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Saddle Peak is the highest point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at 732 metres, and the trek to its summit is the main reason serious travellers add Diglipur to their itinerary. The climb is a full day of walking through evergreen forest, so it needs a proper plan. You need a forest permit, an early start, a confirmed stay near Kalipur, and a return before the forest closes for the day. This guide covers all of that, so you can lock in your dates with confidence and book with Andaman Discover once you are ready.
Saddle Peak at a Glance
Saddle Peak rises on North Andaman Island, inside Saddle Peak National Park, close to the town of Diglipur. Its height of 732 metres makes it the tallest point in the archipelago, and it is also described as the highest point in the Bay of Bengal island chain. According to the Britannica entry on Saddle Peak, it sits in the northern Andaman group, and the PeakVisor record lists it as the number one peak by both elevation and prominence in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The trek is roughly 8 to 9 km one way from the park entrance, which means 16 to 18 km for the round trip. Most hikers need 8 to 10 hours in total. The grade is moderate to difficult, mainly because of the long steady climb in humid air. You do not need technical skills or equipment, but you do need stamina and a start before sunrise.
Where Saddle Peak Is Located
If you are wondering where Saddle Peak is located, the answer is Diglipur, in the North and Middle Andaman administrative district. The mountain is about 300 km from Sri Vijaya Puram (the city formerly known as Port Blair), and the trailhead is near Lamiya Bay, a short drive from Kalipur Beach.
This location shapes your booking in three ways. First, Diglipur is far from the capital, so transfers take most of a day. Second, accommodation is concentrated in and around Kalipur, which is also the best base for the trek. Third, the region has other strong attractions, including Ross and Smith Islands, Alfred Caves, a mud volcano and turtle nesting beaches, so a two or three night stay gives you far better value than a rushed overnight visit.
Saddle Peak National Park: Rules You Must Plan Around
Saddle Peak National Park protects the forest around the mountain, and access is controlled. The rules are simple, but missing any one of them can end your trek before it starts.
Permit and Entry
Visitors must register and obtain a permit from the Forest Department. The registration counter sits near the park entrance by Lamiya Bay, and a forest office in Diglipur also handles it. Carry a government photo ID, and foreign nationals should keep their passport on hand. Entry fees have changed over the years and published figures vary between sources, so treat any number you see online as a rough guide and confirm the current amount at the counter. The fee is small compared with the cost of your transfers and stay.
Daylight and Entry Window The park allows day visits only, and overnight camping is not permitted. The forest counter generally opens early in the morning and issues permits only until the early afternoon, so a late arrival can mean no trek at all. Many operators advise that trekkers should be back at the base before about 4:30 pm. Sunset in the Andamans comes early, close to 5 pm for much of the year, and the lower forest gets dark quickly.
Guide Requirements A guide is not always legally required for the main trail, and some trekkers walk it independently in dry weather. A guide is still worth hiring for first-timers. They know where to rest, which viewpoints are worth the pause, how to handle a stream crossing after rain, and what to do if the trail is wet or the summit is clouded over. For groups travelling through an operator, the guide and park formalities are usually handled for you.
The Saddle Peak Trail, Stage by Stage
Understanding the trail helps you pace yourself and judge whether you can finish within the daylight window.
Stage One: The Coastal Walk
The trek begins near Lamiya Bay. You walk along the shoreline and through coastal forest for about an hour and a half on mostly level ground. Saddle Peak is visible ahead on the beach section, and Kalipur Beach and Craggy Island are visible behind you. Signboards mark the distance to the summit as you go. This stretch is easy, and it is where many people make the mistake of walking too fast and arriving at the climb already tired.
Stage Two: The Stream and the Climb
After the stream crossing, the real ascent begins. The path rises through dense rainforest with huge buttressed trees that keep the trail shaded even at midday. A few simple rest shelters appear along the way, and the trail passes a small settlement inside the park. Expect steady uphill walking for roughly three hours before you reach the first major viewpoint.
Stage Three: The Viewpoints and the Summit The first viewpoint, marked as the east coast view, looks over the shoreline and sea. A second viewpoint shows the west coast. From there the summit is visible but still some distance away, and the final stretch takes another three hours or so at a moderate pace. At the top, a sign marks 732 metres. Cloud and mist often sit on the summit, so views vary by day. Reviews from trekkers agree on one point: the walk itself, with its butterflies, large trees and forest sounds, is as rewarding as the panorama.
Is the Saddle Peak Trek Hard? The trek is rated moderate to difficult, but the difficulty is about endurance, not technique. The gradient is steady rather than technical, and there are no rock faces or exposed edges. The challenge is heat, humidity and distance. If you can walk 15 to 18 km on a normal day and you are comfortable with a six to eight hour continuous effort, you can complete this trek.
A few weeks of regular walking, stair climbing or light jogging before your trip makes a real difference. Anyone with knee problems, heart conditions or breathing difficulties should check with a doctor first. The nearest community health centre is in Diglipur, and the closest large hospital is in Sri Vijaya Puram, so medical help is far from the trail.
Young children and older adults with limited stamina should skip the summit. They can still enjoy the first section of the trail, Lamiya Bay and the beaches nearby, which are part of the national park experience.
Best Time to Visit Saddle Peak The most reliable window is November to April, when rainfall is low, the trail is firmer and visibility is better. Because it is early October now, you are planning at the right moment. The post-monsoon months are when trail conditions improve, and the main tourist season builds from November through the new year. Rooms in Kalipur are limited, so December and January fill first.
The trek is technically possible in the wetter months, but the trail becomes slippery, streams rise, leeches become common, and the summit stays clouded more often. You can check seasonal rainfall patterns and cyclone advisories through the India Meteorological Department before you finalise dates. For general travel conditions across the islands, the Andaman and Nicobar tourism portal is the official reference.
If you want to combine the climb with turtle nesting at Kalipur, plan around the winter months, since nesting activity is seasonal and best checked with local forest staff at the time of booking.
How to Reach Diglipur and the Saddle Peak Trailhead
Diglipur is the northernmost tourist base in the Andamans, and the journey needs planning. You fly into Sri Vijaya Puram first, since that is the airport used by most visitors. From there you have two main choices.
The road route runs north along the Andaman Trunk Road. It crosses the Middle Strait and Kadamtala creek by ferry, passes through the Jarawa reserve section under strict convoy rules, and continues through Mayabunder to Diglipur. Expect a long day of 9 to 12 hours depending on convoy timing and ferry waits. The sea route uses ferries from Sri Vijaya Puram to Aerial Bay, which is the main jetty for Diglipur. Schedules and operators change by season, so confirm departures close to your travel date.
From Aerial Bay or Diglipur town, Kalipur is roughly 15 km away, and a local bus covers the short run from Kalipur to Lamiya Bay in about 10 minutes. The first bus runs very early in the morning, which matches the trek start time. A private cab removes the timing risk, and it is the better choice if you want to start before dawn.
Where to Stay Near Saddle Peak
Most trekkers stay in Kalipur, because it puts you within 10 to 15 minutes of the trailhead and next to the beach. If you searched for a Saddle Peak view resort, here is what matters in practice. Very few properties sit directly under the mountain, so "view" usually means a beachfront or garden property in Kalipur with the peak visible on a clear morning.
Judge a stay on four things rather than the name. Check the distance to Lamiya Bay and whether the resort can arrange a 5 am departure. Check whether it can pack a trek breakfast or early meal, since there are no shops on the trail. Look for reliable hot water and power for tired legs after a long hike. And ask whether the property can handle late returns, because many trekkers walk back into camp near dusk.
Properties around Kalipur range from government-run options to private beach resorts, and availability is tight in peak weeks. This is one of the strongest reasons to book through an operator who holds room allocations in advance.
A Practical Three-Day Diglipur Itinerary Built Around Saddle Peak
A single day in Diglipur is not enough. This pace protects your energy for the climb and uses the region well.
Day One: Arrival and Kalipur
Travel from Sri Vijaya Puram to Diglipur by road or ferry, depending on your plan. Check in at Kalipur, keep your ID copies ready for the permit, and sleep early. If you arrive with spare daylight, walk along Kalipur Beach and look at the mountain you will climb the next morning.
Day Two: Saddle Peak Trek
Leave before dawn so you begin the coastal walk around first light. Register at the forest counter, start the trail, and aim to reach the summit around midday. Begin the descent promptly, and plan to be back at the base before late afternoon. Return to the resort for a proper meal and an early night.
Day Three: Ross and Smith Islands or Alfred Caves
Use your recovery day for a lighter outing. The twin islands of Ross and Smith, joined by a sandbar that appears at low tide, are the signature day trip from Diglipur and need a permit and a boat. Our Ross and Smith Island guide explains the process. You can then travel back to Sri Vijaya Puram on day four, or extend your trip by a night for the mud volcano and turtle nesting.
Booking Yourself or Through a Local Operator
Independent travel to Diglipur works, but it carries more friction than most other Andaman destinations. Ferry tickets and Kalipur rooms sell out in season, public transport timing is tight, and a missed connection can cost you the trek day. For travellers with limited leave, that risk matters more than the price difference.
A local operator earns its fee in a few places. It confirms accommodation in Kalipur before you commit to flights. It aligns road transfers or ferries with your trek day so you are never rushing. It arranges the permit process and a guide, and it adjusts the plan if weather or trail conditions change. Andaman Discover builds these trips with local drivers and on-ground contacts, and you can see how Diglipur fits into a wider route on our Andaman tour packages page. If you already know you want a north-focused trip, the Diglipur tour package page is the better starting point, since it covers the trek, the islands and the transfers in a single plan.
What to Carry on the Trek
Pack light but pack correctly. Wear broken-in trail shoes or sturdy sneakers with grip, because the forest floor is damp and uneven, and bring a spare pair of socks. Carry at least 2 to 3 litres of water per person, since there are no shops on the route, plus salty snacks, fruit and a packed meal. Add a light rain jacket, a hat, insect repellent, a small first aid kit with blister cover and electrolyte sachets, and a torch or phone light in case your return runs late. Keep your ID, permit and some cash in a waterproof pouch. Mobile coverage is unreliable on the trail, so download offline maps before you leave Kalipur
Safety and Responsible Trekking
The trail is considered safe, and reviewers note there are no large predatory land animals on the route. The real risks are dehydration, fatigue, slipping on wet ground and starting too late. Keep your group together, turn back if the weather deteriorates, and never leave the marked trail. Carry out every wrapper and bottle, avoid picking plants or disturbing wildlife, and keep noise low. The park shelters rare flora and bird species, including the Andaman hill myna, and the Kalpong River, the largest river in the islands, begins in these hills. For a trekker-written trail description with distance markers and viewpoint notes, Indiahikes has a detailed Saddle Peak trek guide. For background on the park itself, see the Saddle Peak National Park entry on Wikipedia.
Ready to Book Your Saddle Peak Trek?
The first step is simple. Pick your travel window between November and April, decide how many nights you can give Diglipur, and send those details to Andaman Discover. We will confirm Kalipur accommodation, align your transfers with the trek day, and handle the permit and guide arrangements, so your only job on the day is walking. Rooms near the trailhead are limited, and the best dates in December and January go first, so an early enquiry gives you the most choice. Request your Saddle Peak itinerary and quote
Frequently Asked Questions About Saddle Peak
Where is Saddle Peak located?
Saddle Peak is located on North Andaman Island, near Diglipur, inside Saddle Peak National Park. It is about 300 km from Sri Vijaya Puram, and the trailhead is near Lamiya Bay, a short drive from Kalipur.
How high is Saddle Peak?
Saddle Peak is 732 metres high. It is the highest point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
How long does the Saddle Peak trek take?
Most trekkers need 8 to 10 hours for the round trip. The one-way distance is about 8 to 9 km, with roughly 6 to 7 hours of walking to reach the summit at a steady pace, depending on rest stops and weather.
Do I need a permit for Saddle Peak National Park?
Yes. You must register and obtain a permit from the Forest Department before entering. Carry a valid photo ID, and keep your passport if you are a foreign national. Fees and counter timings change, so confirm them on the day.
Is a guide compulsory for the Saddle Peak trek?
A guide is not always strictly required on the main trail, but it is strongly advised for first-time trekkers and in wet conditions. Guided trips through an operator also simplify permits and safety.
What is the best time to trek Saddle Peak?
November to April is the best period, with drier trails and better visibility. The monsoon months bring slippery ground, leeches and frequent cloud at the summit.
Can I camp overnight at Saddle Peak?
No. Overnight stays are not permitted by the forest authorities, and the park allows day visits only. Plan to be back at the base before late afternoon.
Where should I stay for the Saddle Peak trek?
Kalipur is the most practical base, because it is close to the trailhead and the beach. If you are looking for a Saddle Peak view resort, prioritise early departure support, packed trek meals and proximity to Lamiya Bay over the name of the property.
How many days do I need in Diglipur?
Plan at least two nights, and ideally three. That gives you one full day for the trek and one for Ross and Smith Islands or Alfred Caves, with a buffer for travel.
