Head to Matheran for an overnight nature walk to spot nocturnal fauna

Asian Forest Scorpion. Pics courtesy/VAGABOND EXPERIENCES

Nights are when Matheran's forests come alive," says Elijah Almeida, experience manager and field guide at Vagabond Experiences. The platform is organising Scales & Tales: An Ethical Herping Walk in Matheran, a guided overnight forest walk to observe nocturnal wildlife of the hill station.

Banded Ground Gecko

The walk will explore Matheran's reptile diversity and focus on ethical wildlife observation and understanding animal behavior. Under torchlight, the trail can reveal Bamboo Pit Vipers, Northern Western Ghats Vine Snakes, and Beddome's Cat Snakes, along with Deccan Bent-toed Geckos, Asian Forest Scorpions, wolf spiders, and frogs.

Elijah Almeida

For Almeida, Matheran's setting adds to the experience. "It's secluded, has less pollution and the forest is very quiet." With groups of 10, participants maintain their distance from wildlife and do not touch reptiles. For a few hours, the only rush is the sound of leaves.

ON September 26; 11.45 pm
MEETING POINT Outside Shelu Station (Central Railway).
LOG ON TO vagabondexperiences.com
CALL 9321804770
ENTRY Rs 2250