TIGER, TIGERS, TIGERS & TAJ MAHAL, INDIA

BANDHAVGARH TIGER PHOTO SAFARI 2009

This 10 day Tiger Photography Safari tour to India has been designed to provide you with viewings of the two things that most people wish to see during a visit to India. Tigers in the wild, and the Taj Mahal.

10 days of Tigers, Wildlife, & the Taj Mahal - Saturday January 31st 2009

This is a fantastic 10 day photographic tour of India, leaving London on a Saturday. Our main subjects on this holiday will be wildlife, but you will be just as blown away by what you see when travelling between venues. In the countryside people still harvest sugar cane, corn etc by hand, plough with oxen, thresh flax by hand and process sugar cane manually on tiny farms. Women carry huge loads of all descriptions.

Amazing Photography

We will have a full 9 days in India. This fascinating country provides endless photo opportunities that never cease to amaze. The tour has been designed to maximise your chances of getting some great tiger photos. Bandhavgarh is possibly the world's premier location for consistently sighting tigers in the wild. The tour also caters for other interests and will, without doubt, leave you with a huge desire for a return visit. Photographers On Safari will constantly be on hand to offer any relevant photographic advice or tips that you may require.

Tiger Safaris & Elephant Rides

There are no less than ten Tiger Safaris scheduled. No trip to India is complete without seeing the elusive Tiger. Our previous trip provided viewings on all but one day. Five full days of viewing should virtually guarantee sightings for everyone. Only one safari will be on the busy weekends, so we will have 9 safaris when things are much quieter. When tigers are spotted in deep undergrowth we will hopefully be able to approach them on elephant back. The cost of the elephant rides is included in the cost of the tour. The elephants usually get within a few metres of the tigers. This is without doubt AN ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE that will remain with you forever. To avoid any ambiguity, all ten safaris are Jeep safaris. Elephants are used in the mornings by the mahouts in order to locate tigers hidden deeper inside the park. It is when they have successfully done this that we too climb aboard the elephants and then have the opportunity to photograph tigers that would otherwise remain concealed, from just a few metres away.

Bandhavgarh Fort

Most days we take an extra optional trip (inexpensive but not included in the price quoted) to Bandhavgarh Fort. We take a packed lunch and are two of only four vehicles allowed in the park between 11am and 3 pm. The fort area is impressive and extensive. Tomb Bats reside in one of the buildings and Vultures often soar at eye level nearby. Possibly the main attraction are the smaller animals and birds that are often missed on the main safaris. Langur Monkeys, Macaques Wild Boar and Spotted Deer are also much more approachable during these quiet periods. Some stunning shots of these animals and other birdlife (Kingfishers, Owls, Eagles etc.) can be taken at this time.

Birding in Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park is also famous for bird watching. It has more than 140 bird species. The main bird species at bandhavgarh national park are white browed fantails, steppe eagles, green pigeons, grey malabar hornbills, black and white malabar hornbills (quite a rare sighting), blossom headed parakeets, parakeets, blue bearded bee eaters, green bee eaters, white bellied drongos, owls, Jerdon's and gold fronted leaf birds, minivets, nightjar, woodshrikes and the lovely paradise flycatchers.

Wildlife in Bandhavgarh National Park

There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. Common Langurs and Rhesus Macaque represent the primate group. Carnivores include the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Gray Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard and Tiger. The artiodactyls frequently sighted are Wild Pigs, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Chausingha, Nilgai, Chinkara and Gaur. Mammals such as Dhole, the smallIndian Civet, Palm Squirrel and Lesser Bandicoot Rat are seen occasionally. Among the herbivores, Gaur is the only coarse feeder

Tal Mahal & the River Ganges

The Taj Mahal is absolutely awe-inspiring. It is the seventh wonder of the world. Mere words cannot describe this wonderful place. We will spend a morning in Agra to enabling you to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise, from where we will also witness primitive agricultural practices on the banks of the Ganges.

Itinerary

Bandhavgarh Safari Tour (10 days)

Day 1: Depart London for flight to Delhi

Day 2: On arrival at Delhi international airport (early morning arrival) you will be met and transferred to Delhi Railway station (stopping en-route for lunch) to board the overnight sleeper train to Katni (first class or second class Air Conditioned) departs 14:30

Day 3: You will be met on arrival at approximately 04:00 and driven to ‘Nature Heritage Resort’, a drive of approximately 2-3 hours. Rest of morning free to relax before afternoon jeep safari inside Bandhavgarh National Park

Day 4: Morning jeep (+elephant) safari and afternoon jeep safari inside Bandhavgarh National Park

Day 5: Morning jeep (+elephant) safari and afternoon jeep safari inside Bandhavgarh National Park

Day 6: Morning jeep (+elephant) safari and afternoon jeep safari inside Bandhavgarh National Park

Day 7: Morning jeep (+elephant) safari and afternoon jeep safari inside Bandhavgarh National Park

Day 8: Morning jeep (+elephant) safari followed by transfer to Katni to board the overnight sleeper train to Agra (first class or second class Air Conditioned) departs 17:00

Day 9: On arrival at approximately 04:00 you will be met and transferred the Taj Mahal for a sunrise tour. After this you will be taken to a suitable restaurant for breakfast (not included). When appropriate you will be transferred to ‘The Bajaj Indian Homestay’ in Delhi (a journey of approximately 4-5 hours on good quality roads) for your overnight accommodation.

Day 10: When appropriate you will be transferred to Delhi international airport for your flight home

Based on 4 - 8 people sharing twin rooms throughout. Includes all transfers, transport, accommodation, meals, excursions and safaris as described above. Elephant safaris are subject to availability on a first come first served basis.

Accommodation

Nature Heritage Jungle Resort, Attractive and comfortable single storey cottages, with ceiling fans and en suite bathrooms, each has it’s own veranda. A small number of cottages offer air-conditioners. Set in three acres of forest on the periphery of Bandhavgarh National Park. Resident naturalists and an enthusiastic team of staff. All meals are included, served both indoors and out.

Bajaj Indian Homestay, New Delhi. Located in a residential area close to a bustling bazaar, individually decorated rooms inspired by the Hindu gods. Essentially a guest house, bedrooms have all modern amenities including air-conditioning. Roof-top terrace bar recently opened. Breakfast included.

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