Chidiyatapu & Mundapahad- Port Blair

• Opening Time: 8 AM
• Closing Time: 6 PM
• Famous For: Beach, Bird Watching, Sunset.

Chidiya Tapu is located 22.5 from the Port Blair Airport and is an offbeat destination which is famous for its quiet and serene environment adored by thick tropical greenery.

Since it's in the outskirts of Port Blair, far from the city noises, Chidiya Tapu is famous among locals and tourists who’d like an escape from their daily routine.

The whole area is enclosed within a tropical jungle stretching along miles and miles from both sides and opening into a wonderful view of the sea. Protected under the Andaman Administration, the jungle itself accommodates birds and animals of all shapes and sizes. Wild boar is the most common among all.

The area surrounding it is also very rural. Only a few shops and hotels are allowed to be built nearby, just enough to provide simple refreshments and good accommodation, making it one of the easiest escapes from city life.

The place is also considered a bird watchers heaven, thanks to the myriad of both common and rare birds living and migrating there. Moreover, the number of indigenous and migratory birds is so high that the Govt. built a biological park to accommodate and showcase rare trees, birds, and animals found nearby and provide them a safe place to be.

One of the most famous things about Chidiya Tapu is the sunset. It is considered the best place to watch the sunset and it is what attracts a lot of both local and traveling tourists here. The sunset point here provides a panoramic view of the sun, dipping into the azure ocean, leaving a wonderful train of orange hue on the sky and water.

A bonus point of traveling to Chidiya Tapu is the travel itself. The drive from the road takes you through dense canopies of tall trees complimented by sudden jumps of the open sea. As soon as you start to enter the area, the forests surrounding the road become so dense that most of the sunshine is blocked by the trees and it feels like evening, even during mid-day.

Chidiya Tapu is not considered a standalone tourist attraction in itself as it is divided into 4 attractions:

• The Mundapahad Beach - which is an ecstatic white-sand beach nearby.
• The Biological Park - Which is a park in the reserve, showcasing local birds and animals.
• The Sunset Point - Which is a vantage point from where the sea and horizon are perfectly visible.
• The Mundapahad (Black Mountain) - This is a peak from where the whole area is visible.

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Mundapahad Beach:

Mundapahad Beach is located almost 1.5 KMs from the bus stand in Chidiya Tapu and you can easily cover this distance by foot, although vehicles are allowed inside and there is ample space for parking. The complete journey takes you through a thin road surrounded by forest on one side and the open sea on the other, which quickly turns to be covered by forest on both sides. As soon as you reach there, you are greeted by a vast open beach on the right side, covered with glistening white sand and crystal clear blue waters. While the other side is covered by forest, inside which entry is not allowed.

The beach has a lot of tall fallen trees, from the 2001 tsunami, some of which are carved into sitting benches and tables near the shoreline. The beach extends well over 1.5 KMs which you are free to explore on foot and ends into a rocky shore on the other side. The scenery is quite picturesque, so make sure to take out your camera and capture those moments to remember.

There are a lot of open wooden huts lined along the jungle which makes for a great picnic spot. There are no additional charges to use the huts and benches here, so feel free to sit back- relax under the shade, and enjoy the fresh breeze.

You can also find a lot of small vendors selling peanuts, peas, and kulfi, so make sure to grab one of them if you are feeling for a snack. Due to the influx of crocodiles in the area, Govt has constructed a net near the shoreline of the beach, which covers a fairly large area for swimming.

This is the only place where you are allowed to enter the sea in Mundapahad Beach. There are ample changing rooms made of mats and a bathroom near the swimming area, suitable for both men and women.

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Chidiya Tapu Biological Park (Mini-Zoo):

Established in 2001 and spread over 40 hectares, the Chidiya Tapu Biological Park (Bird Island Biological Park) was constructed to study and provide a safe place for wild animals & birds and conserve rare plants and trees. The park has a collection of various endemic and endangered plants and animals, from most common to rare species that are unique to the islands.

As soon as you enter the park, you are greeted by dense jungle with unique species of Mahua, Rubber, Padauks, and a lot of other trees with signboards that explain their significance and rarity.

The park has various cages and enclosed areas within the “Reptile Center”.  This is where rare animals, mostly reptiles, are kept for display along with information about them, so you can learn while exploring. Not to worry, space is kept large enough and the environment is made to suit them, to make sure no animals are uncomfortable inside.

You can also spot animals like barking deer, spotted deer, and wild boars roaming around the jungle freely without any boundaries. Deers being the most common ones.

The best thing about the park is that the population of birds inside is thriving and many migratory birds have made it into their second homes, so if you visit at the right season, you can explore both common and rare birds easily. Signboards and pamphlets are also available inside so you can easily find the best spot for bird watching. Keep your binoculars and camera ready.

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VISITORS‌ INFORMATION:

• Timings: 10 AM to 5:30 PM.
• Opening Days: Open Tuesday to Sunday, Closed on Monday.
• Entry Fees: INR‌ 20 for Indian Citizens, INR‌ 50 for Foreign Citizens, Free for children below 5 years.
• Pamphlets and maps are available at the entrance.
• You need a valid ID‌ proof to get the entry tickets.
• Official guides are available for hire at INR 1300 at the entrance.
• Food is not allowed inside the park, a bottle of water comes in handy though.
• The best time to visit is between 10 AM and 3 PM.
• Feeding animals and birds or disturbing them is strictly prohibited.

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Sunset Point:

One of the best things about visiting Chidiya Tapu is the sunset and there is a specific place called “Sunset Point” where you can view it without anything blocking your view. The sunset point is marked with a signboard, located past the biological park, just around the corner of the road, near the mini lighthouse.

There are no trees or poles blocking the view, making it a perfect place to enjoy the sun setting over turquoise sea waters. There are no benches or seating arrangement here, and people either stand to see it or enjoy the view from the comfort of their car. It is recommended to visit the place after you have explored the beach. The trip to Chidiya Tapu usually ends here.

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Mundapahad (Black Mountain) and Trek:

Although not officially considered a tourist attraction, Mundapahar is a rocky hill located near the Mundapahad Beach, and this place is where the beach got its name from. Also known as the Black Mountain, the hill offers a place to enjoy the panoramic view of the whole Chidiya Tapu from one single location.

The way to Mundapahad Hill can be found near the beach end, with a small rocky path disappearing into the jungle. You will have to take the right pathway and trek for at least 1 KM through the jungle to reach the hill. The forest is really dense and it's not advised to enter it for any reason.

As soon as you reach the top, you are greeted by an open ground area, on the top of the hill with a spectacular view of the sea and forest nearby. Sometimes you can spot Sea Hawk Eagle and Wild Pigeons on the hill.

Be cautious when exploring the hill, as the rocks are loose and the railings are unstable.

Due to recent landslides and cyclones, it is not advised to trek to the mountain without a guide. The forest gets really dark in the evening as there are no street lights present at the hill or the path. People who are visiting must come back to the beach before 4 PM.