WWF - Wildlife of India: In the Path of the Tiger

Wildlife of India: In the Path of the Tiger

$9,795 based on double occupancy; $2,500 single supplement
April 3 – 19, 2009

Trip Overview

Beginning in the 1970s, multiple national parks were designated in India, many on huge swathes of private land that belonged to maharajahs. Former hunting grounds became, ironically, India's greatest wildlife refuges. The Bengal tiger made resurgence, and tigers aren't the only species that benefited. Varied eco-systems within the parks are home to the one-horned Indian rhino, clouded leopard, sambar and spotted deer, wild Indian elephant, boar, jackal, fox, bison, many species of monkey, langur and a number of bird species.

Explore by foot and 4WD, accessing famous parks such as the one that inspired Kipling's The Jungle Book, as well as lesser-known jewels far from the beaten path. India's fabulous cultural and architectural heritage will also be explored, with visits to the Taj Mahal and to temples and monuments that UNESCO has designated as World Heritage sites.

Trip Itinerary

Friday, April 3: United States/Delhi
Depart the U.S. for Delhi. (Meals Aloft)

Saturday, April 4: Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi this evening, transfer to your hotel. Oberoi Hotel

Sunday, April 5: Delhi
After breakfast and a brief group orientation, depart the hotel for a highlights tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), the Red Fort and the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. In the afternoon, visit a Sikh temple and such New Delhi monuments as the Parliament Building and the India Gate. End at Humayun's Tomb at sunset. Built in 1570, Humayun's Tomb is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of great historic and architectural significance. Later, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. Oberoi Hotel (B,L,D)

Monday, April 6: Delhi/Kaziranga National Park
This morning, fly to Guwahati. Upon arrival, depart on a five-hour drive to Kaziranga National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga is home to more than 1,700 one-horned rhinoceroses, the largest such population of Asian rhinos in the world. The park is a conservation success story, as rhinos numbered only 200 in 1904. Kaziranga is also home to elephants, tigers, sambar, swamp deer and such birds as swamp francolin, greater and lesser adjutant black-necked storks, pallas, grey-headed fisheagles and the pied harrier. Diphlu River Lodge (B,L,D)

Tuesday & Wednesday, April 7 & 8: Kaziranga Rhino Reserve
Embark on an exciting elephant safari into the Kaziranga Rhino Reserve, which affords excellent opportunities to see the rhinos up close in their natural habitat. Take a four-wheel drive wildlife safari into the Eastern Range of Kaziranga, which visitors do not explore frequently. This area is heavily wooded, making it a favorite refuge for wildlife. Look for the rare Hollock’s gibbon, the only ape in India. Bird species abound, including the rare streak-throated and Himalayan flameback woodpecker. Diphlu River Lodge (B,L,D)

Thursday, April 9: Guwahati/Delhi
This morning, transfer to the airport. Fly from Guwahati to Delhi. Upon arrival, transfer to the nearby airport hotel in time for dinner. Trident Hotel (B,L,D)

Friday, April 10: Delhi/Khajuraho
Return to the airport. Fly from Delhi to Khajuraho, gateway to Bandhavgarh National Park. Transfer to the hotel for lunch, then head out to explore the Chandela Temple complex. We’ll focus on the western group, which is considered by many to represent the finest temple architecture in northern India. Adorned with bands of stonework, the famously intricate and well preserved carvings depict aspects of Indian life from 1,000 years ago. After dinner, witness a fascinating sound and light spectacle at the temples. Hotel Taj Chandela (B,L,D)

Saturday, April 11: Bandhavgarh National Park
This morning, depart on a six-hour drive to Bandhavgarh National Park. This tranquil area was the private property of the Maharaja of Rewa until 1968, and this helped preserve the forest and wildlife. It boasts the highest Bengal tiger density of any park in India, and while no tour to wild places can guarantee wildlife sightings, there is a good chance of spotting this magnificent predator. It is here that a legendary white tiger named Mohan was captured in 1951; his offspring are found in zoos across the world. This area is also where Rudyard Kipling found inspiration for The Jungle Book.

The park ranks among the top three wildlife preserves in India. The steep cliffs provide nesting habitats for long-billed vultures and the peregrine falcon. Listening for alarm calls is often the best way of tracking down such predators as leopards, tigers and dholes (red dogs). Among Bandhavgarh’s 250+ bird species, the lesser adjutant, brown fish owl and mottled wood owl are perhaps most easily spotted. Kings Lodge (B,L,D)

Sunday, April 12: Bandhavgarh National Park
Spend today on safari with park rangers. We’ll look for tigers, wild boar, jackals, foxes, gaur, porcupines, Rhesus macaques, black-faced langurs and elusive leopards. The park is also home to a profusion of delightful birds, including blue bearded bee-eaters, white-bellied drongoes, blossom-headed parakeets and stunning Malabar hornbills. Kings Lodge (B,L,D)

Monday, April 13: Anant Van/Bandhavgarh
Take a special excursion to Anant Van (meaning “infinite forest”). This is the only wildlife camp that's close to an entrance to Bandhavgarh. Anant Van is spread across 21 acres of farmland and aims at self-sustenance through responsible tourism, directly working on issues of wildlife conservation through participation from the local community and visitors to the national park. Spend the day learning about local conservation efforts then embark on another afternoon safari in Bandhavgarh. Kings Lodge (B,L,D)

Tuesday, April 14: Kanha National Park
Drive eight hours to Kanha National Park, one of the best tiger preserves in the country. The thrilling prospect of spotting more tigers in the wild is ever present, as there is a healthy population in the area. Among the other wildlife that may be seen are clouded leopards, barasingha deer, sambars, spotted deer, gaur, langur monkeys, bluebulls, wild dogs and wild boar. Hotel Singinawa (B,L,D)

Wednesday, April 15 & Thursday, April 16: Kanha National Park
Spend the next two days exploring the park on wildlife safaris in search of tigers and other wildlife. Bird species also abound: common sightings include black ibis, bee-eaters, cattle egrets, blossom-headed parakeets, pond herons, drongoes, common teals, crested serpent eagles and grey hornbills. Hotel Singinawa (B,L,D)

Friday, April 17: Nagpur/Delhi
Drive seven hours to Nagpur airport. Fly Nagpur to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi this evening, you will be transferred to the hotel. Oberoi Hotel (B,L,D)

Saturday, April 18: Delhi
Visit the Akshardham Temple Monument to World Peace in the morning. The monument is one of the largest and most intricate religious places of worship ever constructed. Combining several completely different and contrasting styles of Hindu temple architecture, the Akshardham is constructed entirely of marble and the red-sandstone for which Delhi is famed. This wonder of the modern-day world took five years to build and opened to the public just a few years ago. Return to the hotel for lunch and a chance to relax. Rooms will be available until 6 p.m. After checking out, enjoy a farewell dinner before transferring to the airport for your flight home. Day rooms at the Oberoi Hotel (B,L,D)

Sunday, April 19: United States
Arrive home.