07 Nights & 08 Days
Little Andaman + South Andaman Birding Tour
An Advanced Expedition Targeting Rare Endemics, Coastal Waders, and Secluded Island Habitats
For the dedicated birder and wildlife photographer, venturing beyond the main islands is where the real magic happens. This specialized 8-day expedition bridges the prime tropical rainforests of South Andaman with the rugged, remote wilderness of Little Andaman. By expanding your radar across both islands, you unlock access to distinct coastal, wetland, and deep-forest habitats, drastically increasing your chances of logging rare regional specialties, elusive night birds, and sought-after global migrants that few travelers ever get to see.
Expanding Your Horizons
While the main structural hubs around the capital offer incredible biodiversity, embarking on a journey to Little Andaman introduces a whole new layer of pristine isolation. The dense, less-frequented canopy patches and untouched coastlines here serve as a critical sanctuary for vulnerable and range-restricted species.
On this dual-island expedition, you will target a highly coveted list of birds, featuring a special focus on:
The Rare Nicobar Pigeon: A breathtaking, nomadic ground-dweller famed for its iridescent metallic green plumage.
The Beach Thick-knee: A large, uncommon shorebird that thrives along undisturbed, wild island beaches.
Exclusive Endemic Owls: Targeted nocturnal trailing across multiple distinct forest ecosystems to secure the region’s signature night birds.
DAY-WISE ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival at Port Blair & Boarding the Vessel
Welcome to the islands! Upon your arrival at the airport in Port Blair, you will have the day to settle in and rest at your leisure. Please note: Room accommodation and vehicle use for this initial arrival day are charged separately.
-
In the Evening: We gather to head to the harbor and board our ship bound for Little Andaman. Get ready for an authentic overnight voyage across the sea, setting the stage for a true island-hopping adventure.
-
Afternoon Session: We head straight out into the field to begin our introductory birding session, familiarizing ourselves with the island’s unique coastal edges and forest patch habitats.
Our core focus today is exploring specialized coastal and interior habitats to track down two massive highlights for your trip list: the elusive Beach Thick-knee and the spectacular, nomadic Nicobar Pigeon.
-
After Sunset: After an intense day in the field, we head back to the harbor to board our return ship for the overnight journey back to Port Blair.
-
Evening Session: As the day cools down, we head out for a focused evening birding session around nearby wetlands and marshes, scanning the reeds and shallow waters for active waders, herons, and wintering waterbirds.
-
Morning Session: We depart early in the morning for Shoal Bay, widely recognized as one of the absolute finest, high-yield tropical evergreen forest patches in South Andaman. We will look for canopy specialists and elusive forest floor dwellers.
-
Evening Session: We transition to the expansive Ograbranj Wetlands to map out resident waterbirds and incoming migratory species.
-
Night Session: As darkness falls, we launch a dedicated night birding trail into nearby woods, using specialized lights to search for the region’s incredible endemic owl species.
Today is an immersive, full-day exploration of Chidiya Tapu Biological Park and its rich surrounding forest and coastline trails.
We spend both the morning and afternoon sessions working our way through different forest roads and edge habitats to log a massive variety of resident raptors, parakeets, sunbirds, and starlings.
-
Night Session: Post-sunset, we extend our field hours into the dark, kicking off another intense nocturnal tracking session targeting our key endemic owls.
We head out for one final morning birding session around the productive wetlands of South Andaman to log our last few species. After returning to the hotel, you will check out. We will then arrange your transfer toward Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) as your primary birding tour successfully concludes.
DAILY EXPEDITION SCHEDULE
05:00 AM – 10:00 AM:
Morning Field Session (Packed breakfast provided in the field)
10:00 AM – 02:00 PM:
Midday Rest & Lunch at the Hotel
02:00 PM – 07:00 PM
Afternoon Field Session & Night Birding
Accommodations & Logistics
To ensure maximum field efficiency, this tour package covers your stays at comfortable, strategically located base camps:
Port Blair: AC Deluxe Room accommodation at Sea Lounge.
Little Andaman: Base camp accommodation at Hotel Sea Land.
WHAT TO PACK :
Always carry a set of high-strength mosquito repellent and hand sanitizer with you on all field sessions. Comfortable walking shoes in dark or earthy tones are highly recommended.
INCLUSIONS
✓ All Meals (Breakfast + Tea, Field/Hotel Lunch, Dinner)
✓ Private A/C vehicle for all transfers and birding routes
✓ Premium binoculars and high-power torches for night trailing
✓ All entry tickets, forest permits, and passes
✓ Fresh water and backup mosquito repellents
EXCLUSIONS
✗ Mainland flight tickets to/from Port Blair
✗ Personal expenses (Laundry, alcohol, extra snacks)
✗ Camera tickets/Forest equipment fees
India’s Last Birding Frontier, based in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands