Lakshadweep trip report
Quote:
Originally Posted by kshastry 
I hope most of you will find this useful.
I recently did a trip to Lakshadweep islands arranged through SPORTS (Lakshadweep tourism). The flavour of this tour was titled "Coral Reef". It was a 5 day / 4 night trip covering 3 islands, Capital Kavaratti, Minicoy and Kalpeni. You can get more details at their websites (www.lakshadweeptourism.com)
The tour was well organized and managed (compared to Indian standards).
Though SPORTS is a "babudom" (govt entity), it was surprizingly staffed with courteous and helpful people, both in Cochin office and in the islands. On several occassions the tour manager and staff went overboard to ensure that things stayed in order.
The best time to visit Lakshadweep is December and January (so they say). I had booked this trip in August itself to ensure that I hit LD at best of time. I reported to SPORTS office in Cochin at Willingdon to collect my boarding pass. I was given a small kit containing boarding pass, receipt and a cool looking LD T-Shirt!
We were let in to board the Ship (M/V Tipu Sultan) after security check and verifications at Cochin docks. The ship was old (60's) and showed its age. It could only do 12 knots per hour. But it was kept in sea-going conditions and things seem to work. This ship along with its other three sister vessels are the lifelines for LD. It has three class cabin (1st Class with a/c cabins, tourist class with a/c relcining chairs and a non-a/c chair class). The chair class is usually used by locals of LD who travel to mainland for business, shopping, health and education reasons.
SPORTS offers tourist packages only in 1st class and tourist class. The tourists will do island tour in day time and spend the night onboard the ship, during which it sails to next island. I travelled in tourist class which I found to be decent and secure. Only complaint is you can't sleep in those chairs with a/c in full blast.
Eventually everyone ended up sleeping on the deck of the ship or wherever they could find some space to stretch legs. The food is served in an exclusive on-board cafeteria reserved for tourists, Veg and Non-Veg separate (which is good!). 
The quality and quantity of food were EXCELLENT! There was morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner.
I wouldn't wish to say much about the places as they are to be seen and experienced. Beaches are heavenly, desolate and rival any tropical paradise on earth. There is a diving facility at Kavaratti for those who want to experience SCUBA diving. The SPORTS staff at the islands organize the visits which includes sea bathing, snorkelling, boat rides, visits to aquarium, handicrafts and villages. The day time breakfast, lunch and tea are also taken care by them.
Locals are friendly, though seem little reserved at times, may be due to language issues. Malayalam is widely spoken. Some of them do speak English and Hindi. There were folk dances of locals arranged in all the three islands. The locals are of Muslim faith.
Overall, it was a great trip. The only sore point was, a loud mouthed Bengali family who kept on chattering, muttering and shouting non-stop for 5 days.
(No, I am not against any language group or community) It seemed that alpha-male of that family could speak English. He kept translating the things to his family which were immediatley returned with a barrage of questions in Bengali, which were in-turn translated into English and posed to the organizers. This continued through-out the trip. There were also some jerks who smoked, spat and made politically inappropriate comments about the things around. Well, I think thats something you have to live-with everywhere you go.
Some notes:
1. Foreigners are allowed into only two islands, Agatti and Bangaram, while Androt (of late Mr.Sayeed) is off-limits to tourists.
2. It is advisable to carry the essentials (like film rolls, battery and cosmetics) in sufficient quantity. The shops in LD are far and few.
3. Do not carry heavy luggages and food. It will be very difficult to manage them while transferring from ship to boats v.v. at the islands.
Here are some pictures taken in the trip:
Attachment 3716
The Ship, M/V Tipu Sultan
Attachment 3717
Crystal clear waters! Inviting and safe
Attachment 3718
A beach in Kavaratti
Attachment 3719
A beach in Minicoy
Cheers,
Kshastry
I hope most of you will find this useful.I recently did a trip to Lakshadweep islands arranged through SPORTS (Lakshadweep tourism). The flavour of this tour was titled "Coral Reef". It was a 5 day / 4 night trip covering 3 islands, Capital Kavaratti, Minicoy and Kalpeni. You can get more details at their websites (www.lakshadweeptourism.com)
The tour was well organized and managed (compared to Indian standards).
Though SPORTS is a "babudom" (govt entity), it was surprizingly staffed with courteous and helpful people, both in Cochin office and in the islands. On several occassions the tour manager and staff went overboard to ensure that things stayed in order.The best time to visit Lakshadweep is December and January (so they say). I had booked this trip in August itself to ensure that I hit LD at best of time. I reported to SPORTS office in Cochin at Willingdon to collect my boarding pass. I was given a small kit containing boarding pass, receipt and a cool looking LD T-Shirt!
We were let in to board the Ship (M/V Tipu Sultan) after security check and verifications at Cochin docks. The ship was old (60's) and showed its age. It could only do 12 knots per hour. But it was kept in sea-going conditions and things seem to work. This ship along with its other three sister vessels are the lifelines for LD. It has three class cabin (1st Class with a/c cabins, tourist class with a/c relcining chairs and a non-a/c chair class). The chair class is usually used by locals of LD who travel to mainland for business, shopping, health and education reasons.
SPORTS offers tourist packages only in 1st class and tourist class. The tourists will do island tour in day time and spend the night onboard the ship, during which it sails to next island. I travelled in tourist class which I found to be decent and secure. Only complaint is you can't sleep in those chairs with a/c in full blast.
Eventually everyone ended up sleeping on the deck of the ship or wherever they could find some space to stretch legs. The food is served in an exclusive on-board cafeteria reserved for tourists, Veg and Non-Veg separate (which is good!). The quality and quantity of food were EXCELLENT! There was morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner.I wouldn't wish to say much about the places as they are to be seen and experienced. Beaches are heavenly, desolate and rival any tropical paradise on earth. There is a diving facility at Kavaratti for those who want to experience SCUBA diving. The SPORTS staff at the islands organize the visits which includes sea bathing, snorkelling, boat rides, visits to aquarium, handicrafts and villages. The day time breakfast, lunch and tea are also taken care by them.
Locals are friendly, though seem little reserved at times, may be due to language issues. Malayalam is widely spoken. Some of them do speak English and Hindi. There were folk dances of locals arranged in all the three islands. The locals are of Muslim faith.
Overall, it was a great trip. The only sore point was, a loud mouthed Bengali family who kept on chattering, muttering and shouting non-stop for 5 days.
(No, I am not against any language group or community) It seemed that alpha-male of that family could speak English. He kept translating the things to his family which were immediatley returned with a barrage of questions in Bengali, which were in-turn translated into English and posed to the organizers. This continued through-out the trip. There were also some jerks who smoked, spat and made politically inappropriate comments about the things around. Well, I think thats something you have to live-with everywhere you go.Some notes:
1. Foreigners are allowed into only two islands, Agatti and Bangaram, while Androt (of late Mr.Sayeed) is off-limits to tourists.
2. It is advisable to carry the essentials (like film rolls, battery and cosmetics) in sufficient quantity. The shops in LD are far and few.
3. Do not carry heavy luggages and food. It will be very difficult to manage them while transferring from ship to boats v.v. at the islands.
Here are some pictures taken in the trip:
Attachment 3716
The Ship, M/V Tipu Sultan
Attachment 3717
Crystal clear waters! Inviting and safe
Attachment 3718
A beach in Kavaratti
Attachment 3719
A beach in Minicoy
Cheers,
Kshastry
Hi Kshastry,
your trip report was indeep most helpful
i have couple of other questions.
webpage of SPORTS shows 2 packages lakshadeep samundram (5 days) and coral reef (4 days, the one u did)
which one would u recomend for best sightseeing. I am mainly interested in good landscapes and coral viewing (scuba/snorkelling)
also, in the above packages are the following charges included -
1. food
2. snorkelling
3. scuba diving
also if i bring my own snorkelling equipment, will i be allowed to venture on my own.
Thanks,
Allen
Hi Allen,
I did this trip in 2005. SPORTS has made some changes to the package. Now they have only two packages it seems. I would recommend 5 days package which takes you to 3 islands. Food and accommodations are included. Please note only snorkelling is included in the package. Scuba diving is not. You need to pay for the Scuba at about Rs.500 for 30 mins.
Yes. Bring your own snorkel gear. Its recommended. They will ofcourse allow you to use it.
If you are a PADI certified diver, then go for a custom package for diving. The Scuba diving that they arrange in these trips are meant for newbie's. Its only introductory.
Enjoy your trip and share your experiences!
Hope this helps,
Kshastry
I did this trip in 2005. SPORTS has made some changes to the package. Now they have only two packages it seems. I would recommend 5 days package which takes you to 3 islands. Food and accommodations are included. Please note only snorkelling is included in the package. Scuba diving is not. You need to pay for the Scuba at about Rs.500 for 30 mins.
Yes. Bring your own snorkel gear. Its recommended. They will ofcourse allow you to use it.
If you are a PADI certified diver, then go for a custom package for diving. The Scuba diving that they arrange in these trips are meant for newbie's. Its only introductory.
Enjoy your trip and share your experiences!
Hope this helps,
Kshastry
Quote:
Originally Posted by alan1111 Hi Kshastry,
your trip report was indeep most helpful
i have couple of other questions.
webpage of SPORTS shows 2 packages lakshadeep samundram (5 days) and coral reef (4 days, the one u did)
which one would u recomend for best sightseeing. I am mainly interested in good landscapes and coral viewing (scuba/snorkelling)
also, in the above packages are the following charges included -
1. food
2. snorkelling
3. scuba diving
also if i bring my own snorkelling equipment, will i be allowed to venture on my own.
Thanks,
Allen
Hi Kshastry,your trip report was indeep most helpful
i have couple of other questions.
webpage of SPORTS shows 2 packages lakshadeep samundram (5 days) and coral reef (4 days, the one u did)
which one would u recomend for best sightseeing. I am mainly interested in good landscapes and coral viewing (scuba/snorkelling)
also, in the above packages are the following charges included -
1. food
2. snorkelling
3. scuba diving
also if i bring my own snorkelling equipment, will i be allowed to venture on my own.
Thanks,
Allen
I did this trip in 2006. and i had used this same thread to get all info. i have also added my tips.
Alan i would suggest to contact them via phone. Things keep on changing and for such trips its hard to have a Plan B as these trips occur only twice a week.
Alan i would suggest to contact them via phone. Things keep on changing and for such trips its hard to have a Plan B as these trips occur only twice a week.
------
My India Travel Pictures
My India Travel Pictures
hi...... lovely report.....
i will suggest to go for MWAP (Marine Wealth Awareness Program) package of SPORTS. I have done it in Nov 05 as well as Jan 09. In this package they will take you to Kadmat Island and will stay there for entire 3/4 days. While going we went with MV Kavaratti ship... very beautiful.. almost 3 star facilities. While returning i came back with MV TipuSultan... Its better to stay on Island instead of ship. We also had scuba diving. Done 3 dives till the point... I will be going for a diving course at kadmat in dec.09. If anyone can provide the help or needs help can contact me...
i will suggest to go for MWAP (Marine Wealth Awareness Program) package of SPORTS. I have done it in Nov 05 as well as Jan 09. In this package they will take you to Kadmat Island and will stay there for entire 3/4 days. While going we went with MV Kavaratti ship... very beautiful.. almost 3 star facilities. While returning i came back with MV TipuSultan... Its better to stay on Island instead of ship. We also had scuba diving. Done 3 dives till the point... I will be going for a diving course at kadmat in dec.09. If anyone can provide the help or needs help can contact me...
MV Tipu Sultan
I was told the MV Tipu Sultan ship is in very poor condition, the new MV Kavaratti is the one to take but it is more than double the cost.
I am not sure whether this is true or whether it is just promotional hype. Has anyone been on either recently?
I am not sure whether this is true or whether it is just promotional hype. Has anyone been on either recently?
MV kavaratti is costly
yes... it is true .. MV Kavaratti is having only diamond class and Gold class which costs 8000 rs and 6000rs round trip ... no tourists class available........ MV Tipu sultan, MV minicoy, MV amindevi do have tourist class(semi luxury seats) costs hardly 3000rs........ check it out... all last 3 ships do give sea sickness problem 
as they are smaller in size.
as they are smaller in size. 
Hi thehitman, I am currently based at Pune. Can you please give me some idea about a week itinerary to LakshaDweep? I have visited SPORTS website, but want to know from a real experienced person. Is it advisable to take a small kid (6 months only) there during Jan/Feb '10?
Pune contact for Lakshadweep booking
Hi bubai, It will be ok if you are taking a small child with you.. Myself I have seen families with babies less than yr old at Lakshadweep Island. There is a package of MWAP at Kadmat Island on 24th of Jan 2010 which does have both way MV Kavaratti ship with 3star facilities. Try it out.... If you are in Pune you can make bookings and information via simas travels near DYanprabhodini high school. if you want any extra information contact me on my email id mandar.markale@gmail.com
hi thehitman,
i am travelling to Kadmat island resort in nov 2009.I have booked the mvKavaratti and kadmat cottages through local authorized travel agents.How do we get the confirmation of the booking ?
Is there a number is SPORTS which we can call and confirm ?
thanks
amar
i am travelling to Kadmat island resort in nov 2009.I have booked the mvKavaratti and kadmat cottages through local authorized travel agents.How do we get the confirmation of the booking ?
Is there a number is SPORTS which we can call and confirm ?
thanks
amar
dear amar pl refer www.lakshadweeptourism.com for the contact numbers....... otherwise let me know... i will find out...... but u wont be getting any written confirmation right now.. u have to trust the local booking agent for it....
Hi,
I have booked the Marine Wealth Awareness package for the second week of Jan'10. I would be flying to Cochin.
I have a few questions.
Which Jetty does MV Kavaratti leave from.
How far is this place from the airport and what is the best way to get there.
Are there any decent homestays around this place.
BR,
Sanket.
I have booked the Marine Wealth Awareness package for the second week of Jan'10. I would be flying to Cochin.
I have a few questions.
Which Jetty does MV Kavaratti leave from.
How far is this place from the airport and what is the best way to get there.
Are there any decent homestays around this place.
BR,
Sanket.
#45
Apr 13th, 2011, 07:07 "I'll sleep when I'm dead."
- Join Date:
- Apr 2011
- Location:
- australia
- Posts:
- 4
Ta an interesting review and pics.
My question is:
Are there sandflies/nik niks/midges etc on these beautifull beaches during the daytime?
They love me,and the bites become very bad.I have been bitten on many beautifull tropical beaches worldwide before,so are wary.
My question is:
Are there sandflies/nik niks/midges etc on these beautifull beaches during the daytime?
They love me,and the bites become very bad.I have been bitten on many beautifull tropical beaches worldwide before,so are wary.
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