Duration : 15 Days,
Focus : Mammals, birds and plants.
Best Time : Mid Nov. to mid June
Day 1, Arrive Delhi assistance on arrival with garland welcome at international airport and transfer by private car to pre-booked hotel. Morning free to relax. Afternoon a sightseeing tour around 16 century Mughal city, visiting Red fort, Jama masjid and Gandhi smadhi. Return back to hotel for overnight.
Day 2, After breakfast we drive to Sariska National park (165 kms / 3 hrs). The drive takes us along a busy road, dotted with villages, leading in to the quiet Aravalli hills, and the dry decidous forest of ber, dhok and tendu. The park covers about 480 sq kms and comes under “project Tiger” however we are more likely to see bush birds, Langur Nilgai, wild boar, hyenas and jackals. Our two-night stay will be in the beautiful and luxurious Sariska palace built in 1892 and designed by a French architect.
Day 3, Morning and evening game viewing by jeep. A day free, or visit Lake siliserh where you can go boating and see different types of birds. O/n Sariska palace
Day 4, After breakfast, we set off on a beautiful drive, through villages and towns, to the pink city of Jaipur (141 kms / 3 hrs) We arrive in Jaipur and stay overnight in one of the palace hotels, with rooms decorated in Rajasthani style. Afternoon visit, by painted elephants, 16-century fortress at the Amber fort. Later we visit Hawa Mahal (palace of winds) and city palace. O/n hotel.
Day 5, Today after breakfast, a beautiful drive (156 kms/ 3 hrs) through colourful Rajasthan to Ranthambhore national park. Ranthambhore tiger reserve is situated in Rajasthan at the eastern end of Aravalli range. The rolling hills; dry dhok forest and tranquil lakes, decorated with the crumbling ruins of numerous temples and a hilltop fort, epitomize all the princely splendour of this famous Rajput state. The reserve also offers one of the best opportunities for seeing tiger during the day, as well as many other mammals, including leopard, sloth Bear, Rhesus Macaque, Common Langur, Nilgai, Indian Gazelle (chinkara) wild Boar, Jackal, Spotted and Barking Deer, Samber and Marsh mugger Crocodiles. The bird life here is also superb, particularly around the lakes.
Day 6 & Day 7, Morning and evening game viewing by jeep with knowledgeable guide. Day is spent free to visit local bazaar, wonder around or just relax!! Our overnight stop will by just outside the park at Ranthambhore Bagh a perfect, modern camp, set a midst acres of natural landscape.
Day 8, Today after breakfast, we drive to Bharatpur Bird sanctuary (230 kms/ 5 hrs). The drive allows you to observe the Indian countryside and local village life Enroute. We arrive in the afternoon at one of the finest bird watching locations in the world. We spend two nights at the beautiful palace hotel, near the park, with stunning rooms and garden.
Day 9, Day spent in park. You will see an outstanding range of water birds and reptiles here, and even some mammals too. Commonly cited spiecies include painted storks, while Ibises, Darters and Spoon hills and raver species, such as the threatned Siberian crane, pallass, sea Eagle, Black headed stork and the spotted creeper. Other interesting wildlife including the rare Black buck, small Clawed Otter, fishing cat, jungle cat and Indian python may also be cited. O/n Palace hotel.
Day 10, Early morning visit to park, after breakfast drive to the city of the Taj Mahal Agra (43 kms / 2 hrs) The drive brings us first to the deserted sand stone building of Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri. After visiting this we continue our drive to Agra for overnight stay in the Jaypee palace hotel, set in acres of garden and fountain walkways. Afternoon is spent free swimming or visiting to local bazaar.
Day 11, Early morning, dawn visit to the majestic Taj Mahal. The surrounding paradise gardens and the river Yamuna, support an abundance of bird life. We return to our hotel for breakfast and late in the day we visit to red fort and tomb of Itamad-ud-Daulah. Late evening we board our overnight train to Corbett national park. Rail travel in India is a unique experience and a definite must.
Day 12, Arrive Lal Kuan railway station in the morning and transfer (one hour drive) to famous Corbett national park set in Kumaon & shivaliks hills. Corbett comprising of undulating sal forests, riverine jungle and grassland, is home to an exceptional variety of both Himalayan and low land wild life. Using elephants and jeeps to explore the reserve itself, you will see rhesus macaque, common Langur, Golden Jackl, Elephants, samber, barking, spotted Hog Dear and the unusual fish eating Gharial Crocodile. The population of Tiger normally remains discreet, although you may be lucky, your night will be spent just outside the park in a comfortable lodge on the banks of Kosi River.
Day 13, Morning and evening game viewing on Elephant or jeep
with guide. Day free for nature walks along the river to see birds of Himalayas.
O/n Resort.
Day 14, After breakfast we drive across the Uttar Pradesh
plains and fields to Delhi (303 km / 6 hrs) for overnight in hotel. Late night
transfer to airport.
Day 15, Departure, Early morning fly back.
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