Anoop Jacob

Anoop Jacob is a naturalist, adventure guide, and co-founder at Tropic Trails, known for his deep field knowledge of South India’s Western Ghats and its incredible biodiversity. With years of experience leading birding, cycling, kayaking, and hiking expeditions, Anoop blends scientific curiosity with a storyteller’s passion to create immersive journeys that connect travelers with the landscapes and life around them.

His field expertise extends beyond guiding — he is recognized on eBird for recording and updating accurate avian data based on the latest taxonomic splits and topographical variations. Anoop is especially known for his exceptional ability to identify Western Ghats bird species by call alone, including all the region’s endemics. He’s often the first to notice subtle distinctions in song or behavior that even experienced birders might miss.

Discoveries, Adventures, and a Lifelong Learner

Anoop’s commitment to exploration has led to some remarkable field observations — including, alongside his colleague Abid, the first documented record of the Chinese Pond Heron in their observation region. His sharp field instincts and persistence in data logging have earned him respect among India’s birding and eco-travel communities.

Beyond his scientific and guiding skills, Anoop is a lifelong learner who loves to read, research, and adapt to the ever-evolving understanding of India’s natural ecosystems. His tours often reflect this balance — combining fun and challenge with quiet observation, offering travelers a way to see the wild with fresh eyes.

At Tropic Trails, Anoop’s expertise shapes many of the company’s eco-conscious and offbeat South India tours, from misty forest treks in the Western Ghats to serene backwater kayaking routes in Kerala. Guests often describe him as warm, patient, and intuitive — a guide who not only knows where to look, but how to help others truly see.