Chennai, Port Blair, Great Nicobar, Andaman
Andaman And Nicobar Islands Endemics Tour
Overview
While the Andaman Islands of India are often visited by birdwatchers searching for endemics, it is only in recent years that the Indian government has issued permits for those visiting from outside India.
This special exploratory tour concentrates on the Nicobar Islands, Great Nicobar in particular. 540 km by sea from Port Blair, the island of Great Nicobar is unexplored from a birdwatching perspective.
The key attractions of these islands are the additional endemic bird species, namely Nicobar Megapode, Great Nicobar Serpent Eagle, Nicobar Sparrowhawk, Nicobar Imperial Pigeon, Nicobar Parakeet, Nicobar Jungle Flycatcher, Nicobar Scops Owl and Nicobar Bulbul, plus the newly discovered and as yet undescribed ‘Great Nicobar Crake’.
Subject to weather, the tour starts by sailing to Great Nicobar as soon as possible, allowing a contingency for our return sailing being delayed or canceled!
In addition, we will also attempt to arrange a day trip by boat to visit the remote Narcondam Island, famous for the endemic Narcondam Hornbill. Although we may not land on the island, the hornbills are normally easily visible in the treetops, and in flight, from the boat.
Join this unique exploratory adventure and get the chance to go birding in places a few halves went before!
The exploration begins as you travel from Chennai to Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Travel by boat from Port Blair to the island of Great Nicobar. The island is largely unexplored by a birdwatching perspective.
Arrive on the island of Great Nicobar. Great Nicobar is the southernmost and the largest of the Nicobar Islands, and home to the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve. Like many island groups around the world, many of the birds in the Nicobars are endemic to the islands.
Key species: Nicobar Megapode, Great Nicobar Serpent Eagle, Nicobar Sparrowhawk, Nicobar Imperial Pigeon
Continue exploring and birding in Great Nicobar. Being the southernmost island of India, Great Nicobar is also home to Indira Point, the southernmost point in India. The ‘Great Nicobar Crake’ is a possible new species of crake that was described in 2012, but is as yet not accepted as a separate species. It does remain a possible and interesting sighting possibility.
Key species: Nicobar Parakeet, Nicobar Scops Owl, Nicobar Jungle Flycatcher, ‘Great Nicobar Crake’
Another day of exploration on Great Nicobar. Apart from many endemic birds, the island is also home to other interesting wildlife, such as Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque, Nicobar Tree Shrew, Saltwater Crocodile, and more.
Key species: Nicobar Bulbul, Edible-nest Swiftlet, White-headed Starling
Continue to enjoy the sights of Great Nicobar. The island has several rivers and undulating hills which add to the scenic beauty.
Key species: Great Nicobar Serpent Eagle, Nicobar Imperial Pigeon, Nicobar Scops Owl, Nicobar Jungle Flycatcher
It’s time to bid adieu to Great Nicobar and move back to the Andamans. Sail to Port Blair.
Arrive on the island of South Andaman. South Andaman is the most populated of the Andaman Islands. Chidiya Tapu, on the southern end of the island, is possibly the most popular birdwatching spot in the Andamans.
Key species: Andaman Wood Pigeon, Hume’s Hawk-Owl, Andaman Shama, Andaman Masked Owl
Continue exploring and birding on South Andaman. Apart from birdwatching, the island has amazing beaches and mesmerizing sunset views.
Key species: Andaman Shama, Andaman Hawk-Owl, Andaman Coucal, Andaman Flowerpecker
Enjoy your last day of birding on South Andaman. If possible, a day visit to Narcondam Island, home of the endemic Narcondam Hornbill, can be arranged. We will not be allowed to land on the island, but views of these beautiful hornbills should be possible by boat.
Key species: Narcondam Hornbill, Andaman Nightjar, Andaman Treepie, Andaman Scops Owl
This tour ends as you depart from Port Blair to Chennai or Kolkata.
Highlights
- Spectacular birdwatching, with the chance of endemic species like Narcondam Hornbill, Great Nicobar Serpent Eagle, Nicobar Megapode, and more.
- The chance to be on a one-of-a-kind exploratory tour,
- Chance to explore rarely-visited places
Included
Video
Location
Stories
Ladakh
North India, the land of Ladakh, looks as though it was made for birdwatching and photography.
Gir National Park Gujarat
Sometimes it is not just the species spotted but also the amazing moments. Some of our guests had the unique opportunity to witness the mating of Asiatic Lions in the Gir Forest, truly a special moment.
Delhi
Surajpur is an amazing wetland close to the nation’s capital. Apart from being one of the monsoon homes for the Bristled Grassbird, it is also home to another sought-after species: the Bengal Bush Lark.
Rajasthan
One advantage of living near the birding hotspot of Bharatpur is that you can see some amazing birds, like the graceful Sarus Crane, in your backyard during this lockdown
