August 20-23, 2026

Rainforest Rendezvous Goa

Experience and photograph Goa's secrets beyond the beaches

Rainforest Rendezvous – Photography Tour of Goa

4 Days

Group: 8 Pax

Swapnagandha Resort, Goa

Wildlife

August 20-23, 2026

₹ 37,950 /Per Person

Information

Goa is not just about the beautiful sun-kissed beaches. There’s a mysterious side to Goa that comes alive in the monsoons. The mountains of Goa, part of the Western Ghats, are home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. Many of them are still being discovered and described to this day. Welcome to Darter’s Rainforest Rendezvous photography tour to Goa.


There is more than one surprise waiting to be unravelled here. Trees that glow in the dark. Saw-scaled Vipers hiding under rocks. Colourful Yellow-browed Bulbuls flitting from tree to tree. Huge Tiger Centipedes hunting actively at dusk. Iconic Malabar Gliding Frogs calling out to females near the ponds. And the Malabar Pit Vipers waiting for them to make a wrong leap. We could go on and on.


Our destination – Chorla Ghat – is set amidst the rainforests of the Western Ghats, with unparalleled views of the mighty Vazra Sakla waterfalls. Darter Mentor Shreeram M V and Goa’s superstar herpetologist Nirmal Kulkarni will bring alive this photography tour with their insights about the natural world and the techniques of photographing them. All this while you explore the wilderness the way it has to be explore – on foot. Taking in the sights, sounds and smells. And being mesmerized with every step!

Overview
  • The rainforests of the Western Ghats are always alive – the sound of water droplets falling from high up in the canopy to puddles on the ground, the croaks of frogs as they look for mates, and the multitude of insects buzzing form a natural orchestra that quickly becomes addictive. Little streams flow through the forest, tumbling down as beautiful waterfalls in many places. Fungi of all shapes, sizes and colors are everywhere. Snakes, in their myriad colours and sizes, eagerly wait and lookout for prey. Praying Mantises blend into their environments, perfectly camouflaging themselves.
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  • A brief break from the rains brings the sun peeking out from the clouds. And along with it, the most colourful butterflies like the Blue Mormon, Southern Birdwing, Red Helen and Cruiser dance amongst the flowers. Western Ghat birds like Malabar Grey Hornbills, Yellow-browed Bulbuls and Malabar Trogons are seen here.
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  • Visit a plateau ecosystem that offers vast prospects for observing and photographing uncommon biodiversity of the region. In the latter part of the monsoon season, these plateaus come alive with numerous flowering plants, each of them adding a different colour to the landscape. And hidden under the rocks are wonders like Saw-scaled Vipers, Olive Forest Snakes and a variety of wildlife.
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  • Rainforest Rendezvous is a great opportunity to photograph these less photographed creatures. Shreeram M V, Darter Photography Expert on this tour, calls the rainforests of the Western Ghats his second home in the monsoons and has been photographing here for over a decade. He will guide you on photographing not just the myriad forms of life here but also the wonderful scenes of the rainforest – from the canopy to the numerous waterfalls and streams.
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  • Renowned researcher and herpetologist Nirmal Kulkarni leads us on the trails to discover the myriad forms of wildlife here. Learn a great deal about the elusive wildlife in the depths of the Western Ghats. His extensive knowledge about rainforests and conservation will enrich our interactions. Interact with researchers at the Mhadei Research Centre to understand more about field techniques.

    Our stay at Swapnagandha Resort offers unparalleled views of the mighty Vazra waterfalls. The comfortable rooms, delicious food and wildlife all around us make this an amazing setting for a memorable wildlife photography tour this monsoon!
Tour Highlights
Tour Itinerary
  • 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.
  • Day 1: Arrival

    Arrival at Swapnagandha Resort at Chorla Ghat before 12 noon. After check-in and lunch, we’ll go through an orientation session about the rainforest and photography in the rainforest. Nirmal would also explain the Snake Bite protocol and other precautions that need to be taken. We’ll then head out for a nature trail around Swapnagandha resort to familiarise ourselves with the place and what to expect. In the evening, we’ll review the photographs clicked during the day, with the Darter Photography Expert giving his inputs on techniques and composition. After dinner, we’ll head out on a night trail around the resort looking for nocturnal animals like Snakes and Frogs.

  • Day 02 and 03:

    We start with an early breakfast, where we do a debrief about the learnings from the previous day. On Day 2, we’ll head to a unique plateau eco-system. This is an open area, with a lot of rocks and small streams. We’ll look for some interesting forms of life, including Freshwater Eeels, Shieldtails (snakes) and Caecilians (limbless amphibians resembling snakes). We’ll also spend time with researchers at the Mhadei Research Centre to get a glimpse into their areas of research and methodologies.

    On Day 3, we’ll do a nature trail in the forests around Swapnagandha/Wildernest resort. If the weather is clear, we may get to see many species of birds and butterflies too, in addition to the countless insects, snakes and frogs. In the evening, after photography reviews and dinner, we’ll head out on a night trail or night drive (depending on the weather) looking for nocturnal animals.

  • Day 04: Trip Ends

    Day 4: A relaxed morning where we can admire the beauty of the Vazra falls and take a walk around the resort. We meet for breakfast, followed by a debrief of the learnings on the tour. We’ll leave Swapnagandha by 11 AM, with some amazing memories and lots of photographs on our memory cards.

Tour Start Location

Goa, Swapnagandha Resort

Airport Code

GOX - Mopa International Airport/ GOI - Dabolim Airport

Tour Start Date

20 August 2026

Tour End Date

23 August 2026

Dress Code

Suitable for the rainforest

Tour Price

INR 37,950 / Per Person

Price Includes
  • Accommodation at Swapnagandha Resort in cottages on twin-sharing basis.

  • Local transportation around Swapnagandha.

  • All meals during the stay (starting with lunch on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 4).

  • Field trips and sessions by a renowned herpetologist.

  • Sessions on wildlife photography, rainforest ecology, on-field assistance and image reviews.

  • All applicable taxes.

Price Excludes
  • Transport to Swapnagandha Resort and back.

  • Additional food, mineral water and beverages ordered in the resort.

  • Laundry, telephone and internet access.

  • Tips and anything else that is not part of the includes list above.

Accommodation:
  • We will be staying at Swapnagandha Resort, Chorla Ghat, Goa. Swapnagandha is snuggled cozily amidst picturesque setting of the fabled Western Ghats landscape of Goa at a height of 700 meters above sea level in full view of the majestic Vazra Sakla, a 143 meter waterfall on one side and the tranquill Anjunem backwaters on the other.

    The cottages at Swapnagandha have been created by following International Eco Standards and present an unobstructed view of the famed Swapnagandha valley, with its majestic waterfalls and forests.

Getting there:
  • Swapnagandha Resort, the venue for this tour, is located near Sankhali, Chorla Ghat, Goa. It is around 65km from Panjim and 60km from Belgaum. We can arrange for transport from Panjim/Belgaum at an additional cost.

    Travel tip: If you are traveling from Bangalore, Belgaum is closer and has good train and bus connectivity. Contact us if you need help with booking transportation from Bangalore to Belgaum. In case you plan to drive to Swapnagandha Resort, we could also provide assistance with car-pooling.

Is this Tour For You?
  • Rainforest Rendezvous is designed for photographers of all levels of expertise – amateur and serious – who would like to photograph the beautiful rainforests and the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats. As in all our tours, the group size would be limited so that the Darter Photography Experts can interact closely with every participant. Wildlife enthusiasts who are not photographers, but are keen to see and experience the rainforest at Goa, are also welcome to join this group. This trip, showcasing the wonder that are the Western Ghats, will keep you enthralled from start to finish.
  • This tour is for you if you:

    Are excited to photograph every fascinating life form in the rainforest, from little frogs to beautiful butterflies to majestic snakes, AND/OR.

    Want to learn about the techniques of photographing in the rainforests from the experts, AND/OR.  

    Have a keen interest in diverse forms of wildlife and wish to learn more about the rich biodiversity in the rainforests

  • Our tour is designed in such a way that we:

    Work closely with every photographer.

    Help beginners understand the basic nuances of photography and get beautiful images.

    Facilitate expert photographers to photograph the different facets of the rainforest, assisting them further when necessary.

    Allow wildlife enthusiasts to explore the biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

Cancellation Policy

– 20% of full tour fee is charged as cancellation fee on cancellation on or before 30 days before start of tour
– 50% of full tour fee is charged as cancellation fee on cancellation between 29 to 15 days before start of tour
– 70% of full tour fee is charged as cancellation fee on cancellation between 14 to 7 days before start of tour
– No refund for cancellation on or after 6 days before start of tour, or for no-show

Expert on this Tour
https://darter.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Shreeram-Profile.jpg

Shreeram MVDirector and Photography Mentor

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

Shreeram MVDirector and Photography Mentor

Photography tours to the pristine rainforests of Western Ghats. Get up close with the wonders of these forests and experience photography in the lap of nature.

Get in Touch with US

Shreeram MV

+91 97400 83260

Manish Lakhani

+91 99988 66669
glimpses of Rainforest of Goa
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