The Andaman and Nicobar Administration’s Department of Tourism, in collaboration with the Department of Environment & Forests and MY Bharat, has announced the Island Trekking Festival 2025, to be held on November 15 at Mt. Manipur. The event, scheduled from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., seeks to promote eco-adventure tourism and encourage young islanders to connect with the region’s rich biodiversity and heritage.
Mt. Manipur, known for its scenic landscape and historic importance, has been chosen as the venue to highlight the Islands’ natural charm while commemorating its role in the region’s history. The festival will feature a carefully guided trek through the trail, combining ecological exploration with insights into the area’s historical and cultural backdrop.
The event aims to inspire local youth to consider eco-guiding and adventure guiding as potential career paths, aligning with the Administration’s long-term vision of sustainable tourism development. With limited participation capped at 30 persons, the festival intends to ensure an intimate and eco-friendly experience for those taking part. The selection will be based on a first-come-first-served registration system, with participants including local youth, trekking enthusiasts, tour operators, and visiting tourists. All participants will receive certificates issued by the Department of Tourism in recognition of their contribution to the eco-tourism initiative.
Transportation has been arranged for participants, with a bus scheduled to depart from Bambooflat Bus Terminus to the Forest Gate at Mt. Manipur, and return after the event. Light refreshments will be provided to all participants, while they are encouraged to carry personal snacks and water bottles for convenience.
Officials from the Department of Environment & Forests will accompany the trekkers to provide expert guidance and share insights into the ecological and biological diversity of the area. This joint departmental collaboration emphasizes the importance of environmental education alongside tourism promotion.
Safety and well-being remain a top priority for organizers. The Department of Tourism has coordinated with the Health Department to establish comprehensive first-aid and safety measures at the site. The initiative reflects the Administration’s efforts to develop adventure tourism responsibly, ensuring that visitors enjoy a secure yet authentic experience in the islands’ natural terrain.
Interested participants have been asked to complete their registration with the Department of Tourism by November 14, 2025. Registrations are open at the Directorate of IP&T, Sri Vijaya Puram, and through MY Bharat’s local coordinators. Contact points include the Manager (Operations), Directorate of IP&T (9933255364) and Coordinator, MY Bharat (9434286070).
The Island Trekking Festival also underscores the Administration’s push to transform adventure and eco-tourism into sustainable livelihood opportunities. Officials have indicated that the event could serve as a prototype for future guided eco-treks across other trails of the archipelago. Such activities are expected to enhance local employment in the tourism and hospitality sectors while cultivating environmental stewardship among the youth.
In recent years, Andaman and Nicobar Islands have witnessed growing interest in eco-adventure tourism, with trekking, diving, and birdwatching gaining traction among both domestic and foreign visitors. The upcoming festival seeks to capitalize on this momentum, projecting the islands not just as beach destinations but as diverse ecological and cultural landscapes.
By focusing on conservation-driven tourism, the Department of Tourism and its partners aim to showcase that economic growth and environmental preservation can coexist harmoniously. Through participatory programmes like the Island Trekking Festival, the Administration continues to blend recreation with education, ensuring that both locals and visitors experience the true essence of the islands, where adventure meets awareness.
