Photo Tour Trekkers :: India Tiger Expedition Photo Tour May 2015

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India Tiger Expedition Photo Tour -

"India a living heritage"

Book now and receive a discount of $400 if registered by March 19, 2015

Photographing the the Tiger in India

"Incredible India - Incredible Tiger"

Returning to India for another great experience ... this time Trekkers is offering a photo adventure in the wild. Join me as we explore several of India’s national parks and jungles to photograph the tiger. On this tour we will be exploring Sariska, Ranthambore and Bandavgarth National Parks. This is the perfect time of year for tiger photography as the jungle floor is drying waiting for the June rains.

No visit to India would be complete with out a touch of culture, as we journey across the country we will be visiting Jaipur, the Taj Majul and the old walled city in Delhi. I look forward to sharing this tour experience with you.

James Cowie

Download our India Tiger Expedition Tour Brochure

Your expedition team and how we met ...

During a warm April morning in Ranthambore National Park in 2012, park naturalist and tiger specialist Daulat Singh, tour guide and naturalist Dinesh Verma, and Trekkers photographer and travel host James Cowie met for morning tea. Their location, the ancient Ranthambore Hunting Lodge. During their time together they discussed creating a multi park trek combining their knowledge of the tiger habitats, best times to locate, visit and photograph, thus creating our Tiger Expedition Photo Tour. We are pleased to introduce you to our Expedition Team. - More about the team.

India Tiger Adventure Photo Tour - May 16th to 31st, 2015

Day One: Sat May 16th: We will be flying to Delhi flying via Lufthansa Airlines.

Day Two: Sun May 17th: Arrive Delhi, Indira Gandi International airport in the evening. We will be met by our local host and guide and transfer to our hotel. While in Delhi we will be staying at the Radison Blu Paschim Vihar Hotel. It is approximately 45 minutes from the Airport to our hotel.

Day Three: Monday May 18th: Breakfast. Welcome to Delhi, India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines the ancient with the modern. Amidst the spiraling skyscrapers are remnants of a bygone time with many old monuments standing as reminders to the city’s ancient legacy.

Here you will pass through Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. We will visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, then Chandi Chowk, the bustling and colourful market of the old city. Next a visit to Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi.

Later in the day we will begin our drive to Sariska. Sharp cliffs of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravalis dominate the landscape of Sariska, who’s forest is dry and deciduous. Within the Sariska wildlife sanctuary there are the ruins of the medieval temples of Garh-Rajor, belonging to the 10th and 11th centuries. A 17th century castle on the hilltop at Kankwari, provides a panoramic view of flying Egyptian vultures and eagles. The area was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and became a National Park in 1979. Arrival check-in to our hotel Tiger Heaven and enjoy some time to freshen up prior to dinner. (B,D)

Father and Cub - Ranthambore National Park

Day Four: Tuesday May 19th: Sariska, Early morning proceed for a jungle safari in the park by exclusive jeeps. The Sariska park is home to numerous carnivores including Leopards, Wild Dogs, Jungle Cats, Hyena, Jackals, and Tigers. These feed on an abundance of prey species such as Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chausingha, Wild Boar and Langur. Sariska is also well known for its large population of Rhesus Monkeys, which are found in large numbers around Talvriksh. We will then return to the hotel for breakfast. We will have some time to relax and enjoy our surroundings, lunch and then in the evening we will have another opportunity to photograph the tiger during our 2nd safari of the day. Dinner after sunset and overnight Tiger Heaven (B,L.D)

Day Five: Wednesday May 20th: Early morning proceed for a jungle safari in the park by exclusive jeeps. Then return to our hotel for breakfast check out and begin our 160 kms journey to Ranthambore. Ranthambore National Park was once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The tiger is not the only attraction at Ranthambore; you could also see several varieties of birds other animals in the reserve include leopards, caracals, hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, marsh crocodiles, wild boars, bears and various species of deer.
On arrival check in and have Lunch.Rest of the day at leisure.In the evening, you have an opportunity to spot the tiger, during our first evening safari at Ranthambore. We will then return for dinner. Dev Vilas (B,L,D)

Day Six: Thursday May 21st: Ranthambore, Early morning proceed for a jungle safari in the National Park. Mid morning we return to the hotel for breakfast, then some leisure time and lunch. Meet for coffee and then again in the evening, we have another opportunity to spot the tiger, during your second safari of the day. Overnight: Dev Vilas (Deluxe Room) (B, L, D)

Tending to the Camels ... road to Ranthambore

Day Seven: Friday May 22nd: Ranthambore, Early morning proceed for our last morning jungle safari in Ranthambore National Park. Mid morning we return to the hotel for breakfast, then some leisure time and lunch. Meet for coffee and then again in the evening, we have another opportunity to see the tiger, during our final safari of the day. Overnight: Dev Vilas (Deluxe Room) (B, L, D)

Day Eight: Saturday May 23rd: Ranthambore / Jaipur (145 kms) Breakfast at the hotel. Check out of the hotel. Pick up from the hotel lobby and proceed on our drive to Jaipur the capital city of Rajasthan, also known as the “Pink City”. It is an abode of extensive boulevard and beautiful gardens. Jaipur India was founded by Sawai Jaisingh II, in 1727 AD, but still preserves its glory of rich history and culture. The past comes alive in its impressive forts, majestic palaces and in its royal building which for centuries were the abode of royal families. Rajasthani jewelry, art and fabrics maintain an ageless feature and are surely a treasure-trove for the shoppers. These exquisite items are of great demand in the international market. On arrival at Jaipur check-in at the hotel freshen up, then time for lunch. (on own account today)

This afternoon, Jaipur City: Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. It was built in 1799 so that veiled royal woman could peer down unseen by the world through its 593 stone screens. We proceed for a guided tour of the City Palace & Museum : The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens and the city. Then to the City Palace and the Solar Observatory - an astronomical treasure house, with solar device that gives accurate predictions still today. Dinner at the hotel. and overnight: Mansingh Tower. (B, D)

Elephant ride - Amber Fort, Jaipur

Day Nine: Sunday May 24th: Hotel check-out, pick up from our hotel lobby and proceed to the Amber Fort. Here we will ascent to the fort by Elephant or Jeep. This is the former capital of the Royal Rajputs. Few fail to be moved by the dramatic Rajput grandeur of this hilltop fortress-palace 11-km north of Jaipur. Set on the dry wrinkled hills, and surrounded by fortified battlements, the palace straddles two sepia-hued tundra hills overlooking Maota Lake, and its sprawling crenellated walls, lattice the surrounding hills.

After time at the fort we will drive to Agra, en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri (Ghost Capital), the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from the year 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water.

Next we will start our drive to Agra. At the time of the Mughals, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of the grand Mughal Empire. During this period the city became a leading centre of art, science, commerce and culture. Akbar the Great made Agra great. The short golden age of Agra came to an end with the seventeenth century reign of Shah Jehan, mastermind of the unforgettable Taj Mahal.

Arriving in Agra late in the afternoon, check in at our hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Mansingh Palace (Standard Room) (B, D)

Day Ten: Monday May 25th: Agra / Umaria Kalinga Utkal Express – 18478 at 3:58pm - Breakfast at the hotel. Pickup from the hotel lobby and proceed to visit the Taj Mahal. This grand edifice was built by Shahjehan from 1631to 1653 to enshrine the remains of his Queen Mumtaz Mahal. The semi translucent white marble is inlaid with thousands of semi-precious stones in beautiful patterns and built with four identical facades. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa.

We will also visit AGRA FORT - The city built by Emperor Akbar and beautified with palaces and gardens by designer Jehangir. The crescent-shaped fort is enclosed by its 20-metre high and 2.4 km long outer walls. The fort contains a maze of buildings forming a small city within a city. Lunch on own account. Later transfer to the Agra Cant railway station to board our train for Umaria. Overnight: on the train.

Tending to the gardens - Taj Mahal

Day Eleven: Tuesday May 26th: Arrive Umaria 05:24 a.m. We will be picked up from railway station drive the 35 km to Bandhavgarh. Bandhavgarh with an appropriate of 365 sq. Kms acquired status as a National Park in 1968. Prior to becoming a National Park, the rich forests of Bandhavgarh served as Shikarghar for the Maharajas of Rewa. The park Bandhavgarh has been the centre of human activity for over 2000 years. Lunch is included on arrival, check in at the hotel. Late afternoon enjoy a jungle safari in the park. Dinner,Overnight: Bandhav Vilas (L, D)

Day Twelve: Wednesday May 27th: Bandhavgarh, Early morning we proceed on a jungle safari in the National park. We will Opportunity to spot the species like the mighty tiger, elusive leopards, caracals, wild dogs. Jungle cats rule the forest with other species of herbivores like gaurs, sloth bears, and macaques; various species of deer family like sambar, chital, muntjac; antelope species like nilgai, chinkara, chausingha and supported with scavenger species like jackal, hyenas etc. Around 150 species of resident birds including migratory birds like the steppe eagle. Then return to our hotel for breakfast.We will have some afternoon time to rest during the day. In the evening, we have another opportunity to photograph the tiger during our second safari of the day. Overnight: Bandhav Villas (B,L,D)

Day Thirteen: Thursday May 28th: Bandhavgarh, early morning we will proceed on another jungle safari in the National Park. Then returning mid morning to our hotel for breakfast and some leisure time. Enjoy a relaxing lunch and in the evening we will have another opportunity to photograph the tiger during our second game drive. Dinner. Overnight Bandhav Vilas (B,L,D).

Star - one of the 44 plus population of tigers in Ranthambore National Park

Moving on - Ranthambore National Park

Day Fourteen: Friday May 29th: Bandhavgarh to Khajuraho (260kms) After breakfast at our hotel we willdrive to Khajuraho - Known as "The City of the Gods", Khajuraho is renowned for the more than 85 intricately decorated temples that feature carved stone statues of griffins, nymphs, beasts, demons, gods-and of women expressing ranges of emotion from fear and pain to love and passion. This fascinating area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival at Khajuraho, check in at our hotel. Dinner and Overnight Radisson Jas (B, D)

Khajuraho Temples - Known as "The City of the Gods"

Day Fifteen: Saturday May 30th: Khajuraho / Delhi flight today, first breakfast at our hotel and a visit to the 1000 year old Chandela’s Temple. The temples are superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture and depict images of gods and goddesses, warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals and in great detail women and sex. Lunch is included and later we transfer to the airport to board our flight to Delhi.

Arriving in Delhi, we proceed towards the exit gate of the airport and look for our representative who will assist our transfer to our hotel near the airport for wash. change and dinner. (a couple rooms will be provided) Dinner, then transfer to the airport to board our flight back home to Canada.

Day Sixteen: Sunday May 31st: We arrive in Toronto at 4:40 p.m., clear customs and meet our coach for return drive home arriving at approximately 8:00 p.m.

Our India Photo Tour is $6230 plus air taxes of $715 per person CAD, this is based on double occupancy, single supplement is an additional $995.00 This tour price is based out of Toronto. If departing from another city please contact us for pricing.

Includes:

Round trip transfer to Pearson International Airport
Departures from London, and Woodstock
Round trip economy class airfare Lufthansa Airlines Toronto / Delhi / Toronto
Economy class airfare on domestic flight via Spice Jet Khajuraho to Delhi
2nd Class AC train fare Agra Cant to Umaria sector
12 nights Accommodations while in India
Breakfast and Dinner included each day of the tour except train day May 25th
Lunch most days
One bottle of water per person per day
All airport and hotel transfers and porterage at airport and hotels
Luxury air conditioned motor coach and local guide while in India
Any local admissions to monuments as mentioned in itinerary
Elephant ride at Amber Fort, Jaipur (elephants subject to availability)
Rickshaw ride on the streets of Chandi Chowk, Old Delhi
2 safaris in Sariska, 5 safaris in Ranthambhore & 5 safaris in Bandhavgarth all by exclusive jeep 3 pax
Access to hotel, prior to return flight departure
Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie

** Schedule may vary according to weather and travel conditions.

** Guests must have a valid passport, your passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your return travel date, and a valid India tourist visa for entry. (Visa fee extra)

Tour Exclusions: Any item not listed on the itinerary, gratuities to India guide or driver, personal insurance coverage, alcoholic beverages, and laundry.

A non refundable deposit of $1700 CAD is required at time of booking, balance is due April 10, 2015. Carlson Wagonlit Travel recommends the purchase of travel and health insurance as tour takes us out of the country. Health insurance is highly recommended.

Booking space for this tour may be done online or by contacting James Cowie at 519-679-8520 ext. 2223 or by email jcowie@CarlsonWagonlit.com or Shari Parker at 519-679-8520 ext 2231 by email s.parker@carlsonwagonlit.com Calling from out of town, our toll free number 1-866-614-7717.

Link for Tour Registration

Tour Brochure

Carlson Wagonlit Travel / Photo Tour Trekkers

224 Central Ave. London, Ont. N6A 1M8

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