NORTH INDIA TIGER EXPEDITION

Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After the international journey, enjoy time to relax and settle in. Depending on your arrival time, there may be an opportunity for a short orientation covering the expedition route, wildlife destinations, safari arrangements and practical information for travelling through northern India. Enjoy dinner at the hotel or a nearby restaurant and rest before the wildlife journey begins.

After breakfast, depart Delhi by private air-conditioned vehicle for Ramnagar, the principal gateway to Jim Corbett National Park. The journey takes 5-6 hrs approx, depending on traffic and road conditions. On arrival, check in to your wildlife lodge or resort, enjoy lunch and take some time to unwind. The surrounding landscape introduces you to the foothill forests and riverine environment of the Corbett region. Depending on your arrival time and the availability of suitable activities, enjoy a relaxed nature walk in permitted areas or an introduction to the local birdlife. Your naturalist will brief you on the park;s safari regulations, wildlife habitats and the importance of responsible wildlife observation. First night you are staying outside the park, next day morning after breakfast with all your luggage by surface transferred to Dikala forest rest house for next three nights 35 kms inside the core zone. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.

After breakfast, embark on a scenic overland transfer to Dhikala Forest Rest House, located deep within the core zone of Jim Corbett National Park. The journey takes you through dense sal forests, lush vegetation, and breathtaking natural landscapes, offering an excellent opportunity to observe the park’s diverse wildlife along the way. Keep your eyes open for magnificent Asian elephants, a variety of bird species, deer, and, with a little luck, the majestic Bengal tiger. The drive itself is an unforgettable wilderness experience, with the ever-changing forest scenery, open grasslands, and tranquil surroundings showcasing the remarkable beauty of Corbett’s natural habitat. Upon arrival at Dhikala, settle into your forest accommodation and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of staying deep inside one of India’s most celebrated tigers’ reserves. Accompanied by a registered naturalist or guide, explore forest tracks, clearings and water sources while looking for signs of wildlife. Bengal tigers are a major attraction, while elephants, sambar deer, spotted deer, wild boar, crocodiles and numerous bird species add to the experience. Return to the lodge for breakfast and some relaxation during the middle of the day. After lunch, head out for your afternoon safari, when changing light can create excellent opportunities for wildlife photography and observing animals near forest clearings. Return before dusk, followed by dinner and a discussion of the day;s sightings.

Enjoy another early morning safari, visiting a designated zone different from your previous excursion where permits and operating conditions allow. Exploring varied habitats gives you a broader understanding of Corbett;s wildlife and ecology. Keep watch for elephants moving through woodland, deer grazing in clearings, raptors over open country and kingfishers or other water-associated birds near suitable river habitats. Sightings will depend on animal movements and prevailing conditions. Return for breakfast and a midday break. In the afternoon, take another scheduled jeep safari or, where appropriate and permitted, enjoy a guided birdwatching activity around the lodge or in an authorised nature area. The day is designed to combine wildlife exploration with time to appreciate the natural diversity of this Himalayan foothill landscape.

Set out for another morning safari, making the most of your extended stay in the Corbett region. Your guide will help interpret alarm calls, tracks, territorial markings and other natural signs that may indicate nearby wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast and enjoy some free time. Depending on local conditions and your interests, optional activities may include birdwatching, photography around the property or a visit to an accessible local attraction. If an afternoon safari is scheduled and permits are available, continue exploring Corbett;s diverse habitats. Otherwise, enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the lodge before dinner. Your four-night stay provides multiple opportunities to explore the park, although the exact safari zones and sequence remain subject to permit availability and forest department regulations.

After breakfast, check out and travel by private vehicle towards Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh. The journey takes several hours, depending on your Corbett accommodation, route and traffic. On arrival, check in to your lodge or nature resort and enjoy lunch. The Pilibhit landscape is characterised by sal forests, tall grasslands, wetlands and waterways associated with the wider Terai ecosystem. The reserve also includes areas around the Sharda Sagar landscape. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing or enjoying a permitted nature activity near your accommodation. Your guide will introduce you to the wildlife habitats and the plans for upcoming safaris. Dinner and overnight stay in Pilibhit.

Start early with a jeep safari in an authorised tourism area of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. Explore forest tracks and grassland edges while watching for Bengal tigers, deer, wild boar and other wildlife. Pilibhit;s tall vegetation and forest margins offer a different safari experience from the more varied river and woodland habitats of Corbett. Patience, careful observation and attention to alarm calls can be important parts of the search for elusive wildlife. Return to your accommodation for breakfast and a midday rest. In the afternoon, enjoy another scheduled safari, or an authorised nature and birdwatching activity if a vehicle safari is not planned. The day concludes with dinner and time to review photographs and wildlife observations.

After an early breakfast or a morning safari, depending on the day;s arrangements, continue exploring Pilibhit;s forest and grassland habitats. This day offers a valuable opportunity for birdwatchers and photographers to concentrate on the smaller details of the Terai ecosystem. Look for woodland birds, raptors, waterbirds and species associated with open grassland and wetland habitats. After lunch and a period of rest, head out for an afternoon excursion where available. Depending on permissions and local conditions, the programme may include a visit to an authorised ecotourism area around the Chuka landscape or a further wildlife safari. Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay.

Enjoy another opportunity to explore Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on a morning jeep safari, subject to your confirmed permit. Your naturalist will help you understand the area;s wildlife behaviour, the relationship between tall grasslands and forest cover, and the importance of conserving the Terai landscape. The reserve;s wildlife is naturally unpredictable, so every excursion brings a different set of possibilities. After breakfast and a midday break, enjoy an afternoon safari or an authorised birdwatching session, depending on the programme and available permits. This final day in Pilibhit offers time to appreciate the reserve;s distinctive habitats before continuing to Dudhwa National Park the following morning.

After breakfast, depart Pilibhit for Dudhwa National Park, travelling through the rural landscapes and forested stretches of the Terai region. On arrival, check in to your lodge or nature resort and enjoy lunch. Dudhwa is recognised for its extensive grasslands, sal forests, marshes and wetlands, supporting a rich variety of mammals and birds. Its wildlife includes Bengal tigers, swamp deer and rhinoceroses in designated habitats.  The afternoon is reserved for rest or a permitted introductory activity around the accommodation. Your guide will brief you on the following days; safari schedule and the natural features of the Dudhwa landscape. Dinner and overnight stay near Dudhwa National Park.

Rise early for a jeep safari in Dudhwa National Park. Travel along authorised forest routes with a registered guide, watching for movement in the grasslands and along the edges of dense woodland. The safari may offer opportunities to observe Bengal tigers, deer, wild boar, birds of prey and other species that inhabit the reserve. Wildlife encounters depend on natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed. Return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation during the middle of the day. In the afternoon, set out for another scheduled safari to explore a different part of the permitted tourism area, if available. Return before dusk for dinner and an overnight stay.

Begin with an early morning safari, focusing on the open grasslands and woodland edges that support the reserve;s varied wildlife. Dudhwa is particularly notable for its swamp deer, while its broader ecosystem also supports tigers and other mammals. Return for breakfast and a break at your accommodation. Depending on the confirmed programme, the middle of the day may be used for rest, wildlife photography review or an authorised nature activity. Head out again for an afternoon safari if scheduled. Your guide will help interpret animal tracks, bird calls and other signs of activity while maintaining appropriate distances from wildlife. Enjoy dinner and a relaxed evening at the lodge.

Today provides an opportunity to appreciate Dudhwa;s exceptional birdlife and diverse wetland habitats. Depending on the season, you may encounter resident birds and migratory species around suitable water bodies, grasslands and forest margins. The reserve is a rewarding destination for birdwatchers, with the Uttar Pradesh ecotourism authority highlighting its varied birdlife and seasonal attraction for migratory birds. After breakfast and a midday break, enjoy a final scheduled jeep safari or an authorised birdwatching excursion. Wildlife photographers may use this opportunity to concentrate on habitat details, bird behaviour and the changing light across the grasslands. Return to the lodge for dinner and your final night in the Dudhwa region.

After breakfast, check out and begin the return journey to Delhi by private vehicle or a prearranged combination of road and domestic transport, depending on the final logistics. This is a substantial travel day, so an early departure is recommended. Driving time will depend on the location of your accommodation, traffic and road conditions. A domestic flight from Lucknow may be considered if it suits the confirmed schedule and transfer arrangements. On arrival in Delhi, check in to your hotel and relax after the journey. Enjoy a farewell dinner and reflect on the expedition;s wildlife encounters, birdwatching experiences and the contrasting habitats explored across the three reserves. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Tour concludes After breakfast, depending on your international flight departure time, check out from the hotel and transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Our arrangements conclude with assistance for your airport transfer. We recommend allowing sufficient time for check-in, immigration and security procedures, in accordance with your airline;s guidance. Depart India with memorable experiences from three of northern India;s important tiger landscapes and the forests, grasslands, wetlands and birdlife of the Terai region. End of the expedition — thank you for travelling with Nature Trek Expeditions India.