ANovember 23rd, 2023: Arrive in Delhi

On arrival in Delhi (for those not joining from the Bhutan trip), you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. We overnight at the Hotel Taj Mahal New Delhi. (Rooms available 14:00 onwards). NB: Flights into Delhi usually arrive in the middle of the night. Pete will be finishing the Bhutan trip with the group and Renee will arrive in Delhi early to do some sightseeing in Delhi for those arriving early and then to fly to Guwahati together on the 25th to join the rest of group.

ADay 1, November 25th: 2023: Bhutan or Delhi to Guwahati

For those finishing the Bhutan trip and starting the Indian trip we say goodbye to our Bhutanese guide and driver as we board our Indian transfer vehicle which will take us the three hours across the border and into the amazing state of Assam in north east India, back down close to sea level.
Here we will meet up with guests who began in Delhi and will have flown into Guwahati with Renee.
Overnight and dinner Kiranshree Grand Hotel, Guwahati, Assam, India.

ADay 2, November 26th, 2023: Guwahati to Kaziranga

Drive 5 hours on an eye-opening journey to Kaziranga where we check in to our stunning lodge set by the water’s edge. We arrive in time for an afternoon jeep safari into the stunning Kaziranga National Park where we hope for our first view of one of the many greater one-horned Indian rhinos.
Overnight in Diphlu Lodge

BDay 3, November 27th, 2023: Kaziranga

Apart from a safari by jeep into the park we may also engage in a boat ride with the possibility of spotting the rare Gangetic river dolphins.
Overnight in Diphlu Lodge

BDay 4, November 28th, 2023: Kaziranga

Apart from a safari by jeep into the park we may also engage in a boat ride with the possibility of spotting the rare Gangetic river dolphins.
Overnight in Diphlu Lodge.

BDay 5, November 29th, 2023: Kaziranga to Guwahati to Kolkata

After a hearty breakfast and a morning activity we will drive back to Guwahati for our flight to Kolkata (Calcutta).
Overnight Oberoi Grand Kolkata.

BDay 6, November 30th, 2023: Kolkata

After breakfast we take in the colonial sights of this amazing city, the capital of West Bengal. We will also visit the bank of the Hooghly River with its huge tidal range and exuberant human activities from fishermen in their colourful fishing boats, people bathing in the Holy waters (a branch of the Ganges River) or even a human funeral pyre. Not to be missed is an over-the-top flower market visit.
Overnight Oberoi Grand Kolkata.

BDay 7, December 1st, 2023: Kolkata to Nagpur to Pench

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to board our flight to Nagpur.
Upon arrival at Nagpur airport, we drive the 150km to Pench Tiger Reserve always on the lookout for anything of interest along the way.
Overnight in Pench Tree House.

BDay 8, December 2nd, 2023: Pench

Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve is located in the Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh; it is the 19th Project Tiger Reserve and has been one of the best-kept secrets among wildlife enthusiasts who have long been acquainted with and bedazzled by its immensely varied flora and fauna. The park is dominated by a fairly open canopy of mixed forest, predominantly teak, with open grassy patches and undulating land that boasts the highest density of herbivores including chital (spotted deer) and sambar in any Indian park.
The park has high numbers of other wildlife, including leopard, tiger, jungle cat, dhole (wild dog), sloth bear, wild boar, mongoose and gaur (the largest bovid in the world).
Upon arrival, check-in to the lodge.
The morning and afternoon is dedicated to a game safari into the Pench National Park. Safaris in Pench are organized in 4×4 open jeeps. Local guides and naturalists are at hand to enhance the experience.
Overnight in Pench Tree House.

BDay 9, December 3rd, 2023: Pench

We do a morning and afternoon jeep safari into the park. As well as the ever hoped for tigers of course we will see many, many other species, like Africa there is always something to look at. Birds abound all over India and these parks are especially good for spotting such things as crested serpent eagles, treepies, wild peacocks, scops owls and open bill storks, perhaps even some marsh crocodiles.
Overnight in Pench Tree House.

BDay 10, December 4th, 2023: Pench to Nagpur to Jaipur

Today will be mostly a travel day where we leave the tiger reserve of Pench and drive to Nagpur to board a flight to Jaipur via Delhi.
Overnight Trident hotel, Jaipur.

BDay 11, December 5th, 2023: Jaipur

After breakfast, we begin our exploration of Jaipur.
Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan, is also known as the Pink City. It sits on a dry lakebed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses with crenelated walls.
After the iconic Amber Fort visit we continue by rickshaw, the best way to explore the city like a local.
After lunch we continue on foot in a total immersion into the riches of traditional India. Jaipur is famous for its artisans and craftsmen such as silversmiths and bangle makers. We will experience true Indian hospitality and try some of the regions culinary delights, including samosas, kulfi, lassi and traditional sweets.
Overnight Trident Jaipur.

BDay 12, December 6th, 2023: Drive to Ranthambore

After breakfast, we take a fascinating drive to Ranthambore (205 kms / 4-5hrs), marvelling at the eclectic collection of things to be avoided in the middle of the road.
Upon arrival, we check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Taj Sawai Madhopur hotel.

BDays 13 – 14, December 7th – 8th, 2023: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

We spend two full days in our jeeps exploring the reserve in an effort to spot a tiger.
Ranthambore is a park that is comprised of rocky hill crests which descend to open valleys between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. It is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of south-eastern Rajasthan, this park protects a rich mosaic of deciduous woodland, bamboo thickets and marshes over an area of 1,300 square kilometres (500 sq miles). The park gets its name from the thousand-year-old-fortress, which looms above the forest. Well known for the diurnal activity of tigers, Ranthambore is a very special and unusual area where a natural present meets an historical past. Abundant prey species for tigers such as sambar, chital, chinkara, nilgai and Hanuman langurs, contribute to a high predator density. Elusive leopard as well as tigers are found in this reserve and diurnal tiger sightings are very regular.
Our safaris into the park are in open 4X 4 jeeps where we are accompanied by a local naturalist. In addition to cats the park has a rich diversity of fauna and flora, including striped hyena, jackals, sloth bears, macaques, gazelles, wild boars, mongooses, Indian hares, monitor lizards and a great diversity of avifauna. Another great naturalist and wildlife photographer paradise!
Both of our days in Ranthambore we have secured the FULL DAY SAFARI PERMIT. This will prove an enormous advantage as we search for our quarry.
Overnight in Taj Sawai Madhopur hotel.

BDay 15, December 9th, 2023: Ranthambore to Dehli

Today we take a train from Ranthambore to Delhi on the Golden Temple Mail. Train journeys in India are integral to the comings and goings of the population at large. The whole experience, from everyday life in the railway stations, to the chai vendors onboard to the constantly changing views is an iconic Indian experience. We will be in a/c private cabins. On arrival to Delhi we check in to our hotel. Overnight – Taj Mahal New Delhi.

CDay 16, December 10th, 2023: Depart Delhi

Today we bid a sad farewell to India as we head to the airport in Delhi in time for our international flights home. It is always on our final day, with a heavy heart, that we begin to miss the magnetism of India and vow to return again soon.
Here the trip ends.