Tilari Macro and Bird Photography Expedition

Overview

Embark on a 2 nights and 3 days Macro Photography Tour at Sirsi in Maharashtra, exploring the region’s rich biodiversity and unique rainforest ecosystems. This short yet immersive expedition offers excellent opportunities to photograph reptiles, amphibians, insects, and other macro subjects while mastering close-up techniques and fieldcraft — a perfect experience for nature lovers and wildlife photographers.

DCP Experts

DCP Safety

Images Review

Meals

Post Event

Stay

About The Tour

Join DCP Expeditions for a 2 nights and 3 days Macro Photography Tour in the Tillari Conservation Reserve, a protected forest in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra and an integral part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. Spanning 29.53 sq. km and surrounded by nearly 80 sq. km of community and private forests, Tillari is home to an incredible diversity of reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds, making it a paradise for macro and wildlife photographers.

The reserve is particularly renowned as a key habitat for the King Cobra, alongside numerous other fascinating species. During the expedition, we’ll explore a variety of carefully planned trails designed to balance ample photography opportunities with field exploration of lesser-known locations, ensuring participants maximize both sightings and learning. Guided by expert mentors, you’ll sharpen your macro techniques and fieldcraft skills while capturing the region’s hidden biodiversity.

Target Species: Ornate Tree Snake, Saw-scaled Viper, Bamboo Pit Viper, Malabar Gliding Frog, Deccan Banded Gecko, Green Vine Snake, Brown Vine Snake, Common Wolf Snake, Common Trinket Snake, Red-necked Keelback

(Sighting of these species depends on field conditions and cannot be guaranteed.)

Join us in Tillari Conservation Reserve and discover the hidden world of the Western Ghats, where every trail holds new opportunities for close encounters and captivating macro photography.

Quick Information

Route:

Thivim – Tilari – Thivim

Start Point:

Ex Thivim

Duration:

2 nights 3 days

End Point:

Ex Thivim

Inclusions

Unexplored biodiversity hotspots of the Western Ghats
Accommodation for 2 nights and 3 days.
All three meals during our stay at Tilari
All park charges, Camera and entry fees, etc.
DCP Mentor for all days.
Local Guide charges

Experts

Soumendra Mukhopadhyay

Panel Expert - DCP Mumbai

Soumendra Mukhopadhyay, an engineer by profession and a wildlife photographer by passion. Soumendra specializes in macro photography. He is extremely passionate about what he does and experiments continuously to polish his skillsets every time he is out in the field with his camera. He shares his knowledge of photography selflessly with people around him. His images have been appreciated and acknowledged in various online forums, articles and magazines. He is a talented photographer and has great teaching acumen. He is a Panel Expert for Team DCP, Mumbai. He uses the camera as a tool for conservation as his work generates awareness in common man about the hidden beauties of nature and earth's natural history.

The nearest airport is in Goa and Belgaum, which are 60km from the Field Station. One can arrange local transport from Goa to location Village (parking area).

The tour starts from Thivim, a well-connected Railway station. We will arrange Pickup from there around 10 AM.

Not recommended

Getting Ready

Things to carry:

Carrying your macro lens is a primary need
Also carry wide-angle lenses if you try to shoot off-beat compositions
Headlight (Rechargeable recommended) and Powerful Water proof Torch. Headlights make your both hands free to operate your camera.
Fully charged batteries for your camera & flash
Fill your camera bag with silica gel to protect your gadgets from moisture. They are available in chemist shops
Battery charger. Carry extra pack of camera batteries
Backup memory cards / HDD storage drives, Laptop
Carrying a Tripod is not must for this Tour
Big towel / cloth to protect your gear
Rain Poncho for self and Gear Safety along with umbrella
Good pair of Gumboots is recommended. In case you are reluctant to use Gum Boots, do carry tough shoes (preferably covering up to ankle).
Carrying Leech socks is advisable
Please carry Odomos to keep you protected from mosquito bites
Carry Permite cream to keep you protected from tick bites.
Carry a pair of Light Trekking chappal

Travel Information for Mumbai Participants

Participants traveling from Mumbai can board an overnight train from Panvel or other Mumbai stations to reach Thivim in the morning. Return train for Mumbai departs Thivim at 12:22 PM and reaches Mumbai by night.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Tilari – Introduction & First Night Trail

Participants arriving by train will be picked up from Thivim Railway Station around 10:00 AM. From there, we begin a scenic drive through the lush Western Ghats landscape toward Tilari — a hidden biodiversity hotspot on the Goa–Maharashtra border known for its rich macro life and nocturnal wildlife.

Upon arrival at our nature stay, settle into your accommodation and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch. After some rest, we will conduct a short introduction session covering safety protocols, macro photography techniques, and the creative approach for night wildlife photography.

By 5:30 PM, we begin our first guided night trail, continuing until approximately 9:00 PM. Tilari’s forest ecosystem comes alive after sunset, offering excellent opportunities to photograph frogs, insects, spiders, reptiles, fungi, and other nocturnal species in their natural habitat.

Return to the stay for dinner and rest.

Day 2: Macro Trail, Knowledge Sessions & Extended Night Photography

Early morning at 7:00 AM, we head out for a dedicated macro photography trail lasting until 10:00 AM. This session focuses on documenting insects, amphibians, reptiles, fungi, and forest details in soft natural light - ideal for close-up and environmental macro compositions.

After returning to the stay, enjoy breakfast followed by an interactive image review and discussion session. We will analyze the morning’s photographs, discuss composition, light control, depth of field, and subject isolation techniques specific to macro wildlife photography.

Post lunch, participants can rest before gathering for a knowledge-sharing session covering advanced macro lighting, diffusers, ethical wildlife photography practices, and creative framing in forest conditions.

After dinner, we head out for an extended night trail until midnight. This session is dedicated to creative night photography — experimenting with angles, behaviour documentation, and working responsibly with artificial light to capture compelling nocturnal wildlife images.

Day 3: Final Exploration & Departure

We begin early with a final exploration trail focused on locating additional macro subjects, rare forest fauna, and fungi species that thrive in Tilari’s moist forest ecosystem.

After returning, breakfast will be served. Participants will then pack their belongings, and the Tilari Macro & Night Wildlife Photography Expedition concludes.

Drop to Thivim Railway Station will be arranged accordingly.

Field Learnings

On-field learning from the experts is said to be one of the best methods of improving your skillsets. Our Wildlife Photography Expert will handhold you at every possible step for a better understanding of perspectives, camera controls, and how to make use of the best opportunities to get better images. The training will focus on the following

How to approach Wildlife in the field
Exposure control in the field under difficult light conditions
Mastering metering techniques (Spot, partial, center-weighted, evaluative)
Mastering auto focus, focusing points, AF locking and focus tracking for moving subjects
How to get sharp images of moving subjects
Framing and composition in the field
Ethics in Wildlife Photography

Image Review Session

To maximize and complete your photographic learning, join our evening session of informal discussions on image review. Our expert will work on a few of yours (which you clicked during the day) and demonstrate various techniques to give a final shape to your artwork. The following will be discussed

Histogram and exposure control
Colour correction methods
Cropping and image resizing
Composition

Package Cost

Indian nationals:
Twin sharing: INR 18,000 per person inclusive of all taxes
Single occupancy: Not available

Foreign nationals:
Twin sharing: US$ 280 per person inclusive of all taxes
Single occupancy: Not available

Gold members - Upto 5% off
Silver members - Upto 3% off

WhatsApp to ask for a payment link.

[Save upto 2.5% on your dues by opting to pay via NEFT / RTGS / UPI]

Cost includes

Accommodation for 2 nights and 3 days.
All three meals during our stay at Tilari
All park entry charges, Camera fee etc.
DCP photography expert for 3 days.
Local guide charges throughout
All service charges and taxes

Cost does not include:

Travel from your city to Thivim
Mineral Water, Soft Drinks, Laundry Charges, Phone Calls, Tips etc.
Any kind of insurance, Medical or/and Emergency Charges.
Any extra meals not included in the above itinerary.

Map

Tilari forest

Policies

Cancellation policy

All cancellations before 30 days of the event date - 100% credit
All cancellations between 20 - 30 days of the event date - 50% credit
All cancellations within 20 days of the event date - No credit possible

FAQ's

Can I get a single occupany accomodation?

Yes. Please send us a mail to info@dcpexpeditions.com as it is subject to availability.

Can a non photographer join the tour?

Yes certainly. However, the cost will remain the same

Design Your Custom Tour

Tilari - Macro Photography Expedition, July 2026

₹ 18,000₹ 21,000

₹18,000₹ 21,000