Big Cat Safari in India
Summary
For wildlife enthusiasts, who have been to Rajasthan before and want to return, here’s your chance to spot the 3 big cats of India – Tigers, Leopards and Lions - at one go and immerse yourself in Rajasthan’s rural heartland. The 3 wilderness destinations that you will be visiting in this itinerary offer a great variety not only in flora and fauna but also topography. While Ranthambore is a lovely park with its low undulating hills interspersed with relatively small meadows and water bodies, Gir has a succession of rugged ridges, isolated hills, plateaus and valleys. Jawai, on the other hand, is a vast sprawling wilderness of ancient craggy hills, scrub, grasslands and winding sandy riverbeds.
Duration |
14 Days
Tour Includes:
- Accommodation, flights & transfers
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Local English Speaking guide for sightseeing’s as per itinerary
- Single entry to the monuments
- Game drives in as per the itinerary in a shared jeep
- Train fare from Delhi to Sawai Madhopur
- All applicable Government taxes
Price
From £3,889.00 per person based on sharing [Guide Price*]Best time to go
September to October is the perfect time to go on this tour.
Tour Highlights
- Spot the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger in the Ranthambore National Park
- A dawn tour of Mumbai to see highlights of the city and hear amazing stories
- Track the Asiatic Lion only found in the Gir National Forest
- Visit the historical Gateway of India & the street markets of Colaba
- Spot Leopards in the ancient hills of Jawai
- Visit the 10th century Ranthambore Fort
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive in Delhi. A warm welcome will be extended to you at the airport by our representative after which, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day you is at leisure you can go out into the city and explore some of the local sights. The hotel can also organise a tour around the city at the travel desk.
Accommodation: The Suryaa [Breakfast]
Day 2: Ranthambore National Park
Take the afternoon train to Sawai Madhopur, the nearest railway station to Ranthambore National Park, the abode of the Royal Bengal Tiger. After the journey, you will have the evening at leisure to relax and enjoy dinner at the Lodge.
Accommodation: Vivanta by Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge [Full Board]
Day 3: Ranthambore National Park
Go for ‘Morning’ and ‘Afternoon’ Jungle Safaris in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger. Apart from the tiger, you can also spot the Leopard, Caracal, Leopard cat, Fishing cat and Jungle cat. With low ground cover, the safari here offers good viewing opportunities.
You may also want to visit the 10th century Ranthambore Fort which lies within the park with its ancient temples, mosques, pavilions, crocodile-infested lakes and crumbling moss covered burial tombs. The fort is located atop a hill which overlooks the park, the big cats have been often spotted on the walk up to the fort, with a stunning view all around. At fort level, you get to see a wide range of flora and fauna like the serpent eagle soaring at eye level, and animals drinking along the edge of the lakes in the park. Surrounded by two mountain ranges this world heritage site is a site definitely worth exploring.
Accommodation: Vivanta by Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge [Full Board]
Day 4: Ranthambore National Park
Today you will have your second session of the 'Morning' & 'Afternoon' safari post your breakfast. Other large predators like the Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Jackal, Desert Fox, Palm civet, common mongoose, crocodile, python etc. can be spotted on your safari here. Today you can either rest between the safari's or visit one of the many beautiful temples in the area like the Kala Gaura Bhairav Temple.
Accommodation: Vivanta by Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge [Full Board]
Day 5: Barli
Drive to Barli and stay overnight at the 18th century Barli Fort. Take a tour of the fort with your host, spend your time exploring the village or simply relax by the pool. In the tour, you shall be able to see the male & female sides of the fort, the armoury, treasury and the assembly halls. You can also go for a bullock cart safari to visit markets, see village life, and a leather craftsman's shop. You can also choose to dress up in royal garments and take back some interesting memories. End your day with a royal dinner served in candlelight and on a silver platter.
Accommodation: Fort Barli [Breakfast]
Day 6: Jawai
Drive to the ancient hills of Jawai where locals and Leopards have co-existed in harmony for centuries. No one here has been taken by a Leopard for over 150 years. Head out on an Afternoon Jeep Safari in search of the big cats that live in such jarring proximity with humans.
Accommodation: Bera Safari Lodge [Full Board]
Day 7: Jawai
You may also want to combine a day trip to the 15th century Kumbhalgarh Fort which has the second largest wall in the world after the Great Wall of China and the intricately carved 15th-century temples at Ranakpur along with your safaris in Jawai.
Accommodation: Bera Safari Lodge [Full Board]
Day 8: Jawai
Head out on another ‘Afternoon’ Jeep Safari in search of the big cats.
Accommodation: Bera Safari Lodge [Full Board]
Day 9: Mumbai
Drive to Udaipur to catch your afternoon flight to Mumbai. Spend your evening walking around the Gateway of India and Colaba area before dinner.
Accommodation: Trident Nariman Point [Breakfast]
Day 10: Gir National Park
Wake up at the crack of dawn to experience Mumbai waking up and how industrious its people are. This is a Mumbai you never thought existed and disappears without a trace by 8 in the morning. Take the afternoon flight to Diu, the closest airport to the Gir National Park, the only home of the Asiatic Lion that once prowled from the Middle East to India, but now survives only in Gir.
Accommodation: The Gateway Hotel [Full Board]
Day 11: Gir National Park
Go for ‘Morning’ and ‘Afternoon’ Jungle Safari in search of the Asiatic Lion. This is another amazing story after Jawai about the peaceful co-existence of humans and the big cats with minimal conflict.
Accommodation: The Gateway Hotel [Full Board]
Day 12: Gir National Park
Morning and Afternoon Game Drives in search of the Asiatic Lion.
Accommodation: The Gateway Hotel [Full Board]
Day 13: Departure
Drive to Diu for your late afternoon flight to Mumbai. On arrival transfer to the international terminal for your onward flight.
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These itineraries are just samples of what we have already done for our guests. Speak to one of our travel experts to create your perfect holiday based on your travel requirements.
* This is a guide price, based on travel in low season