βFrom the echoes of ancient timber mills to silent forest trails and golden sunsets β Day 6 reveals the quieter soul of Andaman.β π³ππ
πΈ ANDAMAN TOUR β DAY 6
SAW MILL β’ BAMBOO FLAT β’ MOUNT MANIPUR NATIONAL PARK β’ CHIDIYATAPU
Andaman is much more than beaches and blue waters.
Beyond the familiar tropical landscapes lies another side of the islands β one shaped by history, forests, island communities, industrial heritage, wildlife, and spectacular sunsets.
Day 6 of our Andaman journey takes us away from the usual tourist trails and into a quieter world.
The day begins with the fascinating industrial heritage of Chatham Saw Mill, continues across the waters towards Bamboo Flat, moves deep into the greenery of Mount Manipur National Park, and finally ends beneath one of the most beautiful sunsets in South Andaman at Chidiyatapu.
This is a day of contrasts.
Timber and tides.
Machines and forests.
Ferries and trails.
History and nature.
And finally, the sunset.
Captured through photographs, this Digital Photo Album lets the journey unfold quietly β one frame at a time.
π³ CHATHAM SAW MILL β WHERE ANDAMAN’S TIMBER STORY BEGINS
Our Day 6 begins at Chatham Island, located just a short distance from Port Blair.
Connected to Port Blair by a bridge approximately 100 metres long, Chatham Island is home to the historic Chatham Saw Mill.
Established in 1883, the sawmill is recognized as Asia’s oldest and largest sawmill.
Walking through the complex offers an unusual perspective on Andaman.
Instead of beaches and coral reefs, the surroundings are filled with enormous machinery, timber yards, wooden logs and processing areas.
The scale of the operation immediately captures attention.
A guided visit provides a deeper understanding of the mill’s history, operations and importance to the islands.
For photographers, the location also offers a completely different visual language β massive industrial structures surrounded by the tropical environment of Andaman.
π’ CHATHAM TO BAMBOO FLAT β A SHORT ISLAND FERRY JOURNEY
After exploring Chatham Saw Mill, our journey continues towards Bamboo Flat.
The crossing is made using the ChathamβBamboo Flat vehicle ferry, covering approximately 1.92 kilometres.
Although the journey is short, it becomes an interesting part of the day’s experience.
Vehicles, passengers, boats and harbour waters come together in a scene that reflects everyday island life.
The ferry is more than just transportation.
It is part of the rhythm of Andaman.
As the boat moves across the water, the harbour slowly opens up around us, offering peaceful views and glimpses of the islands from a different perspective.
Sometimes the smallest journeys become memorable parts of a larger adventure.
πΏ MOUNT MANIPUR NATIONAL PARK β INTO THE FOREST
From Bamboo Flat, the journey continues towards Mount Manipur National Park, formerly known as Mount Harriet National Park.
The park was renamed in honour of the contribution of Manipur during the 1857 Revolt.
Spread across approximately 4.62 square kilometres, the national park rises into a lush forested landscape and includes a peak reaching approximately 383 metres.
This makes it the third-highest peak in the Andaman archipelago.
The moment we enter the forest, the atmosphere changes.
The sound of traffic gradually disappears.
Greenery surrounds the roads and walking trails.
The air feels cooler.
And the landscape becomes increasingly peaceful.
For nature lovers and photographers, this is a wonderful place to slow down and observe.
π¦ A HAVEN FOR BUTTERFLIES AND WILDLIFE
Mount Manipur National Park is particularly interesting for those who enjoy butterflies and forest photography.
The dense greenery provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including wild pigs, robber crabs and saltwater crocodiles.
The forest trails and viewpoints create opportunities to observe the natural character of South Andaman away from the busy tourist areas.
The park is also remembered for its connection with Indian currency.
The landscape was featured on the reverse side of the older βΉ20 Indian currency note, making this forested location familiar to generations of Indians even before many had visited Andaman.
Standing among the same hills and forests creates a fascinating connection between an everyday piece of currency and the real landscape that inspired it.
π CHIDIYATAPU β WHERE THE DAY ENDS IN GOLD
As afternoon slowly turns towards evening, we continue south towards Chidiyatapu.
Located approximately 25 kilometres from Port Blair, Chidiyatapu is popularly known as Bird Island.
It is also considered the southernmost tip of South Andaman Island.
Here, the landscape changes once again.
Forests give way to coastline.
Greenery meets the sea.
Rocky shores stretch towards the horizon.
And the Bay of Bengal becomes the perfect stage for the final moments of the day.
Chidiyatapu is especially famous for its spectacular sunsets.
π THE MAGIC OF A CHIDIYATAPU SUNSET
As the sun begins its descent, everything seems to slow down.
The light becomes softer.
The sea reflects the changing sky.
Clouds turn into shades of orange and gold.
The horizon gradually becomes darker as the sun disappears into the Bay of Bengal.
There is no need for elaborate narration here.
The landscape speaks for itself.
The combination of sea, rocks, trees, sky and fading sunlight creates a deeply peaceful atmosphere.
For anyone who enjoys travel photography, Chidiyatapu is one of those places where simply waiting with a camera can become the entire experience.
ποΈ MUNDA PAHAD BEACH & BIOLOGICAL PARK
The Chidiyatapu area also includes Munda Pahad Beach and a Biological Park, providing additional opportunities to experience the natural environment of South Andaman.
The coastline around Munda Pahad offers another beautiful perspective of the sea and surrounding landscape.
Combined with the biological diversity of the region, Chidiyatapu becomes much more than a sunset viewpoint.
It is a place where forest, wildlife and coastline come together.
π HOW TO REACH
π³ Chatham Saw Mill
Approximately 10 minutes from Port Blair by road, with Chatham Island connected to Port Blair by a bridge.
π’ Bamboo Flat
Reachable from Chatham through the ChathamβBamboo Flat vehicle ferry.
πΏ Mount Manipur National Park
Continue by road from Bamboo Flat towards the national park.
π Chidiyatapu
Located approximately 25 km from Port Blair and accessible by taxi or local bus.
ποΈ ENTRY FEES & TIMINGS
Chatham Saw Mill
Entry: Approximately βΉ10 per person
Guide: Approximately βΉ50
Timings: 8:30 AM β 2:30 PM
Closed: Sundays and public holidays
Mount Manipur National Park
A nominal entry fee applies.
Chidiyatapu
Entry: Free
Fees and timings can change, so travellers should confirm current information locally before visiting.
π€οΈ BEST TIME TO VISIT
Best Season
October to May is generally considered the most suitable period for exploring Andaman.
Best Time of Day
Morning: Chatham Saw Mill and Mount Manipur National Park
Afternoon: Travel towards Chidiyatapu
Evening: Sunset at Chidiyatapu
Planning the day around the sunset allows enough time to explore the heritage and forest attractions before arriving at the coast.
π· PHOTOGRAPHY MOMENTS FROM DAY 6
Day 6 offers an unusually diverse collection of photographic opportunities.
πΈ Industrial Photography β Machinery, timber yards and historic structures at Chatham Saw Mill.
πΈ Travel Photography β Vehicles and passengers crossing between Chatham and Bamboo Flat.
πΈ Forest Photography β Dense greenery, trails and viewpoints at Mount Manipur National Park.
πΈ Wildlife & Macro Photography β Butterflies and the smaller details of the forest ecosystem.
πΈ Landscape Photography β Coastal scenery around Chidiyatapu and Munda Pahad.
πΈ Sunset Photography β The golden final moments over the Bay of Bengal.
Every location brings a different mood.
And together, they tell the story of a side of Andaman that often remains hidden behind its famous beaches.
πΏ A DIFFERENT SIDE OF ANDAMAN
Day 6 reminds us that travel isn’t always about rushing from one famous attraction to another.
Sometimes the most rewarding journeys are the ones that slow us down.
A historic sawmill tells the story of human activity.
A ferry shows us everyday island life.
A forest introduces us to biodiversity.
And a sunset reminds us to simply stop and look.
From the industrial heritage of Chatham to the forests of Mount Manipur and the golden horizon of Chidiyatapu, this day brings together three very different faces of Andaman.
History.
Nature.
And the sea.
π TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY
While exploring the natural areas of Andaman, responsible tourism is essential.
Respect the forests and wildlife.
Avoid littering.
Do not disturb animals or birds.
Stay on designated trails wherever required.
And most importantly, help protect the fragile ecosystems that make these islands so special.
Beautiful places remain beautiful only when we travel with care.
π FINAL THOUGHTS
Andaman Tour β Day 6 was a journey through contrasts.
From the historic Chatham Saw Mill, where the industrial story of the islands comes alive, to the quiet waters of the Bamboo Flat ferry, the green landscapes of Mount Manipur National Park, and finally the unforgettable sunset at Chidiyatapu.
It was a day that moved beyond the typical image of Andaman.
Less about rushing.
More about observing.
Less about narration.
More about feeling.
And sometimes, a photograph can preserve that feeling better than words ever could.
Travel. Feel. Connect.
π§ CONTINUE YOUR ANDAMAN JOURNEY
πΈ Day 1 β Flight Views, Cellular Jail & Corbyn’s Cove Beach
Explore Andaman Tour β Day 1
πΈ Day 2 β Private Cruise, Scuba Diving & Radhanagar Beach
Explore Andaman Tour β Day 2
πΈ Day 3 β Green Ocean Cruise, Natural Bridge & Sunset Point
Explore Andaman Tour β Day 3
πΈ Day 4 β Glass Boat Ride & Museums
Explore Andaman Tour β Day 4
πΈ Day 5 β Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports, Ross Island & North Bay Island
Continue to the previous chapter of the journey through our Andaman Digital Photo Album series.
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