THE ULTIMATE BIRDS TIGERS OF NORTH INDIA

Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, the remainder of the day is reserved for relaxation following your international journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a short introduction to India’s capital or simply relax at the hotel. Overnight: Delhi

After breakfast, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Delhi, exploring its fascinating blend of historic monuments, vibrant streets, and modern urban life. Depending on available time and traffic conditions, the tour may include India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, and selected landmarks of Old Delhi. You may also experience the colourful atmosphere of the city’s traditional markets and historic neighbourhoods. Delhi offers an introduction to India’s rich cultural heritage, architectural traditions, and diverse history. Return to your hotel for the evening. Overnight: Delhi

After breakfast, transfer to the railway station to board your train towards Sawai Madhopur, the gateway to Ranthambore National Park. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your jungle lodge. Ranthambore is one of India’s best-known destinations for Bengal tiger safaris. The landscape combines dry deciduous forests, rocky ridges, open grasslands, lakes, and historic ruins, creating a distinctive habitat for a variety of wildlife. After check-in, relax at the lodge and enjoy an introduction to the upcoming wildlife experience. If train timings and arrival arrangements permit, your first safari may be scheduled for the afternoon; otherwise, safari activities begin the following day. Overnight: Ranthambore

Begin your wildlife adventure with an early-morning game drive in Ranthambore National Park, accompanied by the park’s authorised safari team. As the forest awakens, look for signs of tiger activity along forest tracks, near water sources, and around open clearings. Ranthambore is also home to leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, sambar deer, chital, nilgai, wild boar, crocodiles, and numerous bird species. Return to the lodge for breakfast and time to relax before your afternoon safari. The second game drive offers another opportunity to explore the reserve’s varied habitats and observe its wildlife. Every safari brings a different experience, shaped by animal movements, weather, and seasonal conditions. Overnight: Ranthambore

Enjoy another day dedicated to exploring Ranthambore through morning and afternoon jeep safaris, subject to the park’s operating schedule and permit availability. With more time in the forest, you can concentrate on wildlife observation, tiger tracking, and photography while discovering the reserve’s diverse landscapes. Your naturalist and safari guides will help interpret animal behaviour, alarm calls, pugmarks, and other signs of forest activity. Beyond tigers, Ranthambore offers excellent opportunities to appreciate the wider ecosystem, from birds of prey to mammals gathering near lakes and forest clearings. Between safaris, return to your lodge to relax and review your photographs. Overnight: Ranthambore

Enjoy another early-morning safari in search of Ranthambore’s iconic Bengal tigers and other wildlife. After breakfast and some time at the lodge, head out for your afternoon game drive. With several safaris across the reserve, you will have opportunities to experience different forest conditions and explore the wildlife-rich landscapes of this celebrated tiger habitat. Return to the lodge in the evening. Overnight: Ranthambore

After breakfast, depart Ranthambore by road for Bharatpur, in eastern Rajasthan. On arrival, check in to your accommodation and enjoy some time to relax. Bharatpur is internationally renowned for Keoladeo National Park, formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. This remarkable wetland habitat attracts an impressive variety of resident and migratory birds, making it one of India’s most rewarding destinations for birdwatching and bird photography. Your naturalist can introduce you to the birdlife and habitats you may encounter during the next two days, depending on the season and water conditions. Overnight: Bharatpur

Begin the day with a guided birdwatching excursion in Keoladeo National Park, exploring its wetlands, woodland patches, grasslands, and water channels. With the help of an experienced birding guide, look for herons, egrets, storks, ibises, kingfishers, raptors, ducks, waders, and smaller woodland species. Seasonal visitors may include a variety of migratory waterbirds, depending on the time of year and local conditions. Spend a full day exploring the bird-rich habitats of Keoladeo National Park, with a focus on observing and photographing its diverse avifauna. The sanctuary’s compact network of trails and varied habitats provides excellent opportunities to search for waterbirds, raptors, owls, passerines, and other resident and migratory species. Birdlife varies throughout the year, with winter generally attracting many migratory birds. Your guide will help identify species by their calls, plumage, feeding behaviour, and habitat preferences. The pace of the day can be adapted to your interests, whether you are a keen birder, wildlife photographer, or nature enthusiast. This extended birding session allows more time to explore different sections of the sanctuary and appreciate the importance of wetland conservation. Overnight: Bharatpur

After breakfast, depart Bharatpur by road for Agra, the historic city associated with the Mughal Empire. On arrival, check in to your hotel and relax before visiting the magnificent Taj Mahal, subject to opening hours and the day’s visiting arrangements. Commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is celebrated for its white marble architecture, intricate craftsmanship, symmetrical gardens, and extraordinary beauty. A visit around sunset offers the opportunity to appreciate the monument as its appearance changes with the evening light, although sunset entry and visibility depend on operating conditions. Return to your hotel after the visit. Overnight: Agra

Rise early for a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, one of India’s most celebrated architectural masterpieces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The early hours often provide a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful photographic opportunities, depending on the weather and visitor conditions. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, continue to Agra Fort, an impressive red sandstone complex that served as a major residence and seat of Mughal power. Explore its courtyards, palaces, audience halls, and architectural details while learning about the history of the Mughal dynasty. The remainder of the day may be spent exploring local handicrafts or relaxing at your hotel. Overnight: Agra

After breakfast, depart Agra by road for Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. The drive takes you from the plains of northern India towards the forested foothills of the Himalayas. On arrival, check in to a comfortable jungle lodge outside the park’s Dhikala tourism zone. Enjoy the surrounding natural environment and prepare for the more immersive forest experience ahead. Jim Corbett National Park is renowned for its Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, rich birdlife, and varied landscapes of sal forest, riverine woodland, grassland, and Himalayan foothills. Your stay begins with time to relax before entering the Dhikala area the following morning. Overnight: Jungle lodge near Corbett

After breakfast, prepare for the journey into the Dhikala tourism zone, carrying all your luggage and essential belongings. The route passes through forest landscapes and wildlife habitat, with the drive and entry arrangements subject to the authorised access route and park regulations. Dhikala is one of the most distinctive places to experience the wilderness of Corbett. Located near the Ramganga reservoir and the extensive grasslands of the Dhikala landscape, the forest rest house offers an immersive stay within the national park’s designated tourism area. Accommodation at Dhikala Forest Rest House is basic and functional, with simpler facilities and dining arrangements than those of a conventional jungle lodge. The experience is about being close to nature rather than luxury, surrounded by forest, open grasslands, riverine habitats, and the sounds of the wild. After check-in, settle into your accommodation and enjoy the atmosphere of this remarkable forest setting. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but the area offers opportunities to look for elephants, deer, birds, and, with luck, tigers moving through the grasslands. Overnight: Dhikala Forest Rest House

Begin the day with an early-morning wildlife safari, subject to the permitted activities and arrangements available to Dhikala guests. The Dhikala landscape is particularly celebrated for its expansive grasslands, sal forests, riverine habitats, and sweeping views towards the surrounding hills. These varied ecosystems support elephants, chital, sambar, wild boar, numerous bird species, and a range of other wildlife. The open grasslands provide an opportunity to scan the landscape for large mammals, including the Bengal tiger, although sightings depend on natural animal movements and conditions. Return to the rest house for breakfast and time to relax before your next scheduled wildlife outing, where permitted. Observe the smaller details of the forest, from birds and butterflies to tracks and signs of animal activity. Overnight: Dhikala Forest Rest House

Enjoy another day immersed in the natural surroundings of Dhikala, with wildlife viewing according to the permitted safari schedule. Corbett’s rich biodiversity extends far beyond its famous tigers and elephants. Its forest habitats support deer, wild boar, reptiles, butterflies, and a remarkable range of birds. Birdwatchers may encounter kingfishers, hornbills, raptors, woodpeckers, and numerous forest and grassland species, depending on the season and location. The combination of grassland, river, forest, and reservoir habitats makes this region especially rewarding for nature enthusiasts and photographers. Between wildlife activities, enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the forest rest house and the rare opportunity to stay overnight within a protected natural landscape. Overnight: Dhikala Forest Rest House

Enjoy your final morning in Corbett with an early wildlife outing, subject to park permissions and the scheduled activities available to guests. After breakfast, check out and leave the Dhikala area according to the authorised exit arrangements. Continue by road to Delhi, allowing sufficient time for the journey. On arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner, marking the end of your wildlife and cultural expedition across northern India. Overnight: Delhi

After breakfast, transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport for your scheduled international flight home. Depart India with lasting memories of tiger safaris in Ranthambore, birdwatching in Bharatpur, the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal, and the immersive wilderness experience of Dhikala in Jim Corbett.