Tiger Photographic Safari
Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri
- Agra - Umaria - Bandhavgarh - Umaria - Delhi
DAY 01 ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi by an International flight. Welcome, meeting and assistance on
arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Delhi - the capital of India, is a
fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism,
where the past co-exists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and
the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the
present metropolis of India but also a Necropolis. Because of its location,
being on the banks of the river Yamuna, many cities have risen and fallen over
the last five millenniums.
Overnight in Delhi. TAJ PALACE / IMPERIAL
DAY 02 DELHI
Full day tour of the city.
Morning: Visit the Old City of Delhi
to see the historic Red Fort and the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque from
the outside. See the colourful bazaar of Chandni Chowk and take a
cycle rickshaw
ride through the back streets of Old Delhi to get a first hand experience
of the hustle and bustle of this traditional city. This ride through the small
by-lanes will be most fascinating. Return to the hotel for lunch or eat at an
interesting restaurant in town.
Afternoon: Visit New Delhi, seeing the
Qutab Minar, a tower of victory built in the 12th century and India Gate ‑
the war memorial. Drive past the Rashtrapathi Bhawan, the residence of the President
of India, the houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings.
Overnight in Delhi TAJ PALACE / IMPERIAL
DAY 03 DELHI / RANTHAMBORE
Morning transfer to the Railway station to board the train for Sawai Madhopur.
Leave Delhi for Sawai Madhopur by
Golden Temple Mail (0755/ 1310 hrs).
Meeting and assistance on arrival at Sawai Madhopur Railway station and transfer
to the Lodge.
Ranthambore: With an area of 400 sq. km encompassing rocky
hill crests which descend to open valleys between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges,
dotted with water pools and fruit trees, this park gets its name from the thousand
year old fortress, which looms above the forest. Well known for the diurnal
activity of tigers, Ranthambore is a very special and unusual area where a natural
present meets a historical past. Sambar, cheetal, chinkara, nilgai and languor.
The elusive leopard and tigers are found in this reserve with tourists standing
a very good chance of seeing tigers during the day.
[The Park is closed
from 01 July till 30 September] Dotted across the landscape are the crumbling
ruins of its past glory, be it chatris or cupolas, like palaces or old guard
posts, all of which reinforce the magical and ethereal quality of this great
wilderness. Lunch at the lodge, visit the sanctuary by Jeep with an English
speaking Naturalist.
Dinner and overnight in Ranthambore TIGER DEN RESORT
/ RANTHAMBORE REGENCY
DAY 04 RANTHAMBORE
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the lodge. Morning and afternoon visit the sanctuary
by Jeep with an English speaking Naturalist.
Dinner and overnight in Ranthambore
TIGER DEN RESORT / RANTHAMBORE REGENCY.
DAY 05 RANTHAMBORE
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the lodge. Morning and afternoon visit the sanctuary
by Jeep with an English speaking Naturalist.
Dinner and overnight in Ranthambore
TIGER DEN RESORT / RANTHAMBORE REGENCY.
DAY 06 RANTHAMBORE / JAIPUR
Morning drive to Jaipur (170 kms). This journey is over very good roads, through
rural Rajasthan and would take about 3 hours. On arrival check into the hotel.
Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan, is colour washed pink - the colour
associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. This Pink City of fairy tale
palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues, is picturesque.
The first planned city of its time, Jaipur is encircled by a formidable wall.
Overnight in Jaipur. JAI MAHAL PALACE/THE TRIDENT.
DAY 07 JAIPUR
Morning proceed on an excursion to Amber Fort with an Elephant ride upto
the top of the Fort. Drive past Hawa Mahal, known popularly as the Palace of
Winds, is a facade built for the Ladies of the Royal household in the 19th century.
The Amber Fort, the capital of the erstwhile State of Jaipur until 1728 is perched
on a hill. It has halls of Public and Private audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall
of mirrors) various marble palaces which are marvelous examples of ancient Rajput
architecture. The Temple of Amba (Mother Goddess), the patron deity of the Royal
family is at the entrance to the palace. Ride an elephant to ascend the hill
on which the Fort is situated. Return to the town in the afternoon enroute visiting
the City Palace - the former royal residence built in a blend of Rajasthani
and Mughal styles which houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani
costumes and armoury of the Mughals and Rajputs, including swords of different
shapes and sizes with ornate handles. It has an art gallery with an excellent
collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical
works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit. Also visit the Jantar Mantar -
an astrological and astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in
the 18th century, which is remarkable for its accuracy even in the present times.
Overnight in Jaipur. JAI MAHAL PALACE/THE TRIDENT.
DAY 08 JAIPUR / BHARATPUR
Morning drive to Bharatpur (176 kms). On arrival, check into the hotel.
Bharatpur
is popular for its bird sanctuary -
the Keoladeo Ghana National Park
- finest in Asia, in which over 400 species of water birds. The sanctuary covers
an area of 40 sq. km of swampy, lightly wooded terrain that was once the private
hunting and shooting preserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur. Today it is the
protected breeding ground for many species of birds and also the home of migratory
birds, especially of the Siberian Crane,that spends its winter here. Colonies
of cormorants, spoonbills, storks, egrets, herons, pelicans, ibis and grey herons
can be spotted all over the park, besides a fairly rich habitation of deer and
snakes. [The best time to visit the park is from October though March] The park
can be explored either by cycle rickshaws (the drivers are all very capable
naturalists) or by boats on the lake.
Late Afternoon: Visit the Sanctuary
by boats – an excellent way to see the birds and watch the spectacular sunset.
Overnight in Bharatpur LAXMI VILAS PALACE / BHARATPUR FOREST LODGE
DAY 09 BHARATPUR / FATEHPUR SIKRI / AGRA
Morning : Visit the Bharatpur Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary by cycle
rickshaws (the rickshaw drivers are all very capable naturalists). Afternoon
drive to Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri (12 kms)
Fatehpur Sikri - This
exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in 1569, in red sandstone, with its
forts, palaces and mosques was abandoned 14 years after its creation due to
political reasons. The Diwan-i-am - a vast courtyard in which the emperor gave
daily public audience; Diwan-i-khas - a large quadrangle which contained all
the major functions of the Palace, Pachisi court, the Emperors private living
quarter, Jodha Bhai’s Palace, Mariam’s Palace, Birbal’s Palace, Hawa Mahal and
Panch Mahal are some of the important buildings of this residential complex.
The Friday Mosque and the exquisite tomb of Sheik Salim Chisti are in the religious
grounds set aside in a separate enclosure adjacent to the secular buildings.
Continue drive to Agra after visiting Fatehpur Sikri (49 kms). On arrival, check
in to the hotel.
Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders
of the World - the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums,
the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the
legendary Mughal Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from
1564. A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its
superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary crafts
persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and
leather shoes.
Overnight in Agra. THE TRIDENT / JAYPEE PALACE.
DAY 10 AGRA / UMARIA Morning : Proceed on a city tour of Agra. Visit
the Agra Fort, built by three Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great
in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort
are a number of exquisite buildings including the Moti Masjid, Jahangir’s Palace,
Khas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal, Diwane-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas and Musamman Burj,
where Emperor Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, died a prisoner. Later visit
the Taj Mahal - the inimitable poem in white marble. Built over a period of
22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal
to enshrine her mortal remains, it is one of the seven modern wonders of the
World.
[The Taj is closed on Friday] Afternoon : Transfer to Railway
station to board the train for Umaria. Leave Agra for Umaria by
Utkal Kalinga
Express at 1540hrs. Overnight enroute on board the train.
DAY 11 ARRIVE UMARIA / BANDHAVGARH Arrive Umaria at
0600 hrs.
A quiet little village that is gently awakening to the sounds of birds and cows.
Arriving at this village, nestled in the “buffer zone” of the Bandavgarh National
Park, is an experience in itself. Meeting on arrival by our jeep from the lodge,
transfer to the Bandhavgarh (45 kms), driving through rural Madhya Pradesh and
through the forests, with a good possibility of seeing wildlife. On arrival,
check in at the Lodge. The density of the tiger population at
Bandhavgarh
is relatively high. The possibility of spotting Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Leopard
and Tiger is very good. The park is also densely populated with animals like
the Chital (Spotted Deer), Sambar, Barking Deer, Nilgai (Blue Bull), Chowsingha
(Four Horned Antelope) and is rich in bird life.
[The Park is closed from
01 July till 30 September] The terrain is rocky, rising sharply from the
swampy and densely forested valley. The finest of these hills is Bandhavgarh
which is bounded by great cliffs and eroded rocks. The Bandhavgarh Fort, believed
to be 2000 years old, stands at the highest point. There is a temple at the
fort that can be visited by jeeps. Scattered throughout the park, particularly
around the fort, are numerous caves containing shrines with ancient Sanskrit
inscriptions. The ramparts of the fort provide a home for vultures, blue rock
thrushes and crag martins. Lunch at the Lodge and visit the sanctuary by Jeep
with an English speaking Naturalist.
Dinner and overnight in Bandhavgarh.
TIGER’S DEN RESORT.
DAY 12 BANDHAVGARH
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Lodge. Morning and afternoon visit the sanctuary
by Jeep with an English speaking Naturalist. The Forest Department has devised
an ingenuous system of tracking the tiger at this Park. Every day, early in
the morning, elephants and their "Mahouts" (drivers) are sent out
into the jungle, in search of the Tiger. Once it has been sighted, a radio message
is flashed to the Forest Ranger, who in turn informs the visitors in their jeeps,
who are then taken on elephant-back, into the bush, to see the elusive Tiger.
Dinner and overnight in Bandhavgarh. TIGER’S DEN RESORT.
DAY 13 BANDHAVGARH
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Lodge. Morning and afternoon game drives
into the sanctuary. We can also arrange an excursion to see the imposing fort
that is located inside the sanctuary. This Fort, or “Garh”, from which the park
gets its name, is fascinating and involves a relatively easy climb to the temple
located on its summit, dedicated to Lord Rama. The view from here is equally
fascinating.
Dinner and overnight in Bandhavgarh. TIGER’S DEN RESORT.
DAY 14 BANDHAVGARH / UMARIA / DELHI
Breakfast and Lunch at the Lodge. Morningand afternoonvisit the sanctuary by
Jeep with an English speaking Naturalist.
(check out time 1200 noon).
Late evening drive to Umaria to board the train for Delhi. Leave Umaria
for Delhi by
Utkal Kalinga Express at 2200 hrs Overnight enroute on
board train.
DAY 15 ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi at
1330 hrs. Meeting and assistance upon arrival at New
Delhi Railway station and transfer to the hotel.
(Room to be provided
for Day Use till departure). Evening: We shall provide Farewell
Dinner at a nice restaurant in the town. After the Dinner, transfer to the Airport
to board the flight for abroad.
DAY 16 DEPART DELHI
Leave Delhi by an International flight.
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