Amboli lies in the Sahayadri Hills of Western India adjoining the coastal highlands of goa. It is considered one of the world’s “Eco Hot-Spots” and known very well for it’s unusual flora and fauna. 

Amboli ghat is one of the wettest places in India and receives very heavy rainfall, hence referred as Cherrapunji of Maharashtra. It’s a heaven for reptile watchers and although there are larger mammals present, the dense nature of forest makes it highly unlikely to spot one.

We went there during peak monsoon for reptile trail and most importantly to see the malabar gliding frog. The home stay was very close to ghats, hence easy to see some reptiles and insects in proximity. It was mid afternoon in Amboli, we were welcomed with some authentic Solkadi and graceful Konkani’s lunch. I went for a small walk on the main road, could feel the freshness of the forest and there was slight drizzle as well.

Later in the evening went to the Amboli waterfall. One of most scenic waterfall you will ever get to see, during peak monsoon the water over flows through the stairs that gives us a visual treat.

It’s customary for reptile watchers to go for a night trail and we didn’t miss out on that. Pitch dark, sounds of insects, drizzle in the air and some leeches creeping on the leech proof socks, oh yeah that’s the life in rain forest 🙂 The guide showed us a green vine snake and some frogs. Couldn’t see the Malabar gliding frog though.

Next morning woke up early and went for a trail on my own. It was heavenly – cool wind, greenery everywhere, misty then the solo walk. Loved it!!! did some birding on the way, before returning.

After breakfast went to see another waterfall Nangartas but this time, we were there at the starting point of the waterfall from where river suddenly turns into a deep waterfall.

Post lunch was the most adventurous of all trails, we tried to walk towards Parikshit point. We saw lot of reptiles on the way, a huge Malabar pit Viper was lying on the branch of a tree and that was my first time seeing such a huge snake in a very close proximity. Found a Malabar gliding frog’s nest. Our guide had a glimpse of it but we didn’t. As we moved towards the Parikshit point there were more and more leeches climbing on us.

At one point we had to stop climbing any further and return because each step we kept, 10-15 leeches keep climbing. Came back and discussed about our sightings.

During the evening trail, saw a rock python and got extremely excited. Went near it, to only find it was not alive. Road accidents kill many reptiles each year and Amboli was no exception.

In the night trail came very close to seeing the sloth bear, the guide said bear has been sighted at that place many times, could hear the sound but didn’t see it.

Doing a trail in middle of the night in thick forest in itself was an experience, sounds of the jungle was such a magic.

This happens to be my first experience in the wild in search of reptiles. One had to concentrate and keep a close watch on any movements on the trees or bushes. Ofcourse loved the flora of Amboli.