GREATER INDIA WILDLIFE TOUR

This exciting tour introduces you to India’s diverse wildlife, rich in flora and fauna together with astonishing birdlife. During this 19-day trip, you will explore some of India’s most popular national parks including Bharatpur, Chambal, Pench and Kaziranga, which together make up one of the largest habitats for India’s pride, the “Royal Bengal Tiger”. Besides seeing Asian Elephants and many of India’s other exotic animals, you will spend time in one of the few parks in India that is home to the endangered One-horned Rhino where you also may see up to 50% of the birds found on the Indian subcontinent. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature’s ultimate gift as you explore these parks and enjoy close encounters with India’s amazing wildlife.

Request for Quote Itineraries

ITINERARY | PREFERRED HOTELS

Day 1

ARRIVE DELHI

Arriving at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport you are greeted by our staff who will transfer you to your hotel. The balance of the day is free to relax.

Accommodation:  At your selected hotel – 2 nights.

Day 2

DELHI

After breakfast, we set off on a full day, bird watching tour in Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. Situated about 40km from the centre of Delhi in one of its nearby suburbs, this sanctuary is popular with ornithologist and amateur birders alike as it is home to some of rare species of birds such as the Sind Sparrow and Eurasian Roller as well as many species of Warblers and Flamingos.

Day 3

DELHI–BHARATPUR

This morning we drive to Bharatpur (220 km/4 hrs) and upon arrival check in to the hotel.

In the afternoon we visit Keoladeo National Park to enjoy bird watching by rickshaw and on foot.  This UNESCO World Heritage Site is undoubtedly one of the best birding places in India with over 300 different species found in an area of just over 29 sq km full of shallow lakes and woodlands. Besides being a bird sanctuary, it is also inhabited by Sambar, Nilgai and Wild Boars. This is also the best place to see nesting birds specially the colourful painted storks.

Accommodation:  At your selected hotel – 2 nights

Day 4

BHARATPUR

Morning and afternoon bird watching in Keoladeo National Park by rickshaw and including a boat ride.

Day 5

BHARATPUR–FATEHPUR SIKRI -CHAMBAL

Today we leave for Chambal (approx 130 km/2½ hrs) visiting Akbar’s abandoned city Fatehpur Sikri en route. Upon arrival check in to the simple but elegant Chambal Safari Lodge.  The Chambal Sanctuary is a birdwatcher’s paradise, having recorded up to 264 species of resident and migratory birds including large numbers of the Indian Skimmer, Greater Thick-knee, Small Pratincole, and Lapwings. The sanctuary’s river is also home to Marsh Crocodiles (muggers), Gharials (a member of the Crocodile family), eight species of turtles, Smooth-coated Otters and endangered Gangetic Dolphins. Enjoy an afternoon boat safari exploring the rich birdlife along the shores of the Chambal River.

Accommodation: At Chambal Safari Lodge – 2 nights

Day 6

CHAMBAL

Today enjoy a morning and afternoon boat safari on Chambal River which is best explored by boat and this River Safari provides spectacular opportunities to view the wildlife.

Day 7

CHAMBAL -AGRA

After a short drive this morning (70 km/1½ hrs) we arrive in Agra and check into our hotel.

Situated on the bank of river Yamuna, Agra gets its name from Agravana in the Hindu epic Mahabharata written around 8th to 9th century BC. However present day Agra was said to be founded by Raja Badal Singh in 1475. It was during the rule of the Mughals that the glory of Agra reached on its zenith with the building of the Taj Mahal by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan that made this city eternal.

 

In the afternoon you will have a tour of the magnificent Agra Fort followed and then see the mausoleum of Itmad-Ud-Daulah. Afterwards, we will take you to Taj Mahal so you can appreciate its beauty at sunset. (Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays).

Overnight at your selected hotel

Day 8

AGRA–BHOPAL -SATPURA

After an early breakfast transfer to Agra Cantt railway station to board a train for Bhopal.

On arrival you will be met by IBN Tours staff and will be transferred to Satpura (180 Kms/4 hrs) in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

 

Satpura National Park is 524 Sq km in area and is the heart of the Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve that includes Bori Wildlife Sanctuary to its south-west and Panchmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary to its north-east. This park has both sal and teak trees as well as many varieties of ferns, mango trees, butterflies and birds. It is one of the few parks in India where walking safaris are allowed in the core zone, and is known for its excellent sighting of sloth bears, leopards and dhole (wild dogs).

Accommodation: At your Reni Pani Lodge – 3 nights

Days 9 & 10

SATPURA NATIONAL PARK

Over the next two days, enjoy both morning and afternoon jungle safaris in Satpura National Park, which can be done either by jeep, boat or elephant as well as on foot during its signature walking safari accompanied by a trained naturalist and a park guide.

Day 11

SATPURA–PENCH

Today’s drive takes us to Pench National Park (240 km/5-6 hrs). On arrival at Pench, check in your lodge and afterwards, enjoy an afternoon jeep safari exploring the diverse flora and fauna of the Park.  The highlight will be looking for Royal Bengal Tigers, because this exciting park is known as one of the best places to see them in the wild.

Accommodation: At your selected lodge – 3 nights

Days 12 & 13

PENCH NATIONAL PARK

Over the next two days, participate in morning and afternoon game drives through the park.  Besides being a tiger reserve, this park has a great variety of wildlife and its terrain, a mix of flat land and rocks, provides a perfect habitat for Leopards and many other animals such as Jackal, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Sloth Bears, Gaur, Spotted Deer and Sambhar deer as well as reptiles.  Of course, the pinnacle of any safari would be to spot the prized Royal Bengal Tiger! It is also a birdwatchers paradise with over 200 species of birds.

Day 14

PENCH -NAGPUR–KOLKATA

Early this morning we transfer you to Nagpur airport for flight to Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, where on arrival you are met and taken to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure

Overnight at your selected hotel

Day 15

KOLKATA -GUWAHATI -JORHAT

Today we take a short flight from Kolkata to Jorhat in the state of Assam.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel Thengal Manor. This afternoon visit Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, home of India’s only ape, the Hoolock Gibbon.  The sanctuary also has 6 different species of macaque including rare Assamese Macaque and stump-tailed macaque.

Overnight at Hotel Thengal Manor

Day 16

JORHAT -KAZIRANGA

Following another visit of Gibbon wildlife sanctuary this morning, we drive to Kaziranga National Park (100 km/2 hrs), famous as the only natural habitat of the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros. Upon arrival at Kaziranga, check into the hotel.

 

Located on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River in the far North Eastern part of India, Kaziranga National Park covers an area of approximately 430-sq-kms with its swamps and tall elephant grass making it the ideal habitat for the Indian One-Horned Rhino.

Accommodation: At your selected lodge – 3 nights

Days 17&18

KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park offers an exceptional wildlife experience. Enjoy a “true” elephant safari as well taking morning and afternoon game drives in different zones of this park over the next two days exploring this park’s diverse flora and fauna. Some of the park’s other inhabitants include the Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Asian Elephant, Wild Buffalo, many species of deer including endangered Barasingha and over 600 species of birds. We will also have the opportunity to visit nearby tea estates.

Day 19

KAZIRANGA -GUWAHATI -KOLKATA OR DELHI

After breakfast transfer to Guwahati airport for flight to Kolkata or Delhi for onward flight back home.

Explore your TRAVEL DESTINATION like never before.