Wildlife
Tours In India
Tiger Safari with Taj Duration
: 9 Nights & 10 Days
Destination Covered : Delhi - Ranthambore -
Agra - Bandhavgarh - Kanha - Nagpur - Delhi 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 4hr 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 is
perhaps the best place in the world to sight a tiger in the wild. This
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.
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.
Ranthambhore
forest is of tropical dry deciduous type, further classified as Dhok climax
forest because of the predominance of Dhok (Anogeissus pendulla) found
nearly everywhere. Dhok is an extremely hardy tree, capable of withstanding
prolonged droughts. The leaves of this tree are good fodder and they are
browsed by herbivores, and form a significant part of their diet. Even the
dry, fallen leaves, eaten by them, are rich source of nutrition.
Palas
or Cheela or the Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperms) blooms magnificently
around mid-April. During the period, Kachida and Anatpura provide an amazing
view, like a forest on fire. Around Kamaldhar massive Gum trees (Sterculia urens)
with smooth white trunk stand out conspicuously. Similarly, Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica)
with greyish trunks at the banks of the lakes and soft wood Salar (Boswellia
serrata) dotted atop hills are noticeable.
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.
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 : Ranthambore Breakfast will be at the lodge.
Proceed for full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris with lunch
break in-between)
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 04 : Ranthambore Agra
By
Road : 220 km in 5 hr
Agra Bandavgarh:
By overnight train
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.
Proceed to visit 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 Itmadullahs 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 05 : 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 forts 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 has been a center of human activity and settlement for over 2000
years, and there are references to it in the ancient books, the Narad-Panch
Ratra and the Shiva Purana. Legend has it that Lord Rama, hero of the Hindu
epic, the Ramayana, stopped at Bandavgarh on his way back to his homeland after
defeating the demon King Ravana of Lanka. Two monkey architects, who had engineered
a bridge between the isle of Lanka and the mainland, are said to have built
Bandavgarhs Fort. Later Rama handed it over to his brother Lakshmana who
became known as Bandavdhish "The Lord of the Fort". Lakshmana is the
particular God of the fort and is regularly worshipped in a temple there.
The oldest sign of habitation in the park are caves dug into the sandstone
to the north of the fort. Several contain Brahmi inscriptions dating from
the 1st century BC. Various dynasties have ruled the fort, for example, the
Maghas from the 1st century AD, the Vakatakas from the 3rd century AD, from
that time onwards Bandavgarh was ruled by a succession of dynasties
including the Chandela Kings of Bundelkhand who built the famous temples at
Khajuraho. The Baghel Kings, the direct ancestors of the present Royal
family of Rewa, established their dynasty at Bandavgarh in the 12th century.
It remained their capital till 1617 when the center of court life moved to
Rewa, 75 miles (120Kms) to the north. Without royal patronage Bandavgarh
became more and more deserted until forest overran the area and it became
the royal hunting reserve. This helped to preserve the forest and its
wildlife, although the Maharajas made full use of their rights. Each set out
to kill the auspicious number of 109 Tigers.
At independence
Bandavgarh remained the private property of the Maharaja until he gave it to
the state for the formation of the National Park in 1968. After the park was
created poaching was brought under control and the number of animals rose
dramatically. Small dams and water holes were built to solve the problem of
water shortage. Grazing by local cattle was stopped and the village within
the park boundaries was relocated. The Tigers in particular prospered and
the 1986 extension provided much needed forest to accommodate them.
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 6 : Bandavgarh Breakfast will be in the lodge.
Proceed for full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two
safaris with lunch break in-between)
Overnight will be at the
resort.
Day 7 : 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 parks many rivulets
and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water birds and the area in
front of the museum.
Excursion to Kawardha just east of the
Maikala Range (up to 1100m) to the south east of Kanha National Park,
Kawardha is a small town in Chhattisgarh (34 forts) region of M.P. In this
remote area Maharaja Viswaraj Singh has recently opened his palace to
visitors. It provides a delightfully quite unspoiled contrast with Indias
big cities and with the much busier tourist circuit of Rajasthans palace
circuit. This town is in the center of the Baiga tribe, who live in
forest surrounding the town, and these are several eleventh century temples
in the immediate region.
Reach in the afternoon and relax at the
resort.
Overnight will be at the Kanha Resort.
Day
8 : 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 09 : Kanha
Nagpur
By Road : 240 km in 5 hr Breakfast will be either
in the resort or in the forest as packed. Proceed for the morning safari
into forest. Proceed to NAGPUR after lunch. Reach and relax at the hotel.
Overnight will be at Nagpur.
Day 10 : Nagpur
Delhi
By AirBreakfast will be at hotel.
Transfer to
airport for flight to Delhi. Check in at hotel for day use.
NEW
DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a isit to
the Humayuns Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial
avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and the
Presidents Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic
Enclave.
Transfer to airport in time for flight home.