Nestled in the cool highlands of the Western Ghats, Munnar’s shola forests grasslands and plantations offer a truly unique window into montane herpetofauna. This trail is designed for those who want to slow down, listen deeply, and discover the lesser-known species that call these mist-draped habitats home.

• Explore a landscape shaped by both altitude and evolution — home to shieldtails, caecilians, endemic bush frogs, and much more.

• Traverse shola patches, plantations, and stream crossings in search of fossorial and nocturnal species rarely encountered on typical nature walks.

• Learn about microhabitat preferences, ecological adaptations, and conservation issues from experts with years of field and research experience in this region.

• Nocturnal herping sessions to locate active frogs, geckos, and snakes

• Microhabitat interpretation — from leaf litter to tree hollows

• Guidance on ethical field photography and species documentation

• Chance encounters with species like:

  • Uropeltid shieldtails

  • Raorchestes bush frogs

  • Ichthyophis caecilians

  • Green vine snakes and bronzebacks

  • Himalayan keelbacks and forest skinks