November – Royal Expeditions

ROYAL TENTED CAMPS AND EXOTIC ESTATE

This tour blends the best of India’s art and culture taking you through some of the most popular destinations. Your tour will begin in the capital city Delhi which rewards the determined sightseer with more than a thousand monuments. Continue your journey to discover the proud and valorous regal splendour of Rajasthan amongst its magnificent forts and palaces, mansions and landscaped estates. The stunning home ground of the valorous Rajput kings and warrior clans- the ancient kingdom of Rajputana- now India’s richly endowed state of Rajasthan, continues to allure visitors with its promise of a kaleidoscope of holiday experiences. Stay in some of the most amazing royal tents and aristocratic mansions that stand testimony to its wonderful history and lineage.

INDIA’S TOP UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE WILDERNESS AND CULTURAL SITES

This tour takes to India’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries and reserves, both in Western and the Eastern regions. First Stop is Ranthambore Park with its tiger population making a recovery and varied primate species. After spending days viewing the best that Western Indian forests have to offer, the architectural and cultural glory of India is unveiled at Pink city of Jaipur and Land of Taj Mahal – Agra with its Mughal influence. Next head for Assam – home of the mighty Brahmaputra River and tea estates after a night in Delhi. Here we visit Kaziranga sanctuary, home to the critically endangered one horned rhino and a day excursion to the endangered Hoolock Gibbon Sanctuary. This tour offers the wildlife enthusiast fabulous wildlife experiences in some of the most stunning natural surroundings in the world.

INDIA AND WILDLIFE TOUR WITH TEA GARDENS AND TAJ MAHAL

Straight out of Rudyard Kipling’s â€˜Jungle Book’, Central India’s finest national parks, including Kanha and Pench offer some of the best photo opportunities for wildlife buffs. In Assam, we visit the Kaziranga sanctuary, home to the critically endangered one-horned rhinoceros, in one of the most stunning natural surroundings anywhere in the world. Next you will travel to Dibrugarh and stay in heritage bungalows amidst rolling tea gardens. Fly back to Delhi and drive to Agra, home to the stunning Taj Mahal.

WALKING SAFARI IN THE LAND OF THE TIGERS

This unique tour takes you to the finest national parks of central India. It includes a three day walking safari which retraces the trail undertaken British Captain J Forsyth of Bengal Lancers regiment, almost 150 years ago. Pioneering Captain Forsyth discovered and is responsible for the development of the Central highlands. You will visit Satpura, Pench and Tadoba National Parks. Satpura Tiger Reserve is part of one of the largest contiguous blocks of forest left in India and is still (just!) connected to other Reserves by forest ‘corridors’. It therefore represents the largest block of tiger-inhabited tiger habitat left in the world. Pench National Park is lesser known but most conveniently located Tiger habitat. Panoramic beauty of this region that has been described as early as the beginning of the 20th century by naturalists like Captain J. Forsyth in â€˜Highlands of Central India’ and by Rudyard Kipling in the ‘Jungle Book’. The Tadoba Andhari National Park has been unnoticed by tourism till recently. It has a forest dominated by teak forest and bamboo, it’s a rugged landscape comprising cliffs, caves, marshes, perennial lakes and boulder strewn streambeds that cater to a host of biodiversity. It is abounding with wildlife and animals like the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, wild dog, blue bull and sambar inhabit the reserve.

CYCLING AND CAMPING WILDLIFE TOUR

This itinerary has been designed by to experience the landscape penned in Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book travelling through quiet dirt forest tracks and undulating trails along this connecting forest landscape, home to a number of elusive tigers. Drive past quaint and untouched tribal village communities that often bear the brunt of conflict with both predators and crop raiding prey like spotted deer, wild pig and Nilgai antelope. The ride is designed for clients who like biking, are fit (or want to get fit!) and adventurous, but do not have to be expert off-road bikers. They should however enjoy a physical challenge, as they will cover between 45 kms and 65 kms each day, or 8 hours in the bike saddle, in glorious forest or rural terrain, most of it easy biking for those used to off road biking, but there are one or two uphill challenges and some fun off road downhills. The two nights of the trip are spent in a comfortable pre-set tented camp, besides forests and near village fields.

INDIA AND NEPAL WILDLIFE TOUR – BIG 7

This Big Seven wildlife tour offers you to visit some of the best wildlife sanctuaries in India and Nepal giving you an opportunity to experience the culture and wildlife of both the destinations from close quarters. This tour provides the opportunity to see Asiatic Lion, Leopard, Tiger, Elephant, One-horned Rhino, Sloth Bear and Gaur (Indian Bison) You will journey through jungles of Pench and Kanha national parks in central India which was Rudyard Kipling’s source of inspiration for his work – the â€˜Jungle Book’. Visit Sasangir National Park that was built primarily to conserve the most endangered Asiatic Lion. In Nepal you cover Kathmandu and Chitwan National Park.

LUXURY BIRDING AND SAFARI TOUR

This tour is an exciting mix of birding in some lesser known areas and safaris in search of the elusive tiger and the leopard in the Rajasthan. You will travel to Ranthambhore National Park, and then travel further to some off the beaten track destinations Nimaj and Jawai. Ranthambhore National Park is said to be one of the most picturesque game reserves in the world, and is noted for its tigers. Other predators here are the leopards, caracal, hyena, jackal and jungle cat. Marsh crocodiles can also be seen basking by the banks of the lakes. Some of its many species of birds are the great Indian horned owl, various species of eagle, painted and white-necked stock, spoonbill, partridge and quail. Back in 1891, the lord of the small village of Nimaj dammed the neighbouring rivers in order to create a natural water reserve which is still incredibly precious today in face of terrible periods of drought. Today the lake is surrounded by lush green fields of wheat, mustard, cotton and chillies and vast grazing pastures, this hundred – year old reservoir with a periphery of about 10 kilometers is an ideal destination for nature lovers and a perfect getaway from the chaotic city life. Migratory birds have also discovered the paradise ducks, pelicans and cranes frolic in the waters of the lake. Continue your journey to Jawai at the heart of an untrammeled wilderness, where leopards roam wild and free. The region is home to the charismatic Rabari herdsmen, a people at peace with the indigenous wildlife, including the resident spotted cat, the ultimate showstopper that captivates guests both at camp and on safari.

AVIAN SPECTACLE IN INDIA

This premier birding journey takes you to some of the best birding spots in the country. Arrive in Delhi and then travel Bharatpur, home of Keoladeo National Park, one of the great ornithological wetland wonders of the world. A birders’ paradise for long, the historic park continues to attract birding enthusiasts from around the globe. Next you will head north to Corbett National Park – home to over 600 species of avifauna, apart from its fabulous wealth of wildlife including the Asiatic elephant, tigers, bears and leopards. Continue your journey through the densely forested river valleys to the Binsar wildlife sanctuary, situated in the foothills of the Himalayas. Home to more than 200 species of native and migratory birds this 49 sq kms of forest has been declared as an “Important bird Areaâ€ by Bird life International.

GRASSROOTS – COMMUNITY SERVICE, WILDLIFE, AND CULTURE IN INDIA

Travel to India for a program of community service and cultural immersion, to spend time in the tiger regions of the country, as well as explore some of the most historic and culturally rich cities. You will get an opportunity to visit and interact with under privileged children in the acclaimed NGO “Adharshilaâ€. Adharshila (Adhar: foundation, shila: stone) is a recently formed NGO located in New Delhi whose mission is to the upliftment of the underprivileged section of society by striving to empower and enable them, especially women, through vocational training programs, social justice initiatives, advocating human rights, counselling and awareness workshops. This tour will also give a fascinating experience of India’s wildlife offering something different for those who want to become involved in ongoing tiger and wildlife conservation programmes and learn more about the ongoing work happening on the ground to preserve the delicate ecosystems of the parks. During the trip you will search for tigers and their prey in Ranthambhore, one of India’s premier national parks and has been the stage for many books, films and documentary on tigers. Meet park rangers and experts behind the research projects and conservation programmes. You will also be visiting four UNSECO world heritage declared monuments in Delhi, Jaipur and Agra.

EXPERIENCES AVAILABLE:

Cycling

Explore the lanes of Old Delhi on a morning cycling tour

Private Access / Exclusive exploration

Tour of the private quarters of the City Palace in Jaipur

Gastronomy

Cooking demonstration and meal with a local family in Delhi or Jaipur.
Street food walk in Delhi or Jaipur

Textiles

Block Printing workshop in Jaipur

Walking tours

Walking tour of Jaipur in the morning to witness the city awake

Community Service:

Visit the wildlife SOS Elephant rescue centre in Agra

YOGA AND SAFARI – FLAME OF FOREST

This tour takes us on a wild journey through the jungles of central India which was Rudyard Kipling’s source of inspiration for his “Jungle Book”. Visit Kanha National Park rated as one of the best places on earth for tiger spotting. In the hot weather most water sources dry up and the game is concentrated around the few remaining water sources. Therefore summer is the best time to observe and photograph tigers of central India.