The wildlife of India is outstanding. Here, elephants and monkeys live alongside tigers and bears and an amazing variety of deer and birds. We travel in quest for tigers through a true wilderness, which was the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling`s classic, The Jungle Book.
The tiger is the world`s most charismatic animal and there are few things as exciting as sitting on an elephant back with a tiger a few meters away. Sadly the tiger population has suffered major losses and spotting tiger is to be regarded as something unique. On this trip however, we visit the parks Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Satpura, considered the best places in the world to see wild tigers. While tiger spotting is one goal, we will experience much, much more. We will encounter exotic animals such as barasingha deer, langurs and macaques. With some luck we may see sloth bears, gaurs, wild dogs and leopards. We will eat Indian meals under starry skies, get in touch with the colourful culture and visit the erotic temples of Khajuraho in the warm
light of the Indian sun.
Day 1: London - Delhi
We depart from London and fly over night.
Day 2: Delhi - Khajuraho
Arrive in Delhi in the morning and continue by air to Khajuraho, check in at our hotel and enjoy a nice lunch. An afternoon excursion takes us to Khajuraho`s intriguing, erotic temples, dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma.
Day 3: Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh
Today we travel through a scenic landscape on our way to Bandhavgarh National Park, set in the Vindhya Hills in the state of Madhya Pradesh. This is considered one of the best places in the world to observe wild tigers. Here we hope to meet Amit Sankhala, whose legendary grandfather Khailash Shankala started Project Tiger. Overnight at Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge.
Day 4 & 5: Bandhavgarh National Park
We now have two days to explore this scenic park by jeeps and, if tigers are spotted, on elephant back in quest for the majestic Bengal tiger. The park also provides habitat for jackals, jungle cats and a wealth of deer species, the main prey of the tiger. In the trees overhead we see macaques and langurs. Birding in the area is phenomenal and species we may see include kingfishers, parakeets, hornbills and flycatchers. We also may have a chance to visit the imposing Fort Garh, located inside the park.
Day 6: Bandhavgarh - Kanha
After an early morning excursion we leave Bandhavgarh and head for another beautiful National Park, Kanha, where we check in at the charming Kanha Jungle Lodge. Set on the Chota Nagpur Plateau, Kanha provides breathtaking views of river valleys, grassy meadows and bamboo-covered hills.
Day 7 & 8: Kanha National Park
During two full days we explore the park by jeep and if tigers have been sighted we use the elephants. Tigers have little fear of elephants so from the backs of these huge animals we have the best chances of studying them. This park supports the full range of Indian wildlife described by Rudyard Kipling in The Jungle Book including barasingha deer, Indian gaur and wild boar. With some luck we may even see leopards and sloth bears, made famous by Bagheera and Baloo.
Day 9: Kanha - Jabalpur
We greet the morning with one last visit to the park and after breakfast we drive to Jabalpur. We check in at our hotel and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon we visit the majestic Marble Rocks alongside Narmada River at Bhedaghat.
Day 10: Jabalpur - Pipariya - Satpura
This morning we board a train, the true Indian way of transport. After a few hours train ride we arrive in Pipariya, from where we continue by car to Satpura. Satpura National Park is located in the southern parts of Hoshangabad district. We check into the newly built Forsyth Lodge - in classic tiger country. Tall sandstone mountains, narrow gorges, ravines, waterfalls, streams and dense forest distinguish the park and the area boasts a unique diversity of butterflies and birds.
Day 11 & 12: Satpura National Park
Over the next two days we meet an extraordinary wilderness. This is the only tiger reserve in India, which gives you the opportunity to explore on foot. During walking safaris we experience the heart of India and get a deep insight into the land of the tiger. We will also travel by elephant, boat and jeep to discover the diverse fauna that comprises leopard, sambar deer, gaur, wild dog, wild boar and more.
Day 13: Satpura - Bhopal - Delhi
We drive to Bhopal airport and board the flight for Delhi. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel where we have time to relax. The afternoon offers a sightseeing of the lively city of Delhi, the seat of power for Indian dynasties from the moghuls to the British Raj. We enjoy the chaotic ambience of the city as we are pedalled around on bicycle rickshaws. In the evening we celebrate the completion of our expedition with a farewell dinner.
Day 14: Delhi - London
Fly back to London or join us on a three-day extension to Agra and Taj Mahal.
PolarQuest supports Travel Operators forTigers (TOFT).
The company was founded by concerned travel operators and has been awarded for its work within the Indian wildlife tourism. For every person travelling with PolarQuest we donate money to support the campaign. For further information, please visit www.toftigers.org
A few words on Indian safaris
In Kanha and Bandhavgarh, game viewing is done primarily in jeeps. But the park staff will patrol the terrain and if a tiger is sighted, we will drive immediately to that area and search for it on elephants. All elephant safaris and jeep excursions in India are oriented toward the tiger. If a tiger is spotted, plans will change immediately to maximize our viewing possibilities of this magnificent animal. Walking is not allowed at Kanha or Bandhavgarh, but in Satpura we have unique opportunities to go on walking safaris and here we also undertake boat rides on the rivers.
Photo credits: Staffan Widstand, Annica Larsson, Ashok Jain/Naturepl.com, Adam Rheborg, Eric Baccega/Naturepl.com & Gordon Gould
