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Embark on a 2 nights, 3 days Bird & Grassland Photography Expedition to Bhigwan, one of India’s finest destinations for grassland birds during the monsoon season. While Bhigwan is widely celebrated for its winter migratory birds, the monsoon transforms the surrounding grasslands into a breeding paradise for some of India’s most elusive resident species. This expedition is specially curated for photographers seeking unique behavioral images, breeding plumage, and dramatic monsoon landscapes.
Explore the wetlands around the Ujani Dam backwaters and the expansive grasslands of Bhigwan and Saswad, photographing an incredible diversity of quails, francolins, buttonquails, raptors, lapwings, and other grassland specialists. Guided by a senior DCP photography mentor and an experienced local naturalist, this expedition combines outstanding photographic opportunities with hands-on learning in one of Maharashtra’s richest bird habitats.
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Join DCP Expeditions for a 2 nights, 3 days Bird & Grassland Photography Expedition to Bhigwan, a destination that comes alive during the monsoon with vibrant breeding activity and spectacular birdlife. Unlike the winter months that are dominated by migratory waterbirds, August offers photographers a rare chance to document India’s resident grassland birds in breeding plumage, displaying courtship behavior, territorial interactions, and nesting activities.
The expedition covers two distinct ecosystems. The first is the vast Ujani Dam backwaters, where wetlands and agricultural landscapes support storks, ibises, lapwings, kingfishers, raptors, and numerous wetland birds. The second is the extensive grasslands around Bhigwan and Saswad, considered among Maharashtra’s finest habitats for grassland specialists including Painted Francolin, Rain Quail, Buttonquails, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Indian Courser, and numerous birds of prey.
Throughout the expedition, participants will travel in dedicated photography vehicles that allow quick access to multiple birding locations while maintaining flexibility for photography. A senior DCP photography mentor will provide continuous guidance on fieldcraft, composition, behavior-based photography, camera settings, and ethical wildlife photography, helping participants create powerful images while understanding the ecology of these remarkable habitats.
Whether you are new to bird photography or an experienced wildlife photographer, this expedition offers an excellent opportunity to improve your skills while exploring one of India’s most productive monsoon birding destinations.
Navi Mumbai - Pune - Bhigwan - Saswad - Pune - Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai
2 nights 3 days
Navi Mumbai
Yogesh Chavan, a graduate from JJ School of Applied Arts, apart from being a visualizer, a poet, a writer and an actor, is a full-time Yoga trainer and Acupressure Therapist. He is also a skilled outdoor adventure sports trainer. He has authored the popular book Matheran - A Practical Guide. Many of his images have drawn considerable popularity in many publications including BNHS CEC and MTDCs quarterly magazine - Maharashtra Unlimited. He has sound knowledge of the biodiversity around him and is currently engaged at Saguna Baug on an Agro-Tourism outfit. He is associated in the DCP panel as a Panel Expert and Consultant in Strategy Team.
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Nearest airport is Pune. We can pick you on our way via Solapur highway. It is around 105 km from Pune.
One can reach Daund and hire a local taxi to Bhigwan.
We will be travelling in a tempo traveller via Solapur highway. It is around 105 km from Pune.
Things to carry:
Equipment available on rental - please mail us at rentals@dcpexpeditions.com.
The expedition begins early in the morning from Navi Mumbai as we travel towards Bhigwan through the scenic countryside of Maharashtra. We expect to reach Kumbhargaon around lunchtime, followed by check-in and lunch at our accommodation.
After a short break, we begin our first bird photography session exploring the extensive wetlands and agricultural landscapes around the Ujani Dam backwaters. Unlike the winter boat-based expeditions, this monsoon tour involves travelling by dedicated photography vehicles across multiple villages surrounding Kumbhargaon, allowing us to cover a much larger area in search of grassland birds, wetland species, raptors, and monsoon specialties.
Our photography mentor and local naturalist will provide continuous guidance on bird behaviour, composition, fieldcraft, and camera settings throughout the session.
Return to the accommodation in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
An early morning departure takes us on a full-day exploration of the renowned Bhigwan and Saswad grasslands, among Maharashtra’s finest habitats for resident grassland birds during the breeding season.
Travelling in dedicated photography vehicles, we will cover multiple carefully selected locations in search of species such as Painted Francolin, Rain Quail, Buttonquails, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Indian Courser, and a variety of raptors and larks. The flexible itinerary allows us to spend quality time with subjects and maximise photographic opportunities based on bird activity.
Throughout the day, participants will receive continuous guidance on behaviour-based photography, environmental compositions, bird-in-flight techniques, and ethical wildlife photography.
Return to Bhigwan for dinner and overnight stay.
We begin the day before sunrise with another extensive bird photography session around the Ujani Dam backwaters. From approximately 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, we will travel through multiple villages around Kumbhargaon, exploring different wetland and grassland habitats by vehicle to maximise sightings and photographic opportunities.
After the morning session, we return for breakfast and some time to freshen up before enjoying lunch at the property. Following lunch, we check out at around 1:00 PM and begin our return journey to Navi Mumbai.
With the new Missing Link route significantly reducing travel time, we expect to reach Navi Mumbai by the early evening, concluding the expedition with wonderful memories, enhanced bird photography skills, and an impressive collection of monsoon wildlife images.
Indian nationals:
Twin sharing: INR 25,750 per person inclusive of all taxes
Single occupancy: INR 28,750 per person inclusive of all taxes
Foreign nationals:
Twin sharing: US$ 430 per person inclusive of all taxes
Single occupancy: US$ 480 per person inclusive of all taxes
Gold members - Upto 5% off
Silver members - Upto 3% off
WhatsApp to ask for a payment link / QR code to pay.
[Save upto 2.5% of tour cost by opting to pay via NEFT / RTGS / UPI]
Cost includes
Cost does not include:
Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary
18.41524812411485 74.75618359199865Cancellation Policy
Yes. Please write to info@dcpexpeditions.com as it is subject to availability.
Yes you can. However, the charges remain the same.
No. Due to the monsoon season, this expedition does not include boat rides.
This expedition primarily focuses on resident grassland and wetland birds that are active during the monsoon breeding season.
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