There are few birds that are as enigmatic as the Narcondam Hornbill. A bird that is found on just one 7 square-kilometre island in the middle of the Andaman Sea and nowhere else on the planet. A bird that has been seen by very few people.
Darter Photography invites you to Narcondam Adventure – an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the tiny volcanic island of Narcondam. The eastern most territory of India is accessible only via a privately chartered boat from Diglipur. As we sail eastward towards the rising sun, the island materializes from the horizon and the bright rays of the sun. And anticipation builds up to view one of the rarest birds in the planet, with the smallest distribution range of any bird in India.
Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair)
IXZ - Veer Savarkar International Airport
14 April 2027
18 April 2028
Suitable for wildlife photography
Accommodation on twin sharing basis in Sri Vijayapuram (Port Blair) on Days 1 and 4
Accommodation on twin sharing basis in Diglipur on Days 2 and 3
All meals on all days, starting with lunch on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 5
Travel from Sri Vijayapuram (Port Blair) to Diglipur and from Diglipur to Narcondam and back by chartered fly-fishing boat
Fees of birdwatching guide
All ground transport during the tour
Permits, forest entry and still camera fees
Photography sessions, on-field assistance and image reviews
All applicable taxes
Transport from your location to Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) and back
Additional beverages, snacks and mineral water
Medical and insurance costs
Gratuities and other expenses not mentioned in the includes list above
Arrival in Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) and check-in to the hotel. In the evening, we get together for a round of introductions, followed by an orientation session about the trip to Narcondam island and tips on photographing wildlife there. We retire early in preparation for an early start tomorrow. Overnight at Sri Vijayapuram (Port Blair).
We set sail from Sri Vijayapuram (Port Blair) early in the morning by our fly-fishing boat. We sail along the coast line of the main group of islands of Andaman to get to the northern-most point - Diglipur. We checkin to the resort and rest it out in preparation for the big day tomorrow. Overnight in Diglipur.
We start before sunrise today to sail eastward towards Narcondam Island. Once we arrive at the island and the formalities are completed, we can explore the island over the next few hours to photograph the Narcondam Hornbills. We might also see other species of birds there, including Pied Imperial Pigeons and Blue-winged Pittas.
We set sail around noon to return to Diglipur before dusk.
Overnight in Diglipur.
We set sail early from Diglipur to return to Sri Vijayapuram (Port Blair).
Overnight inSri Vijayapuram (Port Blair)
An exciting adventure to Narcondam Island, where few birders have ventured to before, comes to an end. Hopefully with your memory cards brimming with photos, your phones buzzing with selfies and your mind filled with unforgettable memories.
Please note that the itinerary above is subject to fair weather and other factors. Darter Photography reserves the right to make changes to the above itinerary at any point of time. Also, please note that photographs in the slideshow are indicative and dependent on various external factors.
This tour is for birders and bird photographers who want to explore Narcondam Island. Only Indian Citizens can travel on this expedition. Participants are not required to be experts in photography or carry professional equipment.
Beginners as well as serious photographers benefit from our personalised attention to photography sessions and on-field assistance. Non-photographers interested in exploring and experiencing Andaman and its birds are welcome too. This exclusive trip, covering one of the least visited places in the country, will keep you enthralled from start to finish.
As in all our tours, the group size would be limited so that the Darter Photography Expert can interact closely with every participant.
Narcondam Adventure is designed for photographers of all levels of expertise, amateur and serious, who would like to explore and photograph the Narcondam Hornbill. As in all our tours, the group size would be limited so that the Darter Photography Expert can interact closely with every participant.
Wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers who are not photographers, but are keen to see and experience Andaman, are also welcome to join this group.
Yes, you can. Wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers who are not photographers, but are keen to see and experience Narcondam Island, are also welcome to join this group.
Please note that we do not offer separate pricing for non-photographers.
Yes. If you are keen to see and experience Narcondam Island, you are welcome to join this group. This trip will keep you enthralled from start to finish. Please note that we do not offer separate pricing for non-photographers.
– 50% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations earlier than 60 days before the start of the tour.
– No refund for cancellation within 59 days of the tour start date or for a no-show.
Cancellations have to be communicated via an email to photography@darter.in. The date of email receipt in our account will be used to apply the cancellation policy mentioned above.
Shreeram MV is a professional photographer, photography mentor and naturalist. What started off as a fascination for birds in a lake behind his house turned into a journey across the natural world. For this IIM Bangalore graduate, the passion for travel and wildlife enabled him to charter his own course outside the corporate world. He has explored and photographed places across the world as diverse as the savannahs of Africa, the ice continent of Antarctica, the islands of New Zealand, the rainforests of the Western Ghats, the salt marshes of Kutch, the grasslands of Tal Chapar, the deciduous forests of South and Central India, the high-altitude plateau of Ladakh, the coasts of peninsular India, the forests of North-east India and the islands of Andaman. His approach to wildlife photography has evolved into telling stories about the place and its habitats, biodiversity and human interactions with nature. He is a well-published and awarded photographer. His articles and photographs have been published in diverse print and digital magazines such as National Geographic Traveller, Sanctuary Asia, Saevus, Lonely Planet India, Terrascape, Nature inFocus and JLR Explore. As a naturalist, he has been associated with Jungle Lodges and Resorts and Karnataka Eco-tourism Development Board in training and certifying naturalists from across the state. His approach to wildlife photography is to bring back photographs that tell stories – about the place and its habitats, the diversity of flora and fauna and human interactions with the wilderness. Composition and light are his favourite tools in crafting new perspectives of the natural world. His personalized style of mentorship, where he works with each participant’s individual interests and strengths, has been much appreciated over the years. See some of his work at Shreeram MV Photography
Experience wildlife photography at pristine biodiverse locations around the world.
Shreeram MV
+91 97400 83260Manish Lakhani
+91 99988 66669
I’ve been on several trips with Shreeram and Darter Photography, and every single one has been an incredibly satisfying experience. The knowledge and experience that Shreeram brings to these tours is truly phenomenal — his deep understanding of wildlife, photography, and the terrain adds immense value to every outing. He makes a genuine effort to ensure each participant is happy and fulfilled.
Highly recommended for anyone serious about wildlife photography and meaningful travel!
After Iceland, my expectations were sky-high. Borneo met them, and then some. This time it was Shreeram leading the way. He’s not just a legendary photographer; he’s a walking encyclopedia of wildlife, biology, and geography. Honestly, each of his trips should be worth college credits—it’s that immersive, informative, and inspiring. From bird tracking to rainforest ecology, it was a masterclass.
If you’re thinking of doing just one wildlife trip in your life, make it with Shreeram. Your perspective will shift—on travel, nature, photography, and maybe even yourself.
Darter is one of a kind! Me and my daughter have travelled with Darter twice and both our trips have been unforgettable Immersive experiences. Shreeram is a very conscientious person, a great mentor and plans his trips thoroughly. The Darter team is very conscious about the environment and engages very responsibly with the wildlife. This is in my opinion is what impressed me most and one of the main reasons I would choose Darter over anyone else.
Have done multiple darter trips over the years. Simply outstanding lifelong experiences. Keep going Darter team!!
I have been on many trips - in India and Internationally - with Darter Photography spanning broad themes of landscape, culture, and wildlife. My understanding of places, people, and wildlife has grown under their guidance as has my photography. BTW, you don't need to be a photographer to be on these tours. These trips are thoughtfully put together and led by their people with warmth, knowledge, and sensitivity. The fact that I have been on so many of their tours attests to the high regard I have for them.