Wildlife Tour of India
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Introduction
India is famed for its rich and abundant wilderness, and wildlife sighting is a must when on a trip to this beautiful land. Far Horizon takes you on a special Interest journey, where you can get a closer look to a rich variety of flora and fauna, witnessing some of the most vivacious species. From the Royal Bengal Tigers of Bandhavgarh to the endangered Single-horned Rhinoceros of Kaziranga, the exotic wildlife of India is truly mesmerizing. In addition to this, the sight seeing tours of the cosmopolitan cities, Mumbai and Kolkata will be the special elements of your special journey to India.
Tour Highlights
- Thrill of seeing the Royal Bengal Tiger in the Wild
- Explore the National Parks of Central & East India
- Visit Elephanta Caves (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Explore the City of Joy "Kolkata"
- 12 Exclusive Safaris in the 3 major National Parks of India
Destinations Covered
Mumbai
The City of DreamsIndia’s largest port, its commercial and industrial center, as well as fashion capital and heart of Bollywood (India’s thriving movie industry), Mumbai is an endlessly fascinating hive of activity. A jumble of captivating contradictions, grand colonial architecture rubs shoulders with chaotic bazaars, trendy restaurants, exclusive boutiques, slums and shanty towns, all interspersed with beautiful, tropical palm trees. A shopper’s haven, this bustling cosmopolitan metropolis offers anything from pavement stalls and ancient markets to glitzy malls and designer outlets.
Kanha National Park
The land of Jungle BookA delightful town situated in the district of Mandla, Kanha National park is the haven of an exceptionally wide variety of wild animals, including the majestic creature tiger. Wide open grass plains with a backdrop of the city scrapers, scattered bamboo forests play host to a wide variety of wildlife and diverse bird-life with over 300 species recorded.
Bandhavgarh
The land of TigersBandhavgarh National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh state of India. This park is among the best national parks of India where Asian tigers can be easily viewed. Area of this park is of around 448 sq km. Bandhavgarh Hill, at the height of 811 meters above sea level, is located at the center of the park. This hill is surrounded by sloping valleys. More than 28 species of mammals and 250 species of birds & 70 species of butterflies are found in Bandhavgarh National Park. Common Langurs and Rhesus Macaque represent the primate group.
Kolkata
The City of JoyKolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of West Bengal and the second largest city in India (after Mumbai). This city is a daily festival of human existence, simultaneously noble and squalid, cultured decidedly futuristic.
History and Culture
The history of Kolkata is intimately related with its invention during the British rule dating back 300 years ago. Earlier known as Calcutta, it originated as a capital of British India in 1960 when East India Company dominated the country.
Kaziranga National Park
The haven of one-horned rhinosA UNESCO World Heritage site, Kaziranga is famous as the abode of the one-horned rhinoceros. Made unique with a vibrant, well preserved and sustained ecology this park has a very versatile bio diversity which makes Kaziranga National Park a very important and popular tourist destination.
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1 Arrive Mumbai
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Day 2
Mumbai
Mumbai
After breakfast, we begin at the waterfront Gateway of India monument, an impressive 85-feet high arch built by the British in 1924 to serve as a ceremonial entrance to the country. When India gained its independence in 1948, the last British battalion formally passed through the Gateway.
From here take a boat to visit the Elephanta caves which are declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 6th century A.D. It was the Portuguese who named the caves after the statue of an elephant which is seen close to the landing area. These caves were carved out from a single rock. The most striking statue of Trimurti, Shiva in the three moods as the Creator, the Destroyer and the Preserver is a masterpiece by itself.
Return to the city and visit the Prince of Wales Museum. Founded in the early years of the 20th century, it houses approximately 50,000 exhibits of ancient Indian history as well as objects from foreign lands, categorized primarily into three sections: Art, Archaeology and Natural History. The Museum houses Indus Valley Civilization artifacts, and other relics from ancient India. (Closed on Mondays and national holidays).
Visit from outside, the impressive Town Hall, the most majestic structures among the other heritage buildings in the city of Mumbai. Another wonderful Gothic building is the Chhatrapati Sivaji Terminus, constructed on the site from which, in 1854, ran the first train in India. Designed by William Stevens and completed in 1887, the building looks more like a lavishly decorated palace than something as mundane as a train station.
Welcome dinner at the hotel
Overnight at the Hotel (B, D)
- Day 3 Mumbai - Raipur
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Day 4
Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park
Explore the national park by morning afternoon game drives.
Overnight at the Hotel (B, L, D)
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Day 5
Kanha National Park
Kanha National Park
We take sunrise excursions, departing your hotel pre-dawn that last 4-5 hours. You will have breakfast inside the park in a designated area, returning to your lodge by late morning.
Post lunch; explore the national park by afternoon game drive.
Please Note: All National Wildlife Parks in Central India, shut down for visitors on every Wednesday afternoon.
Overnight at the Hotel (B, L, D)
- Day 6 Kanha – Bandhavgarh
- Day 7 Bandhavgarh
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Day 8
Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh
We will have another full day to explore Bandhavgarh, with sunrise and sunset game excursions in this fantastic wildlife park. Daytime sightings of tiger are more likely at Bandhavgarh than at any other preserve in India. The Park remains closed to visitors between mid-morning and midafternoon, and accordingly, your will have sunrise and sunset excursions in private 4-wheel drive vehicles, accompanied by attentive and knowledgeable naturalists, who will expertly introduce you to the area's rich and varied wildlife.
Please Note: All National Wildlife Parks in Central India, shut down for visitors on every Wednesday afternoon.
Overnight at the Hotel (B, L, D)
- Day 9 Bandhavgarh – Jabalpur - Kolkata (approx. 4 hour drive) & flight to Kolkata (SG 3614 at 1740/1945 hrs.)
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Day 10
Kolkata
Kolkata
Today we will visit the Howrah Bridge, this amazing feat of engineering is similar in size to Australia’s Sydney Harbour bridge. It is considered the busiest bridge in the world and everything from pedestrians to bullock carts to push carts to automobiles to bicycles cross every day and the eastern India’s largest flower market with hundreds of stalls and vendors sitting on the ground. Approximately 2000 flower growers from the surrounding areas come daily to sell their flowers and during the wedding season and festivals, that number probably doubles.
This morning, board a tram, the oldest in all of Asia. The city’s trams are Kolkata's old traditions in effect today, and Kolkata is the only Indian city that maintains this rich heritage. The first tram rolled out on the tracks way back in 1873, and the oldest operating electric tram in Asia began in Kolkata in 1902, which is running till date.
Thereafter, visit the Victoria Memorial (Closed on Monday). This marble-white monument is one of the most fascinating landmarks of Kolkata. Here, we will come face to face with miniature paintings and images of Queen Mary, King George V and Queen Victoria. Of special importance are the Queen's dresses, the famous Rosewood piano, the Whispering Gallery in the dome and numerous artillery weapons used in the Battle of Plassey.
Thereafter visit the Mother Teresa’s House, called ‘Nirmal Hriday,’ and also visit Shishu Bhawan, located near her house. Mother Teresa’s great work of caring for abandoned children on the streets of Kolkata is carried out at this center. Watch the children’s face light up with just one smile of yours.
Wrap up your day with the visit of Indian Coffee House. Situated in the academic hub of Kolkata, the College Street, the Indian Coffee House has become a favourite destination for hangouts not only for the students of nearby schools and colleges but also the office goers and intellectuals of Kolkata. The history of Coffee House dates back to around 300 years when it was the residence of the great Bengali Philosopher and social reformer Shri Keshab Chandra Sen. Later this place was dedicated to Prince Albert Victor of Wales and was named "Albert hall". During the freedom struggle many swadeshi meetings were held here. In the year 1942, the Coffee Board decided to start a coffee joint from the Albert Hall, and after independence in 1947, the Central Government changed the name to “Indian Coffee House”. In 1958 the management decided to shut down the Coffee House, but the workers association decided to run this place on their own and since then the "Indian Coffee House" is being run by the "India Coffee Board Worker's Co-operative Society Ltd". In the year 1994 The Supreme Court of India recognized Coffee House as a cultural center of India and declared it a Heritage building.
Overnight at the hotel (B)
- Day 11 Kolkata - Guwahati - Kaziranga National Park
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Day 12
Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park
Explore the National park by morning and afternoon jeep drives.
Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)
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Day 13
Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park
Explore the National park by morning and afternoon jeep drives.
Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)
- Day 14 Kaziranga - Guwahati - Kolkata & Departure
