North India Wildlife And Sightseeing Tour

Wildlife And Sightseeing In North India

India is a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts wanting to combine wildlife watching with a sightseeing tour. A classic North India tour can easily be amended to include visits to Corbett National Park in the Himalayan Foothills and Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan.

Corbett National Park has a highly varied terrain contributing to a rich diversity of habitats supporting many species of mammals and birds. Corbett has the added attraction of providing Elephant Back Wildlife Safaris through the reserve.

Ranthambhore National Park is composed of typical Indian jungle and meadow landscapes that are ideal for observing the majestic Bengal Tiger. It is now widely acknowledged that Ranthambhore is one of the best reserves in India where you have a chance of spotting a Tiger during daylight hours.

Apart from the wildlife you get to see all of North India’s historic sites including the delights of Imperial Delhi, The Red Fort Of Agra and the Taj Mahal. Rajasthan’s romantic royal palaces and forts can be experienced at the princely city of Jaipur.

Recommended For: Anyone who wants to combine a tour of India with wildlife without a huge amount of travelling.

 

Day 01

Depart UK

Depart UK – Overnight flight.

 

Day 02

Delhi

The Manor  

Rickshaw Ride Through Old Delhi
Experience Delhi with a Cycle Rickshaw Ride through the busy markets of Chandni Chowk that lead to the Jama Masjid mosque (1656) built by Emperor Shah Jahan. The Red Fort Of Delhi (1639) is a walled city that contains the palaces of the last Mughal rulers who lived there until 1847.

Drive Through Lutyen’s Imperial New Delhi
The tree lined roads of New Delhi, with its Diplomatic Quarter are centered on Sir Edwin Lutyen’s imperial masterpieces as Viceroy's House (Rashtrapati Bhavan) and India Gate, one of Delhi's most famous landmarks.

A great way to sample the ambience of the colonial era would be to stop for tea at the lovely Imperial Hotel or Claridges.

 

Day 03

Corbett

Jim’s Jungle Retreat

 
Corbett National Park
A morning’s drive brings you to Jim Corbett National Park, the oldest National Park in India extending over an area of more than 500 sq km in the Himalayan foothills.

 

Day 04

Corbett

Jim’s Jungle Retreat

Corbett National Park – AM + PM Wildlife Safaris
The reserve is named after the legendary tiger hunter turned naturalist, Jim Corbett who shot the famous man-eaters of Kumaon.

Corbett consists of hilly areas with deciduous mixed forests, low lying grassland with ravines and vast dense forests of Sal trees. The southern parts are a part of the famous Terai, a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests at the base of the Himalayas. The magnificent Ramganga River flows through the heart of the park.

There are large breeding herds of Indian Elephant in the park. Leopards live a little higher on the hilly terrain. There are the four resident deer species (Chital, Sambar, Muntjac, Hog Deer). The Gharial (fish eating crocodile) and the Mugger Crocodile are found basking in the swampy banks of the Ramganga River.

Tigers are present in large numbers but are elusive due to the dense foliage. Sightings are rare with tantalising alarm calls made by birds and monkeys, indicating the presence of the predator.

The birdlife here is exceptional too with more than 620 species having been recorded.

Wildlife viewing is by Open -Topped Jeep and on Elephant-Back, which is a treat in itself, as they are surprisingly graceful and quiet when trekking through the bush.

 

Day 05

Delhi

The Manor

Corbett National Park – AM Wildlife Safari
Go on a final AM Jeep Safari to sight more of the exceptional wildlife to be seen at Corbett.

Sights Of Southern Delhi
Return to Delhi and visit Humayun's Tomb (1570) and the Qutub Minar, which is still the tallest brick minaret in the world (239 ft), sited among other interesting ruins such as the Pillar Of Ashoka (912 BC)

Other sites that may interest you include Rajghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, and architectural marvels of modern-era Delhi such as the Akshardham and Lotus temples.

 

Day 06

Agra

The Trident Agra

Akbar’s Tomb Sikandra
The impressive tomb of Akbar The Great (1612) lies conveniently on the roadside near Agra.

The Red Fort Of Agra
The Red Fort Of Agra was built by Akbar The Great (1556-1605) and is a walled palace complex with 1.5 mile-long enclosure walls with lovely palace courtyards such as the Jahangir Palace, Khas Mahal and Sheesh Mahal (The Glass Palace) inlaid with thousands of tiny mirrors.

The Tomb Of Itmad Ud Daulah (1622)
A lovely surprise in Agra is this delightful tomb of a nobleman that is often called the ‘mini’ Taj Mahal.

The Amazing Beauty Of The Taj Mahal
One of the world’s great wonders will never fail to disappoint. The Taj Mahal (1631) was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb to his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal. The best time to visit the Taj is either at dawn or dusk when the whole building changes to lovely golden hues with the changing rays of the sun.

 

Day 07

Bharatpur

Laxmi Niwas

Fatehpur Sikri
The deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri (1570) was the capital of Emperor Akbar between 1570 and 1585. The city was abandoned, for reasons still not understood, after only fifteen years and the capital was relocated back to Agra. As a result Fatehpur Sikri stands untouched and perfectly preserved, a complete medieval fortress of red sandstone, with vast central squares, exquisitely carved multi-tiered pavilions, cool terraces and formal gardens.

Bharatpur Sanctuary
The Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary at Bharatpur is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world. More than 30 square km of shallow lakes and scrubby woodland harbour over 350 bird species from as far away as Europe and Siberia.

It is possible to see 150 species in a day and as many as 10 species nesting in a single tree. One of the most visually exciting sights is the Keoladeo Heronry with six different species of herons and egrets.

The main migratory season is from mid October to mid February, but many residents nest and breed in the sanctuary during the hotter months and monsoon season.

Theres plenty of wildlife here too. Mammals include Golden Jackal, Striped Hyaena, Fishing Cat, Jungle Cat, Nilgai, Sambar, Blackbuck and Wild Boar.

Walking and cycling along raised embankments offers a unique opportunity to get close to the rich birdlife. Many people choose a cycle-rickshaw, which has the added advantage of providing a local bird expert.

 

Day 08

Ranthambhore

Nahargarh

Ranthambhore
Travel through rural Rajasthan to reach the legendary reserve of Ranthambhore, one of the best locations in the world to spot Tigers in the wild.

 

Day 09

Ranthambhore

Nahargarh

Ranthambhore National Park – AM + PM Wildlife Safaris
Ranthambore is a dry jungle forest with rocky hills and open valleys dotted with water pools and fruit trees. A 1000-year old fortress looms above the forest. It is one of India’s most spectacular and best known Tiger reserves. A series of adjoining reserves at Ranthambhore cover an area of nearly 500 square kms.

Ranthambhore’s tigers are increasingly displaying diurnal behaviour, whereby animals are active during the daytime and rest during the night. It is only at this reserve that Tigers are well acquainted with jeeps and other vehicles, and can be spotted even on the road. Tigers at Ranthambhore have even been known to hunt in full view of human visitors.

Leopards and Sloth Bears are present but rarely seen during daytime. Other predators at the reserve include Striped Hyenas, Jackals, Jungle Cats, Caracals and Indian Foxes who prey on plentiful numbers of Sambar Deer, Chital, Nilgai, Blackbuck and Indian Wild Boar. Primates include Common or Hanuman Languars and Macaques. The park also has a large number of Marsh Crocodiles.

Ranthambhore’s abandoned fortress, lakes and above all it's `friendly' Tigers have made it one of the most filmed and photographed wildlife reserves in the world.

 

Day 10

Jaipur

The Trident Jaipur

Ranthambhore National Park – AM Wildlife Safari
One more AM Jeep Safari at Ranthambore will give you a last chance to spot another Tiger!

Jaipur
The Pink City of Jaipur was built by the powerful Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in 1727 and displays all of the essential romance of Rajasthan’s Rajput kingdoms. Fabulous forts crown the hilltops, remains of battlements and city walls spread out in to the desert and a huge City Palace with intricate courtyards and collections of priceless memorabilia in galleries and museums.

 

Day 11

Jaipur

The Trident Jaipur

Guided Tour Around The Jaipur City Palace
The magnificent City Palace built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 is enclosed by high walls and set amidst courtyards with fine gardens.

The City Palace is now a vast museum with exhibits that have lost none of their splendour. Royal retainers, clothed in turbans and full livery, still guard the principal halls and entrances with fine displays of royal costumes and armaments.

The Palace of the Winds or Hawa Mahal (1799) is Jaipur’s most famous landmark originally built to offer the women of the court a vantage point from which to watch the activity in the bazaars below.

The Jantar Mantar (1734) is a fascinating astronomical observatory that is also well worth visiting.

 

Day 12

Delhi Near Airport

Svelte Hotel

Amber
A fortress located just outside Jaipur with one of the most fantastic settings in the whole of India.

Here, the Amber Fort (1592) lies cradled in picturesque and rugged hills with a long line of ramparts and battlements leading up to the Jaigarh Fort in the distance.

The forbidding exterior of Amber Fort belies an inner paradise with palaces that are a beautiful fusion of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The top attraction here is the chance of an Elephant Back Ride to ascend to the top.

 

Day 13

Depart Delhi

Depart India – Daytime flights arrive back in UK the same day.

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