Tigers of Central India and Rhinos of Assam Tour

Arrive at New Delhi’s International Airport, after you finish your immigration formalities, collect your baggage and walk through the customs channel, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
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 traveling in from the airport are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks.

After breakfast enjoy a tour to old Delhi, visiting Jama Masjid- one of the largest mosques in Asia. It offers an excellent view of the old city and the Red Fort. The walk then takes you through the narrow lanes and bazaars of the old city; the havelis (mansions) which still retain their traditional appearance, Jain temples, small businesses, kinari bazaar (one of the most popular bazaars in Delhi) and parathe wali gali (the street famous for fried bread).
In New Delhi visit Humayun’s Tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun and a precursor of the Taj Mahal. Also drive past the imposing India Gate- a war memorial, the Parliament building and the Rahstrapati Bhavan, the President’s house, before arriving at Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. (B)

Early morning flight from Delhi-Jabalpur, Jabalpur-Bandhavgarh – 165 km, 4 hrs).
We fly today to Jabalpur early in the morning and drive for 4 hours to come to Bandavgarh, a very fine Tiger Reserve in the very heart of the country.
Bandavgarh National Park, situated amid the airy Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh, has established a reputation as one of the best places in India to observe Tigers and has the largest density of tigers in the world in its natural habitat. This famous tiger hunting area was once owned by the erstwhile Maharaja of Rewa. It was handed over by him to the Government in 1968. Once it came under the control of the Forest Department, Bandhavgarh’s fortune took a dramatic turn. It was declared a protected area, and the animal population began to flourish. The Park has extensive sal forest, bamboo, hills, valleys, rivers, marshes and meadows, resulting in varied floral and faunal diversity. The vegetation of the park is tropical moist deciduous. There are mixed forests in the higher reaches of the hills. A few rare species, such as the insectivorous plant drosera, and medicinal plants such as buch are found in some isolated patches of the Tala Range of the Reserve.
Reach Bandhavgarh and have an orientation tour of the lodge. (B.L,D)
Bandhavgarh National Park holds about 242 species of birds. Besides the two critically endangered vulture species, the lesser adjutant and sarus crane are also found.

Although a relatively small reserve when first established in 1968, it was enlarged twenty years later to include adjacent tracts of Sal forest and this extension has proved very beneficial for the Tiger population. The 105 square kilometres of park area, open for tourists is estimated to have a population of 22 tigers, a density of one tiger for every 4.77 square kilometres. Like many Tiger reserves in India, the area was formerly the hunting reserve of a Maharaja and contains much evidence of its royal associations, most spectacular being the ruins of a huge hilltop fort which dominates the centre of the reserve.
Today go for an early morning and an afternoon safari in the park. (B,L,D)

In the morning, leave for Kanha NP & tiger reserve, also in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Arrive by noon, have lunch and thereafter, go for your first Safari here.
The safari goes through the stunning Sal forests and meadows looking for sloth bear, jackal, the rare hardground Barasingha and sambar. Many success stories of wildlife conservation are associated with Kanha NP and most prominent among them is the revival of population of hard Ground Barasingha. Kanha was declared a National Park in 1955 and Tiger reserve in 1973. The mammal and bird diversity of the park is fabulous having almost the entire faunal element of central India including tiger, leopard and wild dogs. 5 Types of deer including the smallest one mouse deer with Indian gaur constitute the prey species for the carnivores. The beautiful mosaic of habitat of Sal forest and savannah grasslands are ideal for survival of the big mammals specially Tigers. Two perennial rivers flowing through the reserve ensures the water supply to the wildlife and forest throughout the year.

This morning wake up early to explore the wildlife of Kanha by Jeep. Most of the animals and birds are active during early morning and late evening, so don’t miss the chance and be first in the queue for entry into the park. Though sightings of charismatic animals like tiger and leopard are a matter of luck. After lunch, you will take another afternoon jungle drive into Kanha National Park, before returning to the lodge for a barbeque dinner with discussion on wildlife conservation in India in general and Kanha in particular with the in house naturalists and experts.

(220 kms, 6 hrs) and fly to Guwahati ( 4 ½ hrs, including a layover at Kolkata).
Drive to Raipur airport to catch your late afternoon flight to Guwahati and reach Guwahati at around 10 at night. Our representative will receive you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

In the morning start your journey to Manas Wildlife National Park, A UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, Manas is also a Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve. Resting on the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, it extends upto the foothills of the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. After reaching go and visit a village (B,L,D)

Early next morning, go for an elephant safari. After breakfast, go for a village walk to a nearby Bodo village, indigenous tribe of Assam, who have a rich culture of textile, handloom, dance and music and witness their way of life. In the afternoon go for a long jeep safari that takes you through the deep of the jungle and drives you upto the Bhutan border. (B,L,D)

After breakfast, drive to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary a park with a very high density of one horned rhinos besides various other wild animals. Arrive at the park and go for an afternoon jeep safari. Overnight in Pobitora. (B,L,D)

Leave for Kaziranga NP home of the world renowned one-horned rhino. After reaching go for a jeep safari in one of the ranges of the park.
The Park is divided into three regions- Western, Eastern and Central. The western range has maximum short grass areas, wetland, patches of tall grassland and woodland and is the optimum habitat for Rhino and Water buffaloes. The Eastern Range is situated towards the eastern part of the park, less frequented and the area is excellent for birding. It includes nesting of the globally threatened Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Spot-billed Pelicans, Migrant waterfowl, the drive through this range is very scenic and swamp forest elephants can be seen, as well Water Buffalo and Swamp Deer. The Central region is characterised again by short grass and it gives an ideal introduction to the park and its ecology as the route passes through the entire spectrum of habitat types prevalent in the Kaziranga area. Sightings include elephants and other big animals especially the swamp buffalo and rhino. (B,L,D)

Today go for a Boat ride, a unique way of spotting wildlife and take your chances of seeing the very rare river dolphins. In the afternoon visit Kaziranga Orchid and biodiversity park which showcases the many varieties of orchids found in the region, Assamese handicrafts and showcasing dance and culture. Overnight in Kaziranga. (B,L,D)

Early in the morning go for an elephant safari in the Western range, which is a good opportunity to see the animals from close. In the afternoon go for a jeep safari in the Eastern range, which takes you deeper into the jungle. (B,L,D)

After breakfast drive to Guwahati airport to catch your flight for your onward journey home.