Go on a bioluminescent trail in Goa

• Mrugaya Xpeditions’ night forest trails offer encounters with the wild

• The trails are led by passionate and knowledgeable guides

• Highlight of the trail includes sighting of bioluminescent fungi

If you find yourself in the stillness of Goa's monsoon wilderness, the only distinctive sounds you'll hear are the gentle patter of rain, the rustling of leaves, and the frogs croaking nearby or in the distance.

But beyond this spectacle, what makes the wilderness truly special during the monsoon is its ability to slow you down, and invite you to notice the smallest things: the way mushrooms sprout from termite mounds, how tree crabs cling to hollow trunks, how snakes lie in quiet readiness for their prey or how a frog’s foam nest floats above a quiet pond.

Discover a sacred 'rai' deep in a prehistoric forest in Goa

All this forest drama unfolds during the bioluminescent forest trails conducted by Mrugaya Xpeditions, which are a rare opportunity for those willing to pause, look closer, and listen.

Conducted on the periphery of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary at Tambdi Surla, these night trails are not just ecotours; they’re immersive journeysthat gently urge visitors to notice, appreciate and fall in love with the wild, often for the first time.

FOREST AWAKENING: A quiet walk into the wild where every wild thing holds a secret.

And, for Kuldip Santosh Topo, one of the young naturalists who guides these trails, it’s a calling more than a job. “What I love most is when beginners come along,” he says.

“Their curiosity is pure. When they ask about every insect, every sound, it gives me joy to explain the details they’ve never noticed before.”

Kuldip Santosh TopoWhat I love most is when beginners come along. Their curiosity is pure. When they ask about every insect, every sound, it gives me joy to explain the details they’ve never noticed before.

The trails begin at dusk, as participants silently walk through a forest trail teeming with life. As darkness takes over, some of the species one can sight include the camouflaged burrowing frog, the elusive hump-nosed pit viper, glowing scorpions, stick insects, and pink and purple tree crabs.

But the real high point of the trail is when Kuldip flashes his UV light across a fallen log in the darkness and, suddenly, a patch of earth comes alive with glow-in-the-dark fungi and scorpions that glow.  

The trails begins at dusk, as participants silently walk through a forest trail teeming with life. As darkness takes over, some of the species one can sight include the camouflaged burrowing frog, the elusive hump-nosed pit viper, glowing scorpions, stick insects, and pink and purple tree crabs.

“It was surreal,” said Sujatha Yelluru, one of the participants, who undertook this trail for the first time. “I had no idea nature had these secrets. You feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy world.”

For Sujatha, who was accompanied by her daughter Meghana and her son-in-law's cousin, Aseem Dass, the experience was a first in more ways than one. “We’ve done safaris before, but this was different,” said an excited Sujatha after the trail.

WILD WONDERS: From camouflaged snakes to tree crabs, the forest comes alive with creatures small and tiny.

“It wasn’t about big animals. It was about the little things like spiders, spores, and tiny frogs. It was about seeing the wild up close that made the trail so very special,” she said.

And for Meghana, Sujatha's daughter, Meghana, the trail was educative and informative. But what mattered more for her was the warm hospitality they received at the Jungletrails Homestayin nearby Talde village, where they were served a wholesome, home-cooked meal.

“That meal was the best part of our trip,” said Meghana. “And it wasn’t just about the food. We met other nature lovers, exchanged stories, and shared our awe at what we saw,” she added.

Sujatha YelluruIt wasn’t about big animals. It was about the little things like spiders, spores, and tiny frogs. It was about seeing the wild up close that made the trail so very special

The forest trail of Mrugaya Xpedetions offers a chance to recalibrate one’s relationship with the natural world. “It’s not often that city dwellers stop to observe glowing fungi,” said Kuldip. “But once they do, they begin to see the forest not as background, but as a living, breathing world with its own intelligence.”

Kuldip has been exploring Goa’s forests for years and currently under Mrugaya Xpeditions he is sharing his passion and knowledge. He is grateful for this opportunity. “It’s a quiet awakening for people, who go back with more respect for nature,” he said.  

Your essential guide to forest birds of Goa

This bioluminescent trail is about the discovery of the intricate web of life that thrives in the dark.

DETAILS

WHAT: Bioluminescent forest trail

WHERE: Tambdi Surla, Dharbandora, Goa

CONTACT: +91 93093 85711

EMAIL: info@mrugayaxpeditions.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where does the forest trail take place?

On the periphery of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, near Tambdi Surla in Goa.

Who conducts the forest trail?

Passionate naturalists of Mrugaya Xpeditions

What makes this trail special?

A: It’s immersive and educational focusing on nocturnal and monsoon-specific life forms like frogs, snakes and insects.

Is this suitable for beginners?

The trail is rewarding for first-timers due to its slow pace and emphasis on small wonders.

Is it safe for children and elderly?

The trail is guided, non-strenuous, and meant for all ages