Rathika Ramasamy Munnar Masterclass, August, 2025
Workshop : Rathika Ramasamy Nature Photography Masterclass
Venue : Munnar, Kerala, India
Workshop Dates : 21st -24th August, 2025 (3Nights/4Days)
Workshop Costs : INR 45,000/- (Inclusive of Tax)
Number of Participants : 6
Skill Level: Medium to advanced
For registration please click here.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Thursday, August 21, 2025
• Arrival at Cochin by 10:00 AM
• Departure for Munnar
• Check-in at the hotel between 1:00-2:00 PM
• Post-lunch: Introduction session + Macro & Bird Photography session
• Early dinner, followed by Macro Photography & Night Herping Session
Day 2: Friday, August 22, 2025
• Special trip : Target species: Resplendent Bush Frog & Günther’s Vine Snake
• Travel Distance: 30 km (20 km on-road, 10 km off-road)
• Spotting opportunities: Galaxy Frogs, Shrub Frogs, and other unique species
• Lunch: Kerala-style meal at a local restaurant
• Evening: Return to the hotel, download morning images, and rest
• Early dinner, followed by Night Herping Session
Day 3: Saturday, August 23, 2025
• Morning: Birding / Nilgiri Tahr at Eravikulam National Park
• Nilgiri Tahr/Bird shooting
• Lunch, followed by a Photography Review Session
• Early dinner, followed by Night Herping Session
Day 4: Sunday, August 24, 2025
• Morning: Post-breakfast check-out and departure for Cochin Airport
Detailed schedule and packing list will be send once the registration is complete.
Cost includes :
- Mentor fee
- Herping local guide charges
- Bird guide charges
- Park entry fee
- Accommodation at Munnar (Twin sharing)
- Food
- Local transport in Munnar includes jeep safaris and dedicated transport for Herping session.
Cost Excludes :
- Air fare
- Transport from Cochin Airport to Munnar and return from Munnar to Cochin Airport.
- Any meal or extras not mentioned.
- Any kind of personal expenses like mineral water, soft drinks, phone calls. laundry etc
- Any additional activities.
- Any extra expenses due to change in itinerary due to delay/cancellation of flight, natural calamity, political unrest, medical condition or any other unforeseen circumstance.
Payment Terms:
You can register paying 50% amount as registration confirmed(Non refundable).
Balance to be paid one month before the masterclass.
You can pay GPay or Direct bank transfer. Once registration is confirmed, will send the mode of payment details.
Other details:
- Accommodation will be on twin sharing.
- Accommodation : Maxi Munnar T & U Leisure Hotel ( Near Munnar rose garden)
- We have limited the number of seats to just 6, ensuring that Rathika can dedicate more individual time to each participant
- The transfer to Munnar (3 hours from Cochin airport) will depart at 10.30 am.
- Return flight to be booked late afternoon or evening of 24th August 2025.
- Car pool will be arranged at Cochin airport for participants on a shared cost basis (Details of cost will be shared closer to the trip date ).
- If your flight is delayed or arrives late, we can try and help you organise an alternative transfer but please be aware that the cost of this will have to be completely borne by you and not be shared by other participants.
- A WhatsApp group will be created for all participants once registration is closed, it helps with logistics coordination.
About Munnar Habitat :
Munnar, located in the Western Ghats of Kerala, is a biodiversity hotspot known for its rich birdlife and diverse reptile and amphibian species. It offers a variety of habitats that make it an excellent destination for birding and herping.
Shola forests in Munnar are dense, misty patches of evergreen forests interspersed with grasslands, providing a unique ecosystem for endemic and rare species. Chances to spot Nilgiri flycatcher, White-bellied blue robin, Nilgiri wood pigeon, and Malabar whistling thrush. We will be looking for Reptiles & Amphibians, like Rare frogs like the Resplendent Bush Frog (Raorchestes resplendens), Spectacled cobra, bamboo pit viper, and Indian chameleon and various shieldtail snakes. The rolling grasslands of Munnar, especially in Eravikulam National Park, are home to specialized high-altitude birds and reptiles. Herping Highlights: Green vine snakes, saw-scaled vipers, and endemic geckos like the Roux’s forest lizard. Munnar’s numerous streams, waterfalls, and reservoirs create ideal conditions for wetland birds and amphibians. Good place to photography Frogs & Reptiles, The Malabar gliding frog, Indian rock python, and various caecilians. Though not a primary birding habitat, the tea estates and scattered woodlands around Munnar support mixed-species bird flocks.
Who Could Join? And what you will get to shoot?
The Masterclass and its schedule are thoughtfully designed to help you build an exceptional portfolio while mastering new photography techniques. Rathika’s Masterclass focuses on both subject and habitat knowledge—understanding your subjects is key to creating compelling, storytelling images. Whether you’re already into wildlife or macro photography, this Masterclass will guide you in planning and executing your shoots effectively. You’ll learn how to capture stunning images of birds, reptiles, and amphibians in Munnar, refining your skills for breathtaking results.
Mode of Transport :
By Air : Nearest airport Cochin
Participants are advised to book early morning flights from their respective cities.
Arrival time 9-10 AM
Return tickets, evening / afternoon flight from Cochin.
Cochin airport to Munnar 106 km distance, It will take 3 hrs.
If participants book their flights to arrive at the same time, a shared taxi from the airport can be arranged.
Nearest railway station: Aluva, Kerala
Bus : Munnar is well connected by Bus, from Eranakulam, Cochin, Madurai.
Terms and conditions :
*The workshop charges for Indian National Only. Foreign nationals write to us for charges. NRI’s have to pay extra for entry tickets.
*Rathika Ramasamy Photography is organising the workshop. It does not own or operate or control any transport company, hotel etc. We will take care of all arrangements with most care, but it since it has no control in their operation, it cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage, injury or death which may be caused by the act or default of the management or employees of any, hotels, airlines, transport company.
*Littering and taking anything from nature trails is strictly prohibited. All parks has certain rules to follow, everyone has to follow the rules. Breaking the rules is series offence.
*All our photography workshops we follow ethics of wildlife photography, Nesting Photography and sharing information about nesting places are not permitted.
*Group video, photographs we will use for promotion purpose. If any individual does not agree, feel free to inform us via email or whatzup message before the workshop.
*Don’t take locals and other participants without their permission. Don’t share them without concerned person permission.
*Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited during the workshop.
*Rathika Ramasamy Photography will not be held responsible in case of any legal action mentioned above points.
*It is wildlife, Rathika Ramasamy Photography does not guarantee any wildlife sightings. Participants should come with open mind. Though we try capture all check list birds.
Please register only if you agree with Rathika Ramasamy Photography workshops terms and conditions.
