Tiger Safari Tour of India
Duration: 12 DAYS
Day
01 : Delhi:
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international
airport in Delhi late in the night or midnight. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis
with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction
to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope
- that is India.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi - Ranthambore:
By Train 400 km in 4 hr
Transfer to the station for train to SAWAI MADHOPUR after breakfast.
Reach and transfer to the resort. Evening free at the resort and you can
relax or watch some slides on the tiger.
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, at the junction of the Aravalis and the Vindhyas,
is a unique example of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously
in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 kilometers
from Sawai Madhopur. Get in tune with nature for a luxury holiday in the heart
of the jungle. Ranthambhore National Park has come to be known as "The
land of the Tiger", where most of the documented footage of this majestic
beast has been recorded.
It
spreads over a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep slopes;
from flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp ridges
of the Aravalis, from wide and flat valleys to narrow rocky gorges. An important
geological feature the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhya plateaus meet
the Aravali hill ranges, meanders through the Reserve. The National Park is
bound by the rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the north.
Tiger, at the apex of the food chain, lord over the kingdom in a subtle way.
Solitary by nature, it operates in stealth. Therefore tiger sightings, frequent
as they are, are always a matter of chance. However, even evidences of tiger's
activities are very exciting.
The other kinds of cats found in Ranthambhore are Leopard (Panthera pardus),
Caracal (Felis caracal), Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis), Fishing Cat (Felis
viverrina) and the Jungle Cat (Felis chaus). Besides the big cats, the other
large predators found in Ranthambhore include Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Wolf,
Wild dog (or Dhole), Jackal, Indian Fox, Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Common
Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Mongoose, Ratel (or Honey Badger), Marsh Crocodile
and the Indian Python.
Overnight will be at resort.
Day 03 : Ranthambhore:
Wake up early morning and leave for your safari into the National Park. Track
the tigers and other wildlife through the morning. Return to the resort /
lodge by 1000 in the morning and have breakfast.
Freshen up and either spend time at the pool or visit the town. You could
also go for a nice visit to the temple on top of the fort.
In the afternoon have lunch and then leave again for you afternoon safari.
The safari will be till evening 1700 - 1800 hr and then return to the resort
/ lodge.
Dinner will be at the resort and retire early for the night. Overnight will
be at Ranthambhore.
Day 04 : Ranthambore - Agra:
By Road 220 km in 6 hr
Proceed to Agra after breakfast.
AGRA:
Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little
village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving
it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is
caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble,
narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite
city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still
reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling
streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai
cuisine.
Reach Agra. Check in at hotel.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 05 : Agra - Umaria (Bandavgarh):
By Overnight train
Proceed to visit Taj after breakfast. Enjoy battery van ride to the Taj.
TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which
is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by
Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz
Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned
by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect
symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately
carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
Proceed for sightseeing to the
AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal
emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced
within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Visit Itmadullah's Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father
(The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj).
You will be transferred to station for train to UMARIA. Overnight will be
on train.
Day 06 : Arrive at Bandavgarh:
Reach UMARIA and transfer to Bandavgarh. Reach and enjoy breakfast.
Bandavgarh
is a new National Park with a very long history. Set among the Vindhya hills
of Madhya Pradesh with an area of 168sq miles (437sq km) it contains a wide
variety of habitats and a high density of game, including a large number of
Tigers. This is also the White tiger country. These have been found in the old
state of Rewa for Many years. Maharaja Martand Singh captured the last known
in 1951. This white Tiger, Mohun is now stuffed and on display in the Palace
of Maharaja of Rewa. Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandavgarh
had long been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve of the Maharaja of
Rewa. The Maharaja and his guests carried out hunting - otherwise the wildlife
was well protected. It was considered a good omen for Maharaja of Rewa to shoot
109 tigers. His Highness Maharaja Venkat Raman Singh shot 111 Tigers by 1914.
There are 32 hills in this part of the park, which has a large natural fort
at its center. The fort's cliffs are 2625 feet (800 meters) high, 1000 feet
(300 meters) above the surrounding countryside. Winter temperatures (Nov-mid-February)
vary from almost freezing at night to around 68 degree Fahrenheit in the daytime.
Summer nights are also cooler than the daytime temperatures, which rise to
104 degree Fahrenheit. This park is closed during the breeding season, which
coincides with the monsoon (July-October). Rainfall in the park averages 50
inches (120cm) per year.
Bandavgarh is justifiably famous for its Tigers, but it has a wide range of
other game. The undergrowth is not as dense as in some northern terai forests,
but the best time to see the park inhabitants is still the summer months when
water becomes scarce and the undergrowth dies back.
Proceed for full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris with lunch
break in-between)
Overnight will be in the lodge.
Day 7 : Bandavgarh:
Breakfast will be in the lodge.
Proceed for full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris with lunch
break in-between)
Trip to the Bandavgarh Fort: The oldest fort in India - considered to be more
than 2500 years. One-hour trek up the fort is worth the effort. The charm of
this trek lies in discovering these monuments in the jungle, unspoiled and unexplored.
Some of the statues lie off the main path and so it is best to take a guide.
Apart from the avatars, well worth seeing are three small temples of around
the 12th century. These temples are deserted but the fort is still used as a
place of worship. Kabir Das, the celebrated 16th century saint, once lived and
preached here. The natural ramparts of the fort give breathtaking view of the
surrounding countryside. The fort still belongs to the Maharaja of Rewa and
permission is required to visit it. However permission is available locally
and no trip to Bandhavgarh is complete without making an effort to climb up
the fort. The staff of the resort carries your lunch while you are busy
negotiating
the trek to the fort.
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 8 : Bandavgarh - Kanha:
By Road 255 km in 6 hr
After breakfast drive to Kanha.
This is the place that has been described by RUDYARD KIPLING in his great book
"The Jungle Book". Located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh,
Kanha National Park is a tiger reserve that extends over an area of over 940
square km. A horseshoe shaped valley bounded by the spurs of the Mekal presents
an interesting topography. Steep rocky escarpments along the edges offer breathtaking
views of the valley. Realizing the danger on the Tiger population in the country,
the Government started the "Project Tiger" at Kanha and in 1974 the
area was declared a Tiger reserve. The park is also the habitat of the high
ground Barasingha.
In 1930s, the Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries - Hallon and Banjar
of 250kms to 300kms each. Though one of these was subsequently disbanded .The
area remained a protected one until 1947. Depletion of the tiger population
in the year that followed led to the area being made an absolute sanctuary
in 1952.
Patient watching should reward the visitor, with a sight of Indian Fox, Sloth
bear, Striped hyena, Jungle cut, Lepord, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned
antelope, Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine Kanha has some 200 species of birds.
Watchers should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo
forests harbour many species and in the grassy forest clearings. Water birds
can be seen near the park's many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is
frequented by water birds and the area in front of the museum.
Reach in the afternoon and relax at the resort.
Overnight will be at the Kanha Resort.
Day 9 : Kanha:
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Proceed for full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris with lunch
break in-between)
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 10 : Kanha:
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Proceed for full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris with lunch
break in-between)
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 11 : Kanha - Nagpur:
By Road 240 km in 5 hr
Proceed for the morning safari into forest.
Proceed to NAGPUR after breakfast.
Stop at PENCH for lunch and a short safari to spot wild dogs.
Reach and relax at the hotel. Overnight will be at Nagpur.
Day 12 : Delhi:
Nagpur - Delhi: By Air in the morning
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Check in at hotel for the day.
Start with the sightseeing of Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit
to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort
continuing to the Jama Masjid by bicycle rickshaws, one of Asia's largest
mosques. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built
during the years 1638 - 48 when the Moghul Empire was at its peak. The tour
continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques and which is viewed
from the outside.
People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby
bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.
Enjoy the rickshaw ride at Old Delhi.
After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects
the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi
is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively.
The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the
life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean
a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast,
is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards.
Imperial Delhi will include the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India.
The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament
building and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's residence. If time permits
then visit the Lotus temple located in south of Delhi. It is lotus shaped
and has rightly been given the name. It is made of marble, cement, dolomite
and sand. It is open to all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and
obtaining peace and tranquility. Its founder, Bahaullah (1817-1892), is regarded
by Bahai as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches
back beyond recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster,
Christ and Muhammad.
Enjoy the FAREWELL DINNER with DANCES SHOW and proceed to the airport in
time for flight home.
TOUR ENDS
THE TOUR INCLUDES:
- DOUBLE SHARING ACCOMMODATION AT MENTIONED HOTELS,
- GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOURS OF AGRA AND DELHI,
- ALL AIR-CONDITIONED CAR TRANSFERS WITH DRIVER,
- ASSISTANCE AT THE AIRPORTS/STATIONS,
- DAILY BUFFET BREAKFASTS,
- ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES,
- SAFARIS INCLUDED AT ALL NATIONAL PARKS,
- ALL MEALS AT RANTHAMBHORE, BANDAVGARH AND KANHA,
- AIR-CONDITIONED TRAIN FARES INCLUDED,
- ELEPHANT JOY RIDE AT BANDAVGARH,
- ECONOMY CLASS AIRFARE FROM NAGPUR TO DELHI,
- NATIONAL PARK PERMITS INCLUDED AND
- ALL MEET AND ASSIST SERVICES.
SUGGESTED HOTELS:
CITY |
1ST CLASS HOTELS & LODGES |
NIGHTS |
DELHI |
THE PARK |
01 |
RANTHAMBHORE |
SHERBAGH |
02 |
AGRA |
TAJ VIEW |
01 |
BANDAVGARH |
ROYAL TIGER RESORT |
02 |
KANHA |
TULI TIGER RESORT |
03 |
NAGPUR |
TULI INTERNATIONAL |
01 |
DELHI |
THE PARK |
01 |
PRICE: (PER PERSON IN US$)
OCCUPANCY DETAILS |
TOUR PRICE |
Double Occupancy |
1999 |
NOTE:
1. Please note that personal expenses, tips, etc. are not included along with
camera charges at the monuments or parks. All rates are per person.
2. Monument entrances are not included.
3. The journey between Ranthambhore and Bharatpur could be by fast express train
in 3 hr depending on the day of the week.
4. All hotels suggested are subject to availability.
5. There are two safaris everyday.
6. The elephant rides at Kanha and Bandavgarh are subject to National Park regulations.
7. TIGER SHOW will be included if available.