: The Andamans 2025
Lying in the middle of the Andaman Sea, almost 1,100 kilometers to the east of Peninsular India, India's Andaman Islands are remote from the Indian subcontinent and, in fact, closer to southern Myanmar and Indonesian Sumatra than Mainland India itself. This isolation is reflected in its avifauna, which has more similarities with the Malaysian region than the Indian subcontinent. With over 20 endemic birds, including four species of owl and other spectacular birds such as Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Flowerpecker and Andaman Nightjar, a visit to the tropical Andaman Islands provides not just an outstanding environment to explore but also a fabulous place to photograph birds.
Endemics: Andaman Hawk Owl / Andaman Masked Owl / Andaman Scops Owl / Andaman Nightjar / Andaman Woodpecker / Andaman Treepie / Andaman Shama / Andaman Bulbul / Andaman Drongo / Andaman Teal / Andaman Flowerpecker / Andaman Coucal / Andaman Green Pigeon
Kingfishers: Ruddy Kingfisher / Stork-billed Kingfisher / Blue-eared Kingfisher / Collared Kingfisher
Parakeets: Long-tailed Parakeet / Red-breasted Parakeet
Waterbirds: Beach Stone Curlew / Black-naped Tern / Roseate Tern / Lesser Crested Tern / Brown Noddy
Others: Hume’s Hawk Owl / Oriental Scops Owl / Violet Cuckoo / Mangrove Whistler
Guiding Fees / Ground Transportation / Accommodation / Meals / Entrance Fees / Tipping for Drivers, Boatsmen, Hotel and Restaurant Staff.
International Flights / VISA Fees / Travel Insurance / Tips for Local Guide / Alcohol / Laundry / Items of a Personal Nature
Day 1 South Andaman Island (1N / 0D / 0S) Arrive in Port Blair, Transfer to Hotel [Overnight: Port Blair].
Days 2-7 Little Andaman Island (5N / 4D / 9S) Boat from Port Blair to Hutbay Port on Little Andaman Island [Overnight: Hutbay Port]. Photographic Targets: Andaman Masked Owl / Andaman Boobook / Walden's Scops Owl / Andaman Green Pigeon / Andaman Woodpecker / Beach Thick-knee / Red-breasted Parakeet / White-breasted Woodswallow.
Days 7-14 South Andaman Island (7N / 6D / 13S) Boat from Hutbay Port to Port Blair on South Andaman Island [Overnight: Port Blair]. Photographic Targets: Andaman Boobook / Hume’s Boobook / Andaman Scops Owl / Walden’s Scops Owl / Andaman Masked Owl / Andaman Nightjar / Andaman Coucal / Andaman Woodpecker / Andaman Treepie / Andaman Shama / Andaman Bulbul / Andaman Drongo / Andaman Teal / Andaman Flowerpecker / Black-naped Tern / Roseate tern / Greater Crested Tern / Lesser Crested Tern / Brown Noddy / Violet Cuckoo / Long-tailed Parakeet / Red-breasted Parakeet / Mangrove Whistler / Black-browed Reed Warbler.
[Key: N=Night, D=Full Day, S=Session / Half-Day]
Lobsang is an experienced guide with a first-class understanding of the needs of the bird photographer. One of India's top bird guides and currently serving as President of the Arunachal Pradesh Bird Club, Lobsang has a wealth of bird photography experience throughout India, particularly the bird-rich Himalayan region, growing up in Dirang and living not far away today in the mountains surrounding the Tenga Valley. Appointed as a Director and Shareholder of Bird-Photo-Tours Asia, Lobsang is 'India Managing Director' with particular responsibility for both India inbound and outbound Bird-Photo-Tours.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) None of the locations are at altitude (v) There is no camping.
