Wildlife
Tours In India
Birding Tour IndiaDuration
: 19 Nights & 20 Days.
Destination Covered : Delhi - Corbett -
Nainital - Mukteshwar - Delhi - Ranthambhore - Bharatpur - Agra - Umaria
(Bandhavgarh) - Kanha - Jabalpur - Delhi . Day 1 :
Arive 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 2 : Delhi - Corbett Breakfast will be at
hotel.
Drive to CORBETT National Park. On the way we will stop at
Ramnagar and look for the fabulous IBISBILL amongst the riverside boulders.
JIM CORBETT National Park - One of the greatest National Parks of Asia.
Corbett is five hundred and twenty acres of forests, hills and grasslands,
fed by a frisky river - A bio-diversity that is rich, rare and precious.
This Park is the perfect habitat for the tiger, elephant, hog deer, birds
and other wildlife species that is fast vanishing from the earth.
Check
in at the resort and relax. Proceed for an afternoon to KOSI riverbanks and
look for CRESTED KINGFISHER, PLUMBOUS REDSTART & LITTLE FORKTAIL. The
resort you will stay in is surrounded by excellent forest with many birds
including the delightful VELVET FRONTED NUTHATCH.
Relax in the evening
at the resort restaurant. Overnight will be at resort.
Day 3 :
CorbettEnjoy a full day birding along the riverbanks and in the
nearby green area. Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 4 :
Corbett National ParkAfter breakfast drive inside the forest and
full day BIRDING in the park. Corbett National Park protects a large tract
of forest and savanna in the Himalayan foothills, and was India's first
National Park. In winter is quite cold in these areas and birds descend from
the higher levels of the Himalayas to add to the park's bird riches. The
variety of birds in this area is fantastic and moreover the area has its own
population of tigers. The lodge inside the park is BASIC but with private
facilities and the location is great!!! Overnight will be inside the forest
at rest house in DHIKALA.
Day 5: Corbett National ParkEnjoy
full day BIRDING in the park. Overnight will be inside the forest at rest
house in DHIKALA.
Day
6: Corbett National Park - Nainital Breakfast will be at the guest
house. Drive to Nainital. The road is uphill and the scenery spectacular.
Nainital lies beside a glacial lake and is backed by a crater like ridge
with snowcapped peaks beyond rising to over 2600 m. The area is a mixture of
pinewoods, open country and small lakes, and the views from some of the
hills behind the town are simply fantastic. Here LAMMERGEIERS and HIMALAYAN
GRIFON VULTURES soar overhead. Reach by late afternoon and enjoy the evening
birding around the resort. Overnight will be in Nainital.
Day
7: NainitalBreakfast will be at the resort. Enjoy full day birding
in and around Nainital. Walk among the area's forests and fields in search
of resident and migrant mountain birds. Including RED FLANKED BLUETAIL,
STREAKED LAUGHING THRUSH, ALTAI ACCENTOR AND GOLDEN BUSH ROBIN for some
spectacular birding. Overnight will be in Nainital.
Day 8:
Nainital - MukteshwarBreakfast will be in the resort. Proceed to
Mukteshwar - 52 km from Nainital and 6 km from the resort. It is at the
height of 2286 m and famous for IVRI campus, thickly wooded forests and
majestic view of the Himalaya, near by in the stone hole of Chauli ki Jali
dedicated to Lord Shiva where people come to pray for children. The Lohakot
at Mukteshwar is an extension of Gagar mountain range. Mukteshwar's wild
life sanctuary is a division of Corbett National park. From Mukteshwar
Himalaya ranging can be seen. Enjoy some beautiful birding for the rest of
the day. Birds included will be as per list attached (birds around
Mukteshwar) and time will pass fast. Overnight will be in a small but
beautiful mountain resort.
Day 9: Mukteshwar - DelhiEarly
morning birding will be around the resort. Proceed for Delhi after
breakfast. This will be a long drive and you will need to relax on reaching
Delhi. Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day
10: Delhi - RanthambhoreTransfer 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 - perhaps the best place in the world to
sight a tiger in the wild. The Ranthambhore National Park has had more Tiger
sightings than any other National Park in the country. It has come to be
known as "The land of the Tiger", where most of the documented
footage of this majestic beast has been recorded. The lakes abound with
aquatic vegetation including duck weeds, lilies and lotus. A haven for a
multitude of wild animals, the Park boasts of playing host to tigers,
leopards, the elusive caracals, hyenas, sloth bears, wild boars, crocodiles
and so on. Besides, there are over 300 species of birds, from the majestic
Crested Serpent Eagle to the exotic Golden Oriole. Asian Paradise Flycatcher
is also found here. Overnight will be in Ranthambhore.
Day 11:
RanthambhoreEnjoy the TIGER SAFARIS & BIRDING inside the
jungle. Overnight will be at the resort.
Day
12: Ranthambhore - Bharatpur
Proceed to Bharatpur after breakfast. Just 176 km from Delhi is a very special
wilderness - the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, one of the finest water-bird
sanctuaries in the world. The Maharaja of Bharatpur artificially created the
lake and wetland in the 19th century. By building small dykes and dams and diverting
water from an irrigation canal, he converted this low-lying area into a fine
wild fowl shooting preserve. In a few years, the new wetland surrounded by marginal
forests was able to support thousands of water birds. Commonly referred to as
Bharatpur, the Park is a delight for bird watchers. Over 375 species of birds
are found here and raised paths, camouflaged by babul trees and undergrowth
make viewing easy. A quiet ride by boat in the early hours of the morning is
also unforgettable experience. The cacophony is unbelievable as painted storks,
open bills, spoonbills, egrets, cormorants, white ibis and multitudes of others,
tend their young. Jacanas with their iridescent colors and elegant tail feathers
and purple moorhen can be seen delicately treading over the floating vegetation.
Every year Bharatpur waits with bated breath for the arrival of the Siberian
cranes. There are only two wintering places for this rare species one in Iran
and the other Bharatpur and these beautiful birds with their distinctive red
beaks and facial patches, fly over 6400 km from their summer retreats. Colorful
kingfishers, graceful pelicans rare Siberian cranes and Trans- continental fliers
- the migratory water - fowl are amongst the 375 species of birds found in the
Keoladeo National Park. The most spectacular nesting is that of the egrets,
storks, herons and cormorants, which make over 10,000 nests every year. This
makes outstanding bird havens of the world. The park covers an area of 28.73km.
The story of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is incomplete without an account of the
migratory waterfowl. The most prominent waterfowl coming to this park are bareheaded
and greylag geese. Ducks also create a lot of fluttering in the lakes. The ducks
usually found here are pintail, widgeon, common shelduck, shoveler, garganey,
teal, etc. Attracted by the influx of the waterfowl the predatory birds-tawny
eagles, spotted eagles short-toed eagles imperial eagles and fishing eagle also
arrive. They all form the apex of the biological pyramid of the sanctuary and
complete the avian food chain of the ecosystem. There are large herds of the
nilgai, chital, wild boar and fear cows in addition to a few herds of sambar.
Reach and check in at the hotel. Proceed on RICKSHAW for viewing the birds.
RICKSHAW PULLERS have been trained by the forest department in bird watching
and are knowledgeable. Return to the lodge in the evening and relax. Overnight
will be at Bharatpur.
Day 13: Bharatpur - AgraProceed
for the early morning RICKSHAW RIDE at the Bird Park. Breakfast will be at
hotel. Enjoy the second round of BIRDING IN BHARATPUR. Proceed to Agra in
the evening. 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
14: Agra - Umaria (Bandhavgarh) 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 sight-seeing
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). Proceed to station
for train to UMARIA. Overnight will be on train.
Day 15:
Arrive at BandhavgarhReach UMARIA and transfer to Bandhavgarh.
Reach and enjoy breakfast. Bandhavgarh 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 Bandhavgarh 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. Where birds are concerned, keep a look out for white browed
fantails, steppe eagles, green pigeons, grey malabar hornbills, black and
white malabar hornbills (quite a rare sighting), blossom headed parakeets,
parakeets, blue bearded bee eaters, green bee eaters, white bellied drongos,
owls, Jerdon's and gold fronted leaf birds, minivets, woodshrikes and the
lovely paradise flycatchers. Enjoy a full day of birding inside the jungle.
(Two safaris).
Day
16: BandhavgarhEnjoy birding inside the jungle and on the
periphery. (Two safaris) Trip to the Bandhavgarh 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 17:
Bandhavgarh - Kanha 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, Leopard, 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. The birds comprise of Racket Tailed Drongo, Crested Hawk Eagle,
Crested Serpent Eagle, Peacock, Golden Oriole, Treepie, Whitenecked Stork,
Shikra, White-eyed Buzzard, Roseringed Parakeet, Shama, Red Munia, Large
Green Barbet, Crimson Breasted Barbet, Lesser Golden Backed Woodpecker, Hair
Crested Drongo, Common Teal, Pintail Duck, etc. Reach in the afternoon and
relax at the resort. Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 18:
KanhaEnjoy a full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)
There would be a lot of birding today as we would take roads around the
forest to places not frequented by people and in the bushes. Overnight will
be at the resort.
Day
19: Kanha - Jabalpur - DelhiProceed for the morning safari and
birding into forest. Proceed to JABALPUR after lunch. Reach and board
overnight train to Delhi.
Day 20: DelhiReach and
check into hotel for the day. Visit to SULTANPUR BIRD SANCTUARY for some
afternoon birding with packed lunch. Return to Delhi in the evening and
after a FAREWELL DINNER proceed to the airport in time for flight home.