Bengal tiger, India. Unique Wildlife Experiences & Safaris. Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 01

Transcription

1 Bengal tiger, India Unique Wildlife Experiences & Safaris Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 01

2 CONTENT We Invite you About us List of Members Wildlife in India An Introduction Mammals Birds Reptiles and Amphibians Butterflies and Dragonflies Tracking wildlife IWTE Members Naturalists profiles Unique Experiences Itineraries Tigers and Temples in Central India Stripes and Spots of Wild Rajasthan Primates and Rhinos of the North-East Central India Birding Tour Salt plain of rugged Kutch Endemic Birds of Western India Bio-diversity of Himalayan Foothills Princely states and Indian Terai Western ghats and its treasures The Indian Skimmer Wild Elephants in South India 02 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 03

3 India is best known for its diverse cultures, incredible monuments and large population; surprisingly its wildlife and natural areas rarely feature on the list of most famous items. Yet the Indian sub-continent offers diversity that is unmatched anywhere and in spite of the number of human inhabitants, has an admirable conservation history that has allowed much to remain and still be seen. Other than diversity, India also stands out in its uniqueness. There is a long list of animals you can see in India that are almost impossible to spot elsewhere. For the wildlife enthusiast India is thus an ideal destination for exploration but even for those with only a passing interest in fauna and flora, India s wild areas provide a special view into one of the country s more tranquil yet exciting dimensions. The choice of species and areas is vast. In the north is Ladakh, an area described as the rooftop of the world and also known as Little Tibet. If you like hiking and trekking and wish to see a snow leopard, Ladakh is the place for you. For a long time the snow leopard was known as the grey ghost of the Himalayas because it was so difficult to see. But now the chance of seeing a snow leopard here is as good as spotting a tiger or a leopard in the jungle. While in snow leopard territory you can also see other rare animals such as blue sheep or bharal, ibex and Tibetan argali. You may also see Tibetan wolves or even the rarely glimpsed wild dog and golden eagle and lamergeier are a common and spectacular sight. Further south beyond the great Himalayan range lies the Kashmir valley and not far from Srinagar lies the Dachigam National Park where you can see the Kashmir stag known as Hangul, an endemic and unique red deer subspecies that is only found here. This park is also noted for its population of Himalayan black bear. The foothills of the Himalayas are one of the richest wildlife habitats in the world. For birders, Corbett National Park is a gem: here alone one can see more than 400 bird species. These habitats are known for their tall grasses, where even animals as large as an elephant can camouflage easily. These tall grasses are known as terai, and are home to India s own big five the tiger, Asian elephant, wild buffalo, Asian one horned rhinoceros, and leopard. Corbett and Kaziranga National Park hold the highest abundance of wildlife in Asia. In addition to these big five, the terai is also home to numerous endemic animals like swamp deer, hog deer in thousands and the rarest of animals like pygmy hog and Bengal florican. The rivers and lakes of the terai region add another dimension to the safari experience. Here one can see pelican feeding frenzies and otters along with herds of elephant, buffalo, swamp deer and rhino feeding in large numbers. Despite the huge diversity of wildlife in the country, the magnificent tiger still attracts the most attention. Although surviving in several Asian countries, the Indian subcontinent is the only place one is likely to see it in the wild. The central Indian protected areas have become known as the best places for visitors to spot a tiger. A handful of parks have been made famous because of films and extensive photography. Strong conservation measures have allowed tiger populations to thrive in other areas so you can now step away from the crowds and still have a good chance of spotting India s biggest and most famous cat, while also enjoying a variety of other jungle denizens. Hotter and drier habitats of west India offer some very unique wildlife. The Gir forest is home to the Asiatic lion. Further west in the flat salt-pans lives another unique endemic species, the Khur or Asiatic wild ass. Gujarat has best sanctuaries for seeing the blackbuck, an elegant Indian antelope and also another sub-species of wolf, very different from the Tibetan wolf. The leopard is fairly ubiquitous in India but perhaps surprisingly the Bera wilderness in Rajasthan can boast of being one of the best places to see leopard in the world. Further south are the Western Ghats, a unique biodiversity hotspot. These southern Indian rain forest habitats are also known for their unique flora and fauna. Tiger, elephant, gaur and bear are here but it is also home to some very unique primates species such as the nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque and giant squirrels, giant hornbills, flying lizards and flying squirrels. The high mountains of the region are home to another endemic species of mountain goat, the Nilgiri tahr. Their habitat of unique rolling grasslands and shola forest is a breathtaking sight. The Western Ghat is a paradise for birders. The richness of India wilderness cannot be experienced in just one visit. In fact for those of us who live here, there is still more to explore. For many of our friends, India has become a permanent destination of unending exploration. Please join us in exploring India s wilderness and help save it for future generations to see. Raghu Chundawat and Joanna Van Gruisen (Wildlife conservationist) 01 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 02

4 ABOUT US I.W.T.E. (Indian Wildlife Travel Experts) is an alliance of India s finest jungle lodges that along with PUREQUEST ADVENTURES - INDIA work together to build and promote wildlife tourism to India. The group works collectively to market India worldwide through its combined presence in select travel fairs and roadshows. Our objective is to present our customers the best wildlife product in India through a collection of excellent itineraries featuring our members. Besides safaris, the members of IWTE offer unique experiences which make a jungle odyssey complete and in line with what discerning travellers expect. Each member has been carefully selected these are boutique lodges committed to responsible and ethical wildlife tourism to feature in the prestigious alliance. It is a one-stop contact for you to find and build memorable safaris for your guests. IWTE believes in continuous research to highlight India s wildlife potential on the international wildlife tourism map, through education, workshops and blogs. Besides, each member pledges to continue the good work in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainable tourism by hiring local people, re-cycling to conserve natural resources, and promoting regional culture and traditions. For more info, write to us at info@iwte.in Tiger at Bandhavgarh National Park 03 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 04

5 LIST OF MEMBERS JAWAI LEOPARD CAMP JAWAI - DISTRICT PALI, RAJASTHAN 9 1 KIPLING CAMP KANHA TIGER RESERVE SAMODE SAFARI LODGE BANDHAVGARH TIGER RESERVE 10 2 JIM S JUNGLE RETREAT CORBETT TIGER RESERVE BLACKBUCK LODGE VELAVADAR NATIONAL PARK 11 3 SARAI AT TORIA PANNA TIGER RESERVE TREE OF LIFE JAAGIR LODGE DUDHWA TIGER RESERVE 12 4 SVASARA JUNGLE LODGE TADOBA TIGER RESERVE MARY BUDDEN ESTATE BINSAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY 13 5 FORSYTH LODGE SATPURA TIGER RESERVE DIPHLU RIVER LODGE KAZIRANGA TIGER RESERVE 14 6 ORANGE COUNTY NAGARHOLE TIGER RESERVE LION SAFARI CAMP GIR NATIONAL PARK 15 7 CHAMBAL SAFARI LODGE NATIONAL CHAMBAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY RANN RIDERS LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH 16 8 SHERBAGH RANTHAMBHORE TIGER RESERVE PUREQUEST ADVENTURES INDIA INDIA Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 06

6 Wildlife in India The Great Indian Bio-diversity Elephant herd in Dhikala grassland, Corbett Tiger Reserve 07 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 08

7 AN Wild Asiatic Lion on hunt INTRODUCTION India is a nation with a plethora of rich biodiversity, which makes it one of the 17 mega diverse countries of the world. To understand the distribution of the flora and fauna on this land, ecologists have divided India into 10 biogeographic zones. These zones are the repositories of the wonderful biodiversity in the country. The forests types of India are classified into 16 different types of forests. India s Western Ghats (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the North-East are among the 25 biodiversity hotspots of the world, which show high endemicity in plants and animals. The diversity in landscape, and in flora and fauna attracts visitors from all corners of the world for recreation, study and research. Conservation practices started in India about 2,300 years ago during the Mauryan Period (Arthshashtra), when the term Abhayaranya (sanctuary) was coined and legal status was given to protect some of the wildlife and forests. Extraordinary work was done during the Mughal and British period to document species and laws were introduced to regulate hunting and protect wildlife areas. But at the beginning of the 20th century and after India s independence in 1947, indiscriminate hunting took a heavy toll on our wildlife. This was the time when we lost our fastest species on land, the Asiatic cheetah. We also lost the beautiful pink-headed duck and the Himalayan quail, and many other species came to the brink of extinction. By 1970, it was estimated that there were only 1800 wild tigers left in all of India. The then Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, realised the severity of the situation and acted quickly to pass the Wild Life (Protection) Act through Parliament in A year later, on 1st April 1973, Project Tiger was launched. These two milestones are still largely responsible for the protection and conservation of wildlife in India to this day. An extensive network of protected areas has been created to safeguard India s natural heritage. At present there are 103 National Parks, 528 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 65 Conservation Reserves and 4 Community Reserves. Largely within this network, there are 48 Tiger Reserves with over 39,000 sq km of core/ critical tiger habitat, 10 Elephant Reserves and 18 Biosphere Reserves. Seven of India s protected areas have been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The major groups of wildlife found in India are: 09 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 10

8 MAMMALS Nilgiri Langur monkey in Parambikulum national park, Kerala, India Bird watching is an increasingly popular leisure pursuit and with its range of diverse habitats and over 1250 species of birds, India is becoming a primary destination for birders. In the Himalayas can be found a host of spectacular species, such as the monal, satyr tragopan, and the koklass and kaleej pheasants. The region is also known for some magnificent giants, such as the Lamergeier and the Himalayan griffon. At lower elevations other big and beautiful birds can be found, including the great hornbill. The arid and desert areas also have good avian diversity and here you can see peafowl strutting around the villages, and flocks of common and demoiselle cranes that visit in the winter months. Other winter visitors that gather around BIRDS water bodies include waders, cranes, storks, ducks and geese. The bar-headed goose, which is believed to be the world s highest flying bird, is a common winter visitor in the large wetlands of India. The tallest flying bird in the world, the sarus crane, is abundant in the agriculture fields of northern India. The ancestor of all domestic chickens, the red jungle fowl, is common throughout the north Indian jungles and its close cousin the grey jungle fowl is found in the south. Wherever you go in India, you will find such jewels as the golden oriole, the scarlet minivet and the paradise flycatcher. Mammals are always a major attraction. The ferocity of large carnivores, the huge size of pachyderms, the antics of primates, our closest relatives, have all been a focus of interest from ancient times. India is fortunate to have five big cats: the tiger, Asiatic lion, leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard. The tiger is our National Animal and the flagship species for wildlife conservation. It is also considered to be the ambassador of wildlife tourism in India. The last remaining population of the Asiatic lion, which roamed many parts of Asia in historic times, is now only found in the far west corner of India. The leopard is common throughout the country and there are good chances of seeing them in some of the forested areas. The snow leopard and clouded leopard are both species that are usually difficult to spot. Fortunately there has been a remarkable increase in sightings of snow leopards in recent times, particularly in Hemis National Park in Ladakh. Another charismatic group is the ungulates, a diverse group of large, hoofed mammals that includes deer, antelope, the wild ass and the rhino. The most common, and arguably the most beautiful, is the spotted deer or cheetal that is found in most parts of India. The forest-dwelling sambar is also well distributed and is the largest deer in India. Most of the other species of deer are localised in distribution and a number of them are endangered. Antelopes are mostly found in grasslands and dry forest area, including the beautiful blackbuck, the chinkara or Indian gazelle, the nilgai, and the four-horned antelope. Among the wild sheep and goats found in India, the endemic Nilgiri tahr is the only goat found in South India. In the Himalaya we have the ibex, Himalayan tahr and markhor, among others. The nimble wild ass is confined to the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Another subspecies, the Tibetan wild ass, occurs in the trans-himalaya cold deserts in Ladakh and Sikkim. The greater one-horned rhinoceros is found only in northern India and in Nepal. It can be easily seen in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and other protected areas in North-East India. The gaur, also known as the Indian bison, is the largest bovine in India. It is found in southern, central and northeastern India. Wild buffalo can be seen in the North-East and in small isolated pockets in central India. The Asian elephant is our largest terrestrial mammal. Elephants are found in the plains of north, south, east and north-east India and can be easily seen in protected areas such as Nagarhole, Corbett and Kaziranga. Primates are among the most fascinating animals to spend time with and watch their behaviour. The most common monkeys in India are langurs, rhesus and bonnet macaques. Two particularly interesting species can be found in the Western Ghats in south India, the endemic lion-tailed macaque and the Nilgiri langur. The hoolock gibbon is the only ape found in India and it can seen (and heard they can be very noisy) in parks in North-East India. If you are very lucky you might sight the shy, nocturnal slender loris in the forests of south India, or its cousin the slow loris in North-East India. There are eight species of bear in the world, of which four occur in India. The most common is the sloth bear, which is found in moist and dry deciduous forests, scrubland and grassland throughout peninsular India. The biggest is the brown bear, which is found in the western Himalaya. The Asiatic black bear is found in the lower elevation of the Himalaya and the elusive and rare sun bear is found in the dense forests of the North-East. The smaller but beautiful red panda also inhabits the forests of the North-East, and can be found in the States of Sikkim, northern West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh. India is also home to a host of smaller mammals such as otters, jackals, civets, mongoose, porcupines, flying squirrels, giant squirrels, hedgehogs, martens, hare, pikas, fruit bats, and of course the exquisite smaller cats. Big rare bird Sarus Crane, India 11 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 12

9 REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS BUTTERFLIES AND DRAGONFLIES Gangetic Gharial in Chambal River, India Amasing green tropic butterfly taken in Udaipur, India Odonata The herpetofauna diversity in India is legendary. Three species of crocodiles are found here; the long-snouted gharial is critically endangered and endemic to the Indian Subcontinent, while the saltwater crocodile and marsh crocodile are common throughout the country. Numerous species of freshwater turtles can be seen in the rivers and wetlands and the main species of sea turtles are the olive ridley, leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead. More than 200 species of venomous and nonvenomous snakes occur in India. Among them is the king cobra which is found in dense forests and rainforests in the North-East, eastern India and the Western Ghats. This is the world s longest venomous snake that can grow up to 18 feet long. Another big snake is the Indian rock python, a nonvenomous snake that is found in many different habitats. Approximately 1800 species and subspecies of butterflies are found in India, of which about 15-20% is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent. This makes India an important region for butterfly diversity and conservation. The North-East and Western Ghats in particular have many endemic species of butterflies. Dragonflies and damselflies, collectively called odonates, are one of the most common insects flying over forests, fields, ponds, rivers and meadows. More than 500 species of odonates have been recorded in India. Common groups of dragonflies are clubtails, darners, skimmers and mountain hawks. Damselflies include marsh darts, bush darts, reedtails, bambootails, spreadwings, glories, stream jewels and torrent darts. Indian rock python 13 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 14

10 TRACKING WILDLIFE A wildlife safari is incomplete without a competent naturalist, and how much you enjoy yourself depends on your guide s skills of tracking and identifying the species. Tracking wildlife is a challenging task that can only be perfected after years of practice. In India stepping out of a safari vehicle in a protected area is prohibited so interpreting animal signs visually and by smell and hearing, depends upon the tracker s ability. Animals always leave evidence of their presence and these signs are a tracker s primary source of information on the presence and movement of animals, even in dense forests. Jeep Safari in Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttrakhand, India 1. Tracks: Tracks are the primary sign of an animal s movement. For example, an expert tracker can easily identify between fresh and old pugmark impressions of a tiger, even identifying the sex of the animal; if it is rounded then it is a male and if it is more oval then it usually a tigress. Fresh tracks can also indicate if an animal is nearby. Tiger, leopard, wild dog, bear and other soft-pawed animals prefer to use dirt roads and tracks. If you understand the signs, this makes it fairly easy to track them by following their pugmarks. 2. Droppings: Droppings also play a major role in identifying and tracking the target species. Fresh droppings are usually moist and, in the case of carnivores, sometimes show a layer of fresh mucous. Experienced trackers can identify the species and the freshness of the droppings. Interestingly, animals such as nilgai and rhino tend to defecate in the same place, creating dung piles. 3. Feeding Signs: Feeding signs can provide important information on the animals. Tigers, for instance, will often leave drag marks after they have made a kill. They also tend to visit the nearest waterhole frequently when they have a kill, while noisy crows remain close to the carcass. In the case of leopards, a kill can sometimes be found draped in a tree to keep it safe from other animals. So if drag marks lead towards a patch of trees then a leopard is probably close by. Other animals such as elephants feed on bark and destroy vegetation in their path. In the process of feeding, they also pull down branches and even whole trees. Sloth bear break termite mounds to feed on them, and they also climb trees to feed on honey from beehives. Wild boars dig the ground in search of tubers and porcupines eat calcium-rich antlers. 4. Animal calls: The perfect indicator of the presence of an animal is their call. Deer, antelope, monkeys, squirrels and many birds will give alarm calls after they see or smell a predator. Elephants will also trumpet or rumble when they are near a predator, and even other tigers will roar or growl in the presence of another tiger. Identifying these calls is an important source of information on the presence of animals and the probability of seeing them is high. 5. Marking: Many animals mark their territory by scratching trees or scraping the ground. Tigers generally mark their territory by spraying urine mixed with a scent from their anal glands. They also scratch trees and scrape the ground. Freshness of these marks helps us to find a tiger. 15 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 16

11 IWTE MEMBERS HANDPICKED LODGES FOR THE ULTIMATE WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE Sher Bagh Ranthambhore National park India 17 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 18

12 Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve Corbett Tiger Reserve Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is named after the ancient fort situated on top of the highest hill of the region. The reserve is one of the best places to see wild tigers in broad daylight and it has one of the highest densities of tigers than any park. The other major fauna are leopard, wild dog, hyena, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer and wild boar. The main vegetation is northern moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest and grassland. The core area of the tiger reserve encompasses 717 sq km and its diverse habitat is home to about 250 species of birds. Samode Safari Lodge - Bandhavgarh Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve India Known as the Land of Trumpet and Roar, Corbett Tiger Reserve is the finest and oldest national park in India. Named after the hunter-conservationist Jim Corbett, this park is the best representative of the Terai-Arc landscape, which is one of the prime habitats for tiger. The reserve has one of the highest densities of tigers and a good population of Asian elephants. The park is also among the few places where one can see gharials in the wild. The bird diversity of Corbett and its surroundings offers almost half the number of bird species found in India, which is unmatched in any other park. Different altitudinal variations and vegetation types in the reserve provide an ideal and suitable habitat for the fauna of the Gangetic plains, the Terai, Central India and the Himalayas. India Corbett Tiger Reserve The inspiration for this lodge is the indigenous architecture of the region, and the décor and setting is distinctly Indian. The main lounge is the heart of the lodge. Built on the first floor of the main building, it is tastefully decorated and comfortably furnished. With a wooden floor, two large wood burning fireplaces and great views, the lounge opens onto a large wooden open-air deck that overlooks the property. Read in a cosy corner, sunbathe on the deck or just nurse your drink while staring at the fire; the lounge will help you relax after a safari. Activities Safari with an expert naturalist Breakfast or lunch in the jungle Nature and birding walk with an expert naturalist Cycling in the woods Village and local school visits and involvement in different community and conservation projects Jim s Jungle Retreat - Corbett Committed to responsible tourism, with active involvement of the local community, the retreat aims to minimise disturbance to its surroundings while providing its guests an exciting, educative and uplifting experience. Jim s Jungle Retreat offers three accommodation styles totalling 18 residences, which are designed with a focus on aesthetics, comfort, and of capturing the area s history. These include jungle cottages and lodges that borrow from their architectural past - old forest bungalows and rest houses of the Raj era. Activities Safari with an expert naturalist; bush dinner Angling or sport fishing; nature and birding walk with an expert naturalist Gujjar village and local school visit and involvement in community and conservation projects Camera trapping within property grounds with our naturalist Night walk within property grounds with naturalist; interpretation walk of Mahavan Project 19 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 20

13 Kanha Tiger Reserve Panna Tiger Reserve Kanha Tiger Reserve is the largest national park in central India and considered to be one of the best managed parks in Asia. There are many conservation success stories associated with this reserve and the most prominent among these is the revival of the critically endangered hard ground barasingha. Kanha was declared a national park in 1955 and a tiger reserve in The mammal and bird diversity of the park is fabulous and it has almost the entire faunal element of central India including the tiger, leopard, wild dog, five species of deer and the gaur. The beautiful mosaic of habitats, from sal and bamboo forests to savannah grasslands, is a treasure trove for wildlife, especially the tiger. Two perennial rivers flow through the 940 sq km core area of the reserve, ensuring water for the wildlife throughout the year. Over 260 species of birds have been recorded in Kanha. Kipling Camp - Kanha Kipling Camp is the perfect destination for those who wish to relax in idyllic surrounds and explore the remote forests and villages of central India. Established in 1982 by a family of conservationists on the edge of Kanha National Park, it is one of the finest wildlife camps in India with attention given to every detail. Over the years, it has moved gently with the times, without spoiling its magical atmosphere. The camp is family owned and run and what sets it apart is its personal, houseguest ambience. Kipling Camp is also the home of Tara, a much-loved elephant who loves to be bathed in the nearby river. Activities Kanha Tiger Reserve India Safari with an expert naturalist; bush dinner Walk with and bathe the resident elephant Camera traps to record animal movement Nature and birding walk with an expert naturalist Village and local school visit and involvement in community and conservation projects Involvement in projects of a well-known national wildlife conservation organisation Panna Tiger Reserve is located in the northern part of Central India, at the edge of the Vindhyan mountain range. It has dramatically beautiful scenery with vast flat plateaux separated by steep escarpments. The Ken River, a tributary of the Yamuna, flows through the Park forming a perennial source of water in this area. The landscape and habitats of Panna are varied and support a corresponding diversity of wildlife. The main forest is tropical dry deciduous mixed forest with teak; Panna is the northern most limit of teak distribution in India. Among the large predators are tiger, leopard and dhole or wild dog, but it is also known for its variety of smaller predators like jungle cat, jackal, hyena, mongoose and civets. The mix of grassland and forest in the park also provide a haven for populations of chinkara, nilgai, sloth bear, chital, sambar and wild boar as well as the less common four-horned antelope. Panna is well known for its birds, especially raptors, and still has breeding colonies of the critically endangered long-billed vulture. Many of the Park s cliffs provide nesting sites for these highly endangered vultures. Sarai At Toria - Panna The Sarai at Toria was created by a husband and wife partnership who have a passion for wildlife and conservation. Their aim is to manage the Sarai at Toria in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, providing comfort and indulgence while protecting the natural and the cultural environment. Activities Panna Tiger Reserve Jeep safari in Panna Tiger Reserve Night safari in the park s buffer zone Tranquil boat ride on the pristine Ken River Nature and birding walk with a local naturalist Bicycle ride through the local villages Visits to various magnificent old temples and forts India 21 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 22

14 National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary Satpura Tiger Reserve The National Chambal Sanctuary was declared in 1979 as a riverine sanctuary along an approximately 425 km stretch of the Chambal river. It includes dramatic ravines, 2 to 6 km wide, along the river. The sanctuary lies in three states, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, stretching from Kota in Rajasthan to the confluence with the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh. The National Chambal Sanctuary is home to some of the sub-continent s rarest species, including the gharial, Gangetic river dolphin, eight species of turtles, marsh crocodiles, and over 300 species of birds. India Situated in the beautiful forested hills of the Satpura landscape, the Satpura Tiger Reserve is one of the most biodiversity rich areas of Central India. From the small insectivores plants to the gaur and the tiger, all the flora and fauna typical to the Central Indian Highlands are found here. Satpura was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1999 with a core area of 1,339 sq km. In the same year, the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve was created covering an area of 4,925 sq km, which includes Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary. India National Chambal Sanctuary Satpura Tiger Reserve Chambal Safari Lodge - Chambal Forsyth Lodge - Satpura The Chambal Safari Lodge is a family-run, boutique heritage property, lovingly restored and nestled in 35 acres of reclaimed woodland. The accommodation in the lodge combines the warmth of local homes with the comfort of modern amenities. Every effort has been made to make the lodge as eco-friendly and sympathetic to the surroundings as possible. The Chambal Safari Lodge offers thirteen rooms in different categories. Activities Boat safari/ jeep safari with an expert naturalist Nature and birding walk with an expert naturalist Village and local school visit and involvement in community and conservation projects Bicycle ride Camel safari Blackbuck jeep safari Forsyth is a small wildlife lodge set in 44 acres of reclaimed jungle and situated on the edge of the Satpura Tiger Reserve. The Forsyth Lodge management focuses on a meaningful, sustainable wildlife and wilderness experience. This is reflected in the services they offer, in the property they manage, and in their partnerships with the park administration and the local community. Activities Jeep safaris Canoe/ boat safaris on the river Nature and birding walks Elephant safari Mountain bike safaris Village and local school visit along with involvement in community and conservation projects Camping and night safari in the buffer zone forest 23 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 24

15 Tadoba Tiger Reserve Gir National Park Tadoba Tiger Reserve is situated in the northeastern part of Maharashtra. It was declared a national park in 1955 and is among the oldest parks in India. The habitat consists of tropical dry deciduous forests interspersed with several large meadows that have high herbivore density. The large Tadoba lake attracts many migratory waterfowl in the winter season. The 626 sq km core area of Tadoba is now famous for its frequent tiger sightings. The other major mammals are leopard, wild dog, sloth bear, wild boar, spotted deer, sambar and gaur. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in Tadoba. Tadoba Tiger Reserve India Gir Forest is the last stronghold of the endangered Asiatic lion. The area has been protected since 1900, after the lion population plummeted to only 20 animals. It was declared a national park in 1965 and after a spectacular recovery there are now over 520 Asiatic lions in Gir. The park has low, undulating hills and is surrounded by flat agricultural land. Apart from the lions, Gir is also known for its leopard population and it is considered one of the best places to see this spotted feline. About 300 species of birds are found here, which include threatened species such as the dalmatian pelican, greater spotted eagle, Indian skimmer and long-billed vulture. The wetlands in Gir also support a large number of waterfowl species. India Gir National Park Svasara Jungle Lodge - Tadoba Svasara is a conservation focused wilderness lodge offering a luxurious and immersive jungle safari experience. The Lodge is set over a sprawling 10-acre campus adjoining the Tadoba jungles. It features 12 spacious suites with all the modern amenities and luxuries, multi-cuisine dining including delectable Indian, Continental, and local Varadi cuisine, and its own customfitted, comfortable jeeps that are accompanied by expert naturalists for thrilling jungle safaris inside Tadoba. Activities Jeep safari Nature and birding walk with an expert expert naturalist Village Village & local local school school visit visit and and involvement involvement in in community different and conservation projects community and conservation project. Cultural day tours Bush dinner Butterfly park Pool and spa Lion Safari Camp - Gir The Lion Safari Camp at Gir Forest National Park is a luxury wildlife camp owned and managed by Camps of India. It is located in a private mango orchard overlooking the Hiran River. There are around 900 mango trees and only 2% of the land is built on to maintain the natural setting. This eco-friendly camp has 21 air-conditioned luxury tents, each with a large bedroom and an attached en-suite bathroom. All the tents are beautifully furnished with natural materials, and they open out to an extended deck - an ideal place to sit and relax amongst nature. Activities Jeep safari with an expert naturalist Nature and birding walk with an expert naturalist Maldhari and African tribe village and local school visit 25 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 26

16 Velavadar National Park Kabini - Nagarhole Tiger Reserve Velavadar is a tropical grassland, famous for the largest concentration of blackbuck in India. It is now becoming well known for the largest population of harriers in the world in winter, and also for its breeding population of the rare lesser florican, during the monsoon. Velavadar is also one of the few places where there are daytime sightings of the usually nocturnal and shy striped hyena. The park has a sizeable population of the Indian wolf, which is the key predator of this park. Other species of interest are the nilgai, golden jackal, jungle cat and Indian fox. The park hosts around 200 species of birds and it is considered to be the largest roosting ground of four species of harriers: the western marsh, Montagu s, hen and pallid harrier. India Nagarhole Tiger Reserve is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which stretches across the southern Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Encompassing several protected areas in its 5,500 sq km, the biosphere reserve provides a refuge to about 100 species of mammals and 350 species of birds. Nagarhole has an astonishing abundance of wildlife, including the tiger, Asiatic elephant and wild dog. The backdrop of the distant blue Nilgiri Mountains, the sounds of the jungle and gurgling streams and rivers ensure that a visit to Nagarhole is a memorable experience. During hot summer months, when water becomes scarce, it is possible to see huge congregations of Asiatic elephants near the Kabini River. Velavadar National Park Nagarhole Tiger Reserve Blackbuk Lodge - Velavadar The Blackbuck Lodge sits in splendid seclusion beside the Velavadar Blackbuck National Park, near the west coast of the Gulf of Cambay. This wildlife resort offers unsurpassed luxury in the middle of an untamed landscape. In this majestic tapestry of the wild, the Blackbuck Lodge is spread across 70 acres. It is an ideal destination for the discerning traveller with its luxury villas, exclusive dining area, and proximity to the national park and other historic places of Gujarat. Activities Jeep safari with an expert naturalist Nature and birding walk with expert naturalist Orange County - Nagarhole Orange County s Spirit of the land philosophy finds its most intimate expression at Kabini, where you are drawn into the vibrant social tapestry of the local Kadu Kuruba tribe. While you discover a local dimension to luxury that s truly liberating, the resort gives you a wildlife experience like no other. Inspired in design by the Hadis or tribal villages, this picturesque resort of sweeping panoramic vistas, is bordered on two sides by the Kabini River. Activities Boat safari / jeep safari with an expert naturalist The resort elephant / coracle ride / night trails Nature and birding walk with an expert naturalist Visit Kodu Korba tribe and their settlement. India 27 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 28

17 Kaziranga Tiger Reserve Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Kaziranga Tiger Reserve is an internationally famed wilderness area, mainly known for the world s largest population of the endangered great Indian one-horned rhinoceros. However, the reserve also has many others endangered species, notably the tiger, Asiatic wild buffalo, Asian elephant, swamp deer, and many more. It is also a heaven for those interested in primates. The reserve has an equally rich bird life with more than 490 recorded species. Situated in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga covers parts of three districts of central Assam. Panbari and Kukurakata Reserve Forests lie just outside the Park. These are small but important areas for many interesting forest birds. Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a proposed Ramsar Site, and part of the Kaziranga - Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve. India Kaziranga Tiger Reserve Located near the Indo-Nepal border, Dudhwa was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1958 with the aim of protecting the relict population of swamp deer. In 1977 it was enlarged and upgraded to a national park and finally in 1987 it was declared a tiger reserve with the addition of Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and later Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. The core area of the tiger reserve is now more than 1000 sq km. Dudhwa is a good representative of Terai and Bhabhar landscape. The major species of interest are the tiger, leopard, one-horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, Asiatic elephant and marsh crocodile. It is also a paradise for herpetologists and bird watchers. The world s longest venomous snake, the king cobra, was recently spotted here, and more than 350 species of birds are found in the area. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve India Diphlu River Lodge - Kaziranga Diphlu River Lodge opened in January 2008, providing much-needed top-class accommodation at Kaziranga National Park. The position of the lodge is second to none - only the river separates its extensive grounds from the national park, and the jungle views are exceptional. Set up with the ideology of responsible tourism, the lodge has an in-house team of local craftsmen and weavers and hosts local dance performances followed by a bonfire and sumptuous barbeque dinner. Activities Jeep safari with an expert naturalist Elephant safari Nature and birding walk with an expert naturalist Visit to local tribal village Visits to rubber and tea plantations Tree of Life s Jaagir Lodge - Dudhwa Tree of Life s Jaagir Lodge is an old heritage building that was built in the 1940s and used as a hunting lodge by the British Governors. Set in 7 acres of forest and surrounded by a sugar cane plantation, the lodge is just 30 odd minutes from the main gate of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. There are three spacious luxury rooms, three luxury suites and six luxury villas. The lodge also has a large freshwater swimming pool overlooking the forest, The Terai spa facility for couples, The Pavilion which is a multi-cuisine restaurant, and The Library Bar. Activities Jeep Safari with expert naturalist Elephant Safari for Rhino viewing Nature and Birding Walk with expert naturalist Visit to local Tharu tribe village 29 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 30

18 Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve Jawai - District Pali, Rajasthan Ranthambhore National Park lies at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhyachal hill ranges. It is a unique combination of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously in a vast arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan. Ranthambhore ranges over a high undulating topography, from flat-topped hills to conical hillocks and sharp ridges, from wide and flat valleys to narrow, rocky gorges. This park is famous for its tiger sightings and photography. Apart from the tiger, the fauna includes leopard, sloth bear, hyena, common langur, spotted deer, sambhar, nilgai, and chinkara or Indian gazelle. Not many people know that Ranthambhore also has a rich bird life as well. More than 272 bird species are found in the park, which includes migratory as well as residents. Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve India Jawai is where hills throw the moon out and as soon as that happens, they absorb its glow into their gorges. It is where nomadic Rabari herdsmen are as much a part of the earth s tales as the mysterious felines that grace these hills and vanish at will into their folds. Jawai dam has a good population of crocodiles in its water with resident and Migratory birds. Kambeshwar Ji Leopard sanctuary is situated nearby. Lesser seen species of birds include cranes, pelicans, flamingos and a stunning diversity of waterfowl. The place though a wildlife heaven, still unperturbed by the crowd, remains unexplored. One can see carus cranes, comb duck, and spot-bill duck in the dam. During the winter, flamingos, demoiselle crane, common crane, bar-headed geese and other migrating birds descend on water. The area is known for its leopard population and are sighted frequently. There are leopards, sloth bears, striped hyena, wolf, cilgai and chinkara in the hills around Jawai dam. India Jawai, District Pali, Rajasthan Sherbagh - Ranthambhore Jaisal, who grew up in Ranthambhore, established Sher Bagh as a pioneering luxury tented camp, on the family estate bordering the Tiger Reserve. Designed in the 1920 s safari accommodations preferred by prince s and grand seigneur s of the time, each tent at Sher Bagh is furnished with 19 th century style furniture. This furniture was used for crown King Edward VIII th celebrated tour of India s wild heartlands in Arboreal lanterns adorn pathways and campfire that is lit every night. The showers and bathrooms have been described as a hedonist s delight while others have called Sher Bagh the most sonorous note in Ranthambhore s symphony. The cuisine combines sumptuous western lunches with traditional Indian dinners cooked over clay ovens. Activities Jeep safari Fort visit Nature and birding walk with expert naturalist Visit to local tribal village. Jawai Leopard Camp, Jawai Designed by the owners, Anjali and Jaisal Singh, Jawai represents a style that combines subtle opulence with abundant adventure; a vigorous rendition of camping at its finest. Created in a timeless flourish with canvas, stainless steel and leather accoutrements, each tent at Jawai is abutted by a private deck that looks upon unobstructed, spectacular views of the dramatic wilderness around. The use of local stone and stainless steel brings an understated, elegant and light feeling to the camp. An inviting Dining Tent and a scattering of discreetly located areas to unwind in form part of the encampment. The celebrated artisan, Michael Aram s charming collection of decorative artifacts; hand-crafted using age-old traditions of Indian workmanship complete the winsome furnishings. Activities Jeep safari Visit to the dam to see birds and crocodiles Nature and birding walk Visit to a local tribal village 31 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 32

19 Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary The Sanctuary is located in the beautiful setting of the Kumaon Himalaya almost 30 kilometers from Almora. It covers an area of about 47 sq km with a core zone of 4 sq km. The Binsar Bird Sanctuary is also home to the leopard, ghoral, wild boar, kakar, monkeys, Indian red fox, jackals, pine martens, Himalayan black bear, and porcupines. In addition to this, there are more than 250 species of birds, both resident and migratory. Major species of birds found in this sanctuary are the Himalayan Monal, kaleej pheasant, koklas pheasant, Himalayan pied woodpecker, rufous-breasted accentor, greater long-billed thrush, yellow-breasted greenfinch and rusty-tailed flycatcher. India Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary Little Rann of Kutch The Little Rann of Kutch is best known for the endemic species of Indian wild ass. The wild ass is a handsome chestnut brown member of the equus genus (horse family). Capable of reaching high speeds when galloping across the Rann, the wild ass is usually seen in small herds. The elegant blackbuck, blue bull (India s largest antelope) and the graceful chinkara (Indian gazelle) are other mammals seen at the bets. The main carnivores of the Little Rann of Kutch are the endangered Indian wolf, desert fox, Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and a few hyenas. Smaller mammals like hares, gerbils and hedgehogs, and reptiles like spiny tailed lizard, monitor, red and common sand boa, saw-scaled viper, cobra, dhaman (Indian rat snake), etc, could also be seen during the safaris in the Rann. India Little Rann of Kutch Mary Budden Estate - Binsar Mary Budden Estate is located in a cozy corner of the Kumaon, in the magnificent middle Himalaya mountains. You will get to unwind and re-connect with nature at this family run, luxury homestay that is a fully restored heritage home dating back to the 19th century. Mary Budden Estate harvests rainwater, is fully powered by solar energy and its gardens are abundant with organic produce. They also run a two-room village homestay in Dalar village, one of five villages inside Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. A day trek to the village, meeting the other residents and getting to know their way of life is an integral part of the stay. Kumaoni village cuisine and a chance to sit around a fire in the evening to the sound of a flute or possibly a music recital by some villagers are some of the highlights of the Dalar Village Homestay. Activities Walking safari Nature and birding walk with expert naturalist Visit to a local village The Little Rann of Kutch is also a birding paradise. Birds here include steppe, imperial, and short-toed eagle, houbara bustard, flamingos, pelicans, storks and cranes. The best birding is during the winter months from October to March when waterfowl gather in vast numbers. These are the months when demoiselle and common crane, and Lesser flamingo are seen in incredibly large numbers. Rann Riders - Kutch Rann Riders is an ethnically designed eco-resort, set among wetlands and agricultural fields. The resort has imaginatively designed cottages that blend with the rural countryside in which it is situated. Located near Dasada village, it makes the ideal base to explore the culture, weaves and handicrafts of the Surendranagar district. The resort offers jeep, horse and camel safaris in the Little Rann of Kutch, habitat of Asiatic wild ass and a bird watching paradise. Activities Jeep safari with expert naturalist Nature and birding walk with expert naturalist Camel and horse safari Village visit 33 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 34

20 A vehicle with visitors on safari in Kanha National Park Purequest Adventures - India PUREQUEST ADVENTURES- India is an inbound tour operator that is passionate about offering authentic adventure experiences in most exciting destinations. As an in-house adventure outfit for India s largest Destination Management Company, we are headquartered in New Delhi, where we carry out all sales and operational activities through a country wide network of 14 offices in all important locations. With our local expertise, product innovation and genuine enthusiasm for all things travel, we create the perfect adventure experience for your guest. Our comprehensive understanding of our niche markets allows us to create magical memories for discerning travellers who come for active holidays such as safaris, Walking trails, multi-activity family adventures, self-drive expeditions, photography, cycling trips to name a few. We promise authentic experiences, bringing travellers deeper into the culture and geography of each destination. The safety of the travellers is our priority with strict safety standards and quality equipment. We greatly value the contribution of our trip leaders, who are carefully selected on a clear criteria of qualifications, local knowledge and people management skills. Our Network We choose accommodations and suppliers that are local, sustainable and unique, and are always on the search for places and people with character. Bikaner Jaisalmer Jaipur Delhi Agra Varanasi Central to PQA philosophy is to protect the fragile ecosystem in this part of the world. Jodhpur Udaipur Bodhgaya Besides supporting local projects, we work with likeminded responsible suppliers. Being socially responsible and giving back is PQA s way of life, and every bit counts. Mumbai Goa Cochin Trivandrum Bangalore Chennai Tiger in Bandhavgarh National Park India 35 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 36

21 Naturalists profile Decoding the wonders of nature Leopard in Nagarahole National Park, Karnataka, India 37 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 38

22 Jeep Safari Jim Corbett, Uttrakhand, India Jeep Safari, Ranthambhore National Park Blackbuck lodge (Velavadar National Park) Siddharth Jadav is our qualified naturalist who is well conversant with the local flora and fauna. He accompanies guests on safari and acquaints them with the various sighting of wildlife. He has the ability to identify and describe points of interest to our guests that will hold their interest. He gives talks on how to protect plants and animal life. He is also at ease with children who accompany on safaris and takes special care to explain to them the importance of saving our wildlife and wilderness areas. Chambal River Lodge (National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary) Gajendra Singh, a geography graduate, with a passion for wildlife and more than a passing interest in history, Gajendra heads the team of naturalists at Chambal. He is in great demand for his sharp eye, boundless energy, and the ability to communicate and connect with people across all ages and nationalities. A thorough professional, Gajendra has supplemented his knowledge and experience with diplomas in guiding, tourism & hotel management. Ever smiling and patient, Gajendra has an infectious enthusiasm and is never tires of sharing the wonders of Chambal with visitors. Diphlu River Lodge (Kaziranga Tiger Reserve) Bumoni Phukan, affectionately known as Bu, aged 28 years, was born near the Central Range. His father is a retired forest guard. He started his birding and wildlife career as a guide in He worked as a freelance naturalist and guide for ABN RV Charaidew & RV Sukapha during 2006 and 2007 accompanying cruise guests on wildlife excursions. He was transferred to Diphlu River Lodge since its inception as a naturalist in He is actively involved with an NGO, Naturalists for Rehabilitation for Snakes and Birds around the Park. He also participates in Animal Rescue Operations with the forest department, mainly during annual floods and local man-animal conflicts during floods. He has creditable knowledge of 5 parks & sanctuaries including Manas, Nameri, Orang & Dibru Saikhowa, with a keen passion for wildlife and bird photography. His dedication, knowledge and sincerity has given him a huge following. He has an added accolade - he has to his credit the highest tiger sighting. Orange County (Kabini or Nagarhole or Rajiv Gandhi National Park) Shanmugakumar K. was born and brought up in the tea planting town of Coonoor in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu. He was drawn to the wild from a very young age and has had numerous encounters with animals in the wild since his childhood. He studied B.Sc. in Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology from the Government Arts College and then pursued his Masters in Environmental Sciences from the Bharathiar University in Coimbatore both of which laid foundation for him to pursue a career as a naturalist. During his Post Graduation he completed a six-month project on The Status of Elephant Corridors Linking Mukkurthi National Park and the Eastern Ghats. His experiences working on this project created in him a commitment to pursue a career in biodiversity and conservation. He has been working as a naturalist for the last four years and has a Naturalist Certification from the Karnataka Eco-tourism Board. He accredits his career as a naturalist to Mr. Sarath Champati, Associate Director Conservation, at Orange County Resorts, his mentor and a naturalist par excellence, whose guidance has helped Mr. Shanmugakumar raise his standards as a naturalist with each passing year. 39 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 40

23 Spotted Deer Asian wild dog family Jim s Jungle Retreat (Corbett Tiger Reserve) Abdul Rehman joined Jim s Jungle Retreat in 2011, and under the guidance of the lodge owners, Rehman aims to provide a thrilling adventure to our guests in the forests of Corbett. The JJR way of life is to provide information and knowledge of the interdependence of the flora and fauna to our guests, and to stress on the importance of saving the forest for the survival of our future generations. The best part, he says, is that he is able to provide our guests with the Gujjar Dera Experience and show them the lifestyle of his community. Svasara (Tadoba Tiger Reserve) Chirag started his journey in hospitality from Park Hyatt, Goa. After which he decided to follow his adventurous heart to enter greener pastures. He has a strong knowledge of animals and birds of India, and specialises in reptiles and amphibians. He has conducted numerous herpetofaunal surveys and conservation workshops amongst indigenous tribes, and been a field guide for wildlife researchers in Arunachal Pradesh. He is an avid photographer who loves sharing his work through his online photo blog. He has also worked for 2 years as the editor of the environmental section of the magazine QUEST, which helped him develop a mastery over English, Hindi, Bengali, and Nepali. Kipling Camp (Kanha Tiger Reserve) Rahim Khan, has worked at Kipling Camp for over 20 years. He is a passionate naturalist who knows Kanha National Park and its surrounding area like the back of his hand, for he was born there. Considered the best bird guide in Kanha, Rahim is a keen wildlife photographer and a staunch conservationist. In his spare time, he loves to garden, and to plant and nurture trees. Rahim, his wife and their two children still live on the edge of Kanha. Apart from taking guests on safari, Rahim also conducts bird watching walks, visits to nearby villages and farms, and helps monitor the wildlife camera traps on the property. He has been a member of the local Panchayat, the cornerstone of local self-government in India, since Samode Safari Lodge (Bandavgarh National Park) Hatsy (Hitendra Singh) Best guides are the one who work in one area all their lives and know it well. Hatsy is a born game tracker: all creatures appear in a new light as he concentrates on even the most familiar. From appreciating the exquisite colours in the feathers of a roller, to understanding the size of the tiger by looking at its spoor on a dusty road. I feel I am at my best in Bandhavgarh because I know it very well. What has kept him guiding in Bandhavgarh for last 15 years is the sheer physical beauty of the landscape and the opportunity of being close to his tigers. His ability to see unique angles in familiar subjects produces fascinating experiences for people travelling with him. 41 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 42

24 A wild gaur in Indian Safari Sarai at Toria (Panna National Park) Our main naturalist-in-the-making at the Sarai at Toria is Jaypal Singh Rajgond. From a neighbouring village, he has been with the Sarai since it opened and began as an F & B staff member. However his keen interest in birds soon made it obvious that he had other talents. To develop these the Sarai deputed him as guide to several visiting scientists and sent him for training with David Raju, one of India s top naturalists and winner of 2014 s Sanctuary/TOFT s Lodge Naturalist of the Year award. Jaypal is quick learner and returned with high accolades from David. Our guests are also very complimentary and always enjoy their safaris, bird walks, visits to the village and boat rides with him. He is now taking on the role of Sarai naturalist full time. Sambar Deer at Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary Spotted Deer (Axis axis) INDIA Kanha National Park 43 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 44

25 Unique Experiences Discovering and exploring the wonders of nature Indian One-Horned Rhino in Kaziranga, Assam 45 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 46

26 Celebrations in a special setting, Orange County, Kabini Indian jungles with their boutique lodges in picture-perfect settings, provide an ideal venue to celebrate a small wedding, anniversary, family reunion, birthday or any other landmark in one s life. Choose a Himalayan or a river backdrop, a safari theme dinner or simply a romantic tranquil candle light bush dinner, with only the sounds of crickets breaking the silence. The team of experts at the lodges ensure a hassle free, memorable celebration without disturbing the jungle or animals in any way and yet offering a feeling of being far from the madding crowd in the company of near and dear ones. From champagne breakfasts to picnic lunches and tribal theme dinners, allow us to tailor-make experiences, just for you. Sunset & champagne at Satpura, near Denwa River This beautiful reserve is located right across the Denwa River, which forms its natural boundary. The setting by the river is stunning and both at sunrise and sunset one can watch the activities of animals and birds that are particularly active at twilight. The setting makes this place a perfect location to enjoy a glass of champagne against a gorgeous sunset. 47 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 48

27 Participate and volunteer in wildlife conservation and community development at Kipling Camp, Kanha Participate in the ground level work of wildlife conservation and community development in and around Kanha Tiger Reserve. Kipling Camp is closely associated with a well-known national wildlife conservation organisation. Get involved in the fascinating world of camera trapping and attend a wildlife awareness meeting in a fringe village of the tiger reserve. Meet members of a tribal dance cooperative and take art lessons from local tribal artists. Royal Bengal Tiger in Kanha, India Baiga tribes in Bandhavgarh Shopping local art, Bandhavgarh The Gonds are among the largest tribes in Central India. The recorded history of the Gond people goes back 1400 years, and they inhabit areas where rock paintings dating to the Mesolithic age have been found. The Gonds paint their walls with vibrant depictions of local flora, fauna and gods. Traditionally made on festive occasions, Gond paintings depict various celebrations, rituals and their relationship with nature. The artists traditionally use natural colours derived from charcoal, coloured soil, plant sap, leaves, and cow dung. This mystical art form is created by putting together dots and lines. The paintings are an offering to nature God and are also a mode of seeking protection and warding off evil spirits. Tribal Art 49 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 50

28 Cooking demonstration Sarai at Toria, Panna Lectures by wildlife experts, Kanha The Sarai at Toria is the vision of a husband and wife partnership with a passion for wildlife and conservation. They are also enthusiastic foodies and meals are a major focus of their hospitality. Raghu s cooking is very popular amongst their friends. His delicious home recipes will feature on the Sarai at Toria s menu along with Joanna s more cosmopolitan, less spicy, favourites. They love to show cooking demos to the guests. In Kanha, you will get the chance to interact and learn about wildlife conservation in India from those who are working day and night to protect our natural heritage. A lecture or presentation, or a simple interaction in the field, will not only increase your knowledge about conservation issues in India, but will also help you to understand the difficulties that wildlife protectors are facing every day. Hardground Barasingha in Kanha, India 51 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 52

29 Learn wildlife photography, Ranthambhore Demoiselle crane in Khichan, India Before starting your photographic tour in the forests of Ranthambhore, you will get a chance to learn more about wildlife photography, from basic to advance. The expert would be a famous Indian wildlife photographer with publications in well-known magazines. Long-tailed Shrike A paradise for bird watchers, Khichan Khichan is a village in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan that has a tradition of feeding demoiselle cranes that migrate here every year. Upto 3,000 kilograms (6,600 lb) of birdseeds are consumed every day by the feeding birds. Khichan now hosts over 20,000 demoiselle cranes from around August to March, each year. The village, which has become a popular destination among bird watchers, achieved international fame after it was featured in Birding World Magazine in an article titled, Khichan - the Demoiselle Crane village. 53 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 54

30 Jungle-walk, Corbett National Park Spend a day exploring the buffer area of Corbett and see its village life, birding trails, river rides and community work. From the resort you will go a short distance by car to Marchulla village, where there is a hanging bridge over the river. We will cross the bridge on foot and make our way to a picturesque village in the Ramganga valley. The advantages of exploring the jungle on foot are endless; listen to birdcalls, hear a rustle under your feet and watch lizards scuttle out from under a stone. On the other side of the village with its cheerful children, is the riverbank from where we will take a bamboo raft for the short ride to Vanghat, a lodge where you will enjoy a lunch. On the return walk, stop at the village and help the locals at their cattle farm or in the fields. Spotted Deer Spot fireflies, Dang Every July a remote village in the western part of India witnesses a fascinating event every year, when countless fireflies often in perfect sync - light up the night to attract a mate. There are about 18 varieties of fireflies in India, each with a different pattern of emitting light. These different patterns help them to identify the correct match. This is a once-in-a-year event that will create a Galaxy-like effect with stars in the sky and countless fireflies around you. Certainly a moment not to be missed! 55 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 56

31 Itineraries Journeys to discover 57 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 58

32 Tigers and Temples in Central India DURATION: 17 Days / 16 Nights ACTIVITY GRADING: Easy HIGHLIGHTS SEASON: October to April ROUTE: Delhi> Bhopal > Satpura > Pipariya > Jabalpur > Kanha > Bandhavgarh > Khajuraho > Varanasi > Agra Spotting wild tigers in best tiger reserves in Central India. Spotting other wildlife and birds in the tiger reserves of central India. Visit the ancient temples in Khajuaraho. Day 01: Arrival in Delhi On arrival in Delhi you will be met by PUREQUEST ADVENTURES- INDIA representative and transferred to your hotel. The city s importance lies not just in its past glory as the seat of empires and magnificent monuments, but by its diverse cultures. New Delhi is built in a typically British colonial style with tree-lined avenues and colonial bungalows. Bengal tiger in Bandhavgarh National Park, India the gaur and tiger, every flora and fauna typical of this region are found here. The Tiger Reserve was formed after merging Satpura National Park, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary. It is also a part of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve that covers almost 4927 sq km. After orientation and lunch in your lodge you will get ready for the evening nature walk. Day 04: Satpura Today enjoy an elephant and jeep safari in the reserve Day 05: Satpura This morning enjoy a boat safari and an afternoon visit to the local village Devi Jagdambi Temple in Khajuraho, India Day 08: Kanha Today you will be able to have a bit of a lie-in! After a late breakfast, you will be taken to visit the local villages. After lunch, you will take another afternoon jungle drive into Kanha National Park, before returning to the lodge for dinner. Day 09: Kanha- Bandhavgarh Early this morning you will have your last jungle drive in Kanha, before heading off to Bandhavgarh which has one of the highest densities of wild tigers of any park. Day 10: Bandhavgarh Today will be your first day in this park, and you will go on two jungle drives (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) in the hopes of spotting that most magnificent of cats the Bengal tiger. Day 11: Bandhavgarh- Khajuraho This morning you will have another early morning jungle drive and a late breakfast before heading off to the ancient city of Khajuraho five hours to the north via shared transfer. On arrival, once you have checked in your hotel, you will be able to get your bearings. Dinner will be served around 7/8. Day 12: Khajuraho- Varanasi The morning will be spent exploring the beautiful temples and erotic sculptures around Khajuraho, before you take a flight to Varanasi this is one of India s cultural hubs and must-see attractions. On arrival at Varanasi, you will check into the hotel and have your dinner. Bhopal Delhi Agra Khajuraho Pipariya Satpura Kanha Varanasi Bandhavgarh Jabalpur Rest of the day at leisure. Day 02: Delhi Exploring Delhi for the day (old Delhi and Chandni Chowk, Red Fort, India Gate, New Delhi). Dinner out in one of Delhi s finest restaurants before checking back into the hotel for the night and ready for the flight to Bhopal in the morning. Day 03: Delhi Bhopal (flight 0600 hrs / 0720 hrs) Bhopal Satpura (180 km / 3½ hrs) In the morning you will board a flight to Bhopal, a central Indian city of Nawabs. After reaching there our representative will assist you for your transfer to Satpura Tiger Reserve. From Bhopal you will embark on your journey to the beautiful highlands of Central India. The journey will take you through small towns, forested hills and remote villages. Nestled in the beautiful forested hills of the Satpura landscape, Satpura Tiger Reserve is one of the most biodiversity rich areas of Central India. From the small insectivores plants to Day 06: Satpura Pipariya (45 km / 1 hr) Pipariya Jabalpur (Train 1033 hrs / 1310 hrs) Jabalpur Kanha (160 km / 3½ hrs) After breakfast you will say goodbye to this amazing place and start your onward journey to another jewel of Central India. Jabalpur is the gateway to both Kanha and Bandhavgarh two of India s finest National Parks. Kanha is renowned as being the best managed wildlife park in India and you are more than likely to have an excellent few days spotting wildlife here. Day 07: Kanha Today is your first day in Kanha, and you will be able to take two jungle drives through the stunning sal forests and meadows looking for sloth bear, jackal, the rare hardground barasingha, sambar, and of course Sher Khan himself! Breakfast will be served in the park, and lunch and dinner provided at the lodge. Varanasi, Ghat 59 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 60

33 Taj Mahal, Agra, India Bengal Tiger in Bandhavgarh, India Day 13: Varanasi After a lie-in, you will be able to explore Varanasi s fantastic sites, including the ghats and the Ganges River, and experience all the hustle and bustle that comes with this magnificent city. After a day of heavy exploration, you will return to your hotel and have a delicious dinner in preparation for a long day tomorrow! Expert Speaks subtle luxury and a higher level of service and personal interaction, which has always been Forsyth s strength. The lodge is one of the few that offers a comprehensive Indian Safari experience - jungle walks, boat trips, bird walks, nocturnal hides, elephant rides, jeep safaris and visits to local communities, along with some of the best naturalists in the country. Ganga Aarti, at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Day 14: Varanasi- Agra Today you will continue your exploring of Varanasi, visiting more of the ghats and watching what happens in day-to-day life here. After dinner in town, you will transfer to the train station and catch the overnight first class sleeper train to Agra the home of the magnificent and iconic Taj Mahal. Day 15: Agra On arrival early in the morning, you will transfer to your hotel and have the morning off to relax and do as you wish. After a late lunch, you will visit the Taj at sunset a truly magnificent and awe-inspiring sight. You will return to your hotel for dinner, and to prepare yourselves for your penultimate day! Day 16: Agra- Delhi Today you will visit the Agra Bear Sanctuary and the Mathura Elephant Rescue Camp. Both established and run by the Indian charity, Wildlife SOS, these visits will offer you the perfect end to your trip. After visiting the elephant camp, you will head back to Delhi to have your last night and farewell dinner. Day 17: Delhi Timely transfer to the airport and connect to onwards flight Aditi Satpura A pioneering lodge in Satpura, Forsyth s is owned and run by a team of passionate wildlifers. Counted among the quieter wildlife reserves in Central India, Forsyth Lodge brings to lovers of the wild an exceptional experience of Satpura that can be taken on foot, jeep, or elephants, and even boats and canoes! A portion of the 44 acre lodge offers accommodation in twelve cottages that have been inspired by local village homes. Simple and stylish, each cottage has a sit-out that connects you to nature. It is ideal for looking for birds and foraging wild animals, with recent upgrades offering open-to-sky terrace beds, The Mody family has always been fond of wildlife and spent most family vacations in the great African bush! The thrill and excitement of the wild is something that binds them, and what inspired them to enter the wildlife hospitality sphere. The family s mission as owners is to retain Forsyth s Lodge in all its glory and help it reach even greater heights. Aditi Mody, who is the face of Forsyth now, is a 24yearold aspiring film maker. Always trying to catch the best time for the migration in the African bush, her parents would all-too-often take the family to Africa, and they fell in love with it. It was this awe of nature in all its glory that blazed her path to attend NYU s Tisch School of the Art in 2015 to be able to capture this majesty on film. And it was this admiration that led Aditi to Forsyth s Lodge where she hopes to expand her knowledge and core understanding of the wild, in the wild. The naturalists at Forsyth are known to be the best in the area they are truly passionate and committed and driven by what they do. The whole place seems to exist for its surroundings. Our wildlife experience is world class, which is why travellers from all over the world seek Forsyth by name. 61 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 62

34 After breakfast, drive to Bharatpur (50 km), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its huge population of migratory and resident birds. On the way to Bharatpur, stop at Fatehpur Sikri that was founded in 1569 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Drive another 18 km to come to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. After spending an hour or so inside the park on a rickshaw/ bicycle to sight birds, we board a train to Sawai Madhopurthe gateway to Ranathambore National Park. Stripes and Spots of Wild Rajasthan DURATION: 12 Days / 11 Nights ACTIVITY GRADING: Easy HIGHLIGHTS 63 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts SEASON: October to April ROUTE: Delhi > Agra > Bharatpur> Ranthambhore > Pushkar > Jawai Bandh > Jaipur Bird watching in Bharatpur. Visit Taj Mahal Spot the wild tiger in Ranthambhore. Spot the leopard in Jawai Bandh. Delhi Pushkar Agra Jaipur Bharatpur Ranthambhore Jawai Bandh Day 01: Arrive Delhi Arrive in Delhi where our representative will meet you and assist you with your hotel check in. Rest of the day at leisure. Delhi is India s capital and a major gateway to the country. Contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone era in the form of its many monuments, stand as silent reminders to the region s ancient legacy. The first impression for any visitor traveling in from the airport is of a spacious, tree-lined garden city, with beautiful parks. Day 02: Delhi After breakfast you will proceed for a full-day combined city tour of Delhi. You will first visit old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Later you will drive past Red Fort and thereafter visit Jama Masjid, one of Asia s largest mosques. Enjoy a tricycle rickshaw ride in old Delhi s busy and narrow lanes. After visiting old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy of the British Raj. The division between New and old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks a division in life-styles. The walled city is all about tradition, where you will glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. In contrast, New Delhi is a city Leopard in the wild trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards. Day 03: Delhi Agra (200 km / 4 hrs) Morning depart for Agra. The city of Agra in terms of ambience is still associated with its Mughal period. Besides being great rulers, the Mughals were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra and its neighbourhood. Besides the Taj, many other magnificent monuments are a testimony to the zenith and golden period of Mughal architecture. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Afternoon spent exploring the monument dedicated to love by an Emperor to his queen the legendary Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it, and more. It took 22 years and 20,000 men to build. The pure white marble was quarried 200 miles away and transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the mid-17th century as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Later visit Agra Fort the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire for successive generations. Overnight stay at the hotel. Fort in Ranthambhore National Park, Rajasthan, India Day 04: Agra Bharatpur (50 km / 1 hr) Bharatpur Ranthambhore After breakfast, drive to Bharatpur (50 km), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its huge population of migratory and resident birds. Just before Bharatpur, visit Fatehpur Sikri that was founded in 1569 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve is one of the most famous tiger reserves of India. It is best known for its tourist friendly and well-photographed tigers. Ranthambhore offers a wide variety of wildlife including tiger, leopard, sloth bear, hyena, caracal, jungle cat, desert cat, desert fox, jackal, nilgai, Indian gazelle, spotted deer, common langur, marsh crocodile, etc. It also hosts a rich birdlife of almost 300 different species of migratory and resident birds, including some very beautiful water birds. The park is dotted with lakes and water bodies, most of which are man- made. These lakes are now the prime habitat for the royal predator and there are occasional fights between resident and transient tigers to claim this supreme territory. The park is also dotted with ruins, some dating back to the 10 th century, and it is fascinating to see the king of the jungle using these remnants of the past as resting places. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel Day 05: Ranthambhore Early morning safari and afternoon safari in the National Park Day 06: Ranthambhore Pushkar (Train 0940 hrs / 1420 hrs) Pushkar is a town in Ajmer district in the Indian State of Rajasthan. It is one of the five sacred dhams (pilgrimage site) for devout Hindus. It is often called Tirth Raj the king of pilgrimage sites. Pushkar, which lies on the shore of Pushkar Lake, is one of the oldest cities in India. The date of its actual origin is not known, but legend associates Brahma with its creation. Indian Darter, Ranthambhore, India Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 64

35 Jaipur s past is ever-present. The city of victory, Jaipur presides over the fascinating desert state of Rajasthan. It is surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort, and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts. The palaces and forts of yesteryear that were once witness to royal processions and splendour are now living monuments, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of the people of the pink city. Except for the busy traffic of bicycles, cars and buses, little seems to have changed. Expert Speaks Evening at leisure. Day 09: Jaipur Morning drive to the ancient capital of Amber, just outside Jaipur, to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Pushkar has many temples. Most of the temples are not very old as many of them were destroyed during Muslim conquests in the area, and subsequently rebuilt. The most famous of all is the Brahma Temple that was constructed in the 14 th century. Here enjoy an interesting walking tour through the town Day 07: Pushkar Jawai Bandh (Train 0650 hrs / 1004 hrs) Early morning catch the train to Falna, the nearest railway station to Jawai Bandh. Bera is located near Jawai dam. It a wildlife haven that still remains relatively unknown and unexplored. Bera has a thriving population of leopards and a high density of these big cats exists throughout the area. As the apex predator in the region, they are less shy than in other places that have competing predators and chances of seeing them are among the highest in India. The area around the Jawai dam is a twitcher s paradise and holds a great diversity of birdlife both resident and migratory. There are over 150 documented species, including the demoiselle crane, the graceful pelican, flamingos, the greylag goose, bar-headed goose and a stunning diversity of other waterfowl. Bera is the home of a number of mammals, including the evasive leopard, the mighty nilgai, the tenacious crocodile, and the mischievous hyena. Indulge yourself in different activities offered by the lodge, which includes a jeep safari, nature and birding walk, village walk and off-road cycling. Day 08: Jawai Bandh Jaipur (Train 1220 hrs / 1800 hrs) Morning visit to the dam for early morning bird watching you might also see some crocodiles. After breakfast catch the train to Jaipur. Spotted Deer in Ranthambhore Set in picturesque and rugged hills, Amber Fort is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. It is the classic and romantic fort-palace with a magnificent aura. An elephant ride will spare you the trouble of trundling up to the fortress (elephant rides are subject to availability, failing which a Jeep ride will be provided). Later, you will explore the city of Jaipur. Among the highlights while touring Jaipur will be the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory and the majestic Palace of Winds, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal (walk past from outside to take pictures). You will also have an opportunity to wander about the colorful local markets. In the Evening you will have free time to stroll through the busy bazaar and try your bargaining skills at the local market. Day 10: Jaipur Delhi (260 km / 6 hrs) After morning breakfast, drive to Delhi Day 11: Delhi Timely transfer to airport and connect to onwards flight Jaisal Singh C.O.O. Sujan After a year of finishing my education in England, I visited our farm at the edge of Ranthambhore in the spring of I spent a delightful month watching tigers and other wildlife in every corner of the park. Much enthused, I began to plot how to spend more time in Ranthambhore. The idea of a tented camp thus began to take shape in my head, to finally culminate in the setting-up of Sher Bagh, the tiger s garden. By October that year, we opened what was perhaps India s first luxury tented camp one that would promote controlled, sustainable tourism, be ecologically friendly and yet provide high levels of comfort, service and above all, a true Ranthambhore experience. I had always wanted to live in Ranthambhore. It gave me an opportunity to spend long periods of time in the park, tracking tigers, filming and photographing them in order to better understand their behaviour. Upon arrival in Jaipur our representative will assist you to check in at your hotel. Langur sitting in a group on a jungle road Leopard on the tracks in Ranthambhore tiger reserve 65 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 66

36 buffalo and the leopard. The terrain of the Park is flat with an east to west and south to northwest incline. Floods are an annual phenomenon, and 50 to 70 per cent of the total landmass gets submerged for many days during the monsoon. Day 05: Kaziranga Morning and afternoon safari and elephant ride in the park. Day 06: Kaziranga Jorhat - Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary (120 km / 2½ hrs) After breakfast drive to Jorhat One-Horned Rhino in its habitat in Assam, India Primates and Rhinos of the North-East DURATION: 14 Days / 13 Nights ACTIVITY GRADING: Easy SEASON: October to April ROUTE: Delhi > Guwahati > Kaziranga > Jorhat > Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary > Dibrugarh HIGHLIGHTS Spot the one horned rhino in Kaziranga Spot the hoolock gibbon in Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary Spot different primates of North East India. Spot the big five of India in Kaziranga. Delhi 67 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Namdapha National Park Dibrugarh Jorhat Kaziranga Guwahati Day 01: Arrive Delhi Arrive in Delhi where our representative will meet you and assist you with your hotel check in. Rest of the day at leisure. Delhi is India s capital and a major gateway to the country. Contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone era in the form of its many monuments, stand as silent reminders to the region s ancient legacy. The first impression for any visitor traveling in from the airport is of a spacious, tree-lined garden city, with beautiful parks. Day 02: Delhi After breakfast you will proceed for a full-day combined city tour of Delhi. You will first visit old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Later you will drive past Red Fort and thereafter visit Jama Masjid, one of Asia s largest mosques. Enjoy a tricycle rickshaw ride in old Delhi s busy and narrow lanes. After visiting old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy of the British Raj. The division between New and old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks a division in life- Gibbon in Assam, India styles. The walled city is all about tradition, where you will glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. In contrast, New Delhi is a city trying to live up to the best of 21 st century standards. Day 03: Delhi Guwahati Guwahati Kaziranga (200 km / 4 hrs) Early morning departure for Airport to catch the flight for Guwahati. After reaching Guwahati our representative will assist you in transfer to Kaziranga. Kaziranga National Park is an internationally famed wilderness area, mainly known for the largest population in the world of the endangered Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The Park also has many other endangered species, notably the tiger, Asiatic wild buffalo, Asian elephant, swamp deer, and many more. Kaziranga is also home to number of primates, including the hoolock gibbon, capped langur, and slow loris, and it has an equally rich bird life with more than 490 species recorded. The Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a proposed Ramsar Site, and a part of the Kaziranga - Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve. Afternoon safari in the park Day 04: Kaziranga Morning and afternoon safari in the park In Kaziranga there are three main types of vegetation - alluvial grassland, tropical wet evergreen forest and tropical semi evergreen forest. This diversity makes it prime habitat for most of the big mammals of India. Here one can find the big six of India - the Asian Elephant, Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, gaur, Indian water Stay at Jorhat (25 km from Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary) Evening visit to nearby tea gardens The Gibbon Wildlife sanctuary is located in Jorhat district of eastern Assam. This small Sanctuary covers an area of about 20 sq km of tropical semi-evergreen forest in the basin of the Brahmaputra River. The sanctuary is known for its populations of hoolock gibbons and stump-tailed macaques. Although it is a small area, the forest is still intact. The fauna of the sanctuary also includes the Asian elephant, tiger, leopard, leopard cat, barking deer, wild boar, Chinese porcupine, Chinese pangolin and Malayan giant squirrel. Other primates that have been recorded are the slow loris, Assamese macaque, pig-tailed macaque, capped langur and rhesus macaque. The Indian rock python and a variety of other snakes are also found here. Lunch and Dinner will be in Jorhat Pig--tailed Macaque in Assam, India Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 68

37 alpine scrub. Day 07: Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary Morning & afternoon visit to the sanctuary If you visit this sanctuary early in the morning you cannot miss the melodious olohho olohoo olohho whooping call of the only ape species in India - the hoolock gibbon. These songs have a meaning in the social life of this species, as the male gibbons advertise their territory with a solo performance, and the females sing duets with the males. Gibbons inhabit dense evergreen forests and they are diurnal and arboreal. The tree canopy is a must for their special mode of travel - brachiation, which means swinging from branch to branch using relatively long arms. They have small legs on which they run, sometimes along the boughs of trees. Hoolocks live in small family groups, usually comprising one adult male, an adult female, and one or two juveniles. Asian Elephant in Kaziranga, India Day 09-12: Namdapha National Park Camping and trekking to various routes in park All meals and accommodation inside the park Namdapha is famous for its big cats. Out of the five species of big cats in India it harbours four of them - the tiger, snow leopard, common leopard, and clouded leopard. It also has an unusually high number of mammals; 96 species of mammals have been recorded in this park, including six species of non-human primates. It has the largest population of hoolock gibbons in the country. Namdapha is one of the most biologically diverse parks in India. About 450 bird species have been reported from the Tiger Reserve, including several globally threatened and restricted range species. Day 13: Namdapha National Park Dibrugarh (170 km / 4 hrs) Dibrugarh Delhi After early breakfast you will depart for Dibrugarh to catch the flight for Delhi Day 14: Delhi Timely transfer to airport and connect to onwards flight Expert Speaks Kaziranga National Park has always held a special place in my heart. In the early seventies, my father after retiring from a British Oil company established the first private tourist accommodation in the Kaziranga area. Called the Kamrup Complex, it was made of thatch and bamboo and it was on the same land where Diphlu River Lodge rests today. An erudite man whose passion was wildlife and nature conservation, my father created Kamrup Complex with the simple ideal of living responsibly amongst nature. Perhaps he was ahead of his time. I had just graduated from Delhi University and I joined my father to assist him with the business. My primary duty, back then in the 70s, was that of a naturalist. I would accompany guests visiting the resort and help my father in running Kamrup Complex. Eventually the business had to be closed down due to political unrest in Assam, and I joined the tea industry and became a tea taster. My few years as a naturalist in Kaziranga left a lasting impression. I wanted to return to wildlife and nature. This prompted me to build Diphlu River Lodge in 2008, with the same ideal that my father had had, and on the same land where once the Kamrup Complex had stood. Today Diphlu River Lodge is a safari-style lodge located on the periphery of Kaziranga National Park. The Lodge blends in with nature as seamlessly as possible. Borrowing elements from Mishing tribal huts, Diphlu River Lodge has twelve cottages propped up on stilts that are made of bamboo, thatch and other eco-friendly materials. Bright tribal weaves and locally made cane furniture further add to its rustic luxury. Day 08: Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary (Jorhat) Namdapha National Park (263 km / 5 hrs) Early morning visit to the sanctuary After breakfast drive to Namdapha Namdapha National Park is situated at the southeastern tip of Arunachal Pradesh, with India s international boundary with Myanmar to the south and the east. Namdapha was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1972 and a Tiger Reserve in March 1983, followed by notification as a National Park in June Namdapha has also been proposed as a biosphere reserve. Due to large altitudinal variation, the area has diverse habitats, from tropical wet evergreen in the lower areas to subtropical and temperate forests in the higher mountains. In the Dapha Bum (Highest Point) area, it is subalpine and Rusty-fronted Barwing, India Ashish Kaziranga National Park At Diphlu River Lodge we try to give our guests a truly local experience. The smiling staff have been handpicked from villages in the region and provided with proper hospitality training; the paddy field - that changes into a field of golden mustard in the winter - in the middle of the lodge is taken care of by our staff, a local farmer, and a new initiative of organising a women s weaving unit within the premises is currently underway. Even the food that we serve is from local produce - the vegetables are from our kitchen garden and we bake our own bread! In 2013 the Lonely Planet India magazine rated Diphlu River Lodge as the second best jungle resort in India. My father would have been proud. 69 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 70

38 Central India Birding Tour DURATION: 10 Days / 09 Nights ACTIVITY GRADING: Easy ROUTE: Delhi > Jhansi > Panna > Bandhavgarh > Kanha > Jabalpur > Delhi HIGHLIGHTS Spotting birds in Panna National Park Spotting endangered species of vultures. Spotting migratory birds in Kanha National Park Delhi Jhansi Jabalpur Panna Kanha Bandhavgarh Day 01: Arrive Delhi SEASON: October to April On arrival in Delhi you will be met by PUREQUEST ADVENTURES- INDIA representative and transferred to your hotel. The city s importance lies not just in its past glory as the seat of empires and magnificent monuments, but also in its diverse cultures. New Delhi is built in a British colonial style, with treelined avenues and colonial bungalows. You will see India Gate, the 42 m high war memorial arch, drive past the Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings and the Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India. Later you will visit Qutab Minar, which was intended to be the most glorious tower of victory in the world and the prototype of all minars in India. Day 02: Delhi - Jhansi (train) Jhansi - Panna (202 km / 4 hrs) Early morning transfer to New Delhi railway station, to board the Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi (06h15 / 10h48). Arrive Jhansi railway station, where our representative will meet you and assist you for transfer to Panna National Park. Panna is located in the northern part of Central India, at the edge of the Vindhyan mountain range. The landscape and habitats of Panna are varied, with a mixture of grassland and forest, and support a corresponding diversity of birdlife. It is a birdwatching paradise. Day 03: In Panna Enjoy the morning and evening visiting this dramatically Spotted Owlet beautiful park. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded in Panna, including the bar-headed goose, honey buzzard, king vulture and blossom-headed parakeet. It is particularly well known for its breeding colonies of the critically endangered long-billed vulture, with their nesting sites tucked into the cliffs overlooking the gorge of the Ken River. Day 04: Panna - Bandhavgarh (196 km / 4 hrs) After breakfast depart for Bandhavgarh. Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the foremost tiger reserves in Central India. The forests and grasslands cover an area of about 449 sq km and it has one of the highest densities of wild tigers of any park. Bandhavgarh is home to about 250 species of birds - among them 138 are residents, 26 are local migrants and 86 are migrants. DAY 05: Bandhavgarh Enjoy a full day birding in the park. Day 06: Bandhavgarh - Kanha (250 km / 6 hrs) The Kanha region was the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling s unforgettable classic The Jungle Book. The biodiversity, and flora and fauna here is just amazing. Kanha National Park is home to the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, hard-ground barasingha, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, and an amazing variety of smaller mammals and insets. Over 260 species of birds have been recorded in Kanha and it is a brilliant place for birding. Day 07: Kanha Wild bull gaur in Kanha National Park, India Kanha offers scope to study both the forest birds and water birds of Central India. Among the common but interesting birds to be found near the water bodies and streams in Kanha are the lesser whistling teal, pintail, dabchick, sandpipers, egrets, cormorants, jacanas, purple heron, whitenecked stork, lesser adjutant stork, black ibis and blackwinged stilt. Kanha is also an excellent place for sighting raptors, including the crested hawk eagle, oriental honey buzzard, greyheaded fishing eagle and king vulture. In the forests you can expect to see such beauties as the racket-tailed drongo, the pygmy woodpecker, Tickell s blue flycatcher and the orange-headed ground thrush, while in the grasslands you should find the pied bushchat, grey francolin, ashy prinia and spotted munia. Day 08: Kanha - Jabalpur (250 km / 5 hrs) Jabalpur - Delhi (Overnight train) After breakfast depart for Jabalpur and connect an overnight train to Delhi. We will provide you packed dinner and bedding to ensure a comfortable journey. Day 09: Arrive Delhi at 11h20 Arrive Delhi in the morning and transfer to your hotel. Spend the day relaxing by the pool or visit a local bazaar for last minute souvenir hunting. Alternatively, catch a Bollywood musical at Kingdom of Dreams. Day 10: Late evening we will transfer you to the International Airport for your onward flight. Purple Heron 71 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 72

39 Sambar Deer family at dawn in Kanha National Park India Expert Speaks Kanha is the largest National Park in central India and one of the best places in the world to see tigers. The area has been protected since 1933 and it is prime habitat for a host of animals including the magnificent tiger, the stealthy leopard, the noble Indian bison, the clumsy sloth bear, the handsome sambar, the elegant chital and the flighty barking deer. It is also home to the last population of the hard-ground barasingha that fill the grasslands with their haunting bugling during the winter rut. Over 260 bird species have been recorded in this rich landscape and jewels such as the black-hooded oriole, scarlet minivet and the black-naped monarch are common here. Every jungle drive brings a new surprise, with great opportunities to photograph India s wildlife. Kanha s spectacular sal and bamboo forests are interspersed with meandering streams, and open grasslands that were once the abode of semi-nomadic Baiga tribals. The surrounding hills are densely covered in tropical deciduous trees and climbers, with dramatic ravines. The Banjar River to the east and the Hallon to the west, both flow into the great Narmada, the third longest river in India. Salt plain of rugged Kutch DURATION: 08 Days / 07 Nights ACTIVITY GRADING: Easy HIGHLIGHTS Walking tour of South Mumbai. Safari to Velavadar Sanctuary Jeep safari to Little Rann of Kutch. SEASON: October to April ROUTE: Mumbai > Ahmedabad > Velavadar > Velavadar National Park > Dasada > Ahmedabad > Mumbai Delhi Day 01: Arrive Mumbai Arrive in Mumbai. In the afternoon take a tour of Mumbai city. Visit the Prince of Wales Museum, drive past the Afghan Church and the government buildings along the Marine Drive. Visit the Jain temple and the Hanging Gardens, which offer a splendid view of the city. Also visit Mani Bhavan where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visits to Mumbai and drive past the Haji Ali Mosque, a shrine on an island built in honour of a Muslim saint. Stop at the Dhobi Ghats where Mumbai s dirties are scrubbed, bashed, dyed and hung out to dry. Watch the local train passing close by on which the city commuters hang out - a nice photography stop. Continue to the colourful Crawford market and to the Flora Fountain in the large bustling square in the heart of the city. Wild Ass in Little Rann sanctuary, India Belinda Wright & Kipling Camp team I first went to Kanha in 1972 and was mesmerised by the rich array of forests, animals and birds and the warmth of the local people. In 1974, I jumped at the opportunity to spend some months there on assignment for National Geographic Magazine. Soon after, I urged my parents to set up a home there, and the idea of Kipling Camp was born. It has been a wonderful journey and one that we love to share with our guests. Kanha and Kipling Camp have motivated and inspired me all my adult life, and after a lifetime traveling throughout India I still believe that this is the most magical place of all. Velavadar Dasada Mumbai Ahmedabad Day 02: Mumbai - Ahmedabad (flight) Ahmedabad - Velavadar (145 km / 3 hrs) Take a short flight to Ahmedabad this morning. On arrival drive 2 ½ hours to Velavadar, which is 145 km away. Day 03-05: Velavadar National Park Velavadar is a tropical grassland, famous for the largest concentration of blackbuck in India. It is now also becoming well known for the largest population of harriers in the world in the winter months, and for its breeding population of the rare lesser florican, during the monsoon. 73 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 74

40 small herds. The elegant blackbuck, graceful chinkara (or Indian gazelle), and nilgai are some of the other mammals seen at the bets in the Rann. The main carnivores of the Little Rann are the endangered Indian wolf, desert fox, Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and hyenas. Smaller mammals such as hares, gerbils and hedgehogs, and reptiles such as the spiny-tailed lizard, monitor lizard, red and common sand boa, saw-scaled viper, cobra and the dhaman (Indian rat snake), might also be seen while on safari in the Rann. Expert Speaks Evening safari into the Rann Day 07: Dasada Spend another day exploring the salt plains of the Little Rann of Kutch. Blackbuck, India The Blackbuck, or Indian antelope (Antilope cervicapra) is native to the Indian subcontinent. It has been classified as endangered since Males and females have distinct colourations. Mature male blackbuck are dark brown to almost black, with white under parts and long twisted horns, while the females are fawn coloured and have no horns. They generally live on the open plains in herds of 15 to 20 animals with one dominant male. Blackbuck are among the fastest land animals, reaching speeds of more than 80 km/ hrs (50 mph). Their diet consists mostly of grasses and their average life span is 12 years, with a maximum of 16 years. The Little Rann is another birding paradise. Birds here include the steppe, imperial, and short-toed eagle, houbara bustard, flamingos, pelicans, storks and cranes. The best birding is during the winter months from October to March when waterfowl gather in vast numbers. These are also the months when demoiselle and common cranes, and the lesser flamingo can be seen in huge flocks. Day 08: Dasada- Ahmedabad (90 km / 2 hrs) Ahmedabad- Mumbai (flight) Drive to Ahmedabad airport to connect to your short flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, transfer to International Airport to connect with flight to your onward destination. Mickey Desai Blackbuck Lodge, Velavadar National Park Velavadar is one of the few places where there are daytime sightings of the usually nocturnal and shy striped hyena. The park also has a sizeable population of the Indian wolf, although rare in other parts it is the key predator of this park. Other species of interest are the nilgai, golden jackal, jungle cat and Indian fox. The park hosts around 200 species of birds and it is considered to be the largest roosting ground of four species of harriers: the western marsh, Montagu s, hen and pallid harrier. Other species of interest include the Houbara bustard and many migratory species of duck, pelicans, cranes, sand grouse and eagles. Enjoy a morning and evening drive around Velavadar National Park. Day 06: Velavadar Dasada (202 km / 4 hrs) Drive to Dasada, to explore the desert wildlife of the Little Rann of Kutch, the only sanctuary in India for The Asiatic wild ass. The Rann of Kutch is a geographically unique landscape that was once an arm of the Arabian Sea. When the land separated from the sea it became a vast, featureless plain encrusted with salt that is inundated with water during the rains. The wild ass is a handsome chestnut brown member of the horse family. Capable of reaching considerable speed when galloping across the Rann, the wild ass is usually seen in Young wolf in Velavadar, India Blackbuck Lodge, as the name suggests, is situated along the Velavadar Blackbuck National Park. Spread over sq km, the Park is a paradise for those interested in natural history. As you travel in your jeep in the park, it is a magical journey through the wilderness. Camera and binoculars in hand, cautious to any movement and ears alert to the sound of the forest - this is the heightened sensory of Velavadar National Park. The area has grasslands, shrub lands, saline plains and mud flats, which support a variety of grasses, 95 species of flowering plants, 14 species of mammals, over 140 species of birds and many reptiles. The Alang and Paravalio Rivers, three artificial ponds, two check dams and the nearby coastal marshes provide an ideal habitat for aquatic flora and fauna. From a conservation viewpoint, a unique feature of Velavadar is that it is the only tropical grassland in India to be given the status of a national park. If you are a birdwatcher, Velavadar is a paradise. Spot-Billed Ducks and Black-Winged Stilts in Porbandar, Gujarat 75 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 76

41 Endemic Birds of Western India DURATION: 11 Days / 10 Nights ACTIVITY GRADING: Easy SEASON: October to April ROUTE: Mumbai > Ahmedabad > Dasada > Jamnagar > Gir national park > Gir > Velavadar > Ahmedabad >Mumbai HIGHLIGHTS Spot the flamingos and pelicans in national parks Spotting lions in Gir national park Spotting blackbucks in Velavadar National park. Jamnagar Gir Dasada Mumbai Ahmedabad Velavadar 77 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Delhi Day 01: Arrive Mumbai Arrive Mumbai where you will be met by PUREQUEST ADVENTURES- INDIA representative on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Later enjoy an orientation tour of Mumbai. Flamingo Bird, in Gujarat Bombay (Mumbai) was initially a group of seven islands on the Konkan coastline, occupied by Koli fishermen. Until Sultan Muhamed Begada seized the islands, which was then in habited predominantly by the Hindus. Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese traveller, was the first person to explore the searoute to Bombay. The Prince of Wales Museum, Drive past the Afghan Church and the government buildings along the Marine Drive. Visit Jain temple and Hanging Gardens which offer splendid view of the city. Mani Bhavan where, Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visits to Mumbai, Drive past Haji Ali Mosque, a shrine in honour of a Muslim saint on an island 500 m Stop at the Dhobi Ghats where Mumbai s dirties are scrubbed, bashed, dyed and hung out to dry. Watch the local train passing close by on which the city commuters hang out- a nice photography stop. Continue to the colourful Crawford market and to the Flora fountain in the large bustling square, in the heart of the city. Day 02: Mumbai - Ahmedabad (flight) Ahmedabad - Dasada (241 km / 5 hrs) Take a train this morning to Ahmedabad from where you will drive for 1.30 hrs to Dasada near the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch passing wetlands like the Viramgam where threatened bird species like the sociable lapwing and sarus crane have been seen. Rest of the day is at leisure. Day 03: Dasada Enjoy morning and evening safaris in the Little Rann of Kutch. Among the mammals of the Rann other than the wild ass, there are chances of seeing nilgai, Indian gazelle (chinkara), white-footed desert and Indian foxes, the wolf, jungle cat (desert cat rare sighting), pale and long-eared hedgehogs and hare, crested and sykes larks, Oriental skylark, bimaculated lark, greater short-toed lark, singing and Indian bush-larks, ashy-crowned and black-crowned sparrow-larks, are likely sightings and greater hoopoe lark is possible. Dasada is the only natural habitat left for the Asiatic wild ass. Day 04: Dasada Enjoy cross-desert safaris, superb wildlife and colourful villages along the edge of the desert. The Little Rann of kutch is a birdwatcher s paradise in winter. Day 05: Dasada - Jamnagar (244 km / 5 hrs) After Breakfast depart for Jamnagar. Steppe Eagle, in Gujarat Evening visit to salt pans around Jamnagar and the citycentre Lakota Lake for good views of flamingos, pelicans, gulls, terns, ducks and waders etc. Day 06: Dasada - Jamnagar (187 km / 4 hrs) Drive 2 hours west from Jamnagar to Narara Island, one of India s fabulous sites for crab-plover. Kentish plover, oyster catcher, ruddy turnstone, broad-billed sandpiper, sanderling, dunlin, curlew sandpiper, black-headed gull, pallas gull, temmincks stint, lesser-crested tern, gull-billed tern, common tern, little tern, black-bellied tern, whiskered tern, whiskered tern, darters etc. Day 07: Jamnagar - Gir National Park (196 km / 4 hrs) Post Breakfast depart for Gir National Park. Gir is the sole home of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species. The ecosystem of Gir, with its diverse flora and fauna, is protected as a result of the efforts of the government forest department, wildlife activists and NGOs. The bird population has more than 300 species of birds, most of which are resident. The scavenger group of birds has 6 recorded species of vultures. Other species include the Indian eagle owl, crested serpent eagle, Bonellis eagle etc. Day 08: Gir Enjoy the morning and evening game drives in Gir National Park. A tapestry of dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub and grassland, fed by rivers and reservoirs, also keep a look out for shaheen & peregrine falcon, laggar falcon, shikra, painted sandgrouse, quails etc., and has a thriving population of leopard, sambar, chital (spotted deer), nilgai (blue bull antelope) and wild boar. Gir is also one of the major habitats of chousingha (the world s only four-horned antelope) and Chinkara (Indian gazelle) that are hard to spot in the teak forests along the game drive trails. Day 09: Gir - Velavadar (221 km / 5 hrs) Depart today for Velavadar National Park. Houbara bustard in Gujarat Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 78

42 The area has been reported as the largest roosting ground in the world for four species of harriers, which migrate to the Park: Western marsh, montagu s, hen and pallid harriers. It also has the largest concentration of Lesser florican during the monsoon. Expert Speaks The population of the park mainly includes blackbucks, wolves, great Indian bustard and lesser floricans, with foxes, jackals and Jungle cats as the main carnivore s species. Other species include wild pigs, hares and rodents. Known for its large blackbuck antelope population, Velavadar is also one of the few places where the wolf is proliferating in India though they are rarely seen in the daylight. Striped hyena sighting is also fairly good in Velavadar nowadays. Day 10: Velavadar Drive around Velavadar National Park. Enjoy morning and evening game drives. Ganga river in Uttrakhand, India Velavadar National Park is home to over 187 species of birds including residents and migratory birds like different species of partridge, duck, harrier, pelican, crane, sand grouse, stork, lark, eagle and lesser floricans. Day 11: Velavadar - Ahmedabad (200 km / 4 hrs) Ahmedabad - Mumbai (flight) Mr. Muzahid Malik Rann Riders Bio-diversity of Himalayan Foothills DURATION: 12 Days / 11 Nights ACTIVITY GRADING: Easy SEASON: October to April ROUTE: Delhi > Kathgodam > Binsar > Corbett National Park > Rajaji National Park > Haridwar > Rishikesh This morning transfer to Ahmedabad for afternoon flight to Mumbai. You will be met by our representative in Mumbai and transfer to airport for flight to onward destination. Spotted Deer in Sasan Gir Gujarat India Descendant of the erstwhile rulers of Dasada, I started Rann Riders with just a few cottages in Between 2001 and 2012, and Rann Riders has grown to become a successful 32-room resort that has succeeded in boosting tourism in the Little Rann of Kutch and the rural areas of Surendranagar district. The Wild Ass Sanctuary is located in the Little Rann of Kutch. It covers an area of 4954 km². The sanctuary is named after a sub species of wild ass (Equus hemionus khur), the last population of which it harbours. The Rann is one of the most remarkable and unique landscapes of its kind in the entire world. It is a vast desiccated, unbroken bare surface of dark silt, encrusted with salts which transforms into a spectacular coastal wetland after the rains. The present saline desert of the Little Rann (saline desert-cum-seasonal wetland) of Kutch is believed to have been shallow sea. The Rann can be considered a large ecotone, a transitional area between marine and terrestrial ecosystems. During monsoon, the Rann gets inundated for a period of about one month. It is dotted with about 74 elevated plateaus or islands, locally called bets. The vast cover of saline mudflats in the sanctuary has no vegetation, except on the fringes and bets. The sanctuary is habitat to about 93 species of invertebrates, including 25 species of zooplanktons, 1 species of annelid, 4 crustaceans, 24 insects, 12 molluscs and 27 spiders. Totally 4 species of amphibians (frogs and toads) and 29 species of reptiles (2 species of turtles, 14 species of lizards, 12 snakes and 1 crocodile) occur. HIGHLIGHTS Visit Delhi Bird watching in Himalayas Wildlife safari in a Tiger Reserve Visit Haridwar and Rishikesh The Holy Cities for Hindus Haridwar Rajaji National Park Delhi Rishikesh Corbett National Park Binsar Kathgodam Day 01: Arrive Delhi Arrive into Delhi and PUREQUEST ADVENTURES- INDIA representative will meet you and assist you in check in at your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Day 02: Delhi Kathgodam (Train 2230hrs/0505 hrs) Today enjoy a half day orientation tour of the city. New Delhi is built in a typically British colonial style with treelined avenues and colonial bungalows. See India Gate, the 42 m high war memorial arch. Drive past the Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings and the Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India. Visit of Qutab Minar, it was intended to be the most glorious tower of victory in the world and was to be the prototype of all minars in India. Also visit other attraction of the old Delhi and New Delhi. In the evening catch the train to Kathgodam which is the gateway to the Kumaon Himalayas. Day 03: Kathgodam Binsar (118 km / 5 hrs) After reaching Kathgodam our representative will meet you at the railway station and assist you in transfer to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. From here you will embark your journey to the beautiful Kumaon Himalayas. During this 5 hour journey to the sanctuary you will pass through many villages Small township and beautiful forests, you may get the chance 79 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 80

43 Spotted deers near a water hole in Jim Corbett to see wildlife and birdlife on this journey as each and every corner of Himalayas is inhabited by some of the most beautiful birds and animals of the country. world renowned Jim Corbett National Park. Notified in 1934, Corbett National Park is the first national park of India. Situated in the Himalaya Foothills and Shivalik hills, this park was declared a tiger reserve when Project Tiger was started in India. Large grasslands, dense sal forest, open dry forest and high altitude pine forests are all characteristic of this park. These diverse habitat types support an array of biodiversity which includes big mammals like elephants, tiger, leopard, sloth and Himalayan black bear, sambar deer, reptiles like gharial which is endemic to the sub-continent, marsh crocodile and the biggest poisonous snake of the world- king cobra. The bird diversity of the park is also wonderful harboring almost half of the total number of species of birds found in India which includes some of the endemic birds. Day 06: Corbett National Park Again enjoy the morning and afternoon safari in this land of tigers Day 07: Corbett Rajaji National Park (160 km / 3½ hrs) The major wildlife species in the park are: tiger, leopard, elephants, sloth bear, black bear, yellow throated marten, sambar deer, spotted deer and barking deer etc. Ganges river at Rishikesh, Uttarakhand After walking through the river front and famous rope bridge lakshman Jhoola you are taken to the Parmarth Niketan Ashram for the evening Ganga aarti. Ganga aarti at Parmarth Niketan is organised and performed by ashram residents, particularly the children who are studying the Vedas there. The ceremony commences with the singing of bhajans, prayers, purifying and sacred ritual that takes place around a fire, with offerings made to Agni, the fire god. Lamps are lit and aarti takes place as the final part of the ceremony. The children sing along with the spiritual head of the ashram, in sweet, haunting voices. A huge statue of Lord Shiva overlooks the proceedings. After Ganga aarti you will leave the place and go back to the Rajaji National Park. While going back you will get the chance to see the nocturnal creatures of this beautiful forest. Day 09: Rajaji National Park Enjoy morning and afternoon safari in the park. After lunch enjoy visit to the sanctuary with the expert guide. In the evening enjoy your chosen activity from the list of the activities the lodge can offer. Day 04: Binsar Corbett National Park (162 km / 6 hrs) Early morning enjoy trekking into the sanctuary to listen and see the wonderful bird diversity of the area. Morning time is also good for the sighting of rare animals of the Himalayas. The Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the beautiful settings of Kumaon Himalayas and covers an area of about 45 sq km². The sanctuary serves as a home to leopards, ghorals, wild boar, kakars, monkeys, Indian red fox, jackals, pine martens, Himalayan black bears, and porcupines. In addition to this, it also houses more than 200 species of birds that are of both resident and migratory. Major species of birds found in this sanctuary are, Himalayan monal, kaleej pheasant, koklas pheasant, Himalayan pied woodpecker, rufous-breasted accentor, areater longbilled thrush, yellow-breasted greenfinch and rusty-tailed flycatcher. After lunch you will leave this place to reach another heaven of wildlife in these sacred mountains. Reach Corbett on time and after check in enjoy the dinner in your lodge. Day 5: Corbett National Park Today, you will have a morning and evening safari in the After an early morning game drive in to the park, you will leave Corbett and follow the corridor which wild animals are using for their seasonal movement from Rajaji to Corbett. You will reach Rajaji by the time of lunch and after lunch enjoy you first safari in the park. Rajaji National Park is situated along the hills and foothills of Shiwalik ranges in the Himalayan foothills and represents the Shiwalik eco-system. The area is covered with diverse forest types ranging from semi-evergreen to deciduous and from mixed broad-leaved to terai grassland and has been classified as Indus-Ganges monsoon forest type. Lofty strands of sal dominate in many parts. Ganges river at Rishikesh, Uttarakhand Rajaji is home to avian species which are found in forested foothills and in open grassland. It s location in a transition zone between temperate western Himalaya and central Himalaya enhances the species diversity and consequently the viewing prospects. Rajaji s checklist has about 400 bird species and includes good birds like greater scaup, white-naped woodpecker, great hornbill, black-bellied tern, pallas s fish eagle, northern goshawk, black-necked stork, yellow-billed blue magpie, scaly thrush, snowybrowed flycatcher, rusty-flanked treecreeper, pale-footed bush warbler, tytler s leaf warbler, green avadavat and reed bunting. You will check into your hotel and will have a dinner. Evening is as you wish. Day 08: Rajaji National Park Haridwar Rishikesh Rajaji National Park This morning after breakfast leave for the holy city Haridwar. Haridwar is the place from where the mighty river Ganges enters the plain leaving the mountains behind. A holy city for Hindus, Haridwar is full of temples, ashramas and other religious places. In Haridwar you will visit famous bathing ghat Har ki Pauri and a local market. You will leave Haridwar in the afternoon for Rishikesh. Rishikesh is another holy city for Hindus and famous for its evening Ganga aarti. Day 11: Rajaji National Park Haridwar Haridwar Delhi (Train 1815 hrs / 2245 hrs) This morning you will again enjoy safari into the park. In the evening depart for Haridwar railway station to catch the fastest train to Delhi. Day 12: Delhi Timely transfer to airport and connect onwards flight Haridwar, Uttarakhand 81 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 82

44 Experts Speak Born into this tradition, my sister and I too became addicted Corbett pilgrims. At times we wondered if our family s fascination with the jungles might diminish and we d be treated instead, like many of our friends, to a trip to Disney! On reflection however, no experience anywhere in the world could ever compare to campouts in solitary forest bungalows it was here where we interpreted the magical sounds of the dark night forest, the thrill of tiger tracking on foot or on elephant back, fishing and swimming in the clear Ramganga river, long campfire stories with forest guards and rangers, hours on tree-top machaans and sumptuous picnic lunches surrounded by wonders of the jungle. Serena Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary I fell in love with Binsar sanctuary when I first visited as a tourist myself, in Walking through the lush, verdant forests that gently turn from pine tree lines to thicker oak and rhododendron, I chanced upon an old house, crumbling in on itself. This was to become the renovated Mary Budden cottage, home to the missionary lady Mary Budden who lived here a century ago. Since then, I have strived to make the estate completely reliant on and respectful of its natural surroundings. To me, returning to the sanctuary, over the last two decades has meant treading on jungle trails, finding new paths and always realising that self realisation and humility comes when one is closest to nature. In the sanctuary, the chance sighting of a leopard is humbling, shy yet nimble barking deer and mountain goats dot the green mountains while over 250 species of birds chirp and add music to any hike in these old forests. Besides the beauty of the Binsar forests, the Himalayas tower majestically above us, a vantage point Zero Point offering a stunning 180 degree view of the world s youngest and highest mountain ranges. This view of the Himalayas has been quoted by Bill Aitken as the best view point of the Himalayas in the Kumaon. Daleep Akoi Corbett My father, Inder Pratap Akoi, was introduced to the Kumaon and Garhwal hills here in the late 1950s, his earliest recollection of this spectacular region an elaborate shikaar or hunt. Old spool-reels unearthed from an aging trunk years ago revealed a treasure of fascinating moments from another era: of commandeering mahouts and dhoti-clad beaters, white-turbaned writers and their elaborate silver trays; aunts and uncles in their safari best following a full day of jungle sport. This Raj legacy continued until the 1970s when hunting in India was finally banned. Yet as it happens, hunters often turn to conservation - their experience of the forest, of animal behaviour and breeding habits, of an area s ecology and habitat, can prove invaluable in conservation efforts. For my father, the building blocks for being an environmentalist was certainly laid in this way. Since childhood he was fascinated by rivers in Corbett as they offer some of the most exciting angling options. Moreover spectacular topography and variety of wildlife provides an endless photographic opportunity. Regular Corbett pilgrimages were always eagerly awaited and one even came to be his first post-wedding holiday - a week spent with his new bride in a tent at Dhikala during the 1973 launch of Project Tiger! We learned through sight and sound, discussion and debate. that forest and its inhabitants share complex and invaluable relationships with another. What was not clear then was how much of the Indian jungle would be sadly and illogically doomed to the axe. My father did not know then either, but years later he would set this camp, Jim s Jungle Retreat, on a piece of denuded land in the very village, Dhela, that was closest to the hunting block he had visited as a child. Driven by our family legacy and passion for wildlife, we are here now to fulfill three criteria, all key for successful conservation support for the villagers, otherwise dependent on the forest s fragile resources, regeneration of vital forest land and to give you, our guest, the privilege to experience and celebrate the richness of an Indian jungle and all the treasures it holds. 83 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 84

45 Day 04: Lucknow This morning you will arrive in Lucknow where our representative will assist you for check in. Princely states and Indian Terai DURATION: 12 Days / 11 Nights ACTIVITY GRADING: Easy ROUTE: Delhi > Agra > Lucknow > Dudhwa > Pilibhit > Corbett HIGHLIGHTS Visit old and New Delhi Visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Visit Lucknow - A city of Nawabs Elephant and jeep safari in Dudhwa Delhi Corbett National Park Agra 85 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Pilibhit Lucknow Dudhwa Day 01: Arrive Delhi SEASON: October to April Arrive into Delhi and our representative will meet you and assist you in check in at your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Delhi is India s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor travelling in from the airport are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks. Rest of the day at leisure. Day 02: Delhi After breakfast proceed for full day combined city tour of Delhi. You will first visit old Delhi; the tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Later drive past Red Fort and visit Jama Masjid, one of Asia s largest mosques. Enjoy tri-cycle rickshaw ride in the old Delhi s busy and narrow lanes. After visiting old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division Agra Red Fort, India between New and old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the lifestyles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past lifestyle in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards. Day 03: Delhi Agra (200 km / 4 hrs) Agra Lucknow (Train 2150 hrs / 0625 hrs) Morning depart for Agra. Agra, the city in terms of ambience is still associated with Mughal period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra and its neighbourhood. Besides Taj, many other magnificent monuments are a testimony to the zenith and golden period of the Mughal architecture. Afternoon set out to explore the monument dedicated to love from an Emperor for his queen the legendary Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid-17 th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Later visit Agra Fort the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. In the night catch the train to Lucknow. Qutub minar in Delhi Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh and it has always been a multicultural city. This bustling city, famed for its Nawabi era finesse and amazing food, is a unique mix of the ancient and the modern. It is home to some extraordinary monuments depicting a fascinating blend of ancient, colonial and oriental architecture. It is also known as the Golden City of the East, Shiraz-i-Hind and The Constantinople of India. Morning after breakfast proceed for city tour of Lucknow covering Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Hussainibad picture gallery, Clock Tower, Jama Masjid, Lucknow Residency. Overnight at Lucknow. Day 05: Lucknow Dudhwa (135 km / 2½ hrs) This morning after breakfast you will leave for Dudhwa Tiger Reserve by road. Located near the Indo-Nepal border, this area was declared as a wildlife sanctuary with the aim to protect the relict population of swamp deer. Later in 1977 it was upgraded to national park status with addition of more areas. Now the total area of the tiger reserve is more than 2000 km². The reserve is a good representative of Terai and Bhabhar landscape and has all of the fauna associated with this kind of habitat and landscape. The major species of attraction are tiger, leopard, one horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, elephants and marsh crocodile. Apart from these, this area is a paradise for a herpetologist and bird watcher; more than 350 species of birds are found in this reserve. The biggest poisonous snake of India king cobra has been recently reported from here. Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 86 Taj Mahal in Agra, India

46 Enjoy afternoon safari in the reserve Day 06: Dudhwa Today enjoy two safaris in the park, one jeep safari and one elephant safari to see the endangered one horned rhinoceros. The long Terai grasses provide refuge to many species of mammals including tiger and one horned rhino. These grasses are high enough so that even an Elephant can hide himself in the grasses. The swamps and marshes of Terai are favorite habitat for the Swamp deer and various birds. Day 07: Dudhwa Pilibhit (120 km / 2½ hrs) After morning safari depart for Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is another representative of Indian Terai landscape and with almost same kind of fauna as Dudhwa. Being a reserve very less exploited for the tourism purpose, sighting a wild animal in this reserve is in itself a hair raising experience. After reaching Pilibhit enjoy afternoon safari in the reserve Day 08: Pilibhit Corbett (220 km / 5½ hrs) This morning after a short safari and breakfast you will leave this reserve for you visit to the Corbett which is almost 5 hours away from this place. Bara Imambara mosque in Lucknow, India world renowned Jim Corbett National Park. Notified in 1934, Corbett National Park is the first national park of India. Situated in the Himalayan foothills and Shivalik hills, this park was declared a tiger reserve when Project tiger was started in India. Large grasslands, dense sal forest, open dry forest and high altitude pine forests are all characteristic of this park. These diverse habitat types support an array of biodiversity which includes big mammals like elephants, tiger, leopard, sloth and himalayan black bear, sambar deer, reptiles like gharial which is endemic to the sub-continent, marsh crocodile and the biggest poisonous snake of the world- king cobra. The bird diversity of the park is also wonderful harbouring almost half of the total number. of species of Birds found in India which includes some of the endemic birds. Day 10: Corbett Again enjoy the morning and afternoon safari in this land of tigers Day 11: Corbett Delhi (0950 hrs./ 1520 hrs.) After breakfast you will leave Corbett to catch the train to Delhi from Ramnagar. Day 12: Delhi Timely transfer to airport and connect onwards flight Expert Speaks Himmat Anand Dudhwa National Park The wildlife segment in India is mostly scattered, with individual players making their own contribution. It is for the first time that an initiative like IWTE is bringing selective individual players to a common platform with a common cause - collectively showcasing India s vast variety of wildlife and accommodation. The fact that the members are hand-picked for the accommodation experiences that they offer and that there is only one member property for each Park / Sanctuary brings out nothing but the very best. What I also like about this initiative is that it moves away from the over-sold focus on tiger and takes a larger look at India s wildlife canvas there really is so much more to discover. The Tree of Life is excited to be a part unique initiative and looks forward to seeing it grow from strength to strength. Reach Corbett on time and after check in enjoy the dinner in your lodge. Day 09: Corbett Today, you will have a morning and evening safari in the Tiger in India Elephant in India 87 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 88

47 Day 05: Mysore Kabini Private transfer to Nagarhole, Kabini and stay at Orange County Resort (90 Km/ 2 hrs). The resort in bordered on two sides by the Kabini River, and is a unique resort built in traditional tribal village style with palm thatched roof. Providing wildlife and jungle adventures, an Ayurvedic spa, an infinity pool and great food, the resort s stunning location close to Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks translates into outstanding wildlife experiences and fascinating encounters with nature. Western ghats and its treasures DURATION: 13 Days / 12 Nights ACTIVITY GRADING: Easy SEASON: October to April ROUTE: Bengaluru > Hassan > Chikmangalore > Mysore > Kabini > Bandipur > Ooty > Cochin HIGHLIGHTS Visit Belur temple Visit the South Indian historical city, Mysore Wildlife safari in Bandipur and Nagarhole. Visit the iconic hill station in South India Ooty Chikmangalore Hassan Mysore Kabini Bandipur Ooty Cochin 89 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Bengaluru Day 01: Arrive Bengaluru Arrive in Bangalore and transfer to the hotel. Bangalore, India s sixth largest city is known as the Garden City because of its countless parks and tree-lined avenues. It was founded in 1537 by a local chieftain called Kempe Gowda, and later extended by Tipu Sultan, the Wodeyars of Mysore and the British. Set at an altitude of over 1000 m, the climate adds to the attractions of this city, now famous as the Silicon Valley of India. Take a tour of the city of Bangalore visiting the Lal Bagh which has a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces and an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. Also, see the Peninsular Genesis Complex that is home to a 2600 year old rock. You will also visit the Bull Temple with its monolithic bull statue and drive past the government buildings. Also visit the botanical garden of Bangalore Day 02: Bangalore Hassan / Chikmangalore Drive to Hassan / Chikmangalore (161 km / 4 hrs) visiting enroute Sravanabelagola, a hill place of pilgrimage atop a hill for the Jains, where stands the great statue of Sri Gomatheswar. Arrive Chikmangalore.. Day 03: Hassan / Chikmangalore Mysore In the morning visit of Belur. A star-shaped temple with hand lathe-turned filigreed pillars and sculptures will take your breath away. Friezes of charging elephants, each different from the other, mythological figures, military scenes, dancers Western ghats in India and musicians, and elaborate decorative motifs charge the imagination. Built this temple during 1121 A.D and attributed to his king, Vishnuvardhana and queen, Shantala Devi. Even then it is learnt that it took 105 years to complete. If one stands on the platform of the temple and sees around he will see the hills opposite and two big bulls facing the temple and Ganesh a figure on the south. Also visit the temple in Halebidu a magnificent temple built during 1121 A.D. Drive to Mysore (100 km/2h). Day 04: Mysore Take a half-day city tour of Mysore, known for its magnificent palaces, majestic buildings, sprawling gardens, tree-lined boulevards, shimmering silks and sandalwood. Visiting the Maharaja s palace built in , the palace harmoniously synthesises the Hindu and the Saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures, which are truly magnificent. Visit the art gallery and drive up to the 1062 m high Chamundi hill to see the Chamundeshwari temple with a panoramic view of Mysore. On your way back, see the 5 m high Nandi Bull carved out of solid rock in In the afternoon add one experience in Mysore which can chosen from the following: The Kings Trail Tipu s trail Yoga & spirituality trail Vintage Mysore cycle tour Gravity Friday Kabini river in Nagerhole national park karnataka india The Nagarhole National Park is famous because of the river Kabini that flows through it to form a picturesque setting. Even the name of the park itself suggests the importance of the river which is made by the combination of two Kannada words, Nagar means snake and Hole means streams. During hot summer months one can see the largest congregation of Asian elephants near the bank of Kabini river. Take a coracle ride down the Kabini River or visit a local tribal village for an insight into the culture of the Kuruba tribe. Day 06: Kabini Leave for an Orange County Kabini jeep safari into Nagarhole National Park to catch sight of wild elephant, tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild dogs, sambar deer, spotted deer and rarely seen mouse deer. In the evening enjoy another activities, like elephant bathing, elephant ride, coracle ride, tribal dance or relax at the scenic reading Lounge or try a traditional Ayurvedic spa treatment. Day 07: Kabini Bandipur (90 km / 2 hrs) After leisurely breakfast leave for Bandipur Blue hills Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 90

48 peak within the reserve, with the lowest point being 680 meters above sea level. The spectacular Moyar gorge marks the boundary between Bandipur and Madumalai, and is as deep as 260 metres at some places. Day 09: Bandipur Ooty (50 km / 1 hrs) After morning safari drive to Ooty also known as Queen of hill stations. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the British. The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the visitors on most routes. Visit a tea plantation in the afternoon. Day 10: Ooty One of the best representatives of south Indian forest, Bandipur Tiger Reserve is part of the largest contiguous habitat of tiger and Elephants in India. Bandipur and Nagarhole both are a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve which is famous for high endemicity and rich biodiversity. There are more than 180 species of birds that have been identified from this reserve, of which eight are restricted range species of Western Ghats. Some of the rare birds found in the Reserve are- Nilgiri wood pigeon, blue winged parakeet, Malabar grey hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, grey headed bulbul, white bellied blue flycatcher and white bellied treepie etc. Bandipur is one of the best places to see the big five of peninsular India; these are Asian elephant, wild dog, Indian gaur or bison, Indian leopard and tiger. The other mammals of attraction are - sloth beer, wild boar, spotted deer, Sambar deer, barking deer, mouse deer, langur monkey and bonnet macaque. Enjoy the afternoon safari in the park. Day 08: Bandipur Elephant Herd in Forest of India Today enjoy two jeep safaris in the park one in morning and second one in afternoon. The park is full of rocky hills and valleys fed by many rivers and numerous small streams. The enchanting Nilgiri mountains and their cloud-covered peaks form a picturesque backdrop of the park. Though Bandipur is not famous for tigers but still tiger sighting in the reserve is sometimes better than other wellknown tiger reserves. Contrary to popular belief, there is a high density of big cat in Bandipur. The Himavad Gopalaswamy Hill (1455 m) is the highest Explore Ooty. This area of Nilgiri has been declared as world heritage site recently and is one among the 14 bio diversity hotspots of the world because of its unique flora and fauna. Day 11: Ooty Cochin (320 km / 6½ hrs) Cochin (Kochi) is spread across islands and promontories in a stunning location between the Arabian Sea and the backwaters. The city was founded in 1341 when a flood created a natural safe port which became the principal harbour for Malabar coast s spice trade. Cochin was on the main trade route between Europe and China. The rulers invited people of various religions to settle here, attracting the Jews and the Christians who built places of worship and their own communities. Day 12: Cochin Visit of The Dutch palace (closed on Fridays) at Mattancherry, which was built by the Portuguese, the oldest Jewish synagogue (closed on Saturdays and all the Jewish holidays) in India, St.Francis church to finish at the historic Fort Cochin harbour area and a stop to view the immense Chinese fishing nets. Enjoy a sunset cruise is the Cochin harbour. See the cantilevered fishing nets and the beautiful coastline from comfort of a motor boat. Day 13: Cochin Transfer to the airport to take the flight back home. Expert Speaks Jose Ramapuram Director - Marketing Orange County Resorts & Hotels Ltd. I believe that this initiative by PUREQUEST ADVENTURES to market India as a wildlife destination worldwide will add great value to the wildlife scene in India. It is a great platform for us to showcase Orange County, Kabini, our wildlife theme resort at Kabini, in Karnataka. The Kabini region, surrounded by the Bandipur, Nagarahole and Wayanad wildlife sanctuaries, is one of the richest wildlife habitats in India. The high density of herbivores Morning Scene with Sambar Deer in Bandipur National Park turns this region into one of the few places in Asia where three large predators i.e., the tiger, leopard and the wild dog, coexist. Orange County s spirit of the land philosophy is best experienced at our Kabini resort that is designed around the concept of wildlife the tribal way. We help our guests get closer to the spirit of the land by offering a variety of activities like boat safari, vehicle safari, elephant interaction, coracle ride, guided nature walk, evening activities and night trails where they can choose activities depending on the level and the degree of separation they want from the wild. While the resort architecture is inspired by the local kadu kuruba hadis, the experiences we offer draw our guests into the warp and weft of local environment and indigenous cultures. One such experience is the spirit of Kabini where we take our guests on a jeep ride through rural landscapes to the neighbouring Gandathur Village to visit the traditional home of a local, for a slice of rural life. Orange County, Kabini was chosen as one among the 25 World s Best Ecolodges - (best, most authentic and most sustainable lodges) for 2013 by the National Geographic Traveler. 91 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 92

49 The Indian Skimmer DURATION: 06 Days / 07 Nights ACTIVITY GRADING: Easy ROUTE: Delhi > Agra > Chambal > Agra > Delhi HIGHLIGHTS Rickshaw ride in old Delhi Taj Mahal in Agra Boat safari on Chambal river. Country side walks through Chambal ravines Agra Delhi 93 Indian Wildlife Travel Experts Chambal Day 01: Arrive Delhi SEASON: October to April On arrival in Delhi you will be met by PUREQUEST ADVENTURES- INDIA representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city in the afternoon. New Delhi is built in a typically British colonial style with treelined avenues and colonial bungalows. See India Gate, the 42 m high War Memorial Arch. Drive past the Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings and the Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India. Visit of Qutab Minar, it was intended to be the most glorious tower of victory in the world and was to be the prototype of all minars in India. Day 02: Delhi - Agra (train) Agra - Chambal (75 km / 2 hrs) Take an early morning fast train to Agra (2 hours). Agra in terms of ambience is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra and its neighborhood. It has many wonderful monuments and the Taj Mahal, the greatest of them all, is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture at its best. The tour will include a visit to Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Late afternoon visit The Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). Midway tonga s horse carriages would be waiting for you and will drop Skimmer in Chambal, India you at the gates of the Taj Mahal. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Evening drive to Chambal. Check-in at the lodge. Day 03-06: Chambal Skimmer in Chambal, India The National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) is a 400 km stretch of the river Chambal and a 1 to 6 km wide swathe of the ravines on both sides of the river, covering an area of 1235 sq. km. The NCS is one of the last surviving habitats of the Gange etic river dolphin While providing protection for 1200 garial and 300 marsh crocodiles, and is also home to eight species of turtles as well as to smooth coated otters. Chambal is also famous for the breeding population of Indian skimmer. The Indian skimmer (rynchops albicollis) is a one of the three species that belong to the skimmer family. They are somewhat like but like other skimmers, have a short upper mandible and the longer lower mandible that is ploughed along the surface of water as the bird flies over the water to pick aquatic prey. The birds forage for food by flying low over the water with the bill open and the lower mandible skimming through the water. When a fish is encountered, it moves up the lower mandible and the bird raises the upper mandible and snaps it with a movement of the head. They feed mainly on fish but also small crustaceans and insect larvae. They often feed at dusk and can be very nocturnal.the breeding season is mainly March and May. They breed in colonies of up to 40 pairs. Nature walk- Morning, afternoon and late evening walks are organised in and around the Chambal Safari Lodge grounds, surrounding farmland or along the river. Village Walk- An insight to rural India, one can still find a Skimmers land in flock of shore birds potter at his wheel making earthen ware, a cobbler using the simplest implements to fashion most interesting variety of leather items and shops selling all manner of goods from jaggery blocks to hand-woven quilts. Bicycle rides-the countryside around the lodge is ideal for cycling the bicycles (of the upright handle sort) areavailable. It is an which is an experience in itself. Camel safari- Camels remain an important mode of transport for man and goods alike, also a very good way and a great experience to ride along the river, ravines, villages etc. Horse safari- The Chambal valley is famous for the number of horses that are bred and sold at numerous animal fairs in the area. A Chambal safari arranges short 3-4 hour horse riding tours through the ravines and countryside. Jeep safari- Chambal safari arranges jeep safaris through remote hamlets and habitations hidden within the folds of the Chambal and Yamuna. The confluence of the Chambal and Yamuna River is 90 km (2 hrs) drive from the Chambal Safari Lodge. This spectacular drive through a wild, forbidding and undulating landscape cuts across the ravines of both rivers going deep into one of the remotest most untouched corners of the Indian heartland. Day 07: Chambal - Agra (75 km / 2 hrs) Agra - Delhi (train) After morning jungle activity and lunch leave for Agra to board your evening train to Delhi. In Delhi you will be taken from railway station to International airport to connect your onward flight. Expert Speaks Ram Pratap Singh Chambal Safari Lodge It is difficult to believe that a pristine wilderness survives, and thrives, so close to the urban sprawl of Agra. Yet, that is precisely what the National Chambal Sanctuary is - a biodiversity hotspot, a unique riverine sanctuary etched by dramatic ravines on either side. It is home to many a critically endangered species and is a region that is replete with many urban legends. A special place and home. Indian Wildlife Travel Experts 94