Mangrovebay Ecocamp, situated 10 kilometres from Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu, is a hidden gem nestled along the Kollidam River. The campsite seamlessly blends nature and adventure with a 90-minute kayaking experience, twinkling stars, fireflies, and a mesmerising music show.
The campsite team ensures easy navigation from Chidambaram town. For those using public transport, the team can arrange auto pick-ups to the campsite.
The hospitality of the people adds to the overall comfort, offering excellent accommodation and delicious food. Even with an unexpected cloud burst and stormy winds, the campsite swiftly restored normalcy.
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Surreal escape
Despite the weather interrupting the stargazing, the music show organised by Starvoirs began, accompanied by the enchanting dance of fireflies, creating a surreal escape from reality.
The Perseids meteor shower event organised by Starvoirs in August 2023 was an extraordinary experience. This time, following the musical event, the sky remained cloudy, hindering astronomical observations. However, a few hours before sunrise, we spotted meteors
Starvoirs, a start-up specialising in stargazing trips in low light-polluted locations, provided a 16-inch telescope at the campsite. It offered views of planets such as Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, and the Moon, providing a wholesome astronomical experience.
The next morning, certified instructors Veera and Prabhu guided a 90-minute kayaking session. First-time kayakers were given a quick tutorial.
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An offbeat adventure
Overall, the experience at Mangrovebay Ecocamp exceeded expectations, providing an offbeat adventure.
As a solo traveller and amateur astrophotographer, the campsite’s Bortle scale rating of class 4 ensures a good view of the Milky Way Galaxy with the naked eye under clear skies.
Having visited the campsite twice, Varadhrajan successfully captured images of the Milky Way Galaxy, and Orion Nebula, and even caught a faint view of the Andromeda Galaxy.
For details, @mangrovebayecocamp or visit paddleforfuture.com. To stay updated on stargazing events at this campsite, check @starvoirs
(As told to Roshne Balasubramanian by Varadharajan R, who is an IT professional during the weekdays, but on a quest for serenity, he transforms into a passionate photographer and solo traveller. Armed with binoculars and a camera, he explores various places to capture the beauty of landscapes and birds in their natural habitat.)
