Agumbe, considered to be a part of one of the world's hottest hotspots is a biodiversity treasure that lies in the quaint stillness of the Western Ghats in Karnataka. The rainforests of Agumbe are said to receive the second-highest rainfall in the world after Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. The land is inhabited by just a couple of hundred families and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna that are only found here.
The rainforest is also home to the King of snakes - King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), known locally as Kālinga.
The region is an unending maze of wilderness that calls out to every adventurer and nature enthusiast. The host of mammals, reptiles, and birds found here is exquisite and the grandeur of this UNESCO World Heritage Site will leave you bewitched.
The campsite of this retreat is located at a place called Guddekere which is almost 8 Km from Agumbe and roughly about 24 Km from Thirthahalli. The site is also said to be the heart of Agumbe with huge trees acting as canopies, crystal clear waterfalls cascading down into a pond that is inviting and streams that break into the lush green carpeted forest floor that are picture-perfect that can leave any explorer awestruck.
Here's a detailed photoblog on our Agumbe Wilderness Retreat.
Day 0:
- Start journey from Bangalore to Agumbe in a Tempo Traveller
Day 1:
- Arrival, Introduction & Ice-breaking
- Introduction to Rainforest Ecology
- A short walk around the campsite in search of Draco (Western Ghats flying lizard)
- Trek to explore the rainforest
- Post lunch Stream walk, where swimming is an option
- Night walk to find Amphibians and nocturnal mammals (flying squirrel, slender loris and more)
- Have authentic hot dinner and take a sound sleep in the lap of nature.
Day 2:
- Wake up to the sounds of nature quite early in the morning
- Depart from the campsite and have breakfast at Thirthahalli
- Visit Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (if time permits)
- Lunch en route and travel back to Bangalore.
Tour Notes:
GUIDELINES:
- Bonfire and loud music are prohibited in view of avoiding any disturbance to animals.
- Handling, agitating, or disturbing any wildlife will warrant to strict action
- Collection of any kind of flora or fauna is not permitted
- Exercise caution, control, and care during observation and photography in the forest to avoid stressing species or exposing them to danger
- Respect the culture and sentiments of locals.
- Kindly avoid carrying plastics and in case it is unavoidable we request that you carry back plastic waste with you. E.g. Pet bottles, plastic bags etc.
- Room service is not available at the campsite.
EXPECTATIONS:
- Our campsite is equipped with Solar Power
- The closest ATM and Pharmacy are24km away
- BSNL is the only network that works intermittently at selected spots within the campus
- Hospitals: Melige hospital at Thirthahalli (24km)and Manipal hospital at Manipal (50km)
- Please carry fully charged batteries for your cameras, torches, laptops and other equipment. Having spare ones will help
- Everyone is expected to wash their own plates, glasses and tea-cups after every meal.
- Get a good understanding of rainforest ecology
- Go in search of Draco, the flying Lizard
- Explore the night amphibians of the rainforest
- Tent stay amidst a rainforest in the hottest biodiversity hotspot of India - Agumbe
- A quick visit to Bhadra wildlife sanctuary
- Camouflage T-Shirt exclusively from Decathlon.
What is included in the tour
- Travel: To and fro travel from Bangalore to Agumbe in a Tempo Traveller
- Accommodation: Tented accommodation on sharing basis, mats and blankets, dining cum discussion hall, clean common bathrooms and toilets (Indian and Western) and hot water facility.
- Food(Malnad cuisine): South-Indian vegetarian / non-vegetarian food, Coffee / Tea (morning and evening): 2 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner.
- Forest Entry Ticket, Wildlife Film
- Treks and Night Walks
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Guide Fees, Trainer Fees and Naturalist Fees
- Toll. Parking and Driver Bata
- Free camouflage T-shirt from Decathlon
What is NOT included in the tour
- Any other expenses incurred apart from inclusions.
- Personal expenses
- Any additional expenses due to emergencies
- Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary entry fees
