ITINERARY: 17 DAYS
Friday 02 Oct 2009: Depart from Home
We board connected flight to Mumbai.
Friday 02 Oct 2009: Arrive Mumbai
Arrive at Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) by Swiss Int. Airlines Flight LX 154 at 2140 hrs. Welcome and assistance by Vivek Sharma. Transfer to hotel, Check into hotel. Overnight stay in hotel.
Saturday 03 Oct 2009: Mumbai/Nagpur / Kanha
After lunch check out from hotel transfer to domestic airport to catch flight Indigo # 6E-403 at 1425 hrs to arrive Nagpur at 1550hrs. After arrival at Nagpur we’ll drive to Kanha Tiger Reserve, arriving in the late night, check in Stripes Lodge Kanha. Dinner & Overnight at hotel.
Kanha is one of India’s signature wildlife areas. The forests, grasslands and streams here are home to a great deal of wildlife. We explore the park in open 4X4 WD personal jeeps in search of gaur, nilgai, sambar deer, chital and troops of langurs. We keep an eye out for the park's greatest prize: tigers and we'll look for tigers by elephant back. Next four nights our home will be Stripes Lodge kanha, Village –Samnapur, Mukki gate (B, L, D)
Sunday/ Wednesday 04/ 07 Oct 2009: Kanha Tiger Reserve
Morning & Afternoon excursion in Kanha Tiger Reserve. (B, L,D daily)
KANHA TIGER RESERVE: is situated in the heart of Sal forest of the Central high lands of India. It has a sparsely wooded grassy plateau, sprawling slopes with lush green trees and many streams, which are edged by large groves of willowy bamboo. The landscape presents a mesmerizing view and is eminently suitable for providing shelter to a variety of mammals and birds.
This vast 1941 Square Kilometers National Park was not only set aside to protect the tiger, but to save the endangered Barasingha (swamp deer) as well. In addition, Kanha is one of the best places in the world to view the secretive Indian Gaur and the rare Dhole, or Asiatic Wild dog.
Mammals: more than 37 species: spotted, sambar, barking deer, Nilgai (blue bull) biggest antelope, wild boar, palm squirrel, Jackal, Sloth Bears, leopards, tigers, Jungle Cats etc. Common langurs and rhesus macaque represent the primate group.
Reptilians include cobra, krait, viper, python, turtle and a number of lizard varieties, including varanus.
There are nearly 260 bird species such as storks, teals, pintails, egrets, peafowl, partridges, doves, pigeons, cuckoos, eagles, kites, etc.
Mode of Safaris:
1) We will observe the wildlife from 4X4 wheel driven open Suzuki Jeeps and
2) Elephant back- Seeing these rare and majestic Tigers in their natural habitat is truly an unforgettable wildlife experience and boarding elephant and the cushioned platforms are comfortable. Since most animals, including tigers, have little fear of (but respect for) elephants or the people mounted on them, this mode of transportation is ideal for wildlife viewing.
Elephants: every morning about an hour before dawn the elephants leave their respective camps for tracking the Tigers. Once the tiger is located, the elephants are used as very convenient point for watching & photographing the tigers.
Excursion Timings: Park can be accessed from dawn to dusk except few hours in the after noon when it is quite warm for wildlife to move. For this time each day we cover the following activities:
1) Local Schools Visit.
2) Nature Walks: For bird watching and studying of flora and fauna.
3) Elephant washing: assist mahouts (elephant riders) to wash tracking elephants in the river.
Evening Activities:
1) Address to the questions of our participants and talk on the conservation, wildlife and other related queries of our member participants.
2) Astronomy: Study of star constellation and planets with telescope.
3) Nocturnal birds, animals – in case of any movement we will try to experience it, especially tiger’s movement can be felt with stress calls of deer’s & monkeys and sometimes his vocalized growling.
Thursday 08 Oct 2009 Kanha /Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
After breakfast drive to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve for (approx. 5 hours) but very interesting nature mix with colorful weekly markets and villages. We will visit at River Narmada Bridge. There are several Hindu Temples along the side of River Narmada with live show of Hindu rituals, where man, woman and children are taking holy bath with rituals & Hindu prayers. Stop at weekly markets when ever it is interesting. Visit and lunch at fossil National Park. Arrive in BANDHAVGARH by late afternoon to check in ANF Eco-lodge, Bandhavgarh. Overnight Stay and all meals in lodge.
Friday/Sunday 09/11 Oct 2009: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
We enjoy morning and afternoon wildlife excursions daily. Wildlife viewing is by open four-wheel drive vehicle and possibly from the back of an elephant. Boarding elephants is easy, and the cushioned platforms are very comfortable. Since most animals, including tigers, have little fear of elephants or the people mounted on them, this is ideal for wildlife viewing. Overnights ANF Eco-lodge, Bandhavgarh. (B, L, D Daily)
BANDHAVGARH TIGER RESERVE
Set among the Vindhya Hills in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh consists of 1161 square kilometers biologically very diverse tiger habitat because of the wide-range of landscape with numerous perennial river streams resulting into varied type of sustainable ecosystems with the result this area has highest density of tigers in the world. Consisting of Sal trees and mixed forest with large stretches of bamboo, grassland, hills, springs and marshy meadows with eight feet tall elephant grass.
More than 37 species of mammals including spotted, sambar, barking deer, Nilgai (blue bull) biggest antelope, wild boar, wild dog, Indian civet, palm squirrel, Jackal, Sloth Bears, leopards, tigers, Jungle Cats etc. Common langurs and rhesus macaque represent the primate group.
Reptilians include cobra, krait, viper, python, turtle and a number of lizard varieties, including varanus.
There are some 250 species of birds, including blue-bearded bee-eaters and white-browed fantails, and the Malabar hornbill.
There is morning and afternoon wildlife excursions and we have the option to visit the fort. A 35-feet statue of the reclining Vishnu, resting beside a rectangular pool of spring water, heads the path to the imposing main gate. In addition to 10th Century rock images of the incarnation of Vishnu, Bandhavgarh Fort, at the parks center, 1,000 feet above the surrounding countryside offers breathtaking views and excellent game viewing.
Mode of Safaris:
1) We will observe the wildlife from 4X4 wheel driven open Suzuki Jeeps and
2) Elephant back- In addition to tiger watching in the morning one afternoon we will also go for elephant safari into the forest.
3) One afternoon we will also visit to elephant camp situated in the core area.
Excursion Timings: Park can be accessed from dawn to dusk except few hours in the after noon when it is quite warm for wildlife to move. For this time each day we cover the following activities:
- Bandhavgarh Fort visit may be stay here till late afternoon.
- Visit to Galpuri Lake for bird watching and picnic lunch.
- School visit
Evening Activities:
1) Share the experiences and encounters in the wild with peoples living here.
2) Astronomy: Study of star constellation and planets with telescope.
3) Nocturnal birds & animals – in case of any movement we will try to experience it.
Monday 12 Oct 2009: Bandhavgarh/ Khajuraho
After breakfast we take a morning drive to Khajuraho (UNESCO World Heritage site) passing through the villages and countryside of Madhya Pradesh. We will have pack lunch at Ken River, Panna. Arrive Khajuraho to check in hotel Ramada. Afternoon visit to Khajuraho temples. Temples built by Chandela rulers in the 9th and 10th century AD. Variety of many inspirational temples, including exuberant and erotic carvings superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture celebrating the pleasures of life and the sublime joy of love. After site seeing in Khajuraho around sun set, we will go to see a light & sound show (1 hour) which is at walking distance from the temples. Dinner and overnight in hotel Ramada. (B, L, D)
Tuesday 13 Oct 2009: Khajuraho/ Agra
After breakfast 1000hrs transfer to Khajuraho Railway station to board in the Khajuraho – Delhi Link Express (executive chair car train & this journey will take 5.00 hrs so we have lunch in the train) arrive Agra to check in at the hotel Utkarsh Vilas. We'll have dinner in the hotel. Overnight at Utkarsh Vilas. (B, L, D)
Wednesday 14 Oct 2009: Agra
An early morning snack with tea helps us to get awake as we will move to see the famous UNESCO World Heritage Monument Taj Mahel early in the morning to catch the sunrise and also contemplate all the color
changes of Taj Mahal's white marble due to reflection happening during sun rise. We also explore Agra Fort which is another UNESCO World Heritage Monument of red sand stone built by third Mughal Emperor
Akbar in 1565. Return to hotel for Lunch followed by late afternoon visit to local market. Over night stay in hotel Utkarsh Vilas (B, L, D)
Thursday 15 Oct 2009: Agra / Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary via Fatehpur Sikri
Following breakfast we'll drive to Bharatpur, stopping en route at Fatehpur Sikri (Victory City), a UNESCO world Heritage Monument. After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, drive for Bharatpur which is about 55 minutes. On arrival in Bharatpur we transfer to our hotel Uday Vilas. Afternoon excursion to the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary. Over night stay in hotel Uday Vilas. (B, L, D)
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is located in Rajasthan state and is listed in UNESCO World Heritage site; it densely inhabits 350 species of birds. We can watch fishing activities of the handsome pied kingfisher and the sleek darter provides engaging moments. Also seen are eight species of eagles and several species of falcons including the peregrine falcon. In addition to bird life, the park also possesses Indian python, Indian porcupine, fishing cat, Indian civet, Jackal, and three species of mongoose. Some other species like spotted, sambhar deer and Neel gai (blue bull) are also reported. The birds seen are as colorful as their names – pintail ducks, red-crested pochards, and open-billed, painted, and black-necked storks. Overnight stay and all meals in hotel.
Mode of safari: Flat-bottomed boats, bicycle rickshaws and bicycle.
Friday 16 Oct 2009: Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary/Delh
We have morning excursions to the great Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary. After lunch drive for 4 hrs to Delhi, stopping en route for drinks at the gardens of Country Inn, Kosi. Arriving Delhi in the late afternoon to check in at Hotel Shanti palace, Near International Air port, New Delhi for wash & fresh. Following our special farewell dinner at this hotel we transfer to the airport for the international flight check-in. (B, L, D)
Saturday 17 Oct 2009: En Route /Switzerland
Meet our connecting flights LX147 at 0125 hrs from Delhi to Zurich (Switzerland) Arrival Zurich at 1135hrs. (Meals Aloft) |
|
