India
Deep in India’s wilderness, the majestic tiger prowls in greater numbers than anywhere else in the world, and rare beasts like greater one-horned rhinoceroses and sloth bears coexist with countless species of birds. On safari with a National Geographic grantee in three national parks—Panna, Bandhavgarh, and Kaziranga—experience some of India’s best wildlife viewing, and track the elusive Bengal tiger.
Trip Highlights
- Spend two days in Bandhavgarh National Park, home to perhaps the greatest density of wild tigers in India.
- Visit Qutb Minar and the magnificent temples of Khajuraho, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Explore India’s wild habitats with Krithi Karanth or Sandesh Kadur, two of National Geographic’s Emerging Explorers.
- Ride an elephant through the grasslands of Kaziranga, where most of the world’s greater one-horned rhinoceroses roam.
Itinerary - 15 Days
Days 1, 2, & 3 — U.S./Delhi, India
Depart on an overnight flight to Delhi and transfer to our hotel upon arrival. The next day, discover the sights of New Delhi, India’s capital city since 1911. See the colonnaded house of the Indian Parliament and the ornate presidential palace, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and pay a visit to the India Gate, a memorial to Indian soldiers killed in World War I. Step into centuries past at the World Heritage sites of Qutb Minar, an early 13th-century red sandstone minaret that rises 238 feet into the air, and Humayun’s Tomb, an impressive example of early Mogul architecture. Stop in at the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, whose residents include striated babblers, white-tailed stonechats, and streaked weavers.
Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi (B,L,D)
Day 4 — Khajuraho/Panna
After breakfast, fly to Khajuraho to visit a stunning group of Hindu and Jain temples that date back a thousand years. Wander through this World Heritage site to examine shrines covered in magnificent sculptures. Continue overland to Panna National Park, a wildlife reserve that links populations of wild animals in the Vindhya Range of Madhya Pradesh.
Pashan Garh (B,L,D)
Day 5 — Panna
Embark on morning and afternoon game drives in the Panna wilderness for an introduction to India’s native deer species, including the sambar, chital, and chousingha; and the nilgai, Asia’s largest antelope. Search for elusive predators such as leopards and dholes (Indian wild dogs) and look for sloth bears perched on rocky escarpments. With luck, we may see our first tiger, as efforts to stablize a small population of tigers in Panna are ongoing. Between drives, relax at our hilltop lodge overlooking a watering hole where animals come to drink. If water levels permit, take a boat ride on the Ken River to see several species of water birds or a large mugger crocodile basking on the river bank.
Pashan Garh (B,L,D)
Days 6, 7, & 8 — Bandhavgarh
Travel to Bandhavgarh National Park, the former hunting preserve of the maharajas of Rewa, which now boasts one of the highest concentrations of wild tigers in India. Spend two days on safari in the park, tracking more than 40 resident tigers and spotting other wildlife: black-faced Hanuman langurs; macaques; wild boar; and a variety of bird species, including Bonelli’s eagles, malabar pied hornbills, and perigrine falcons. See the enormous reclining statue of Lord Vishnu known as Shesh Shaiya, which dates back to the tenth century. During our free time, set out from our lodge on guided nature walks or indulge in an optional spa treatment. In the evenings, take in a traditional dance performance or relax around the bonfire under the stars.
Kings Lodge (B,L,D daily)
Days 9 & 10 — Jabalpur/Kolkata
Take a scenic drive to Jabalpur and board a flight to Kolkata via Delhi. The following day, explore historic Kolkata, the capital of British India from 1772 to 1911 and one of the largest British trading centers in the world. Visit the Writers’ Building, once the headquarters of the British East India Company, and step into St. John’s Church, built in the 18th century. At the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity, stroll through halls where Mother Teresa lived and worked and visit her tomb. Stop by the Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata’s most iconic building, dedicated to Queen Victoria.
Taj Bengal (B,L,D daily)
Day 11 — Jorhat/Kaziranga National Park
Fly to Jorhat in India’s eastern State of Assam and continue overland to Kaziranga National Park. Check into our lodge, set among bamboo groves and fruit orchards, and get settled in private cottages built on stilts in the local tradition.
Infinity Resort Kaziranga (B,L,D)
Days 12 & 13 — Kaziranga National Park
Stretching along the edge of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga National Park is a World Heritage site and one of the last unspoiled wildernesses in eastern India. The park and its environs have been designated a tiger reserve and a BirdLife International Important Bird Area. Explore the varied landscapes by elephant and by 4x4 vehicle, venturing through fields of elephant grass, marshlands, and dense forests to find tigers, greater one-horned rhinoceroses, Asian elephants, water buffalo, and more than 300 species of domestic and migratory birds. Outside the park, experience everyday life in a nearby village, visit a rubber or tea plantation, and watch mahouts bathe their elephants. If you choose, take a boat ride on the Brahmaputra River to search for Ganges river dolphins. Celebrate our last evening with a festive farewell dinner and a traditional dance performance.
Infinity Resort Kaziranga (B,L,D daily)
Days 14 & 15 — Kaziranga/Kolkata/U.S.
After a final morning game drive, fly from Jorhat to Kolkata and check into day rooms. Enjoy time to relax before transferring to the airport for overnight flights home.
Swissôtel Kolkata (B,L,D)
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