Goa - Rainforest Rendezvous - Darter Photography

Explore Goa's secrets, beyond the beaches

Macro Photography Tour of Goa

4 Days

Group: 8 Pax

Swapnagandha Resort, Goa

Wildlife Photography

August 20-23, 2026

₹ 37,950 /Per Person

Tour Overview

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 which are found nowhere else on the planet. 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 Malabar Pit Vipers waiting for them to make a wrong leap. The list is endless.

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!

Tour Highlights

Explore the rainforests of Goa and discover the amazing diversity of wildlife in monsoon
Be mesmerized by the stunning landscapes, with the mighty Vazra Sakla waterfalls in the midst of dense rainforest
Photograph the variety of wildlife and landscapes under the guidance of the Darter Photography Expert
Learn the art of photographing rainforest wildlife – technical, aesthetic and field tips
Understand more about rainforest ecology, conservation and environmental issues
Expert assistance on field in getting best images
On field assistance in identifying wildlife and in understanding the rainforest ecology
Understanding use of field equipment, learning basic observation and field skills and working alongside qualified researchers in the field
Rainforest walks at day and night to experience and capture the richness of the forests up-close
Image reviews and feedback

Tour Starts and Ends At

Swapnagandha Resort, Goa

Nearest Airports

GOX - Manohar International Airport (60 km, 1.5 hr) | GOI - Dabolim Airport (76 km, 2 hr) | IXG - Belagavi Airport (75 km, 2 hr)

Nearest Railway Stations

BGM - Belagavi (60 km, 1.5 hr) | TVM - Thivim (40 km, 1 hr)

Tour Start Date

20 August 2026 - 12:00PM

Tour End Date

23 August 2026 - 11:00AM

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, where required for tour activities
All meals during the stay (starting with lunch on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 4)
Field sessions around Chorla Ghat
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

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Swapnagandha. Orientation. Wildlife photography trail.

Arrive at Swapnagandha Resort at Chorla Ghat by 12 noon. Late afternoon, we’ll have 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 during the tour.
As dusk falls, we’ll then head out for our first nature trail around Swapnagandha resort. The goal is to familiarise ourselves with the place and the wildlife that we'll be photographing over the next few days. We'll seek out animals like snakes and frogs, in addition to other denizens of the rainforest like insects, spiders, centipedes and more.
After dinner, we’ll review the photographs clicked during the day, with the Darter Photography Expert giving his inputs on techniques and composition.
Day 02 and 03: Wildlife photography trails around Chorla Ghat

On both these days, we start with an early breakfast. We do a debrief about the experience and learning from the previous day.
After breakfast, 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 insects, snakes and frogs. On one of the mornings, we’ll head to a unique plateau eco-system. This is an open area close to the resort with a lot of rocks and small streams. We’ll look for some interesting forms of life, including saw-scaled vipers, carnivorous plants, 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.
Around lunch, we'll review photographs to work on the storytelling as well as photography techniques. We'll discuss about our observations in the field.
Late in the evening, we’ll head out on a night trail or night drive (depending on the weather) looking for nocturnal animals. On one of the evenings, if the rain gives a break, we'll spend some time photographing bioluminescent fungi that illuminate a section of the forest here!
After dinner, we retire for the night.
Day 04: Tour ends

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Is this photography tour 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
Then, this tour is for you.
Our tour is designed to
- 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.
Can I bring my non-photographer partner with me?

Yes, you can. Wildlife enthusiasts and herpetology enthusiasts who are not photographers, but are keen to see and experience the rainforests of Goa, are also welcome to join this group. This trip, covering the rainforest around Chorla Ghat and surrounding habitats, will keep you enthralled from start to finish.
However, non-photographers should note that our itineraries are designed keeping photography in mind. We are generally slower than typical travel itineraries and don’t make a long sightseeing list. Please note that we do not offer separate pricing for non-photographers.
I am not a keen photographer. But I want to join this tour with your group. Can I still join?

Yes. If you are keen to see and experience the rainforests of Goa, you are welcome to join this group. Please note that we do not offer separate pricing for non-photographers.
How do I reach Swapnagandha resort?
Swapnagandha Resort, the venue for this tour, is located near Sankhali, Chorla Ghat, Goa. The nearest airports are:
- GOX - Manohar International Airport - 60 km (1.5 hrs by road)
- GOI - Dabolim Airport - 76km (2 hrs by road)
- IXG - Belagavi Airport - 75km (2 hrs by road)
The nearest railway stations are:
- THVM - Thivim (Goa) - 40km (1 hr by road)
- BGM - Belagavi (Karnataka) - 60km (1.5 hr by road)
We can arrange for transport from the airports/railway stations in Goa/Belagavi at an additional cost. The cost can be shared by participants arriving and departing around the same time. We will coordinate this on a WhatsApp group closer to the tour dates.
Where would we be staying during the tour?

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.

Cancellation Policy

– 25% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations earlier than 60 days before the start of a tour.
– 50% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations between 59 days and 45 days before the start of a tour.
– 80% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations between 44 days and 31 days before the start of a tour.
– No refund for cancellation within 30 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.

Note: Please note that the tour and the itinerary above is subject to favourable weather and other conditions. In case of any obstacles, we will do our best to make alternate plans. The cost of the tour or any part of it will not be refunded in the event of unfavourable conditions during the tour days.

Expert on this Tour

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

Email

photography@darter.in

glimpses of Rainforest of Goa

Goa - Malabar Pitviper

A Malabar Gliding Frog on the leaves of a Cashew tree near Agumbe in the Western Ghats

Impatiens acaulis growing on a rock on a lateritic plateau in the Western Ghats in Goa

Goa - Bamboo Pitviper

Goa - Gecko

Goa - Checkered Keelback

Goa - Saw-scaled viper

Please fill in the following form to get in touch with us regarding the tour.

Testimonials

Footprints of Memory

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!

Hrishikesh Bidwe

Guest review

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.

Ajit Jha

Guest review

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.

Menaka Manickaraj

Guest review

Have done multiple darter trips over the years. Simply outstanding lifelong experiences. Keep going Darter team!!

Sharad Sridhar

Guest review

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.

Bantering Ram

Guest review

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