Taj, Tigers, Leopards, Lions of India - The World"s Greatest Land of Big Cats
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Duration16 Days
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Region
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Category
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Best Time
- October - May
Introduction
Taj, Tigers, Leopards, Lions of India - The World"s Greatest Land of Big Cats View the rich birdlife of India at the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur. Meet the Royal Bengal Tigers at Ranthambore National Park and the Spotted Leopards at Jawai, with these Big Cats roaming the semi-arid desert lands of Rajasthan. Combining this with a visit to the ancient capital of India - Delhi, the Wonder of the World - The Taj Mahal, The great Palaces and Citadels of Jaipur and Jodhpur. Proceed to Gujarat - "Land of the Lions" and visit the Sasan Gir National Park to see the tawny Asiatic Lions. End the tour through the City That Never Sleeps - Mumbai!
In all the jungles witness the cacophony on wings as India is also the land of 1,272 species of birds, a number that makes India have 60% of the bird life of Africa with just 10% of the land mass being close to cold countries north of the Himalayas.
Destinations Covered
Delhi
The City of GloryDelhi is said to be one of the oldest existing cities in the world, along with Jerusalem and Varanasi. It is the Capital Territory of India and a modern-day citadel that's dotted with ancient monuments.
History and Culture
Legend estimates it to be over 5,000 years old. Over the millennia, Delhi is said to have been built and destroyed 11 times. The oldest alleged incarnation of the city shows up in the Indian mythological epic Mahabharata as Indraprastha.
Bharatpur
The history of Bharatpur dates back to 5th century BC, when the Matsya kingdom flourished here. The Matsyas were allies of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war. Legends say that the origin of the name Bharatpur is traced to Bharat, younger brother of Lord Ram. Laxman, the other brother, was given the most prestigious position as that of the family deity of the ruling family of Bharatpur. His name also appears in the state seals and coat-of-arms.
Ranthambore
The Great Wildlife Adventure
Jaipur
The Pink CityJaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan and was built in the eighteenth century by Sawai Jai Singh as India's first planned city. Jaipur is a major tourist attraction amongst Indian as well as international travellers. Jaipur is often called the Pink City in reference to its distinctly colored buildings, which were originally painted this color to imitate the red sandstone architecture of Mughal cities. The present earthy red color originates from repainting of the buildings undertaken for a visit by the Prince of Wales in 1876.
Jawai Bandh
The Land of LeopardsThe Jawai hills located in the Pali district of Rajasthan are known as the leopard hills, surrounded by Jawai Bandh and grasslands while the area is enclosed by the Aravali range. Considered among one of the lesser known tourist destinations, this place deserves much more attention than it gets.
Mumbai
The City of DreamsIndia’s largest port, its commercial and industrial center, as well as fashion capital and heart of Bollywood (India’s thriving movie industry), Mumbai is an endlessly fascinating hive of activity. A jumble of captivating contradictions, grand colonial architecture rubs shoulders with chaotic bazaars, trendy restaurants, exclusive boutiques, slums and shanty towns, all interspersed with beautiful, tropical palm trees. A shopper’s haven, this bustling cosmopolitan metropolis offers anything from pavement stalls and ancient markets to glitzy malls and designer outlets.
Gir National Park
The Land of Asiatic LionsLocated in the western part of Gujarat, Gir National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is the only place outside Africa where lions are living. Spread across 1412 sq.km the park is a blend of dry deciduous forest and Savannah forest.
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrive Delhi
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Day 2
Delhi
Delhi
After breakfast, experience the combined charm of Old and New Delhi.
On the tour of “Old Delhi,” you will head out to explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, myriads of people, and inexpensive and colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Drive past the Red Fort, and visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest Muslim mosques in India.
A bicycle rickshaw will take you into the heart of Chandni Chowk (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants).
Drive past India Gate, a 42-meter archway built-in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War, and Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy. Today, it is the official residence of the President of India.
From here, visit the capital's most striking monument; the 70-meter high Qutab Minar.
Post-visit of the monument return back to the hotel and relax, rest of the day will be at leisure.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
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Day 3
Delhi – Agra – Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park) (Approx. 175 miles / 280 Kms / 5 Hours’ drive)
Bharatpur
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Bharatpur with en-route visiting Agra.
Two great Mughal rulers, Akbar and Shah Jahan changed the small village of Agra and developed it into the second capital of the Mughal Empire. Today, the city has many contrasting facets, from old sandstone buildings, and white marble, to modern glass constructions, from narrow streets to wide Allen, and still the ubiquitous charm of the Mogul dynasties.
We visit the Taj Mahal, the magnificent tomb of white marble built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who had implored her husband to build a monument symbolizing their undying love for each other. Some 20,000 laborers and artisans from around the world spent 22 years constructing what became Mumtaz’s mausoleum, which was begun in 1632. Along with its exquisite symmetry, the Taj features striking examples of pietra dura, a decorative art in which craftsmen embed precisely cut semi-precious stones in marble to form dazzling patterns. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday).
Two kilometers west of the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort is a lasting reminder of the glorious past. This well-preserved fortress was built by Akbar and developed by future generations. It is an imposing structure, almost 3 km long, and has mosques, reception halls, and palaces in its walls.
Thereafter, continue the drive to Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park).
Bharatpur is located in the Braj region of the state of Rajasthan. Bharatpur is popularly known as the home of Keoladeo National Park, which habitats over 370 species of animals and birds. It is recognized as one of the most popular birds feeding and breeding grounds.
Arrive and check in to the hotel.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
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Day 4
Bharatpur (Keoladeo National Park)
Bharatpur
After breakfast, enjoy Bird Watching, and rickshaw rides at the sanctuary. Keoladeo National Park is a vast bird sanctuary and former royal game reserve in the north Indian state of Rajasthan.
South of the ancient city of Bharatpur, the park’s woods and man-made wetlands protect over 350 species of migratory and resident birds, including herons, cormorants, and eagles.
In the afternoon, enjoy Bird Watching with rickshaw rides at the sanctuary.
Colorful kingfishers, graceful pelican’s rare Siberian cranes, and Trans- continental fliers - the migratory waterfowl are amongst the 350 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 28.73km.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
- Day 5 Bharatpur – Ranthambore By Train (Kota Jan Shatabdi Express # 12060 – 14:50/17:03 Hrs.)
- Day 6 Ranthambore National Park
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Day 7
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore
We have one more day to explore the national park by morning & afternoon game drives.
Ranthambore National Park is nearly an island rich in flora and fauna lengthen more than an area of 282.03 sq. kms. of deep forest with canals and waterfalls. The plants of the park are the hot dry deciduous and tropical point type. There are three lakes in the park which is known as The Padam Talab, the Raj Bagh Talab and the Malik Talab in the area. Ranthambore National Park is most likely the best place in the world to see wild tigers and also consider being the best place in the world for taking pictures of the tiger. It is a residence for different kinds of animals.
Overnight at the Hotel (B, L, D)
- Day 8 Ranthambore – Jaipur (Approx. 106 miles / 170 Kms / 4 hours’ drive)
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Day 9
Jaipur
Jaipur
After breakfast, proceed for the sightseeing of Jaipur including a visit to the Amber Fort, and a photo stop at the Palace of the Winds, the Hawa Mahal in the morning. Amber Fort, is a UNESCO World Heritage site built by the Kachhawah Rajputs as their capital from 1037 to 1728 and considered the pinnacle of Rajput architecture.
We tour the unoccupied citadel this morning, to admire the fresco-covered portal, the impressive room of mirrors, walls of jewel-encrusted marble, and the royal apartments offering beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.
We continue on to Jantar Mantar, the incredible open-air Royal Observatory (ca. 1728) housing oversized astronomical instruments and a UNESCO World Heritage site; and City Palace, former residence of the Maharajas of Jaipur, built in the shape of the city itself and now converted to a museum that houses the rulers’ magnificent art collections. Explore the local markets as Jaipur is most famous for its handicrafts.
Lunch & Dinner on own arrangements.
Overnight at the Hotel (B)
- Day 10 Jaipur – Jawai (Approx. 236 Miles / 380 Kms / 6 Hours’ drive)
- Day 11 Jawai
- Day 12 Jawai – Udaipur By Road (Approx. 109 Miles / 175 Kms / 3 Hours’ drive) & Fly to Mumbai (6E-6108 – DEP: 19:35 / ARR: 20:55 Hrs.)
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Day 13
Mumbai
Mumbai
After breakfast, at 0830 hrs your guide will report in hotel lobby along with the chauffer-driven car and you are ready to explore the key sights of Mumbai.
Begin the tour from the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s very own victory arch, built to commemorate the landing of King George the fifth and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar.
Explore Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Museum), founded in the early years of the 20th century, the museum houses approximately 50,000 exhibits of ancient Indian history as well as objects from foreign lands, categorized primarily into three sections: Art, Archaeology and Natural History. The museum houses Indus Valley Civilization artifacts and other relics from ancient India.
See Mumbai’s Dubbawala, the people who collect freshly cooked food in lunch boxes from the home of the office workers and deliver them to their respective workplace each day utilizing various modes of transport, predominantly bicycles and the railway trains, and return the empty boxes back to the customer's residence that afternoon.
Also, drive past the Marine Drive, the beautiful promenade stretches from Nariman Point to Chowpatty in crescent shape along the shoreline of the Arabian Sea.
Drive down to see India’s biggest open-air Laundry called Dhobi Ghat. A popular tourist spot, Dhobhi Ghat is an area where the laundrymen, more popularly known as the Dhobhis, wash the clothes of Mumbai-folks. With nearly most of Mumbai’s washing done here, it comes as a little surprise that these guys can be safely christened as the ‘Washing Machines’ of Mumbai.
Post lunch; visit Dharavi, “Asia’s largest Slum”.
The tour aims to break the negative stereotype associated with the slum. It shows that the, mind behind the greatest business ideas in the city are not found in big corporate boardrooms, but inside tiny 100 sq. ft. homes. The epicentre of Mumbai’s dizzying economic growth doesn’t lie behind glass facades of skyscrapers, but in a run-down neighbourhood of Mumbai. The people of this neighbourhood might not be your suit-clad businessmen but are owners of multi-million dollar companies. These are the people of Dharavi – One of Asia’s largest slums.
Overnight at hotel (B,)
- Day 14 Mumbai – Rajkot By Flight (6E-821 – DEP: 11:05 / ARR: 12:10 Hrs.) & drive to Sasan Gir Nationa Park (Approx. 101 Miles / 162 Kms / 4 Hours’ drive)
- Day 15 Sasan Gir National Park
- Day 16 Gir – Rajkot By Road (Approx. 101 Miles / 162 Kms / 4 hours’ drive) & Fly to Mumbai (6E-6259 – DEP: 1:240 / ARR: 13:45 Hrs.)
