Herping & Macro Photography Tour - COORG

Dive into the world of Macro and indulge in monsoon’s bountiful experience at the enigmatic bio-diversity hotspot - Coorg. Referred to as the Scotland of India, Coorg is a tranquil small town cradled in the Western Ghats, famous mainly for its breath-taking sights, world class coffee, delicious cuisine and timeless culture but what makes it even more alluring are the forests, pulsating with life.

Join Bike N Hike, as we take you to experience the beauty of these forests in all its glory during the monsoon. The abundant and diverse wildlife of this stretch of the Western Ghats has been attracting many to its realm. The rain drenched forests and astounding mountain ranges form a unique ecosystem with numerous species of herps, birds, mammals and plants, making some endemic to this region as well. During this trip, we will explore the thickets of the forests, tread through streams and learn newer aspects of the amazing ‘macro’ world. There’s life at every step in these forests, be it the insects, beetles, scorpions, butterflies or even the colourful fungi and wild flowers. The nights transform in to an Opera incorporating many elements of nature with romancing croaks, snakes in their slithering act and moths dancing towards the lights. While we enjoy the opera, we may come across Snakes like Malabar Pit Viper, different species of Cat Snakes and endemic Shieldtails. The list of Amphibians in the Western Ghats is mesmerizing. It includes many endemic species as well as some new records and discoveries too. Ranging from Caecilians (Limbless amphibian) to Torrent Frogs, Bush Frogs and fantastic insect life; these forests are teeming with unique lesser-known fauna making it a haven for macro lovers.

This trip is bound to offer a gamut of photography opportunities that will not only hone your photographic talent but also enable you expand your knowledge in the field with experts and take home some astounding images. This tour is led by Amatya Sharma, whose love for amphibians is truly contagious. His knowledge of amphibians will give you a unique insight in to their world and photographs to bring back home. This trip is also mentored by Vipul Ramanuj who is a bio-diversity expert and wildlife photographer. Having spent enumerable hours in the field on various research projects and surveys, his extensive knowledge on Herpetofauna will not only maximise our opportunities to witness some amazing wildlife but also enable participants to gain practical tips on photography especially in Macro under different circumstances.

Join us and unravel the mystifying world of herps and let your photographs tell a story of your experience in the incredible forests of Western Ghats.