Journey Through The Indian Wildness (trip)

Journey Through The Indian Wildness

  • International Airport Authority of India, Delhi
  • Active & Adventure
India, Asia

Contact provider for price14 DaysOctober-March
Comfort accommodations Exertion level: 4
Operator: PureQuest Adventures: India 20 people max
The natural wealth of the Indian subcontinent has remained unique, mysterious and fascinating for nature lovers. In Indian philosophy, life in any form is deemed sacred and it is advocated that compassion for all living creatures is essential. The worship of nature in all its different forms is an essential part of Indian cultural legacy. In its wealth and variety India’s wildlife compares favourably with that of any other country in the World. India has a rich diversity of wild fauna comprising about 500 species of mammals, 2100 species of birds, 250 species of reptiles and 30,000 species of insects. They live in the country’s diverse vegetation varying from the open thorny desert of Rajasthan in the West, to the evergreen forest of Kerala in the South, the rain forest of North – East India and the alpine pastures of Kashmir in the North and also in the inland and marine waters,swamps and marshes and the moist and dry deciduous type of forest in the east coast and Central India.The northern plains, the course of the holy rivers Ganga and the Yamuna; the Great Thar Desert in the west; the Sundarbans, the marshy swamplands, in the delta of the Ganga and the Brahmaputra, in the east; the ancient volcanic rock of the Deccan Plateau, lying in the rain shadow of the hills and the Western Ghats with their dense, luxuriant forests - all provide fascinating variations in habitats. These sustain over 350 species of mammals, 2100 kinds of birds - local and migratory, nearly 350 species of reptile and countless insects.India’s concern for conservation is second to none and “Project Tiger” is a classic example. The basic principle of this project is to preserve the entire ecosystem in order to protect the Tiger. India harbours 60% of the world’s tiger population, 50% of Asian elephants, and 80% of the one-horned rhinoceros and the entire remaining population of the Asiatic lion. India currently has around 80 National Parks and 441 Sanctuaries dotted around the country. While some are inaccessible, many have excellent facilities for visitors. Depending on the area and terrain, wildlife watching provides its own excitement. It may be done from elephant back, from watch towers or even a boat - and the thrill of spotting herds of wild elephant, deer, a rhino or even a tiger, in its natural environment, is very difficult to match.

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Locations visited/nearby

India, Asia

0 testimonials about this trip.

3 testimonials about the provider, PureQuest Adventures: India:

  • Reviewer: Martin and Karin Mydliar located in 23, Greenhill Park,, Penicale, EH26GEX UK
    Our guide Mr  Bipindra has excellent organizational skills, his services were very smooth. Even the weather was not very ideal and prevented us to complete the original trekking route, Bipen found a very suitable alternate trekking route, which kept us entertained for the whole length of the trek. He always had the security of the whole group, including the crew, on his mind as a priority. In his spare time he always tried to entertain us with extra information about the county, people, culture, history or his personal experiences. His knowledge of all the aspects of visited places was extraordinary. The communication skills were very very good and he also proved very good contacts with local people, lodge owners, colleagues, guides etc. Though Mr Bipendra was experienced more then we signed up for or expected which was only because of his enthusiasm and commitment.

    Thank you very much
  • Reviewer: Michael and Jeanette Scales located in Australia
    Excellent safe driver, very courteous, punctual and good local knowledge.
    Initial handover of travel documents and explanation – a very warm welcome to India
    Excellent Indian food served during the trip
    Car was clean, in excellent condition
    Upgrade received in Imperial, Delhi well appreciated.
    Will advise our travel agent in Australia of great value and quality of your service

    Thank you
  • Reviewer: Graeme Brown located in Australia
    The Tour was very enjoyable and interesting. The driver and guide were all very friendly and made us feel welcome. Specially the driver made the long journeys interesting for us. We enjoyed our jeep safaris in Corbett but also enjoyed our journey by car from Delhi to Corbett. This tour is something, we will remember for a long time.

    Thank you

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Special information

  • This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.

Itinerary

DAY 01:Arrive Delhi By: International Flight
You will arrive in the evening at Delhi International Airport. Following customs & immigration formalities and baggage collection, a representative will meet you as you Exit the Arrivals Terminal building after which you would be transferred to your hotel.Upon arrival at the hotel, proceed for check-in to your rooms.Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 02:Delhi
Proceed for half day city tour of Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi;drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques.The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Mughal Empire was at its peak.The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques and which is viewed from the outside. People stream in and out of the mosque continuously and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.After visit of the Jama Masjid, you will enjoy Riksha ride from Jama Masjid and to the lanes of old Delhi of Kinari Bazar and enjoy the real flevor of old Delhi. It will be almost half an hour Rishka ride and you will be back to the Jama Masjid.Later proceed to the Qutub Minar, which is the tallest stone tower in India. The Qutub Minar was started in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan's successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. The building is 72.5 m high and has 379 steps from the bottom to the top. The Minar is tapering with the diameter of the base is 14.3 m while at the top floor it is2.7 m. The Qutub Minar is still the highest stone tower.Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 03:Delhi– nagpur – Kanha Tiger Reserve
Early morning transfer from your hotel to the airport in time for your flight departing for Nagpur. A representative will meet you at Nagpur airport and you will be driven straight to Kanha (280 KMS / 6 Hours).Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel. Lunch at the hotel following which remainder of the day will be at leisure.Dinner and overnight at the hotel

DAY 04:Kanha Tiger Reserve
For two days, you will be taken for game-viewing safari around the park. Spread over a massive area of 1945 sq. km, Kanha is in the heart of Kipling untry,the setting of the Jungle Book. A much bigger park than Bandhavgarh offers more diversified viewing of wildlife. Chances of seeing the Indian Bison here are much better than Bandhavgarh. You also might the chance of spotting a pack of Dholes - the Indian Wild Dog, also known as the whistling hunters, Dholes are known for their perseverance in hunting down their quarry. Kanha is also the last refuge of the Swamp Deer (Hard Ground), only 400 or so survive in the wildlife and all of them are to be found in Kanha

DAY 05:Kanha Tiger Reserve
Kanha National Park and Tiger Reserve is considered one of Asia's finest protected areas and probably the best place in the world to see tigers in the wild. Tracts of Kanha have been a wildlife sanctuary since 1933. In 1955, 318 sq km was declared a National Park and in 1973, 940 sq kms became one of the first nine Project Tiger Reserves.Kanha was expanded in 1976 - the National Park now has a core area of 940 sq km and a buffer zone of 1005 sq km There are four main vegetation types - moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest, valley meadow, and dadar meadow.The moist deciduous forest, which covers 27% of the Park area, is dominated by Sal trees. The forest is broken up into grassy meadows, the result of early slash-and-burn cultivation by Baiga tribals.Daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06:Kanha – Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
After buffet breakfast, you will driven from Kanha to Bandhavgarh (250 KMS / 6 Hours). Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel. Buffet lunch at the hotel. Afternoon proceed for a game viewing drive. Buffet dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 07:Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
Today you will proceed for morning & afternoon game-viewing safari around the park.
The reserve named after the highest hill Bandhavgarh (807 m) in the centre of it, falls between the Vindhyan hill range and the eastern flank of Satpura hill range and is located in Shahdol and Jabalpur districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Bandhavgarh has been an excellent habitat of tiger and is known for the highest density of tigers in the world. Considering the importance and potentiality of the National park, it was included in the Project Tiger Network in 1993.
The adjoining Panpatha Sanctuary too was declared as a part of the Reserve.
The area of 105 sq. km. of old National Park was finally notified in 1968.
The remaining part of the National Park i.e. 343.842 sq. km. is yet to be finally declared though State Government had made the initial notification in 1982 Journey Through The Indian Wildness Panpatha Sanctuary with an area of 245.847 sq. km. was declared in 1983During these drives you stand a very good chance of seeing the Lord of the Indian Jungle the tiger. This magnificent striped cat was almost hunted down to extinction by 1970 after having numbered over 40,000 at the turn of the century. Thanks to the efforts of Project Tiger looking after reserves like Bandhavgarh, there is now a fighting chance for the beast to survive into the next Century. A relatively small park, Bandhavgarh is one of the smallest tiger reserves holding such a large population of tigers (49 according to the 1997 census). Set in rugged terrain with many hills, the forested area is interspersed with savanna like areas known as Chaurs. These wildernesses support a rich variety of wildlife that includes Tiger, Leopard, Gaur (Indian Bison), Sloth Bear, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Chowsingha (Four horned Antelope), and Wild Pigs etc. It has also rich birdlife. Daily buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner at the camp Overnight at the camp

DAY 08:Bandhavgarh – Khajuraho
In the morning, proceed for yet another game drive through the park.
After buffet breakfast, you will be driven from Bandhavgarh to Khajuraho (235 KMS / 6 Hours). Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.
In 1838 Captain T.S. Burt, who was working with the Asiatic Society in Calcutta, followed up local rumours and discovered the great temple complex rising above the jungle in Khajuraho.
The ruins of the original Chandela capital stretch over 21 square kilometres, but very little apart from the temples remain.
In the realm of architecture, Khajuraho holds a unique position. The temples here were built between 950 and 1050 A.D. by the Chandela dynasty, which claims descent from the Moon God and a mortal, Hemavati, with whom the god fell in love.
Most of the temples of the north were destroyed by invaders, but Khajuraho escaped and stands today as an island of beauty.
The Chandelas built 85 temples and some 22 survive today.
Architecturally the temples have some unique features.
They stand on high platforms and do not have customary enclosures.
Each temple has a large number of spires in ascending order representing man's aspirations towards spiritual goals.
They are ornately carved, with each frieze and sculpture depicting the genius of the men who carved it and the king who inspired them.
Although famous for erotic depictions, these form only a small part of the wealth of the site.
Taken in totality, the sculptures of Khajuraho depict the everyday life of the people and the court in the 10th and 11th centuries.
Khajuraho is not something that can be described in words; it has to be experienced.
Afternoon, proceed for a tour of the Chandela Temple Complex. The tour of Khajuraho this morning concentrates on the famous erotic temples, which represent some of the finest examples of temple architecture in Northern India.
The remote location of Khajuraho meant that the temples were unharmed by Muslim invaders and as a result, the intricately fine carvings are in very good condition and are said to represent life in heaven.
They were built during the mighty Chandela dynasty; the majority were constructed in a sudden burst of creative and religious energy, between the mid-10th and 11th centuries. After ruling for about 500 years the Chandela dynasty fell to the might of Islam and consequently the religious centre of Khajuraho was abandoned.
The temples remain as a reminder of a society that believed in the full enjoyment of life, with all the senses being a path to nirvana. Of the eighty-five original temples only 22 remain, but many are in very good condition.
You visit the Kandariya Mahadeva, the Chatrabhuj, Parswanath and Ghantai Temples, each remarkable for its beautiful design and architecture.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 09:Khajuraho – Jhansi – Agra
After a leisurely buffet breakfast, you will be driven from Khajuraho to Jhansi railway station (170 KMS / 5 Hours) in time for your train departing for Agra. Departure: Jhansi at: 1755 Hours by: Shatabdi Express Arrive: Agra at: 2015 Hours .A representative will meet you at Agra railway station and transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 10:Agra - Bharatpur Bird Sanchtury
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 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world.
Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding.
You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture.
Return to your hotel after the sunrise tour for buffet breakfast, following which, you will be driven from Agra to Bharatpur (60 KMS / 1.30 Hours).
Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.
Officially known as the Keoladeo National Park is probably the best-known birding location in India.
The 29 sq Km area of the park is home to almost 400 species of birds. It is possible to see up to 180 species of birds in a day that include water birds, passerines, and over 25 species of raptors (birds of prey).
The park is nothing but a network of shallow lakes (jheels) surrounded by forest, savannah and scrubland. For years the park was known for it’s winter visitor - the rare and highly endangered Siberian Crane, but the numbers have been steadily dwindling and this has been a cause for worry. But nevertheless no birding trip to India can be complete without a trip to this extremely well run park in Rajasthan In the afternoon, proceed for a bird watching tour in one of the most well-known bird sanctuaries in the world. You will visit various parts of the sanctuary by cycle rickshaw, the quietest and most efficient way of getting around the sanctuary.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 11:Bharatpur – Ranthanbore National Park
The Park sprawls over an estimated area of 400 sq kms. Steep crags embrace a network of lakes and rivers, and a top one of these hills, is the impressive Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century. The terrain fluctuates between impregnable forests and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with dhok, being the most prominent tree.
The entry point to the Park goes straight to the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal.
The latter boasts of the second-largest banyan tree in India.
The Padam Talab, the Raj Bagh Talab and the Malik Talab are some of the lakes in the area, which attract the tiger population. They have been spotted at the edges of these lakes, and Jogi Mahal itself.
Old crumbling walls, ruined pavilions, wells, and other ancient structures stand witness to the region's glorious past.
The entire forest is peppered with the battlements and spillovers of the Ranthambore Fort - tigers are said to frequent these ruins, too.
As a result of stringent efforts in conservation, tigers, the prime assets of the Park, have become more and more active during the day. More than in any other park or sanctuary in India, tigers are easily spotted here in daylight.
They can be seen lolling around lazily in the sun, or feverishly hunting down Sambar around the lakes
After lunch, proceed for an afternoon game viewing drive at Ranthambore National Park by jeeps/canters.
Return to your hotel after your visit to the park.
Buffet dinner and overnight at the hotel

DAY 12:Ranthambore National Park
Morning & afternoon game viewing at Ranthambore National Park by jeeps/canters. Apart from wildlife viewing you will also be taken to the Ranthambore Fort built in the 10th century, which commands a panoramic view of the Tiger Reserve. The fort also houses some splendid monuments within its precincts.
Buffet lunch and dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 13:Ranthanbor – Jaipur - Delhi
Early morning, proceed for a yet another game viewing drive.
Return to your hotel for breakfast.
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Ranthambore to Jaipur (180 KMS / 4.30 Hours) in time to connect your train to Delhi.
Departure: Jaipur at: 1630 Hours By: Shatabdi Express (Train)
Arrive: Delhi at: 2245 Hours
(Note: This train operates daily except Wednesday)
OrOptionally you may wish to take a flight from Jaipur to Delhi.
Upon arrival, a representative will transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel

DAY 14:Departure Delhi
BY: INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT

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