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The Andaman & Nicobar are a group of picturesque Islands, big and small, inhabited and uninhabited, a total of 572 islands, islets and rocks lying in the South Eastern Part of the Bay of Bengal. They lie along an arc in long and narrow broken chain, approximately North-South over a distance nearly 800 kms. The isolation has helped evolve a large number of endemic birds on these islands. On the Andaman Islands Endemic Birding Tour, we will be visiting the Andaman Island in search of these birds especially the endemics - total of 20 in number. But since five occur only on the Nicobars (currently off-limits to foreigners), only 15 would be sighted. The notable areas visited during the Andaman Endemic Birding Tour are Mount Harriet, Sippi Ghat, Chidia Tapu, Farar Ganj & Havelock. The endemics include four owls and other species such as Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Crake and Andaman Serpent Eagle.
Itinerary
Kalypso Adventures welcomes you to an interesting and productive birding trip to the Andamans. This document provides information about your holiday including information about modes of transport, your guide and about the weather and equipment.
VISA
ALL VISITORS TO INDIA MUST OBTAIN A VISA BEFORE DEPARTURE
In addition, att Port Blair (Andaman Islands), you will need to fill in a few forms on arrival. No separate entry permit is required prior to arrival.
INFORMATION ON WEATHER, CLIMATE & CLOTHING
In general the weather will be warm and pleasant – hot during the day and pleasant during nights.
TEMPERATURE PATTERN
The Andamans being in the tropics, has a steady temperature throughout the year. The rainy season starts by May and goes on till October.
RAINFALL PATTERN
The monsoon months are from May to October, with June & ly being the peak rainy months.
DRESS
Cottons are recommended.
GUIDE
Your birding guide will be with you throughout the tour. He would be responsible for birding as well as sorting all your logistics during the tour.
ACCOMMODATION
All accommodation on the tour is a luxury hotel. All meals are included.
FOOD & WATER
Food provided by the hotel will be safe for you – there is little risk to your health. If you wish to buy your own food, snacks or beverages at any time, we recommend that you ask for advice from your guide. In general – hot beverages (tea and coffee) are fine.
HEALTH CONCERNS
General: India is located in south Asia. Its climate is mostly tropical or sub-tropical and subject to seasonal monsoon winds, especially the southwest rain during summer. (Dec to Mar are dry months)
India is an economically developing democratic republic and has worked very hard to control diseases. Adequate medical care is available in the major population centers, but is usually limited in the rural areas of the country. Many developed countries are utilizing the state-of-the-art medical services available in India. The cost of treatment is much cheaper here in comparison to the same facilities available in advanced countries.
The most important cause of illness of travelers in India is food and waterborne diseases. Viruses, bacteria, or parasites can cause diarrhea. Infections may cause simple diarrhea and vomiting, fever, or, in extreme cases, liver damage (hepatitis).
Malaria: The regions you will be passing is Malaria-free.
Insurance: We recommended that you take your insurance that covers illnesses and accidents abroad.
Precautions: During this birding trip you need not worry about your fitness if you take simple
Precautions.:-.
• Carry all the important prescriptions and OTC medicines. Do not forget to have the brand names as well as the generic names of the medicines one needs to have.
• Wear a sun hat when exposed.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink tap water. Use only bottled mineral water which is always kept in the back of your vehicle.
• Carry your personal medical kit and insect repellent.
• To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot.
• Do not eat food purchased from street vendors.
• Do not drink beverages with ice.
• Do not eat dairy products unless it is known that they have been pasteurized.
• Avoid handling animals (especially monkeys, dogs, and cats) to avoid bites and serious diseases.
VACCINATION FORMALITIES
Yellow fever: Although yellow fever does not occur in India, proof of appropriate vaccination may be required depending on countries visited before coming to India. Any person (except infants up to the age of six months) arriving by air or sea without a certificate is detained in isolation for a period up to six days if he or she:
• Arrives within six days of departure from an infected area, or
• Has been in such an area in transit.
• Has come on a ship which has started from or touched at any port in a yellow fever infected area within 30 days of its arrival in India provided such ship has not been disinfected in accordance with the procedure laid down by WHO, or has come by an aircraft that has been in an infected area and has not been disinfected in accordance with Indian or WHO regulations
The following countries and areas are regarded by India as infected:
Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central
African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador,
Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,
Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru,
Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan,
Surinam, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania,
Venezuela, Zaire, Zambia.
Malaria: The areas you pass through are malaria-free.
No other vaccination certificate is mandatory, though you may like to consult your doctor for inoculation against typhoid, hepatitis A, and meningitis. Visit your doctor at least 4-6 weeks before the trip to allow time for shots to take effect.
The following vaccinations can be thought about depending upon your doctor’s advice:-
• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG); Japanese encephalitis, only if planning to visit rural areas for four weeks or more;
• Rabies, if someone is exposed to wild or domestic animals during recreation.
Medical Information Update
Information given above are liable to change from time to time and one should contact the Indian missions of the respective country or the government tourist offices for more information.
LOGISTICS
Footwear
• Trekking/ walking or running shoes ( trainers)
• Campshoes or throngs ( flip-flops)
• Socks – Cotton. One pair woolen or polypropylene
Clothing
• Sweater or light jacket
• Hiking shorts or skirts
• Light Waterproof jacket / poncho
• Hiking pants
• T-shirts or Blouses
• Underwear
• Sunhat (wide brim preferable)
• Swimwear (optional)
Equipment
• Binoculars
• Small Rucksack (day pack)
• Water bottle
• Flashlight with spare batteries and bulb
Other items
• Toilet articles
• Lighter
• Swiss knife
• Sunblock ( at least SPF-35 for the higher altitudes)
• Hand Towels for day use
• Laundry soap
• Personal medical kit
• Pre-moistened towelets
• Sewing kit
• Bandana / sweatband
• Sun glasses
Optional gizmos
• Tripods/ telescopes & allied equipment
• Global positioning system GPS
• Thermometer
• Compass
• Laptop or Notebook for recording bird lists etc
Water Bottle: Suggest carry on person either in day pack or on belt.