Tilari Macro and Bird Photography Expedition

Overview

Embark on a 2 nights and 3 days Macro & Wildlife 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 & Wildlife 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 sheet 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

Equipment is available for rental - please mail us at rentals@dcpexpeditions.com.

Itinerary

Day 1

After Pick-Up at the Thivim station we will travel through the scenic drive to the stay and settle into your accommodation. Reaching at Site we will have Lunch. Then will have a Rest and a brief intro of Tour and Tea will be served. The 1st trail will start at 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. We will have Dinner returning and take rest

Day 2

After getting up in Morning we will go to a trail for birds from 6 AM to 9 AM. After returning we will have Breakfast and a short trail of up to 12. Returning back we will have Lunch and take a good rest. After High Tea we will Go out on a small trail up to 7 PM. After Dinner we will go for a Night trail up to midnight and do some creative Photography.

Day 3

We will get up early and go to a Morning birding . Post return will have our breakfast and pack our baggage and go to the station. Train at 12:22 from Thivim and Reach Mumbai by night

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