Andaman Teal_QDS - web edit 180x450(5pi).jpg

Andaman Teal © Leio De Souza

India: South

Endemics of the Andaman Islands

A 5-day small group birding tour (or tour extension) focusing on the impressive number of endemics of the idyllic Andaman and Nicobar archipelago readily available on the easily accessible island of South Andaman.

Swathed in tropical forest, the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is made up of more than 500 remote islands, part of a submarine mountain range extending from Myanmar to Sumatra that divides the Bay of Bengal from the Andaman Sea. The considerable number of endemic species they hold have evolved here out of sheer isolation, and with only very few islands inhabited they are afforded considerable protection due to inaccessibility and the extensive cover of natural vegetation.

Our tour is an intense but enjoyable exploration of South Andaman, the third largest island in the Andaman and Nicobar chain. On South Andaman, we will focus on the 20 of 29 Andaman and Nicobar endemics and near-endemics available in the coastal rainforests and mangroves of this tropical island paradise, including the imaginatively named Andaman Crake, Andaman Teal, Andaman Woodpecker and Andaman Boobook. These islands still retain affinities to Myanmar, to which they are geographically close and were once connected, and among the rich and varied avifauna we’ll also find an interesting mix of species, such as Mangrove Whistler and Asian Glossy Starling, more commonly associated with Southeast Asia than India.

This short tour can also be linked with India - south: The Western Ghats and/or Sri Lanka: Endemic Birds and Mammals to create a comprehensive itinerary covering the regional specialities of the southern portion of the Indian subcontinent.

REQUEST INFO / BOOK THIS TOUR

Group size: Our group size limit for all tours is 8 participants accompanied by 1 leader. Our tour prices are based on min. 6 participants, however we often confirm tours for 4/5 participants providing each group member agrees to pay an additional small group surcharge (which may be 5-20% of the 6-8 person tour price). Custom/private tours can be arranged for any group size.

Tour grading: Easy. All birding will be on foot along quiet, paved roads or well marked forest trails; the tour is intensive in terms of time spent in the field, at times in hot, humid conditions.

Accommodation & ground transport: Comfortable good to medium standard hotels throughout, all with private facilities. Road transport is by comfortable modern car(s) or minibus, with road conditions generally good.

Weather: The climate of the Andaman Islands is tropical monsoon, with little variation in temperature throughout the year. Daytime temperatures are hot across the islands, cooling off a little overnight. Rainfall is concentrated throughout India's June to September and less intense October to December monsoons. January to March is generally dry, but some amount of rain should be anticipated throughout the year. Humidity is high throughout the islands, but alleviated by gentle sea breezes.

Birds: 110-130

Mammals: 0-5

Photography: Good

Enjoyable, relaxed yet productive birding in a tropical island setting.

Realistic chances of seeing all 20 of the 29 species endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago available on South Andaman, including Andaman Teal, Andaman Crake, Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Andaman Drongo, Andaman Treepie, Andaman Cuckooshrike and Andaman Shama.

An impressive selection of endemic night birds, including Andaman and Hume's Boobooks, Andaman and Walden's (Oriental) Scops-Owls, and Andaman Masked Owl.

Up to seven species of kingfisher in flooded fields, mangroves and forest waterways, including shy Ruddy, localised Collared, Blue-eared and Black-backed Dwarf.

An interesting selection of species more usually associated with Southeast Asia than India, such as Chinese Pond Heron, Mangrove Whistler, Pied Imperial-Pigeon, Asian Glossy Starling, Long-tailed Parakeet, Olive-backed Sunbird, Plume-toed and White-nest Swiftlets, and White-breasted Woodswallow.

Birding in one of India's most interesting areas, from lush littoral rainforest and mangroves to dense tropical forests inland with clear affinities to Myanmar, surrounded by balmy waters and blue skies, and with a glimpse of the islands' fascinating history as a British penal colony.

Day 1: Arrive Port Blair

Arrivals into Port Blair airport this morning (flying from Bangalore if linking with India - south: The Western Ghats). Port Blair will be our base for a four-night stay on South Andaman, and this afternoon we can expect a good introduction to the islands’ more widespread birds, such as Dusky Warbler, Long-tailed Parakeet, Asian Glossy Starling, Black-capped and Stork-billed Kingfishers, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Pacific Reef-Heron, Watercock, Grey-headed Swamphen, a selection of waders that might include Curlew and Marsh Sandpipers, Greater and Tibetan Sand-Plovers, and Kentish Plover, plus our first endemics, perhaps Andaman Drongo or White-headed Starling.

Days 2-4: South Andaman

We have three full days on South Andaman to explore sites further afield. We will make several visits to the coastal rainforests of Chidiya Tapu to the south of the island, looking for Andaman Serpent-Eagle, Andaman Coucal, Andaman Woodpecker, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Andaman Treepie, Andaman Shama, Andaman Bulbul, and the elusive Andaman Crake foraging in the leaf litter. Lingering here after dusk, we hope to locate the islands' incredible array of endemic night birds: Andaman Nightjar, Andaman and Hume’s Boobooks, Andaman Scops-Owl and the endemic 'Walden's' race of Oriental Scops-Owl.

Elsewhere on the island, good patches of tropical evergreen hill forests host Andaman flowerpecker, Andaman Green-Pigeon, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Asian Emerald and Violet Cuckoos, Blyth's Paradise-Flycatcher, and Forest Wagtail, and we will be scanning the skies for Andaman Woodpigeon, Pied Imperial-Pigeon, Plume-toed and White-nest Swiftlets, Brown-backed and less regular White-throated Needletails, Changeable Hawk-Eagle and Black Baza.

Throughout South Andaman, mangrove-lined creeks, marshes and flooded fields host flocks of Andaman Teal, Red-necked and Long-toed Stints, Terek and Broad-billed Sandpipers, Ruddy and Collared Kingfishers, Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, Chinese Pond-Heron, Yellow and Cinnamon Bitterns, Black-browed, Oriental and Clamorous Reed Warblers, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, and Mangrove Whistler. With the islands' interesting geographical position, we can also expect to encounter several species with Southeast Asian affinity, perhaps including Olive-backed Sunbird, Mangrove Whistler, and White-breasted Woodswallow.

Day 5: Depart Port Blair

Depending on group departure plans we may have time for some final birding around Port Blair this morning. Departures from Port Blair today.

Linked tour (India - south: The Western Ghats):

This short tour can be combined with our tour of India - south: The Western Ghats to create a comprehensive 14 night/15 day Southern India birding tour that covers the endemics of both regions. These can be further combined with Sri Lanka: Endemic Birds and Mammals, to create a tour that covers the entire southern portion of the Indian subcontinent and its speciality species. If combining tours, on day 1 we will fly into Port Blair from Bangalore.

Tuesday 2 February - Saturday 6 February 2027

with Leio De Souza

2028: TBA

with Leio De Souza

TOUR PRICE:

2026: INR 98000 per person sharing (approx. $ 1145 / £ 845 / € 1005)*

Duration: 4 nights/5 days

Group size: min. 6 / max. 8 with 1 leader

Single room supplement: INR 20000 (approx. $ 235 / £ 170 / € 205)*

Deposit: 20% of the tour price

Linked tour (India - south: The Western Ghats):

This tour can be combined with our tour of India - south: The Western Ghats to create a comprehensive tour that covers all Western Ghats endemics together with all accessible Andaman & Nicobar Archipelago endemics. Discount of INR 12000 (approx. $ 140 / £ 105 / € 120)* when purchasing both tours. Both of these tours can also be joined to Sri Lanka: Endemic Birds and Mammals

*The tour is priced in Indian Rupees (INR). Amounts shown in other currencies are indicative.

The tour price includes:

All accommodation (4 nights)
All meals and drinking water
Ground transportation, including airport transfers on arrival and departure
Accompaniment by tour leader throughout
All birding and wildlife activities as described in the itinerary
All reserve entry fees
Day to day gratuities (such as tips to hotels, restaurants, drivers etc.)
Comprehensive tour info, pre-travel notes and species checklists

The tour price excludes:

International airfare
Domestic flight to/from Port Blair (via Bangalore if linking with India - south: The Western Ghats)
Any associated baggage charges (such as excess baggage fees)
Visa fees (see below)
Travel insurance
Drinks other that water, snacks
Items or expenses of a personal nature (such as laundry, Wi-Fi access etc.)
A tip for your tour leader