Amboli is a Hill station, located in Sahyadri Hills of Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. Amboli is at an altitude of 690m above the sea level & covered with lush green but dense forest. Amboli is all time destination but tourists mostly visit in Monsoon season because of beautiful nature & waterfalls. Rainfall is heavy and for most of the monsoon, it’s cold and foggy here. It’s also very rare to see sunlight during this season.

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Unlike most of the tourists, our interest for visiting Amboli was it’s “Biodiversity & Wildlife”. Amboli is also an attraction for wildlife lovers and Photographers. It’s mainly popular for Reptiles & Amphibians.


Let’s start the Photo tour
We have split this tour in 2 parts: DAY TRAIL & NIGHT TRAIL

Amboli Bus Stand in Monsoon

Amboli S.T. Stand in Monsoon

We reached at Amboli S.T. Stand around 7.00 AM and as you can see, that was the first visual. We, then reached out to our hotel(Home Stay) Durvankur to prepare for our next journey. Getting ready for our morning and afternoon nature trails with proper coverings and our photography weapons 😉


All Set to Embark on a Nature Trail

Wait… are we forgetting something? Yes

Frogs gives you calls at night but TUMMY started giving calls first :D. Maalvani food is a popular type of food in Amboli. Our hotel had tasty snack options like Misal Pav, Amboli (Kinda Uttapa), Omlette etc. Your trails may stretch longer in distance as well as time so you better fill your tummy first and of-course Tea/Coffee after breakfast.

Breakfast with coffee.

Breakfast with coffee.

Amboli is a heavy raining place and so it can be a problem for your uttermost excitement. So you have to be very careful with your gears(Camera Lenses). Also cover yourself as much as you can to avoid spoiling your trip ( Check the list of things to carry on Amboli trip HERE ). Then we met to our friendly & knowledgeable guide Kedar Jadhav. Moving further we started our trail on Chaukul Road, mainly for Green Vine Snake.

After long search and walking, finally we found this little Green BEAUTY:
Green Wine Snake - Amboli, Maharashtra, India

Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta)

Green Wine Snake - Amboli, Maharashtra, India

First response – Snooping

Green Wine Snake - Amboli, Maharashtra, India

In Stealth Mode

Green Wine Snake - Amboli, Maharashtra, India
Green Wine Snake - Amboli, Maharashtra, India
Green Wine Snake - Amboli, Maharashtra, India

The Rising 😉 Photo By: Mangesh Deshpande

After photographing that green beauty, we found this fellow crossing the main road.

You might see regular crabs as well as PURPLE colored crabs in this area.

Ornage crab

See the royal walk Photo By: Mangesh Deshpande

Orange Crab, Amboli, Maharashtra, India

Closeup – Orange Crab

Commonly found Crab, Amboli

Commonly found Crab

SSSShhhhh… Now here’s the scary‚ Malabar Pit Wiper, Green Morph.

Malabar Pit Viper is a venomous snake but not deadly to adult humans if treated in few hours. Its venom causes moderate pain and swelling to humans (Source: Wikipedia). It can be seen in Green, Brown as well as Orange Morphs. We found Brown Morph during our Night Trail (Amboli – Night Trail).

Malabar Pit Viper, Green Morph

Malabar Pit Viper, Green Morph (Trimeresurus Malabaricus)

Closeup - Malabar Pit Viper

Closeup – Malabar Pit Viper

One of the quite but otherwise active places in Amboli Forest
Amboli Forest

Amboli Forest

Here is another MAIN ATTRACTION of Amboli: Malabar Gliding Frog (In Sleeping Mode)

They sleep during the day and are very much active at night. You can hear their calls pretty loudly during the night. And they are in good numbers out there.

Malabar Gliding Frog, Amboli, Maharashtra, India

Malabar Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus Malabaricus)

Hey! Heyy! HOOMANS… I’m trying to sleep here… some privacy please!
Malabar Gliding Frog woke up by heavy rain not US ;)

It woke up by heavy rains not US… Honestly! 😉

Malabar Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus)

See…who is hiding there? Photo By: Mangesh Deshpande

Malabar Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus)

See those colors…isn’t it a BEAUTY? Photo By: Mangesh Deshpande

Here comes the Bush Frog’s Eggs with Closeup shots. Some captures to show you “the life” taking shape in these tiny shells.
Bush Frog's Egg

Bush Frog’s Egg (Pseudophilautus amboli)

Closeup - Bush Frog's egg

Closeup – Bush Frog’s egg

Amboli Bush Frog's egg

Closeup – Bush Frog’s egg

Wrinkled frog eggs

Wrinkled Frog’s Eggs

These are the Tadpoles.
Tadpole

Tadpole

Tadpole

Tadpole

Garden Lizard

Oriental Garden Lizard


Thank you Mangesh Deshpande for a good company on this tour as well as sharing your CAPTURES.

How to Reach:

Amboli is a Hill station, located in Sahyadri Hills of Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra.
Nearest Cities are:
Sawantwadi – 30 km
Kudal- 48 km
Kolhapur – 118 km via Gadhinglaj
Belgaum – 69 km
Gadhinglaj – 55 km


Nearest Railway Stations are:
Sawantwadi Railway Station – 30 km
Kudal Railway Station – 48 km
Belgaum Railway Station – 70 km
Kolhapur Railway Station – 119 km


BEST Time to Visit

Amboli is all time destination for Wildlife lovers but starting from June till November, is the best season for everyone. Amboli is famous for it’s beautiful waterfalls and green landscapes.


Things to Carry
  • Rain Coats and Umbrella (For Photography)
  • Camera and Macro Lens (Preferred)
  • Gum Boots are better but not necessary or else any regular trekking shoes
  • Torch
  • Additional Clothes (Particularly in Monsoon)
  • Your regular Medicines

Get Directions

Check out Night Trail Here

Amboli – Night Trail

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