At last I saw it. The unmistakable glow of the striped coat: the powerful, unhurried, silent walk. It was my first tiger, confidently strolling down the middle of the road. The power and pure beauty of the moment cast a spell which was to become a driving passion in my life in the months and years ahead

Valmik Thapar TIGER EXPERT

From Tropical rain forests to the snowy heights of the Himalaya, India's varied environment is home to the vast range of wildlife, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, which thrives in some of the world's most stunning National Parks. An experienced naturalist will accompany the tour, offering illuminating insight into the ecology of the most exceptional game reserves in India. In addition to the wealth of wildlife, the journey also offers the opportunity to visit Delhi, the famous temples at Khajuraho, the magnificent Taj Mahal and the Forts and havelis (Indian mansions) of Jaipur.

ROUTE: DELHI - JHANSI - KHAJURAHO - BANDHAVGARH - KANHA - JABALPUR - AGRA - BHARATPUR - RANTHAMBHORE - JAIPUR - DELHI
Group size : Min 2 - Max 8 People (We believe in small groups to see more).
10th to 23rd November 2007.
23rd February to 07th march 2008.


Naturalist / Chaperon
Tour will be led by Rahul Sharma, born in Agra and brought up near Corbett National Park. Discovery's Tiger Guru Rahul is part of its think tank and has been its earliest associate member. He has spent many years exploring the jungles of the Himalayan foothills and has great knowledge of its wildlife, especially the Bengal Tiger, and also of the legendary Jim Corbett. His tryst with Corbett lore began at a very tender age and he has won the prestigious "Jim Corbett Memorial Essay Writing Competition" while still at school. Awarded a "Certificate for Ornithology" from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS); he is also an alumnus of the respected Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. For Discovery Journeys he has led several tours and treks throughout North India. Rahul is a member of the Oriental Bird Club and Life Member of WWF-India and BNHS.

Detailed Programme:
Day 1,Arrive Delhi. Arrive Delhi around midnight, and transfer to the hotel for one night. Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital, Delhi. Like a magnet it drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals, and finally the British, to its shores; all of whom contributed to its glorious albeit turbulent history. The fascination with Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it again and again, rebuilding it at least seven times.

Day 2,Delhi sightseeing. Morning free to re-charge. Afternoon Old Delhi Tour (half day): Shah Jahan founded the city of Shahjanabad in 1648, now referred to as Old Delhi. The famous Red Fort in the heart of Old Delhi was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire and it boasts of the Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Private Audience), among other architectural delights. Opposite the fort is the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world, also built by Shah Jahan.
Breakfast and overnight in hotel.

Day 3, Delhi - Jhansi (train) - Jhansi - Khajuraho drive 170kms/3hrs. Early morning transfer to the railway station for train to Jhansi, by super fast Shatabdi express leaving Delhi at 0600hrs. Arrive Jhansi at 1030hrs (breakfast on board); drive about 3hrs to the erotic city of Khajuraho. Thousand years ago, in the heart of India, artisans of the Chandela dynasty built the spectacular temples at Khajuraho, which were to become famed for their exquisite carvings and erotic sculptures. The sculptures, which were rediscovered by an English soldier in 1839, are said to portray the rite of creation in which both body and soul are involved. Of the original 85 temples only 22 now survive. Arrival and transfer to the hotel for one night. Afternoon guided visit to the Chandela Hindu temples, which represent some of the finest examples of temple architecture in northern India. The remaining temples have been beautifully restored and are in excellent condition. Visit the Kandariya Mahadeva, the Chatrabhuj, Parswanath and Ghantai temples, each remarkable for its beautiful design and architecture.
Breakfast on board and overnight in hotel.

Day 4, Khajuraho- Bandhavgarh National Park (drive). After early breakfast, drive about 240kms/7hrs through fascinating countryside to Bandhavgarh National Park. Bandhavgarh is truly one of India's magnificent wildernesses with a relative abundance of tigers and an imposing Fort atop a plateau which dates back to 300 AD. However its true claim to international fame is the discovery of white tigers by the Maharaja of the princely state of Rewa, in 1951. Unfortunately white tigers are not found in the wild state anymore and survive only in the various zoos around the world. The progeny of the white tigers captured by the Maharaja can be seen at the National Zoological Garden in New Delhi. The Park covers an area of around 448km2 and ` although the National Park was constituted in 1968, this area has been a centre of human activity and settlement for over 2000 years. Legend has it that the fort at Bandhavgarh which lends its name to the National Park and literally translated means "Brother's Fort" (Bandhav = brother; Garh = fort), was given to Lakshman by his brother Lord Rama, hero of epic Ramayana, to keep watch over Lanka, ruled by the demon king Ravana. At one time around 10th-14th century AD, this region was ruled by the Chandela dynasty, which built the famous temples of Khajuraho. Presence of adequate water-bodies, grasslands and dense forests make Bandhavgarh an ideal habitat for the animal life of the region. 25 varieties of mammals inhabit the jungles of Bandhavgarh and Nilgai, Chowsingha, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Dog, Fox, Porcupine, Ratel and three species of deer - Chital, Sambar and Barasingha - may be seen in the Park, along with the Leopard and the Royal Bengal Tiger. Nearly 250 species of birds have been spotted inside the Park which include Hornbills, Leafbirds, Woodshrikes, Drongos, Fantails, Bee-eaters, Parakeets and Flycatchers, to name a few. As the Park is relatively new this checklist is not exhaustive and keen birdwatchers have ample scope of discovering more birds and adding to the current list. Evening jeep safari: dinner and overnight in jungle resort.
Breakfast, dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 5, Bandhavgarh. Early morning and evening jeep safari, to view wildlife with Naturalist. Afternoon visit to the Fort or just relax by the pool. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight in Resort.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 6, Bandhavgarh - Kanha National Park.Early morning Jeep safari with Naturalist: after breakfast drive about 245kms/7hrs, through a lovely countryside to Kanha National Park. Romanticised by Kipling in his book, Kanha National Park is among the most spectacular, protected wildlife reserves of the world. The 1,945 sq. km National Park has been compared to N'Gorongoro National Park of Tanzania. However like its African cousin, Kanha is not a volcanic crater though the surrounding hills are a result of geographically ancient volcanic activity. Above all Kanha is far greener and more densely wooded than N'Gorongoro. It is one of the largest and best monitored Parks in the subcontinent and definitely one of the best places in the world to see the critically endangered tiger in the wild. The great sal forests of Kanha National Park, stretching across Maikal hills of Satpura range, have given birth to many jungle adventures, especially the much loved English classic by Rudyard Kipling - The Jungle Book. Kipling based his tale on the wildlife of Kanha in the late 19th century and thus Kanha is also known as 'Kipling Country'. The grassy plateaux, wooded hills and valleys of Kanha are home to the legendary Shere Khan the Tiger, loveable Baloo the Bear, wise Bagheera the Panther and the dreaded Rock Python Kaa. Besides them several great and small mammals, reptiles and birds inhabit the Park including the largest ox in the world - the Gaur. The National Park is particularly notable, besides the tiger, for a 300lb, brown, large-antlered, hard-hoofed deer, because of which the foundation of conservation and protection was laid in the Maikal hills. Even more zealously protected in Kanha is the southern or Central Indian race of the Swamp Deer - the Hard-ground or the Branderi Barasingha. Birdlife of the region is equally astounding and more than 350 avian species have been recorded here with the possibility of sighting yet new races, thus giving the avid birdwatcher great scope for new discoveries. Mynas, Bush Chats, Kingfishers, Treepies, Orioles, Lapwings, Falcons, Kites, Owls, Vultures and various other species of our flying friends will provide unlimited hours of pleasure to those who choose to seek them. Dinner & overnight in jungle resort.
Breakfast, dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 7, Kanha - Safari.Morning and evening Jeep safari with Naturalist. Afternoon free to relax by the pool. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight in Resort.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 8, Kanha - Safari.Morning and evening Jeep safari with Naturalist. Afternoon free to relax by the pool. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight in Resort.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 9, Kanha - Jabalpur (drive/train).Morning Jeep Safari, after breakfast drive 175kms/ 3hrs to the railhead at Jabalpur: board afternoon train at 1530hrs to Agra. Overnight on train (AC 1st class).
Breakfast in hotel and overnight in train.

Day 10, Arrive Agra - Bharatpur / Keoladeo National park (drive).Arrive Agra very early morning at 0345hrs, assistance on arrival and transfer to a restaurant for breakfast. The earliest reference to Agra can be found in the epic Mahabharata where it is referred to as Agravana. After breakfast, visit India's most celebrated monument the Taj Mahal, built as a monument of eternal love by Shah Jahan to his bride Mumtaz; the Taj Mahal looks amazingly graceful from every angle. It was built over a period of 20 years by 20,000 labourers and craftsmen and displays superb craftsmanship. The close up details of the Taj Mahal are as exquisite as the overall architectural design, with semi-precious stones and beautiful patterns adorning the marble surface. We continue our sightseeing with Agra Fort and then depart for Bharatpur.

On the way we visit the deserted sandstone buildings of Fatehpur Sikri. In Bharatpur we stay in a delightful Heritage hotel. Punctuated by the incessant "chatter, whistle and cheep" of innumerable species of birds, the wetlands of Keoladeo present a scene of raucous calm. Once the hunting preserve of the Bharatpur royalty, this exceptional ecosystem is now one of the finest bird sanctuaries on planet Earth, which has been declared a Ramsar Site, as well as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Keoladeo National Park was previously known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and lies 174 km from Delhi and only 50 km from Agra. If Taj Mahal is "rhapsody in marble" then definitely Keoladeo is a "ballad of birds". Located at the confluence of Gambhir and Banganga rivers and spread over 29km2 of shallow lakes and woodlands, Keoladeo National Park provides shelter to over 300 avian species, particularly during winter when the resident numbers multiply as a result of migrants. The freshwater swamp with the picturesque Kadam trees, stands of Acacia and profuse aquatic vegetation, is a habitat of various living organisms, which serve as food for the different species of animals. Two-thirds of the birds listed in Keoladeo are land birds while one-third of the species are water birds. Pintails, teals, mallards, pochards, geese, coots, storks, curlews and sandpipers can be seen in the lake; the heronry at Keoladeo is indeed one of the finest in the world, with 14 species nesting and breeding in the Park. The woodlands and pastures are alive with the gambolling of bulbuls, babblers, sunbirds, sparrows, parakeets and orioles, while the skies are set on fire by the birds of prey like the eagles, hawks, harriers, falcons, buzzards and vultures. However the rarest bird, which visits Keoladeo National Park from faraway Siberia is the globally threatened Siberian Crane (Grus leucogeranus); in fact these wetlands are the only wintering area of the western population of this beautiful, endangered bird. But all is not "feather and crow" in Keoladeo. Non-feathered members of this largely feathered fraternity are mammals such as the Wild Boar, Sambar, Nilgai, Chital, Mongoose, Otter, three species of wild cats, Civets, Jackals and also the gigantic Rock Pythons that live beyond the Temple of Keoladeo in the heart of the Park. Afternoon visit to the Park in Cycle Rickshaws with Naturalist. Breakfast in local restaurant and overnight in hotel.

Day 11, Bharatpur - Ranthambhore National Park (drive).Early morning visit to the Park and take boat ride (this is not guaranteed and will depend water levels in the wetland area). After breakfast drive 6hrs to Ranthambhore National Park. Ranthambhore National Park is an awesome reminder of the great jungles that once clothed Central India; its horizon marked by a thousand-year-old fort, which stands in stoic silence, keeping eternal vigil over the magnificent forests sprawled in its shadow. This fort was once the centre of a Hindu kingdom and bears the scars of several wars and military sieges. The 400km2 Ranthambhore National Park famous for its tigers was the hunting ground of the Kachhwaha rulers of Jaipur and has a rich plant and animal life. Its dry deciduous jungles were amongst the first nine National Parks to be brought under Project Tiger in 1973. Some 450 species of plants provide sustenance to its herbivores that are hunted for food by the carnivores, thus keeping the circle of life in motion. The 22 species of mammals listed here include the Leopard, Sloth Bear, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Caracal, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Indian Hare, Wild Boar and Mongoose besides its prime attraction - the Royal Bengal Tiger. Nearly 300 species of birds have been recorded here and the Park's avifauna includes - Painted Stork, Black Stork, White-necked Stork, Spoonbill, Bonelli's Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Grey Partridge, Painted Partridge, Sandgrouse, Spurfowl, Common Peafowl, Pheasant-tailed Jaçana, Great Indian Horned Owl, Indian Treepie, Paradise Flycatcher, and Stork-billed Kingfisher among others. Prehistoric looking Marsh Crocodiles can be seen in and around the lakes that dot the rugged countryside of this extraordinary National Park and more than a dozen varieties of reptiles are found in the forests of Ranthambhore. Breakfast, dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 12, Ranthambhore Jeep safari.Early morning and evening jeep safari to view wildlife with Naturalist. Afternoon visit to the Fort or just relax by the pool. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight in Resort. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 13, Ranthambhore Jeep safari. Early morning and evening jeep safari to view wildlife with Naturalist. Afternoon visit to the Fort or just relax by the pool. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight in Resort. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 14, Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Delhi (drive/train).Early morning jeep safari: after breakfast drive to Jaipur about 3hrs. Afternoon visit to the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds and the City Palace. Later, transfer to the railway station to board the super fast Shatabdi express, departing at 1755, and arriving at 2055 (dinner on board) in Delhi. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the International airport for your return flight. Breakfast in hotel, dinner on board.

Please contact us for our extension Holidays.
We suggest from Jaipur to take flight to the Romantic lake city of Udaipur and stay few days in one of the delightful heritage hotels overlooking the Lake Pichola.
OR
Few Days in Corbett national Park, with jungle safaris, nature walks or how about Elephant safari.

For any Further Enquiry.... Kindly Contact us for Hotel information and rates

Note : 5% of our profits will go to TOFT, working for Tigers and its habitats