Rainforest Exploration and Macro Photography – Honeyvalley, Coorg

TOUR OVERVIEW

Nestled in the heart of what is often called the ‘Scotland of India’, Coorg or Kodagu (which means ‘dense forest on steep hills’) is the perfect location for our Rainforest Exploration & Macro Photography Tour. The region hosts a wide array of exciting and adventurous activities for avid naturalists, wildlife enthusiasts & macro photographers.

Situated at a high altitude and in an area which receives a high amount of rainfall, the environment around boasts a wide variety of life, especially with regards to numerous species of amphibians & reptiles, many being endemic to the area and found nowhere else on Earth.

There is an amazing diversity of amphibians found here with many species of colourful and very vocal bushfrogs, 4 species of night frogs, 3 species of cricket frogs, 2 species of gliding frogs, Several species of toads, 3 species of dancing (Torrent) frogs and several species of caecilians (Limbless amphibians).

We also have a high chance to come across some amazing reptiles with star attractions such as the Malabar & hump-nosed pit vipers, cat snakes, vine snakes, coral snakes, keelbacks and shieldtails to name a few. There are also many species of geckos including the prized dwarf day gecko.

This area of Coorg, also has a good population of the endemic Red Giant Snail (Indrella ampulla).

The area is also amazingly rich in bird life, that boasts over 300 species including the beautiful Malabar trogon, orange minivet, hill myna, Asian fairy bluebird and various species of woodpeckers, flycatchers and raptors. Mammals found in the area include, leopards, barking deer and wild boar and an amazing array of nocturnal life such as mouse deer, various species of lesser cats, flying squirrel and porcupines.

We will be staying at the absolutely beautiful homestay, situated on the fringe of a protected forest and surrounded by verdant aromatic coffee estates, and the musical babbling of sparkling brooks and streams that flow through this amazing property.

What’s better, Phillip Ross will guide you into this wonderful rainforest, equip you with a good understanding of the amazing life found in this region and teach you the fundamentals of wildlife and macro photography that will help you take some stunning photographs.

Come and see Coorg like never before and enrol yourself for this one-of-a-kind Rainforest Exploration & Macro Photography Tour with The Outback Experience!

TOUR ITINERARY

Dates: August 9th to 11th, 2024

DAY 1:

Arrive at our lovely homestay, and be greeted by tour leader, Phillip Ross. After check-in and a scrumptious lunch, Phillip will introduce all participants to the estate with a brief on the wildlife found in the area, the afternoon’s photography plan and also a presentation on the ideal settings.

Over some refreshing beverages and snacks in the evening, Phillip introduces the wonderful world of macro photography to the participants. We then prepare to set out for the much awaited late evening walk where Phillip will lead all participants to a brook and begin exploring for various macro subjects. We have a great chance to come across various bush frogs such as Raorchestes luteolus, R. glandulosus, R. akroparallagi and the tiny R. tuberohumerus, besides the amazing gliding frogs, Rhacophorus malabaricus and Rhacophorus lateralis. We will also keep our eyes peeled for some of the amazing snakes found in this region, like the prized Malabar pit viper or Collared cat snake apart from coming across various lizards, spiders, caecilians, beetles, centipedes and an array of insect life.

Later that evening, we’ll gather around for a presentation on composition and we end the night with a delicious dinner.

DAY 2:

We awake to the sweet calls of the birds found within the campsite and after a hot cup of coffee or tea, prepare to depart for the morning birding walk. We’ll keep our eyes peeled and hope to sight some of the amazing birds that this part of Coorg has to offer. We return to the campsite for breakfast and now proceed on a gorgeous stream walk, and spend the entire morning photographing various subjects including dancing frogs, insects, wild flowers, many species of mushroom and fungi, snails, crabs apart from doing some great birding too.

We return to the campsite for a delicious lunch followed by some well earned rest.

After a refreshing cup of tea or coffee, we head out birding once again, and hope to tick off all the targeted species. It is likely to be dark by the time we return, which is a great time for frog encounters and hope to come across some more cool endemic species.

We end the night with a celebratory dinner.

DAY 3:

On the final morning, we wake early and head out on the final macro photography session where we will try out some interesting perspectives.

We return for breakfast and gather for a final rendezvous before checking out at 11:00 a.m. and driving back to our homes to share some fascinating tales.

Outbacker: Participated in at least three previous The Outback Experience camps or workshops

Inclusions

• Single-occupancy accommodation in simple, clean and comfortable rooms.
• All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and hot beverages (coffee and tea)
• Guaranteed photography learning and a whole lotta fun!
• All entrance fee’s

Exclusions

• 5% GST
• Any extra meals and beverages ordered
• Tips & gratuities
• Road transfers from Bangalore, to and from the destination. We will assist you with car pooling or booking a cab.
• Airfare, if applicable
• Anything that is not expressly mentioned in the inclusions list

Payment Terms

100% payment in advance for confirmation of booking.

Payment can be made via bank transfer to our account. Please inform us of the reference number once the payment is made.

Cancellation Fees

• 10% outside 30 days before the tour
• 25% between 29 and 22 days before the tour
• 50% between 21 and 15 days before the tour
• 75% between 14 and 8 days before the tour
• 100% within 7 days before the tour