Amboli Ghat, Biodiversity Hotspot (31st July - 02nd August 2015)

Announcing season 8 for Nature India!! As usual, we are starting with Amboli Ghat, soaking in rains that rejuvenates the forests and announces a season of plenty and hope.

Bookings for Amboli Ghat trip from (Fri to Sun) 31st July to 02nd August 2015 are open (travel days excluded)...for details see at the end..... Hurry up and register fast as this trip is eagerly awaited by many...

Please read any one of these trip reports to experience what happens in such a trip.

http://natureindia-tours.blogspot.com/2009/07/final-trip-reports.html#amboli 

http://epaper.loksatta.com/148001/indian-express/15-08-2013#page/29/2

http://nikimor.blogspot.in/2013/10/amboli-herpetofauna.html

(If you are unable to click on the above links, then please copy the link to your address bar)

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AMBOLI GHAT - A Herpetofauna Paradise

Ever heard of " Maharashtra's Cherapunji”...the wettest place in our state? The hottest biodiversity region in Maharashtra? The cleanest and the greenest hill station near us?..... Come with Nature India & explore this amazing place called Amboli Ghat…… the dream destination of all the naturalists and which is at its Best in Monsoon.....Great walks, beautiful scenery, loads of biodiversity to look for, waterfalls, balmy climate and local delectable Konkani food…perfect menu set for a short holiday. (some images in this blog are contributed by participants)

Amboli Ghat......Nestled comfortably in the midst of luxuriant foliage on the Sahyadri Mountains in southern tip of Maharashtra and perched at a height of 710m above sea level it  is relatively tranquil and uncluttered by commercialization and unfolds a charisma that appeals to the heart and the soul. This hill station in Sindhudurg district is said to be the wettest in Maharashtra, receiving the highest rainfall (approx.7446 mm) during the rainy season.

Colonel Westrop, who was a British political agent, developed Amboli as a hill station after the opening of the Ghat Road from the coastal town of Vengurla, now in southern Maharashtra, to Belgaum. Amboli is situated on Vengurla-Belgum state highway no 112 in Sindhudurg district. The population is ca.3000. The main road is lined with shops    and small restaurants of all shapes and sizes that form the main bazaar.

Home to innumerable species of animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and medicinal plants, it has contributed generously to our country’s bio-diversity. The valley, hemmed on all sides, looks protected, sheltered, unexplored, and holding in its secrets. Dense brown green foliage, roots above and below, intertwined branches, creepers, and moss hanging like an afro-braid from branch after branch. Layers of fog surround us, weaving a shroud of mystery as to what lay ahead. At times the strong winds clear the path before us, unfolding a   panoramic view of the scenic valley. The walks to Mahadevgarh, Shirgaonkar & Parikshit Points offer fantastic opportunities to explore these rich forests and also offer spectacular views of valleys below and the Konkan area.

Though Amboli is emerging and is famous as a hill station, not many know that this place is extremely rich in Herpetofauna, wildflowers and birds. Home to myriad species of Amphibians, Amboli is a must visit place in monsoon for all the nature enthusiasts.The star attraction here are the wonderful array of reptiles that includes Malabar Pit Viper, Green Keel Back, Travancore Wolf Snake, Beddome's Cat Snake, Beddome's Keelback Snake, Green vine Snakes, Shield tail snakes, Deccan-banded Gecko etc. While in   Ambhibians, the Malabar Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus), Amboli tree frog (Philautus amboli), Wrinkled frog (Nyctibatrachus humayuni), Koyna Toad (Bufo koynayensis), Beddome's burrowing frog, Criket frog, Fungoid frog and the Caecilians will take your breath away.

Amboli is also a hot spot for the variety of wildflowers that bloom in monsoon on sadas (the local name for lateritic plateau). It is also a heaven for wildflower enthusiasts with some rare plants recorded here. You may find many ephimeral flowers like Ground orchids, the Rare Ceropegias, Impatiens and even the Bio-luminescent Fungi.....

The Birds, though difficult to see in monsoon is well represented with Scarlet Minivets, Puff-throated Babblers, Brown-cheeked Fulvettas, Emerald Dove, Red-whiskered & Yellow-browed Bulbuls, Crimson & Crimson-backed Sunbirds, Leafbirds and many of the Western Ghat   endemics.

Beautiful insect life dominate the surroundings with all sorts of bettles, bugs, lantern flies, butterflies, moths, spiders and what not. Surely, this is one place which you wont like to miss.

Four kilometers away, the river Hiranyakeshi originates from a cave adjacent to a temple of Goddess Parvati at the foot of a mountain. Water rushes out with tremendous force to fall into a squarish tank or ‘Kund’, from where it flows out. Opposite, an old tree offers ample space around its roots to urge devotees to meditate without disturbance

Here are some photo stories of Nature India participants .....

http://picasaweb.google.com/haridas53/AmboliNatureCamp31Jul02Aug09?feat=email#

http://picasaweb.google.com/pixiesworkshop/Amboli?feat=email# 
There are several trails and points to be explored in Amboli for a general tourist, but would be exploring some of them like Mahadevgad point, Shirgaonkar point and Parikshit point. There will be Leeches around, but with protection and the enthusiastic spirit of the participants, coupled with the great sightings, you would not be bothering much about them :-)
 

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Nature India tours has meticulously organized a Herpetofauna trip to this bio-diversity hotspot from 31^st July to 02^nd August'15 (travel days excluded) with eminent experts in the field.

TRAVEL & STAY ITINERARY. (Ex.Kolhapur )

Though the Camp will be focused on Herpetofauna and to learn more about them, we will also try to look for and learn about everything that we come across including Wildflowers, Birds, Mammals ….

Date: 31st July 2015, morning 8.00 am to 02nd August 2015 eve 8.00 pm

Resource person: Shaunak Pal ( A herpetofauna expert)
Assistant resource persons: Mr.Mandar Khadilkar & Mr. Adesh Shivkar

Mr.Shaunak Pal, our expert, is a well-known young herpetologist, who is studying Western Ghats herpetofauna in CES (Center for Ecological Science). He along with few youngsters recently described a new to science species of gecko - Pnemaspis giri.

TRIP ITINERARY (Itinerary is ex.Kolhapur) 

Day 1: Friday 31^st July, 2015 .
Pick up at, Kolhapur Railway Station / Neeta Volvo Stop at 6.00 am .… Drive to Amboli in minibus…. Check-in….. lunch…….Mini nature trail in Amboli Ghat…return to hotel by evening ... dinner… night trail to Shirgaonkar point 

Day 2: Saturday 01^st August, 2015
After breakfast, morning visit to Parikshit point…lunch….Discussion on sightings…..late evening trail to Mahadevgad…dinner.... night trail near the campus

Day 3: Sunday, 02^nd August, 2015
After breakfast, morning visit to Shirgaonkar Point…..proceed towards Mahadev Gad point and return for Lunch…..Proceed to Kolhapur.... Reptile watching along the way...reach Kolhapur by  19.00 Hrs to catch (Neta Volvo Bus) or train- Mahalaxmi Express from Shahu Maharaj Terminus / Bus at 20:30 Hrs to reach Mumbai by 06:00 am / 07.20 am on 03rd August'15 respectively

More details on the Itinerary will be given to those who register.....

Please note: This is primarily a herpetofauna watching trip. We do not have any provision for sight-seeing in our trips.

Trip Charges : 10,600/- Ex. Kolhapur (This includes stay in Green Valley Resorts (MTDC) on twin/triple sharing basis, Veg / non-veg food in nearby restaurant, breakfast, tea, local transport by minibus to & from Kolhapur, entry fees, guide charges, Articles on the places to be visited & on board snacks ……)

This does not include travel charges from Mumbai and Back or any charges other than the above.

Travel options to reach Kolhapur:Kindly note that there are several travel options available (given below) to reach Kolhapur, but the best one is Mahalaxmi Express that leaves Mumbai at 20.20 pm and arrives Kolhapur at 07.20 am next day.

By Road:

Mumbai to Kolhapur (400 km/ 8 hrs), Pune to Kolhapur (230 km/ 5 hrs) ....State Transport buses ply from here
There are also regular AC buses (Volvos) from Mumbai to Kolhapur

Stay Arrangement: In Green Valley Resort (MTDC) on twin/triple sharing basis in non AC rooms. The Hotel campus is wonderful and the rooms are spacious with clean bathrooms.....

Food : We will relish the delicious food (including the famous "Sol Kadi" :-) in a good restaurant just a few meters from our hotel.

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmatory mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com

and by paying a non refundable advance of Rs.6500/- after our registration conformation by email…..the remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel.

Mode of Payment: You can either...

1) Transfer the advance money directly to HDFC A/c : (please call Mr. Mandar Khadilkar for the A/c no.) .... please mention your name, date and other details….

2) Courier a cheque of Rs.6500/- to the following address

Name: Mr. Mandar Khadilkar
Address: Flat No.2, Blossom Apartments, LM Road, Below Shantighan Hospital, Kandarpada, Dahisar - West, Mumbai - 400068
Ph.: 9930318665/ 9967518665

Please Note:

1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs.6500/- is strictly non-refundable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India Tours
3) We expect heavy rain throughout, hence will need to brave the rains during the trails.....please bring all the rain wears
4) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with  Nature India's rules and policies
http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html 

For any other queries, please contact:-
Adesh Shivkar – 9820455713 /  9869071091
Mandar Khadilkar - 9930318665 / 9967518665
Or Email: natureindiatours@gmail.com

Hope to see you for this wonderful trip !!

Thanks for your patience.

Warm Regards,

Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar

Nature India

Appreciate, Respect & Conserve

Ladakh - Birding in cold desert (12th July to 21st July, 2015 )

The eagerly awaited Birding watching trip to Ladakh opens now for booking!!

Dates: 12th July 15 to 21st July 2015 (Leh to Leh)... Book your seat now, as very limited seats are available... A very meticulously planned trip including a chance to explore the amazing landscapes and some famous monasteries ..... this is one trip that you surely don't want to miss!

Ladakh - Birding in the Cold Desert

“The Land is so barren and the passes so high that only our fiercest enemies or Our best friends would want to visit us” -Ladakhi Saying

 

India is one of the most diverse country in terms of habitats. We have rain forests of Western Ghats & North-East, Grasslands of Central Western India, Seashores on Western &  Eastern borders, Deserts of Rajasthan, Rann of Gujarat, Islands of Andamans & Lakshadweep, Himalayan foothills in North & the  Cold Desert, Ladakh in extreme North India.

Ladakh: Known as "The Moonland", "Little Tibet" or more romantically "The Last Shangri-La", is the most remote region of India, a barren, virtually rainless region. A desert in high altitude, has to be cold one. Due to rain shadow created by the mighty Himalaya, monsoon clouds are denied to reach Ladakh & hence the cold desert. For water supply, Indus River is backbone of Ladakh, as the  main source of water. Indus river is fed by the melting glaciers on the mountains. The mindblowing landscapes and the rugged mountains greet you as soon as you land in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The mesmerizing beauty of this place has to be felt to believe.
 

Ladakh has been explored by many tourists for sight seeing, Monastery, landscapes etc... but not much for Bird-watching... Ladakh lies between 3000 to 6000 mtrs, which obviously will have some very interesting high altitude birds that, otherwise are very difficult to see in rest of India. The rigours are extreme, but the rewards are equally lucrative..... Birding in this paradise is every birders dream and a photographers wish. Even an ordinary camera here can give you postcard quality images... so pure is the air and so magical is this place. No wonder many come her repeatedly :-)

We will also be visiting the famous Thikse Buddhist Monastery...

The following areas will be covered during our trip...

Shey Marshes

Just 7 kms from Leh, famous for Shey Palace, this place is also well known with bird-watchers, because of the diversity and quality of birds in the various marshes that adorn the lanscape here. Some of the birds seen here are; Black-billed Magpie, Reed Bunting, Mountain Chiffchaff, Humes Whitethroat, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Hobby, White-winged Redstart, Winter Wren, Ibisbill, Northern Lapwing, Common Rose finch, Black Redstart, Oriental Turtle Dove, Citrine & White Wagtail etc ..... and all should be in their breeding plumage.

Khardungla Pass - One of the highest motorable road in the world, at height of approx. 5500 mtrs, this pass gives us opportunity to see some very high altitude birds like Robin Accentor, Yellow & Red-billed choughs, Raven, Golden Eagle, Upland Buzzard, Little Owl, Snow Partridge, Great Rosefinch, Lammergier etc.. also enroute to Khardungla birds like Chukar, Plain-backed Snowfinch, Wallcreeper, Brandt's mountain Finch, Blue-fronted Redstart etc. can be seen...

Nubra Valley: Road from Khardungla pass to Nubra Valley is one of the most picturesque jouney. This valley seperates Ladakh & Karakoram ranges and is formed by two rivers, Shyok & Nubra (Siachen). You can see some vegetation at the bottom of valley, in fact the old name of this valley was Ldumra, meaning Valley of Flowers! For a bird-watcher this valley holds a very rare & special bird, called White-browed Tit Warbler. A very habitat specific birds, found only in Seabuckthorn (Leh Berry) forest around Hunder and Panamic areas. Other birds include Hume's Whitethroat, Black Redstart etc... Mormots, Cape Hare, Nubra Pika is also commonly seen in Seabuckthorn forests, also Red Fox is seen.

Pangong Lake - Known for sheer natural beauty, Pangong can easily be termed as one of the most picturesque places in the World! ......Best seen in evening, this place is a paradise for landscape photography  Birds seen here are; Brown-headed & Pallas's Gulls, White-winged Tern, Common Merganser, Bar-headed Geese, Red-crested Pochard, Golden Eagle etc...

Tsokar  

"Tsokar" means salty lake in local language. Here the waters are alkaline. This is probably the best birding place in Ladakh... Famous for Tibtan Wild Ass & endangered Black-necked Cranes, this place is also known for breeding of Bar-headed Geese & Ruddy Shelduks..... other birds here include Great-horned Lark, Tibetal Snow Finch, Plain-backed Snowfinch, Twite, Eurasian Linnet, Streated & Great Rosefinch, Raven, Eurasian Nightjar, Upland Buzzard, Little Owl, Tibetal Partridge, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Red-throated Pipit, Altai Accentor, Hill Pigeon, Pied Wheatear, Whie-browed Accentor, White-winged Redstart, Lesser & Common Kestrel, Bar-headed Geese, Brown-headed Gulls, Red-crested Pochard etc...

 

Photo Credits: Our heartfelt thanks to  Sandeep Dhumal, Nayan Khanolkar & Abhijit Narvekar for allowing us to use some of their excellent images for this blog.... they own all the copyrights of the images.  Use in any form of any of their images from this blog can only be done after obtaining their written consent.

Some good reads about birding in Ladakh ....

http://orientalbirdclub.org/ladakh/

http://www.kolkatabirds.com/ladakh/ladakhmrltrip.htm

http://birdingdiary.blogspot.in/2013/08/ladakh-one-of-its-kind-cold-desert.html

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Nature India is proud to organize, its first ever Birdwatching - landscape photography trip to this cold desert from 12th July to 21st July 2015 (travel days excluded)..... Come and soak yourself in this mystifying land of Bliss........ 

Travel Details:(To & Fro Leh, to be arranged by participants)

We suggest you to book tickets for following flights:

Delhi / Jammu to Leh

Reach Delhi Airport early morning on 12-Jul-15, to catch flight to Leh

• GoAir Flight No. G8-195, Delhi (5.15) to Leh (6.35)
  
  OR
  
• GoAir Flight No. G8-203, Delhi (6.40) to Leh (7.55)

Leh to Mumbai / Delhi

• Go Air Flight No. G8-196, Leh (07.00) to Delhi (08.20) &
  Go Air Flight No G8-332, Delhi (10.45) to Mumbai (12.45)
  
  

Several other flights also available, but the above suggestion is best in terms of time & charges.... Please check the arrival & departure timing at Leh for to & fro flights. Book fast to get concessional rates.

Travel Itinerary: (To & Fro Leh, to be arranged by participants)

Day 1 (12-Jul-15): Arrival at Leh (latest by 11am) pick up from Airport for Hotel Bijoo - Absolute compulsory rest (for high-altitude acclimatization  for rest of the day - Lunch - Eve. Tea/coffee - Dinner - Stay in Hotel Bijoo on twin sharing basis

Day 2 (13-Jul-15): Morning Tea - Breakfast - Lunch at Hotel Bijoo - Compulsory rest (for acclimatization  for 1st half - 2nd half, visit Shey marshes & Thikse monastery and nearby areas - dinner & Stay at Hotel Bijoo

Day 3 (14-Jul-15): Morning Tea/coffee - Breakfast - Visit to Hemis National Park with packed lunch  - Dinner & Stay at Hotel Bijoo

Day 4 (15-Jul-15): Morning Tea/coffee & Early breakfast (6.00am) at Hotel Bijoo - Depart for Nubra Valley via Khardungla pass - Dinner & Stay at Nubra

Day 5 (16-Jul-15): Nubra to Leh - Birding on the way - Dinner & Stay at Hotel Bijoo

Day 6 (17-Jul-15): Morning Tea/coffee & Early breakfast (6.00am) at Hotel Bijoo - Depart for Pangong with Packed Lunch - Dinner & stay at tent in Pangong

Day 7 (18-Jul-15): Morning Tea/coffee & Early breakfast (6.00am) at Pangong - Start for Tsokar - Lunch on the way - Dinner & Stay at Tsokar Village Resort

Day 8 (19-Jul-15): Full day birding around Tsokar... Breakfast - lunch - Dinner in Tsokar

Day 9 (20-Jul-15): Morning Tea/coffee & Early breakfast (6.00am) at Tsokar - Start for Leh  with Packed Lunch - Dinner & Stay at Hotel Bijoo

Day 10 (21-Jul-15): Morning Tea/coffee - Departure from Leh by 7.00AM to Airport .... or participants can continue with their other plans.

Trip Charges (Leh to Leh): Rs.42500/- only (Includes AC rooms on Twin Sharing Basis in Leh & Nubra Valley, Twin sharing in tents in Pangong & Tsokar), Veg. meals, Breakfast, Ladakh Permit, travel in comfortable Innova/Tavera, entry fees, Guide charges, Information articles & on board snacks and mineral water)…….

This does not include Travel charges from any destination to  Leh & back and any charges other than the above.

Important Note: This tour involves roughing out in (sometimes) extreme weather conditions with long walks & drive in high altitude and remote locations. Hence there is an age restriction (15 to 65 years) to participate in this trip. Also, the participant would be required to submit a medical fitness certificated from any qualified medical practitioner and a "trip consent" form, before embarking on the tour.  Kindly note and co-operate.

Registration: You can register by sending a confirmation mail to natureindiatours@gmail.com with contact details and by paying a non refundable Advance of  Rs.15,000/- after our confirmation mail…..The remaining amount will be collected on the day of travel in cash only. 

Kindly register soon to avoid the rush for train bookings……….

Group Size: Max 12 Pax only

Stay Arrangements: 

• Hotel Bijoo, Leh
• Hotel in Nubra Valley
• Tents in Pangong & Tsokar

Note: Since these are remote locations, facilities are basic, specially in Pangong & Tsokar, with accommodation in attached tents on twin sharing basis.... and mostly basic packed lunch. 

Resource Persons: Mr.Adesh Shivkar, Mr.Mandar Khadilkar 

Mode of Payment: You can either
1) Transfer the advance money directly to our HDFC A/c (Please send a mail for details).. please mention your name, date and other details…. OR
2) Courier a cheque of Rs.15000/- as advance amount to the following address
Name: Mr.Mandar Khadilkar
Address: Flat No.2, Blossom Apartments, LM Road, Below Shantighan hospital, Kandarpada, Dahisar-West, Mumbai - 400068.

Please Note:
1) Once registered, the advance amount of Rs. 15000/- is strictly non-refundable
2) Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited on Nature India tours
3) Nesting photography is prohibited.
4) Kindly register on this trip only if you agree with  Nature India's rules and policies
http://natureindiapolicies.blogspot.in/2012/08/nature-india-policies.html

Please revert on natureindiatours@gmail.com ID, in case you need any clarification. For any other queries we are available on 9869071091 / 9820455713(Adesh) or 9930318665 / 9967518665 (Mandar)....

Hope to see you for this wonderful trip Thanks for your patience.

Jullay in July,

Adesh Shivkar & Mandar Khadilkar
Nature India
Appreciate, Respect & Conserve