Mangalajodi is a bird paradise. More than 200 species of birds both resident and migratory are found in this area of Chilika Lake, the beautiful blue lagoon, at different points of time in a year. The flying architecture of Godwits under bright sunshine is mind blowing and fabulous. The silver and black clouds appearing alternatively and suddenly at few hundred feet away from one's boat while on travel mesmerize one's intrinsic thought of being immersed with the beauty of this part of world. Mangalajodi village about 70 Kms away from Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Odisha state in the eastern part of Peninsular India. This village is on the bank of Chillika Lake and a landscape full of bamboo and mango trees which creates a natural ambience. Travel and visit to this place always carry a distinct, incredible and picturesque beauties at different point of times, be it winter, summer or rain. Boat riding is most enjoyable as the guides share their past experiences as hunters / poachers and now turned to the die hard bird protectors. Mangalajodi has now carved a place in world tourism map because of unique conservation method by once die hard poachers and second highest congregation of migratory birds in this area of Chilika Lake. Mangalajodi, rechristened as "Birders Paradise" is a hot and pretty spot for birders and bird photographers. Especially in winter, migration of lakh of avian birds to this wet land invite the designated tourists towards it.

Target Species

Blacktailed Godwit, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Pintail,Black Ibis,Black headed Ibis,Jacanas,Purple Heron,Open bill Stork,Citrine Wagtail,Painted Snipe,Egrets,Pied Kingfisher,Black winged Stilt, Swamp hens, Yellow and Cinnamon Bitterns, Ruddy breasted Crake, Stint, Sandpipers, Red wattled Lapwing,Grey Lapwing, Northern shoveller, SpotBilled duck, Whiskered tern,River tern,Gulls barn swallows and many more.


Date: 2nd-5th December 2021 (3 nights 4 days)

Day 1:
6 am / 8.30 am - Arrival at Bhubaneshwar Railway Station/Airport
Pickup and transfer from railway station / airport to Mangalajodi
8.30 am - Checkin at the Mangalajodi eco-tourism resort
9 am to 11 am -Trip #1. A short trip to get a feel of the paradise!
12 noon - Lunch
1 pm to 5 pm - Trip#2. Boating, Birding and bird photography.
6 pm: back to the cottage
Day 2:
5 am - Wake up and get ready .
6 am to 10 am - Trip#3. Boating and birding and bird photography
10.30 am - Breakfast, followed by an early lunch at 12.30 noon
1 pm to 5 pm - Trip#4. Boating and birding and bird photography
Day 3:
5 am - Wake up and get ready.
6 am to 10 am - Trip#5. Boating and birding and bird photography
10.30 am - Breakfast, followed by an early lunch at 12.30 noon
1 pm to 5 pm - Trip#6. Boating and birding and bird photography.
Day 4:
5 am - Wake up and get ready.
6 am to 11am - Trip#7. Boating and birding and bird photography
last one to finish it off on a grand scale.
12 pm to 2 pm: Lunch and rest. Packing time
2 pm - Transfer back to the Bhubaneshwar Railway Station/Airport

We will stay in Mangalajodi eco-tourism resort, which is one of the best places to stay in Mangalajodi. Mangalajodi Eco-tourism resort is a community led conservation project. The staff employed here are local villagers, some of whom are fishermen. The guides and boatmen are erstwhile poachers turned conservationists. Very comfortable stay, very good hospitality to take good care of you the moment you arrive and till you leave.

The resort has separate beds. Resort will be well sanitized before we check-in and in between. To avoid cross contamination and to keep social distancing beds are placed accordingly. Hotel staff are well-trained and keeping social distance.

The following safety kit is provided free to all registered participants


Things to carry

Telephoto lenses – preferably above 400 mm
Carry fully charged batteries for your camera / flash.
Carry battery charger. Carry extra pack of camera batteries
Carry backup memory cards / HDD storage drives, Laptop
Carrying a Tripod is a must for all bird photography workshops
Carry a big towel / cloth to protect your gear from dust
Carry a big cloth / bandanna / scarf to protect you from the dust
Warm clothes, gloves for the chilly early mornings.
Sun screens are very important
It is advisable to carry basic first aid along with you.
Please carry Odomos to keep you protected from mosquito bites.
Carry a pair of good binoculars

On field learning from the experts is said to be one of the best methods of improving your skillsets. Our expert will hand hold you at every possible step for a better understanding of perspectives, camera controls and how to make use of the best opportunities to get better images. The training will focus on the following

How to approach Wildlife in the field
Different modes of shooting (Av / A, Tv / S, M and P)
Exposure control in field under difficult light conditions
Mastering metering techniques (Spot, partial, center weighted, evaluative)
Mastering auto focus, focusing points, AF locking and focus tracking for moving subjects
How to get sharp images of moving subjects
Framing and composition in the field
Ethics in Wildlife Photography

Nature and wildlife have always been an integral part of Swayam's life since his very childhood. When he was a child, his parents would take him to different forests in India, every year. From seeing a River Tern feed its young to catching a glimpse of a fox steal an Olive Ridley's egg, Swayam has had the privilege of witnessing some of the rarest moments of nature. He has been into photographing wildlife for more than a decade since 2009, since he was 17 years old. Swayam is also an avid bird watcher and love photographing birds in their natural habitat. Currently, Swayam is concentrating on documenting conservation photo-stories especially centered around man-animal conflicts and inclusive habitat photography. Swayam is an excellent teacher and shares knowledge selflessly with all around him. He is currently associated with Team DCP Mumbai as a Group Leader.

Rs. 24,000 per head inclusive of all taxes

*To know charges for foreign nationals please write to aW5mbyB8IGRjcGV4cGVkaXRpb25zICEgY29t

Cost includes
Accommodation & meals for 3 nights and 4 days
Boating charges and guide for boating
Transport to and from Jetty and the resort
Transport to and from from Bhubaneswar
Cost excludes

Mineral water / cold drink
Any other expenses done by participants
Cancellation policy
All cancellations before 30 days of the event date - 100% refund
All cancellations between 20 - 30 days of the event date - 50% refund
All cancellations within 20 days of the event date - No refund possible