WILD LIFE AND BIRD WATCHING

WILD LIFE AND BIRD WATCHING
(14nights / 15 days) Best Season : November - May
Places to visit : Arrive Delhi - Sariska - Jaipur - Ranthambhore - Bharatpur - Agra - Khajuraho - Kanha - Bandhavgarh - Nagpur - Delhi.

India's rich heritage of wildlife has always been backed by a tradition of conservation. Positive and timely conservation measures have ensured a secured and free existence for wildlife in the jungles - right from the magnificent tiger to the tiny mouse-deer; the Indian elephant, the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros; the stately sambar tops and list of deer family. The handsome spotted chital, the great Indian Bison (Gaur), wild water - buffaloes, crocodiles, escorted pythons, reptiles and other species of wildlife delight the heart of nature Lover & wildlife Photographer. Today, the country has about 53 National Parks, and 247 Wildlife Sanctuaries. More than 75,763 Kms. Of this prime habitat comes under the protection of this wildlife heaven, and all these are created not only so that wildlife may survive and flourish but to give man the opportunity to observe nature in its element, to feel the encompassing serenity, that only nature can bring to man in this space age
A water whole blind affords up - close observation at Sariska Wildlife Reserve where we starry in a Maharajah's Palace. Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve's high cliffs capped with ancient walls surround the central lake and savannah forest. Keoladeo National Park and Bird Sanctuary has the largest concentration and variety of bird life in Asia. Accompanied by our wildlife enthusiast expert, experience these remote and fascinating fauna and flora area.
Day 1. Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Met upon arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2. Delhi - Sariska, (drive 240 kms.)
After breakfast we drive south to Sariska. We check into Hotel Sariska Palace, a 19th century hunting palace. This afternoon we enter Sariska wildlife Reserve, encompassing tall cliffs and hills with wide lowland plateaus, Large numbers of deer including nilgai, chital and sambar are common and support a large population of tiger. A sharp eye is kept for sighting of jungle cat, mongoose and wild boar. After being escorted to a bunker - like blind constructed next to a wildlife. Tonight there is an opportunity to spotlight for the giant Indian porcupine, civet cat and possibly tiger. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3. Sariska - Jaipur, (drive 110 kms.)
As the morning sun warms the east - facing cliffs, hundreds of vultures, including griffon, Indian white - backed, and even the great king or black vulture, take off from their nesting legs to soar on the updrafts. Less commonly seen are spotted, crested serpent and short toed eagles. Our field breakfast is served at Pandopol, a scenic natural arch. Following lunch we depart for Jaipur. Overnight at hotel in Jaipur the state capital of Rajasthan. En-route sightseeing of Amer Fort with an elephant ride upto the fort with its huge gateway and pavillions. Check into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 4. Jaipur - Ranthambhore, (175 kms.)
Our day begins with a visit to the City Palace. There are small, interesting museums that house art, military hardware, clothing and artifacts dating back to the 12th century. Across the street is the fascinating astronomical/astrological observatory. Later drive to "Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve", and our lodge. Ramthambhore Tiger Reserve is surrounded by high cliffs capped with ancient walls and palaces. Ranthambhore named after an ancient fort which stands in the reserve and which provides a dramatic setting for this Project Tiger Park. Leopard, Jungle cat and Antelope, together with a wide variety of birds all abound here. The water pools harbour Marsh Crocodile and Python. Evening visit the reserve. Evening game viewing by jeep at Park. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5. Ranthambhore
The great variety of birdlife found in the reserve is very evident early in the day. Red-vented bulbul, tree pie, red-wattled tapwing, and peafowl are commonly heard. Several species of brilliant green parakeets and golden-backed woodpecker are seen in the forested areas. Around the lake purple moorhen, little grebe, comb-duck and common teal actively feed among the aquatic vegetation. Large egret, painted stork and other large wading birds are rather easily approached. Our guide then takes us past a large troop of resident common langur monkeys to the 12th century Ranthambhore Castle. There are many species of swifts, brown rock chat, and tailorbird. During the later after we again enter the park. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6. Ranthambhore
We return to the reserve both this morning and this afternoon. Photographers with a little luck should capture black-tipped mongoose, golden jackal, Chinkara and tiger. If the weather is warm enough it may also be possible to see large Bengal monitor lizards.
Day 7. Ranthambhore - Bharatpur ( Keoladeo National Park) ( drive 270 kms.)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to railway station to catch train for Bharatpur. Arrive Bharatpur and transfer to hotel for lunch. After lunch visit the Park by boat/cycle rikshaws for game viewing. Bharatpur, one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world, with over 300 species of birds. Originaly this freshwater swamp was developed by the Maharaja of Bharatpur to cater for his passion of shooting - both kitcheners and Curzon were at the first shoot in 1902. Since 1956 Bharatpur has been established as sanctuary. Keoladeo is a huge rookery ground for many water birds and is an important over wintering ground for other including Siberian Crane. Overnight at hotel
Day 8. Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (60 kms)
As day breaks, we eagerly set out to explore this avian spectacle. The birds seen are as colorful as their names including ducks, open-billed, flamingo, Spoonbills, etc. Watching the fishing activities of the handsome pied kingfisher and the sleek darter provide engaging moments of birds watching. Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast drive to Agra, en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri the deserted city built by Akbar around 1570, it was abandoned some years later, presumable because the water system failed. Then onto Agra for stay. Evening visit the Taj Mahal which was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen, Mumtaj Mahal. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9. Agra -Khajuraho, flight
Morning flight to Khajuraho. On arrival transfer to your hotel. Later visit the magnificent cluster of richly decorated ancient temples - which probably from one of the best examples of Indian art.
Day 10. Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh, (260 kms.)
After breakfast leave for Bandhavgarh in the State of Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavagarh is also dominated by an ancient fort and is especially noted for Tiger, Gaurb, Sloth Bear, Deer, Wild Boar and Antelope. Overnight at the Forest Lodge.
Day 11. Bandhavgarh
Visit the reserve at dawn and dust by jeep and elephant. Overnight at Forest Lodge.
Day 12. Bandhavgarh - Kanha National Park, ( 270 Kms.)
Breakfast at hotel. Later drive to Kanha National Park. On arrival check into hotel for overnight stay.
Day 13. Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park, one of the best places in India for viewing wildlife, Kanha is famous for swamp deer, bison, barking deer, sloth bear etc. This park is specially known for tiger and chital. Other animals to be seen are leopard, hyena, gaur, black buck and pig. The bird life includes black ibises, vulture. Kanha is now a tiger reserve under " Project Tiger"
Day 14. Drive Kanha - Nagpur to connect flight to Delhi, (drive 260 kms.)
Breakfast at hotel. Later drive to Nagpur to board flight for Delhi. On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 15. Delhi - Onward destination
Combined sightseeing of Old and New Delhi. Evening dances of India show followed by dinner at local restaurant. Later transfer to international airport to board flight for onward journey.


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