Rajasthan Wildlife Tour
Duration:
12 Nights / 13 Days
Destinations:
Delhi - Udaipur - Jaipur - Ranthambhore - Bharatpur - Agra - Jabalpur -
Kanha - Jabalpur - Delhi
Day
01: Delhi Company representatives will receive you on arrival at
the international airport in Delhi late in the night or midnight. Transfer
to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires
is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the
present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient
land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight
will be at Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi - Udaipur Breakfast
will be at the hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur.
Reach and check in at hotel.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a
lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the
ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a
fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the
imagination of poets, painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of
fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with
stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry.
Their reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing
sight.
Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the
Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch
cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From he boat you will be able
to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the
middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other
island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir
Palace.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 03:
Udaipur Breakfast will be served at the hotel.
Proceed
for sight-seeing tour of Udaipur in the afternoon, stopping first at City
Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors,
colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish
Temple and the local folk Museum.
Relax in the evening.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day
04: Udaipur - Jaipur Breakfast will be at hotel.
After
breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur. Lunch will be at Kishangarh
Phool Mahal Palace.
Reach and check in at hotel.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to
the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the
Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana.
In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its
character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity.
It is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the
locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of
the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its
massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 05: Jaipur
Breakfast will be served at the hotel.
Proceed for excursion to
Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani
fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and
completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an
inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its
ultimate expression.
Proceed for sight-seeing of the city.
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the
walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the
City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the
best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different
parts of the country. This observatory onsisting of outsized astronomical
instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade
of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is
a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine
trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows.
Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the
palace women.
Explore the city markets. Overnight will be at
Jaipur.
Day
06: Jaipur - Ranthambhore Breakfast will be at hotel.
Transfer to SAWAI MADHOPUR.
Evening free at the resort and you
can relax or watch some slides on the tiger.
Ranthambhore Tiger
Reserve, at the junction of the Aravalis and the Vindhyas, is a unique
example of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously in
the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 kilometers
from Sawai Madhopur. Get in tune with nature for a luxury holiday in the
heart of the jungle. Ranthambhore - perhaps the best place in the world to
sight a tiger in the wild. The Ranthambhore National Park has had more Tiger
sightings than any other National Park in the country. It has come to be
known as "The land of the Tiger", where most of the documented
footage of this majestic beast has been recorded.
It spreads
over a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep slopes;
from flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp
ridges of the Aravalis, from wide and flat valleys to narrow rocky gorges.
An important geological feature the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhya
plateaus meet the Aravali hill ranges, meanders through the Reserve. The
National Park is bound by the rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the
north.
Ranthambhore forest is of tropical dry deciduous type,
further classified as Dhok climax forest because of the predominance of Dhok
(Anogeissus pendulla) found nearly everywhere. Dhok is an extremely hardy
tree, capable of withstanding prolonged droughts. The leaves of this tree
are good fodder and they are browsed by herbivores, and form a significant
part of their diet. Even the dry, fallen leaves, eaten by them, are rich
source of nutrition.
Palas or Cheela or the Flame of the Forest
(Butea monosperms) blooms magnificently around mid-April. During the period,
Kachida and Anatpura provide an amazing view, like a forest on fire. Around
Kamaldhar massive Gum trees (Sterculia urens) with smooth white trunk stand
out conspicuously. Similarly, Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica) with greyish
trunks at the banks of the lakes and soft wood Salar (Boswellia serrata)
dotted atop hills are noticeable.
Fruits of Ber (Zizyphus spp.)
and 'crocodile bark' Tendu (Diospuyros melanoxylon) are highly relished by
Sloth Bears.
The lakes abound with aquatic vegetation including
duck weeds, lilies and lotus. A haven for a multitude of wild animals, the
Park boasts of playing host to tigers, leopards, the elusive caracals,
hyenas, sloth bears, wild boars, crocodiles and so on. Besides, there are
over 300 species of birds, from the majestic Crested Serpent Eagle to the
exotic Golden Oriole.
Tiger, at the apex of the food chain, lord
over the kingdom in a subtle way. Solitary by nature, it operates in
stealth. Therefore tiger sightings, frequent as they are, are always a
matter of chance. However, even evidences of tiger's activities are very
exciting.
The other kinds of cats found in Ranthambhore are
Leopard (Panthera pardus), Caracal (Felis caracal), Leopard Cat (Felis
bengalensis), Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina) and the Jungle Cat (Felis
chaus). Besides the big cats, the other large predators found in
Ranthambhore include Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Wolf, Wild dog (or Dhole),
Jackal, Indian Fox, Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Common Indian Mongoose,
Small Indian Mongoose, Ratel (or Honey Badger), Marsh Crocodile and the
Indian Python. There are two species of Antlers, namely the Spotted Deer (or
Chital) and the Sambhar, Deer, and, two kinds of Antelopes, namely the
Indian Gazelle (or Chinkara) and the Bluebull (or Neelgai). Black Buck
(another kind of antelope), which is rarely found in the National Park is
common in Devpura area, in the outskirts of the park.
Overnight
will be at resort.
Day 07: Ranthambhore A full day
game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)
Overnight at the
resort.
Day
08: Ranthambhore - Bharatpur Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to
Bharatpur.
Just 176 km from Delhi is a very special wilderness -
the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, one of the finest water-bird sanctuaries
in the world. The Maharaja of Bharatpur artificially created the lake and
wetland in the 19th century. By building small dykes and dams and diverting
water from an irrigation canal, he converted this low-lying area into a fine
wild fowl shooting preserve. In a few years, the new wetland surrounded by
marginal forests was able to support thousands of water birds.
Commonly referred to as Bharatpur, the Park is a delight for bird watchers.
Over 375 species of birds are found here and raised paths, camouflaged by
babul trees and undergrowth make viewing easy. A quiet ride by boat in the
early hours of the morning is also unforgettable experience. The cacophony
is unbelievable as painted storks, open bills, spoonbills, egrets,
cormorants, white ibis and multitudes of others, tend their young. Jacanas
with their iridescent colors and elegant tail feathers and purple moorhen
can be seen delicately treading over the floating vegetation.
Every year Bharatpur waits with bated breath for the arrival of the Siberian
cranes. There are only two wintering places for this rare species one in
Iran and the other Bharatpur and these beautiful birds with their
distinctive red beaks and facial patches, fly over 6400 km from their summer
retreats.
Colorful kingfishers, graceful pelicans rare Siberian
cranes and Trans- continental fliers - the migratory water - fowl are
amongst the 375 species of birds found in the Keoladeo National Park. The
most spectacular nesting is that of the egrets, storks, herons and
cormorants, which make over 10,000 nests every year. This makes outstanding
bird havens of the world. The park covers an area of 28.73 km.
The story of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is incomplete without an account of
the migratory waterfowl. The most prominent waterfowl coming to this park
are bareheaded and greylag geese. Ducks also create a lot of fluttering in
the lakes. The ducks usually found here are pintail, widgeon, common
shelduck, shoveler, garganey, teal, etc.
Attracted by the influx
of the waterfowl the predatory birds-tawny eagles, spotted eagles short-toed
eagles imperial eagles and fishing eagle also arrive. They all form the apex
of the biological pyramid of the sanctuary and complete the avian food chain
of the ecosystem. There are large herds of the nilgai, chital, wild boar and
fear cows in addition to a few herds of sambar.
Reach and check
in at the hotel. Proceed on RICKSHAW for viewing the birds. RICKSHAW PULLERS
have been trained by the forest department in bird watching and are
knowledgeable.
Return to the lodge in the evening and relax.
Overnight will be at Bharatpur.
Day
09: Bharatpur - Agra Early morning RICKSHAW RIDE at the Bird Park.
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Agra.
AGRA: Two great
Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of
Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the
name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is
caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white
marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that
this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that
modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk
down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to
the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Reach Agra and then
proceed to visit Taj. Enjoy battery van ride to the Taj.
TAJ
MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is
always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by
Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz
Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and
planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design
balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its
elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work
ever seen.
Proceed for sight-seeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by
the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red
sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a
major tourist attraction.
Visit Itmadullah's Tomb built by
Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors of which are
considered better than the Taj).
Take train to Jabalpur in the
evening. Overnight would be on board the train.
Day 10:
Jabalpur - Kanha Reach Jabalpur and you would be transferred to
Kanha.
This is the place that has been described by RUDYARD
KIPLING in his great book "The Jungle Book". Located in the Mandla
district of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is a tiger reserve that
extends over an area of over 940 square km. A horseshoe shaped valley
bounded by the spurs of the Mekal presents an interesting topography. Steep
rocky escarpments along the edges offer breathtaking views of the valley.
Realizing the danger on the Tiger population in the country, the Government
started the "Project Tiger" at Kanha and in 1974 the area was
declared a Tiger reserve. The park is also the habitat of the high ground
Barasingha.
In 1930s, the Kanha area was divided into two
sanctuaries - Hallon and Banjar of 250kms to 300kms each. Though one of
these was subsequently disbanded .The area remained a protected one until
1947. Depletion of the tiger population in the year that followed led to the
area being made an absolute sanctuary in 1952.
Patient watching
should reward the visitor, with a sight of Indian Fox, Sloth bear, Striped
hyena, Jungle cut, Leopard, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned antelope,
Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine Kanha has some 200 species of birds. Watchers
should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests
harbour many species and in the grassy forest clearings. Water birds can be
seen near the park's many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is
frequented by water birds and the area in front of the museum.
Excursion to Kawardha just east of the Maikala Range (up to 1100m) to the
south east of Kanha National Park, Kawardha is a small town in Chhattisgarh
(34 forts) region of M.P. In this remote area Maharaja Viswaraj Singh has
recently opened his palace to visitors. It provides a delightfully quite
unspoiled contrast with India's big cities and with the much busier tourist
circuit of Rajasthan's 'palace circuit'. This town is in the center of the
Baiga tribe, who live in forest surrounding the town, and these are several
eleventh century temples in the immediate region.
Reach before
lunch and proceed for an afternoon GAME DRIVE to view TIGERS.
Overnight at the Kanha Resort.
Day 11: Kanha A full
day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)
Overnight at
the resort.
Day
12: Kanha - Jabalpur - Delhi Proceed for the morning Game Drive
into the forest. Proceed to Jabalpur and board train for overnight journey
to Delhi.
Overnight will be on train.
Day 13:
Delhi Arrive in the morning. Check in at hotel and freshen up.
Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A
sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the
memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest
mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of
the Mughal Empire.
Take a cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid
to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing tour of
New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a
drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate,
Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end with a drive
through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Transfer to airport for
connecting flight home.
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