Tiger stalking its prey on a hot day
The Indian subcontinent is one of the world’s most stimulating destinations. Its spectrum of wild habitats rich with exotic animals offers rare treasures for those who are passionate about nature. This Natural Habitat Adventure safari focuses on India’s wild natural realm, renowned for its dramatic rivers, fabled jungles and profuse wildlife, including the majestic Bengal tiger. Eco-tourism has been integral to conservation in India, and this expertly-guided safari directly benefits the continued existence of some of the world’s most precious vanishing species.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Explore three of India’s top national parks on multiple game drives in open 4x4s.
Safari with an experienced Expedition Leader in search of tigers, one-horned rhinoceros, Asiatic elephants and other fascinating wildlife.
Relax in vintage-style comfort with modern luxuries at deluxe ecolodges tucked within India’s best game reserves. Contact us for detailed itineraries, dates, and inclusions.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Delhi, India
Explore India’s vibrant capital on a rickshaw ride. Welcome dinner and orientation. Accommodation: Taj Mahal Hotel.
Day 2: Jabalpur / Bandhavgarh National Park
Short flight to Jabalpur. Travel through countryside of Madya Pradesh en route to Bandhavgarh, renowned for one of India’s highest concentrations of the Bengal tiger. Accommodations: Kings Lodge.
Day 3 & 4: Bandhavgarh National Park
Explore the park’s varied habitats on wildlife drives. This relatively small park offers a good chance of seeing the Bengal tiger as well as other exotic wildlife. There are 37 mammal species and 250 bird species in the park.
Day 5: Bandhavgarh / Kanha National Park & Tiger Reserve
Drive to Kanhan National Park & Tiger Reserve. Located in the Satpura Hills of central India, Kanha covers 750 square miles. The park’s landmark achievement is the preservation of the rare hard-ground swamp deer. Kanha was Rudyard Kipling’s inspiration for his novel, The Jungle Book. Accommodations: Singinawa Jungle Lodge.
Asian One-Horned Rhinoceros, Kaziranga National Park, image © Natural Habitat Adventures
Days 6 & 7: Kanha National Park & Tiger Preserve
Two days of safari through the park in open 4×4 vehicles. Scenic Kanha is an ideal habitat for tigers and their prey, offering some of India’s most superb tiger viewing.
Day 8: Kanha / Raipur / Kolkata
Drive to Raipur and the fly to Kolkata (Calcutta). Enjoy a lavish and restful layover at ITC Sonar, a resort-like urban oasis in one of India’s most bustling cities. Accommodations: ITC Sonar.
Day 9: Kolkata / Jorhat / Kairanga National Park
Fly from Kolkata to Jorhat, the tea capital of India and then drive to Haroocharai Tea Estate for lunch and a tea garden tour. Drive to Kaziranga National Park in Assam, which was created in 1926 as a refuge for the one-horned rhinoceros. Accommodations: Diphlu River Lodge.
Indian Sunset, Kanha National Park, image © Natural Habitat Adventures
Day 10 & 11: Kaziranga National Park
Two days of safari through Kaziranga and its diverse habitats. Bordered by the Brahmaputra River, it is home to many resident and migratory birds. Farewell dinner. Accommodations: Diphlu River Lodge
Day 12: Guwahati / Delhi
After breakfast, drive to Guwahati to catch a flight to Delhi. Day rooms have been reserved at the Trident Gurgaon Hotel, with a transfer to the international terminal for flights home.
DATES AND PRICES
Pricing for November 2014 – March 2015 departures: $8,995-$9,195. Pricing for the remaining 2015 dates and 2016 dates to be determined. Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Group size is limited to approximately 11 travelers.
What’s Included: Airport transfers, internal flights, accommodations, meals from dinner Day 1 to lunch final day, services of an NHA Expedition Leader, local guides and lodge staff, all permits, entrance fees and taxes.
What’s Not Included:
Travel to and from start and end points of trip (Delhi, India), alcoholic beverages, passport and visa fees, optional activities, airline baggage fees, required medical evacuation insurance and optional travel insurance.
CONTACT US
The Grand India trip is a comprehensive, stress-free adventure that is the most superb way to experience India’s fantastic wildlife. Contact us for more information, including detailed itineraries, dates, and complete list of inclusions.
