Andaman Birding Tour 5Nights/6Days
Andaman Birding Tour 5Nights/6Days
No. of days
6
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
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Overview
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located over 1,200 km off the east coast of mainland India, are a true birding paradise. This unique archipelago hosts about 21 endemic bird species—more than most mainland birding hotspots, except possibly the Western Ghats. Its incredible diversity is due to its isolation, with over 572 islands surrounded by the Bay of Bengal. This isolation has allowed many bird species to evolve exclusively here, making the Andamans a must-visit destination for bird lovers worldwide.
With approximately 270 bird species recorded, this six-day tour explores South Andaman’s lush evergreen forests, vibrant coastal mangroves, wetlands, and forest edges. Our expert guides will lead morning and evening birding sessions to spot a wide range of endemic and migratory birds, including elusive nocturnal species during special night birding sessions.
Trip Highlights
- Witness over 20 endemic bird species unique to the Andaman Islands.
- Explore diverse habitats: tropical forests, mangroves, wetlands, and coastal areas.
- Enjoy night birding for rare owls and the Andaman Nightjar.
- Visit top birding spots like Chidiya Tapu, Kalatang, Shoal Bay, and Ferrargunj Reserve.
- Spot iconic birds like Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Drongo, Andaman Serpent Eagle, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, and many others.
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Birding at Chidiya Tapu
We will start our journey with arrival at Port Blair airport. After settling into our accommodation, we head to Chidiya Tapu Reserve Forest also Known as the “Bird Island,” it is one of the top birdwatching destinations of Andaman. Chidiya Tapu offers dense tropical evergreen forests and coastal mangroves, making it ideal for birding. Here, we search for endemic species such as Andaman Drongo, Andaman Shama, Andaman Bulbul, Andaman Serpent Eagle, Andaman Flowerpecker, and White-headed Starling. The area also offers stunning sunset views and excellent opportunities for nocturnal birding. At dusk, we seek rare night birds like the Andaman Masked Owl, Andaman Scops Owl, Andaman Boobook, and the elusive Andaman Nightjar before returning to our accommodation.
Day 2: Birding at Kalatang, Sippighat, and Nayasahar
Our day starts early at Kalatang. This area is dense with wild fruit trees and provides perfect cover for elusive species including Andaman Crake and the Ruddy Kingfisher, often found in the surrounding mangrove patches. Next, we visit the vital Sippighat wetlands, a key salt marsh habitat home to the endemic Andaman Teal along with a variety of waterbirds including Yellow Bittern, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Wood Sandpiper, Common Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, Chinese Pond Heron, Dusky Warbler, White-bellied Sea Eagle, and Pacific Golden Plover. As dusk approaches, we’ll enjoy nocturnal birding near Nayasahar, seeking out night birds and owls to enrich our birdwatching experience.
Day 3: Shoal Bay, Ograbrach, and Jirkatang
At dawn, we explore Shoal Bay, featuring a unique mix of dense tropical evergreen forests, mangroves, and open forest edges. This diverse habitat supports many Andaman endemics including Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Serpent Eagle, White-headed Starling, Andaman Bulbul, Andaman Shama, Andaman Drongo, and the rare Andaman Coucal. Additionally, migratory, resident, and wading birds such as Common Redshank, Long-toed Stint, Red-necked Stint, Black-winged Stilt, Terek Sandpiper, Tibetan Sand Plover, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Red-throated Pipits, and White-nest Swiftlet are regularly sighted here.
In the evening, Ograbrach wetlands reveal a rich diversity of waterbirds and shorebirds including the endemic Andaman Teal along with multiple species of sandpipers and plovers adapted to this wetland ecosystem. Night birding at Jirkatang provides exciting chances to spot rare owls such as Andaman Scops Owl, Andaman Boobook, Hume’s Boobook, Andaman Masked Owl, and Walden’s Scops Owl, completing a full day of immersive birding.
Day 4: Birding at Chidiya Tapu and Garacharma Wetlands
We revisit Chidiya Tapu to explore its lush forest patches in search of any missed endemics including the Andaman Treepie, Andaman Wood Pigeon, Andaman Green Pigeon, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Cuckoo-shrike, and the colorful Andaman Flowerpecker. The mature forests and mangroves are home to a variety of resident birds like the Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Scarlet Minivet, Ashy Minivet, Small Minivet, Orange Minivet, Black-naped Oriole, Indian White-eye, Asian Brown Flycatcher, and Black-naped Monarch Flycatcher.
In the afternoon, we explore the tranquil Garacharma wetlands. This area of freshwater marshes and reedbeds shelters diverse warblers, pipits, stonechats, and wagtails such as the Black-browed Reed Warbler, Thick-billed Warbler, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Oriental Reed Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Richard’s Pipit, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, and Amur Stonechat, alongside other common wetland and shorebirds. Night birding continues to look for any remaining owls and nightjar before returning to our base.
Day 5: Ferrargunj Reserve Forest or Mount Manipur National Park and Sippighat Wetland
Our morning will be spent at either Ferrargunj Reserve Forest or Mount Manipur National Park. Ferrargunj’s mixed dry deciduous habitat and Mount Manipur’s dense evergreen forests with towering trees and lush undergrowth harbor sought-after species like the majestic Andaman Serpent Eagle, shy Andaman Crake, and vibrant birds like the Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Flowerpecker, Andaman Shama, Andaman Bulbul, and Andaman Wood Pigeon.
In the evening, we return to the extensive Sippighat wetlands, characterized by thick reeds and mudflats, attracting a variety of terns such as Little Tern, Black-naped Tern, Gull-billed Tern, and Whiskered Tern, as well as elusive crakes like Ruddy-breasted Crake and Baillon’s Crake, and shorebirds including the Broad-billed Sandpiper, Watercock, Slaty-breasted Rail, Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, Red-throated Pipit, and Bluethroat—making a perfect finale to our birding journey.
Day 6: Travel to Velavadar National Park – Evening Harrier Roost
Journey to Velavadar National Park, famous for blackbuck conservation. Afternoon birding focuses on birds of prey including Montagu’s Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Black-winged Kite, Short-toed Snake Eagle, and shrikes like Great Grey Shrike and Long-tailed Shrike. Witness one of the world’s largest harrier roosts at sunset. Mammals like Indian Grey Wolf, Striped Hyena, Bengal Fox, and Golden Jackal may be spotted.
Day 6: Departure
After a nourishing breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the mainland. If your flight is scheduled later in the day, you may choose to join an optional half-day birding tour for a final chance to enjoy the vibrant and unique birdlife of the Andaman Islands.
No. of days
6
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
Overview
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located over 1,200 km off the east coast of mainland India, are a true birding paradise. This unique archipelago hosts about 21 endemic bird species—more than most mainland birding hotspots, except possibly the Western Ghats. Its incredible diversity is due to its isolation, with over 572 islands surrounded by the Bay of Bengal. This isolation has allowed many bird species to evolve exclusively here, making the Andamans a must-visit destination for bird lovers worldwide.
With approximately 270 bird species recorded, this six-day tour explores South Andaman’s lush evergreen forests, vibrant coastal mangroves, wetlands, and forest edges. Our expert guides will lead morning and evening birding sessions to spot a wide range of endemic and migratory birds, including elusive nocturnal species during special night birding sessions.
Trip Highlights
- Witness over 20 endemic bird species unique to the Andaman Islands.
- Explore diverse habitats: tropical forests, mangroves, wetlands, and coastal areas.
- Enjoy night birding for rare owls and the Andaman Nightjar.
- Visit top birding spots like Chidiya Tapu, Kalatang, Shoal Bay, and Ferrargunj Reserve.
- Spot iconic birds like Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Drongo, Andaman Serpent Eagle, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, and many others.
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Birding at Chidiya Tapu
We will start our journey with arrival at Port Blair airport. After settling into our accommodation, we head to Chidiya Tapu Reserve Forest also Known as the “Bird Island,” it is one of the top birdwatching destinations of Andaman. Chidiya Tapu offers dense tropical evergreen forests and coastal mangroves, making it ideal for birding. Here, we search for endemic species such as Andaman Drongo, Andaman Shama, Andaman Bulbul, Andaman Serpent Eagle, Andaman Flowerpecker, and White-headed Starling. The area also offers stunning sunset views and excellent opportunities for nocturnal birding. At dusk, we seek rare night birds like the Andaman Masked Owl, Andaman Scops Owl, Andaman Boobook, and the elusive Andaman Nightjar before returning to our accommodation.
Day 2: Birding at Kalatang, Sippighat, and Nayasahar
Our day starts early at Kalatang. This area is dense with wild fruit trees and provides perfect cover for elusive species including Andaman Crake and the Ruddy Kingfisher, often found in the surrounding mangrove patches. Next, we visit the vital Sippighat wetlands, a key salt marsh habitat home to the endemic Andaman Teal along with a variety of waterbirds including Yellow Bittern, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Wood Sandpiper, Common Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Brahminy Kite, Chinese Pond Heron, Dusky Warbler, White-bellied Sea Eagle, and Pacific Golden Plover. As dusk approaches, we’ll enjoy nocturnal birding near Nayasahar, seeking out night birds and owls to enrich our birdwatching experience.
Day 3: Shoal Bay, Ograbrach, and Jirkatang
At dawn, we explore Shoal Bay, featuring a unique mix of dense tropical evergreen forests, mangroves, and open forest edges. This diverse habitat supports many Andaman endemics including Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Serpent Eagle, White-headed Starling, Andaman Bulbul, Andaman Shama, Andaman Drongo, and the rare Andaman Coucal. Additionally, migratory, resident, and wading birds such as Common Redshank, Long-toed Stint, Red-necked Stint, Black-winged Stilt, Terek Sandpiper, Tibetan Sand Plover, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Red-throated Pipits, and White-nest Swiftlet are regularly sighted here.
In the evening, Ograbrach wetlands reveal a rich diversity of waterbirds and shorebirds including the endemic Andaman Teal along with multiple species of sandpipers and plovers adapted to this wetland ecosystem. Night birding at Jirkatang provides exciting chances to spot rare owls such as Andaman Scops Owl, Andaman Boobook, Hume’s Boobook, Andaman Masked Owl, and Walden’s Scops Owl, completing a full day of immersive birding.
Day 4: Birding at Chidiya Tapu and Garacharma Wetlands
We revisit Chidiya Tapu to explore its lush forest patches in search of any missed endemics including the Andaman Treepie, Andaman Wood Pigeon, Andaman Green Pigeon, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Cuckoo-shrike, and the colorful Andaman Flowerpecker. The mature forests and mangroves are home to a variety of resident birds like the Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Scarlet Minivet, Ashy Minivet, Small Minivet, Orange Minivet, Black-naped Oriole, Indian White-eye, Asian Brown Flycatcher, and Black-naped Monarch Flycatcher.
In the afternoon, we explore the tranquil Garacharma wetlands. This area of freshwater marshes and reedbeds shelters diverse warblers, pipits, stonechats, and wagtails such as the Black-browed Reed Warbler, Thick-billed Warbler, Clamorous Reed Warbler, Oriental Reed Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Richard’s Pipit, Eastern Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, and Amur Stonechat, alongside other common wetland and shorebirds. Night birding continues to look for any remaining owls and nightjar before returning to our base.
Day 5: Ferrargunj Reserve Forest or Mount Manipur National Park and Sippighat Wetland
Our morning will be spent at either Ferrargunj Reserve Forest or Mount Manipur National Park. Ferrargunj’s mixed dry deciduous habitat and Mount Manipur’s dense evergreen forests with towering trees and lush undergrowth harbor sought-after species like the majestic Andaman Serpent Eagle, shy Andaman Crake, and vibrant birds like the Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Flowerpecker, Andaman Shama, Andaman Bulbul, and Andaman Wood Pigeon.
In the evening, we return to the extensive Sippighat wetlands, characterized by thick reeds and mudflats, attracting a variety of terns such as Little Tern, Black-naped Tern, Gull-billed Tern, and Whiskered Tern, as well as elusive crakes like Ruddy-breasted Crake and Baillon’s Crake, and shorebirds including the Broad-billed Sandpiper, Watercock, Slaty-breasted Rail, Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, Red-throated Pipit, and Bluethroat—making a perfect finale to our birding journey.
Day 6: Travel to Velavadar National Park – Evening Harrier Roost
Journey to Velavadar National Park, famous for blackbuck conservation. Afternoon birding focuses on birds of prey including Montagu’s Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Black-winged Kite, Short-toed Snake Eagle, and shrikes like Great Grey Shrike and Long-tailed Shrike. Witness one of the world’s largest harrier roosts at sunset. Mammals like Indian Grey Wolf, Striped Hyena, Bengal Fox, and Golden Jackal may be spotted.
Day 6: Departure
After a nourishing breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the mainland. If your flight is scheduled later in the day, you may choose to join an optional half-day birding tour for a final chance to enjoy the vibrant and unique birdlife of the Andaman Islands.
