 INDIA
Fri 6 March 2009 - Sat 21 March 2009
TIGERS, BIRDS and CULTURE - Classic Northern India
Price £3695pp Single Supplement £795
All the Tiger images on this webpage were taken by
Dave Pullan or Kevin Shaw, mostly on our 2008 holiday.
Join us for a cracking holiday in India. Our 2008 holiday was very successful, with five Tiger sightings, Leopard, 200+ birds and of course some unforgettable sightseeing and experiences of northern India.
In 2009, Tigers are still the top attraction, though we also pay close attention to all available birding, target some more impressive mammals, and take in unmissable sightseeing including the Red Fort at Agra and the fabulous Taj Mahal.
We visit the most reliable places for Tigers, taking a total of twelve game drives in two key centres. There is now nowhere betterfor Tigers than Bandhavgarh. Here tiger-hunting takes centre stage, and we will work hard to achieve first-rate views. We also enjoy elephant-back viewing of Tigers when the animals have been found by local guides in both Bandhavgarh and at Kanha, another key reserve for Tigers visited on this holiday.
You don't need to be physically fit to do this; a great way to see Tigers!
Birding will be varied and exciting, and amongst the many species we hope to see are Spotted and Jungle Owlet, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Red Junglefowl (the original chicken!), Brown Fish Owl, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Purple Sunbird and Blossom-headed Parakeet.
We should see many other mammals, perhaps including Leopard, two monkey species, Jungle Cat, herds of the delicate Chital (or Spotted Deer) and more including perhaps a pack of the rare Dhole (Indian Wild Dog).
We need to travel quite a distance to cover the key sites, so have carefully designed this holiday with the sightseeing element in the first half, so you can relax and acclimatise before the huge excitement of the key wildlife locations. The experience of India, excellent chances of seeing Tiger, and an enthralling range of other birds and mammals will make the long journey well worth the effort.
Finally, we know it is possible to visit India at a much cheaper price. This itinerary uses good accommodation (sometimes outstandingly good), comfortable transport in what can be an uncomfortable country, the services of a very professional and thorough Heatherlea ground agent wherever we go, and a very experienced Heatherlea guide. Once you arrive in India, you will be aware of how much value all these things add to the experience! The best possible Tiger experience is our goal.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: Fri 6 March 2009 DEPART UK
Depart London at around 2100 hrs.
DAY 2: Sat 7 March 2009 DELHI
We will be met on arrival and transferred to our high quality hotel. For 2000 years Delhi has commanded the strategically vital route from the Northwest frontier to the agriculturally rich Ganga plains. Former rulers of the region have left a lasting impression on this city, from the Sultans of the slave dynasty in the 12th century to the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan’s 17th century capital in Old Delhi, to the colonial architecture of the British in New Delhi, and finally the accelerating chaos of modern expansion. Traffic-watching in Dehli is an unforgettable experience!
After lunch we begin our exploration with a guided tour to prominent sites perhaps including Qutb Minar and Emperor Humayun’s Tomb. Here, extensive grounds harbour a wide variety of birds including Coppersmith Barbet, Grey Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Woodpecker, Black-rumped Flameback, Indian Robin, some leaf warblers perhaps including Booted Warbler, minivets, ioras, bulbuls, mynas, shikras, parakeets, Spotted Owlet, Black Kite, and other interesting garden birds. A lovely, gentle introduction to Indian birds in a quiet, uncrowded area. We really enjoyed this laid-back afternoon with over 20 lifers in 2008! If we have time we will also visit the Lodi Gardens which is good for a similar range of birds. Overnight Crown Plaza Hotel, Gurgaon.
DAY 3: Sun 8 March 2009 DELHI – BHARATPUR
We travel by road 4 hours south to Bharatpur. The Keolado National Park was artificially created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the extensive network of canals and barrages remain essential for its preservation. Of the 29 sq.kms of the park, only 11 sq. kms consists of wetland, the remainder being a mix of scrub, dry deciduous and grassland habitats. Apart from the spectacular array of birds, the park also supports high densities of Sambar Deer and Nilgai Antelope. Other animals include Chital Deer, Blackbuck Antelope, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, jackals, hyenas, otters, and Porcupine. Game viewing and birdwatching is done on foot, by boat, and by cycle-rickshaws. (Please note if monsoon rains have not been good we may instead visit Chambal Safari Lodge, a good place for birding and wildlife. This decision will be made nearer to the holiday time).
In the afternoon we visit the bird sanctuary along with our expert local guide who usually has a few speciality birds staked out. Two owl species were waiting for us in 2008. If rains have been good, we take punts into the middle of the mist-shrouded marshes with hundreds of juvenile and adult storks, herons, cormorants and egrets around us - one of the great wilderness experiences of the subcontinent. The rest of our time will be spent birding including a visit to the grasslands, where there are excellent chance of warblers including Hume’s, Greenish and Booted. The grasslands and scrub forests provide an opportunity to look for birds including Red Avadavat, Bush Quail and Bustard Quail. Several species of bulbuls, mynahs, prinias and babblers, bushchats and wheatears are found here. Shrikes include Long-tailed, Bay-backed and Grey. The rare and enigmatic Spotted Creeper is also reported. In the evening we hope to arrange an interesting walk with our guide which could allow us to see Civets, Golden Jackal, Porcupine and Jungle Cat as well as crepuscular and nocturnal birds. Overnight we stay in the comfortable ITDC Bharatpur Forest Lodge, located within the Keoladeo National Park.
DAY 4: Mon 9 March 2009 BHARATPUR
Today we visit Band Baretha, a fabulous birding site dominated by a substantial reservoir. The birding should be fantastic, with many water fowl including winter migrants, herons, jacanas, cranes, storks and kingfishers. We should see thousands of ducks, waders, cormorants, terns and wading birds. These should include Pygmy Goose,
Ruddy Shelduck, Comb Duck and Spot-billed Duck, White-breasted Waterhen, Eurasian Spoonbill, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Indian Pond Heron, Small Pratincole, Black-headed Ibis and Glossy Ibis. As soon as we turn our attention onto one bird someone spots something different. There should be excellent chances for photography. An assembly of raptors patrols the skies - Marsh Harrier, Lesser Spotted and Greater Spotted Eagles, Bonelli's Eagle and the occasional Steppe, Tawny and Imperial Eagle. En-route in the morning, we will visit a thriving colony of Indian Flying Fox. These enormous fruit bats are an unforgettable sight as they jockey for roosting position over our heads.Overnight ITDC Bharatpur Forest Lodge.
DAY 5: Tues 10 March 2009 BHARATPUR – AGRA
We enjoy some more early birding around the forest at Bharatpur, perhaps with Black-necked Stork, Bar-headed Goose, Citrine Wagtail, Red Collared Dove, Spotted Owlet, Purple Sunbird, Brahminy Starling and Chestnut-shouldered Petronia
and even if the rains haven't been good, there are usually flocks of migrating hirundines, Sarus Crane, kingfishers, many migrating waders, Dusky Eagle Owl and more. We may take a rickshaw ride, which will probably offer good views of Sambar and Nilgai Deer, as well as frequent stops for birding!
Later we head to Agra. Capital of the Mughals until the mid 17th Century, Agra contains some of the finest architectural monuments of the Great Mughals, and tonight we check into our comfortable hotel before the major day of sightseeing tomorrow. Overnight Agra Trident Hilton Hotel.
DAY 6: Wed 11 March 2009 AGRA
Today is one of the highlights of our visit, with spectacular and unforgettable visits to two of India's most special places.
THE TAJ MAHAL
No holiday in India could be complete without a visit to the beautiful Taj Mahal. Arguably the most beautiful building in the world, the Taj Mahal was constructed between 1632 and 1653 by the grieving Emperor Shah Jehan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. This spectacular mausoleum with its marble walls exquisitely inlaid with flowers of lapis, cornelian, agate, jade and the verses of the Koran written on its outer walls is one of the wonders of the world. The Taj gardens are a good place for common birds and excellent for Small Mongoose. Birding on the river can be surprisingly good with Temminck’s and Little Stint, sandpipers including Marsh, Avocet, stilts, both redshanks, Ruddy Shelduck and kingfishers.
THE AGRA FORT
This vast complex of palaces, mosques and administrative buildings is enclosed within massive walls of red sandstone that incorporate the latest military technology of the age. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna, the marble palaces built by Shah Jehan provide magnificent views of the Taj Mahal.
By now our birdlist should have grown to include Pied Starling, Black-headed Mynah, Spotted Owlet, Black Drongo, Hoopoe, House Swift, rollers, parakeets, Indian Robin, Common Tailorbird, Ashy Prinia, Grey-breasted Prinia, Coppersmith Barbet, Brown Rock Chat, Black Kite, Cattle Egret and more. In the afternoon we board the Kalinga Utkal Express train for an overnight transfer to Umaria in a comfortable air-conditioned sleeper compartment.
DAY 7: Thurs 12 March 2009 BANDHAVGARH
Our train journey has saved us a very long drive, and we are only one hour away from Bandhavgarh National Park, where we plan to spend four nights in the most reliable place in all India to regularly experience close encounters with Tiger. Set amid rocky hills in the north-central state of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh is simply THE place for Tigers.
Bandhavgarh was the former hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Rewa, and the famous white tigers were first captured not far from here. The terrain is broken, with rocky ridges running roughly east to west, interspersed with grassy swamps and forested valleys, and Bandhavgarh is a haven for a wealth of wildlife. The landscape is dominated by the plateau-fortress that gives the park its name, now reverted to jungle, and offering shelter to many wild creatures.The habitat is a richly varied mosaic of sal and mixed forest, bamboo and grassland. Forests are generally less dense here, the undergrowth more open, and grasses shorter than in North India, which makes the wildlife, including Tigers, more visible than in other places. In 1991 the Park was included in Project Tiger, and over 50 tigers are estimated to live here. Leopards, wolves, wild dogs, jackal, hyena, jungle cat, sambar, chital and muntjac, wild boar, nilgai and chinkara all find a home here too, as do smaller mammals, amphibians and reptiles. About 250 bird species are known, and Brown Fish Owl, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Shahin Falcon, Mottled Wood Owl, Orange-headed Thrush and beautiful Tickell's Blue Flycatcher feature among the park's many bird species. Because we have arrived in the morning, we are able to enjoy an extra game drive in the afternoon, so if we are lucky may even have seen a tiger by the end of our first day. Overnight Jungle Lodge.
DAY 8/9/10: Fri 13– Sun 15 March 2009 BANDHAVGARH
There is a definite pattern to wildlife watching at Bandhavgarh which we understand well, and we do everything possible to get the best tiger sightings available. This involves committed drivers and guides who know how to give us the best service! There are two planned game drives for tigers per day, the first at dawn then again late afternoon till dusk. The habits of Bandhavgarh’s Tigers are well-known to our local guides, especially the elephant mahouts, specialists in tracking and monitoring the animals. Not every day but frequently a Tiger is tracked and we drive over, hoping to employ an important technique for tiger-viewing; the use of well-trained riding elephants! You could experience your best view of Tiger this way. Elephants usually walk no more than 200 yards from the track and you don’t need to be physically fit to do this. Depending upon the circumstances, we could be viewing a Tiger for between five and twenty minutes. Six game drives plus an elephant ride gives us every chance of the full Tiger experience, leaving the hot midday period for relaxing and some gentle birding. Three parakeets, two leafbirds, the birding around our lodge can be very satisfying, and our Tiger hunts can also provide exceptional birding. Overnight Jungle Lodge.
DAY 10: Sun 15 March 2009 BANDHAVGARH – KANHA
After our final game drive at Bandhavgarh, we drive to Kanha. Kanha National Park covers 1945 sq miles, dominated by mature stands of sal forest, grassy meadows, valleys and streams. Considered by many to be India's foremaost game reserve, it is administered by Project Tiger, and remains an important site for tourists wishing to see the biggest of 'big cats'. On arrival we check in to Kanha Jungle Lodge with time to settle in at leisure. Visitors to Kanha can be disappointed if staying at the 'wrong end' because there is pressure of numbers at the reserve, but we are at the traditionally quiet end close to the Mukki gate.
DAY 11/12/13: Mon 16 - Wed 18 March 2009 KANHA
At Kanha we continue our Tiger quest on another six game drives, and could also see Leopard, Indian Wild Dog (Dhole), Gaur, Swamp Deer, and many birds perhaps including White-browed Wagtail, Wire-tailed Swallow, Rufous Treepie, Shikra, Brown Rock Chat, Egyptian Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, Black-hooded Oriole, Racket-tailed Drongo, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Common Woodshrike and Red-throated Flycatcher. Kanha does not have the same high density of Tigers as Bandhavgarh, but is still very good and we should enjoy further sightings. Overnight Kanha Jungle Lodge.
DAY 14: Thurs 19 March 2009 KANHA– DELHI
We make a late morning journey from from Kanha to Nagpur to connect with our flight to Delhi. We arrive late afternoon to check-in and enjoy the facilities of our comfortable hotel once more. Overnight Crown Plaza Hotel, Gurgaon.
DAY 15: Fri 20 March 2009 DEPART DELHI/ARRIVE UK
Accommodation: We stay at comfortable hotels and lodges throughout. All rooms have private facilities. Because of the remote location of some key places and distances involved we have included one overnight rail journey on the Kalinga Utkal Express from Agra-Umaria. All meals are included (three meals per day). Food is often of 'international' style, though please let us know if you can't eat Indian food.
Walking: Easy throughout. Most bird and mammal-watching away from the lodges is done by jeep, though we use varied transport to get around (see below).
Weather: Typically fine and sunny, with temperatures in the region of 15- 32C. Nights will be cool and it can feel chilly and cold in the mornings. Rainfall is scarce and showers are unlikely to be prolonged.
Flights: Scheduled Virgin Airways flights from London direct to Delhi. Domestic flight within India (Nagpur – Delhi) is included.
Ground Transport: By coach and train, and 4WD vehicles in the National Parks. Here, in the event of successful Tiger tracking by the mahouts, some excursions may also be made by elephant, and the first of these is included at both Bandhavgarh and Kanha. We may also use punts and rickshaws in some places depending on the circumstances.
Photos: Good photographic opportunities - birds, mammals and cultural.
Also included: Entrance fees at national parks and monuments, sightseeing excursions as per itinerary, main hotel and guide tips and airport taxes, bird and mammal checklist, and services of the leader/s
Not included: Travel insurance, Indian visa costs, drinks & other personal expenses, laundry fees, video camera fees, incidental tips to porters, naturalists, drivers and others (these are not expensive). Additional elephant drives if this option is appropriate to see Tigers.
Leaders: Dave Pullan and local guides.
Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual
holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and
elements beyond our control (eg weather).
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image from our 2008 holiday
image from our 2008 holiday
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