrutable half-day that pairs naturally with Chidiya Tapu's evening.

Is there an entry permit?

Yes, the standard forest-entry fee at the gate; carry ID and arrive before the park's closing time.