India Wildlife Safari
There are few places in Asia where such a wide variety of wildlife can be found in such abundance. This is a superb opportunity to combine sightseeing to some of the must-see sights of north India, such as Old Delhi, the Taj Mahal and Khajuraho's erotic temples, with an in-depth exploration of central India's premier national
parks. There are 10 included game drives (or in the case of Keoladeo Ghana Wildlife Sanctuary birding by rickshaw!) to search for the unique wildlife imaginatively captured by authors such as Jim Corbett and Rudyard Kipling. Each park has differing ecosystems and topography and it is this variety that enables species such as monkey, leopard, deer, elephant, antelope, bear, squirrel, crocodile and countless species of birds to thrive. Of course, it is the mighty Bengal tiger that symbolises India's wildlife heritage. Whilst it is impossible to guarantee a sighting, given the time devoted to wildlife viewing in parks famous for their tiger populations, the chances are high.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(SA-5177-P) |
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Flights |
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Accomodation |
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15 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 evening meals |
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Price Excludes |
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Local Payment 100 USD, 15 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 evening meals are included. You must pay for all other meals yourself (you can eat quite well for £12 per day). |
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Suitability / Level |
Easy |
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Itinerary
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DAY 1 DEPART LONDON: Depart on overnight flight to Delhi.
DAY 2 ARRIVE DELHI: You transfer to your first night's accommodation and check in. Hotel 1 night
DAY 3 RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK: Setting off this morning you take the train south to the town of Sawai Madhopur, close to Ranthambore National Park. Travelling through the state of Rajasthan you quickly become aware that this is one of India's most colourful regions: most notable are the elegant women carrying terracotta pots of water from the village well, dressed in saris in a myriad of colours, their bangles tinkling as they walk. They and their families are the proud descendants of the heroic Rajputs who once ruled the state. Hotel 2 nights (BLD)
DAY 4 - RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK: Ranthambore National Park, covering 411 square kilometres of beautiful bush, is one of the premier national parks of India. A wonderful blend of historical ruins and wildlife, it is the habitat of tiger, as well as nilgai, sambar and chital (all types of antelope), sloth bear and caracal (a lynx-like cat), plus crocodile in the lake. You will make two game drives during your stay here, with high hopes of
getting at least one sighting of the majestic Bengal tigers that survive among the ruined forts and temples. Leopards have been spotted on the periphery of the park, and jackal and hyena can also be glimpsed here, so there's plenty to watch out for! (BLD)
DAY 5 - BHARATPUR / KEOLADEO GHANA: You continue by road to Bharatpur and Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary. Created by the ruling maharaja in the middle of the 18th century, the sanctuary is now India's most spectacular bird reserve, having slowly but surely attracted a growing number of migrating species. Though best between October and February, a visit is rewarding at any time of year. From early October the first
migrants arrive from the colder climes of Central Asia and nest building and egg laying carries on right through until March. Annual visitors include the painted stork, osprey, Siberian crane, night heron and sarus crane. Using cycle rickshaws, you can make your way almost silently across the tree-lined bunds (embankments) - built to allow you to view the birds. The park also supports a variety of mammals such as wild boar, civet, otter and mongoose - in addition to nilgai and sambar - so your time here will undoubtedly prove rewarding. Hotel - 1 night (BLD)
DAY 6 - AGRA - VISIT FATEHPUR SIKRI: You have a free morning before heading east to Agra. Along this road are the remains of the kos minars. These wayside markers, which survive only as crumbled towers, point the way to the great city of Fatehpur Sikri. The city is built of rich red sandstone and was temporarily Akbar the Great's capital. Akbar built this 'City of Victory' as a tribute to a sage who correctly foretold the birth of his three sons. Just 15 short years after building the new capital and removing his court, Akbar was forced to abandon it because the water supply deteriorated. Today its rose-coloured walls provide the visitor with an unforgettable impression of the majesty of a 16th century royal court. You continue to the city of Agra, which straddles the holy
Yamuna River and remains one of South Asia's greatest Moghul cities. Hotel - 2 nights (B)
DAY 7 AGRA VISIT TAJ MAHAL: Alternating with Delhi as the capital of the Moghul Empire, Agra's past is inextricably linked with the most famous of India's rulers, Shah Jahan, and is renowned for the most stunning mausoleum in the world - the Taj Mahal. No matter how many times you've seen it, watching the reflections of light gradually wash over the Taj continues to have a fresh impact. You will visit the Taj Mahal, the masterpiece which shelters the tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Many people believe it to be the most perfectly proportioned building ever created. At first glance in daylight, it appears to be simply white marble, but closer inspection reveals that the surface is inlaid with a profusion of semiprecious stones, which form stylised flowers and bowers. Words fail to do it justice - only a visit can show you its exquisite beauty. After exploring the Taj Mahal you will have an opportunity to wander through the pavilions, gardens and passages of Agra Fort, a wonderful reminder of the skill of the artisans of the Moghul Empire. (B)
DAYS 8/9 - KHAJURAHO'S EROTIC TEMPLES: Moving on you take to the train again and head deeper into central India. Travelling on an Indian train is an experience in itself. Almost everything you need is carried on the trains - hawkers will ply their trades selling chai (tea), snacks, books and many other things; and local people will be happy to ask you many questions about your lifestyle. On reaching Jhansi you drive for around 4 hours through India's 'Middle Land', the literal meaning of 'Madhya Pradesh', the state you now pass through.
Almost a third of India's forests are located here amongst the hills - consisting of teak, sal, hardwickia, Indian ebony and rosewood. It was in these forests that Khajuraho's erotic temples were rediscovered in the 19th century - forests which no doubt saved them from destruction, hidden as they were for hundreds of years. To the Victorians of the 1830s, the erotic sculptures, which decorate these beautiful temples, were both shocking and fascinating. The external walls of the 22 temples, which have survived the ravages of time, are covered with an unrivalled number of exquisite carvings. The 10th century Chandela artisans were masters of their craft, creating cool interiors to provide a welcome retreat from the hot tropical sun. Next morning you take a half-day sightseeing tour of the magnificent temples. The incredible skill of the artisans cannot be emphasised enough, with friezes as little as 10 cm wide, crammed with the most amazing naturalistic detail, such as
ornaments, hairstyles, jewellery and clothing. Hotel 2 nights (Bx2)
DAY 10 KHAJURAHO; OVERNIGHT TRAIN: With a free morning there is time to relax or hire a bicycle and explore the surrounding countryside, before returning to Jhansi and catch the overnight train south to Umaria, close to Bandhavgarh National Park. From the train you will see farmland under cultivation and pass through some of the many sal and teak forests. As you leave one of the high plateaux the countryside gradually changes once again. On your approach to the buffer zone to the national park you may see some of its inhabitants - chital, nilgai and jackal. Berth on overnight train (B) Once given over to hunting, since the mid-1950s the park has been a haven for wildlife. There are deciduous forests, grassland and savannah, stands
of bamboo and meandering rivers making Kanha one of the most beautiful parks. With hundreds of species of wildlife (22 species of mammals and 230 species of birds), the variety of animals to spot is impressive, and with 3 game drives here your chances of seeing a wide variety of wildlife are excellent. On your viewing list are
nilgai, leopard, porcupine, hyena, sloth bear and the Indian pangolin. Birdlife include warblers, ibis, peafowl, drongo, flycatcher, rollers, kingfishers and the grey hornbill. Lodge ' 2 nights (Bx2 Lx1 Dx2)
DAY 15 KANHA; TRAIN TO DELHI: It is with regret that you set out early this morning on your last game drive. You then set off for the drive to Jabalpur, 5 or so hours away, from where you catch the overnight train back to Delhi. Berth on overnight train (B)
DAY 16 DELHI: The present metropolis of Delhi is at least the eighth city to have been founded on this site; its predecessors have been largely razed to the ground. This morning you are introduced to India with a half-day tour of Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi is bustling and vibrant - a network of narrow streets and alleys teeming with people. Mosques and temples are squeezed into spaces between shops and market stalls. You'll visit the Jami Masjid, Delhi's largest mosque, which is not only a centre of religious worship, but also a lively meeting place for the city's Muslims. A fascinating contrast awaits as you head into New Delhi. Its wide boulevards and imposing buildings conjure up images of the British Empire at its zenith. There'll also be free time to explore after your sightseeing. After a busy day you'll meet up in the evening for a 'last supper' together. You can recount your journey and swap stories about a great trip. Hotel - 1 night (B)
DAY 17 - FLY TO LONDON: Transfer to airport and fly to London. (B)
(BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner). |
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Accommodation
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Transport & Accommodation
Chartered bus, train, rickshaw, 4WD. Hotels (13nts), overnight train (1nt). 14 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 8 dinners included. Flights (Schedules & airlines can change.) Indirect flights with Gulf Air from London Heathrow. Depart UK 22.30, Return UK 18.00. Direct flight 'upgrade' available. UK domestic add-on available. |
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Holidays
Extras |
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Included
