2 ITINERARY - India Tiger Safaris of English Speaking escort cum naturalist from Delhi to Delhi...

Kingdom of the Tiger Group Trip March 14 - 26 2

The Wild Source • 801 14th Street, Golden, CO 80401 • 1-720-497-1250

ITINERARY

March 14 Delhi. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. Arrival into Delhi (flight not included) where you are met and assisted with your transfer to the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel for overnight.

March 15 Kanha National Park. Kanha Jungle Lodge. Morning at leisure, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Raipur (12:35 p.m. / 2:15 p.m.). Met on arrival and transfer to Kanha National Park (approx. 4-5-hour drive), traveling through rural countryside and colorful villages along the way. Upon arrival, check into Kanha Jungle Lodge.

March 16 Kanha National Park. Kanha Jungle Lodge. The daily routine is early morning jungle safari in 4x4 jeeps departing camp at dawn. Enjoy a picnic breakfast in the jungle with a hot coffee or tea break followed by a return to the lodge with time for relaxing, nature walks, village/school visit or a cooking demonstration. Lunch then afternoon safari.

March 17 Kanha National Park. Kanha Jungle Lodge.

March 18 Kanha National Park. Kanha Jungle Lodge.

March 19 Pench National Park. Jamtara Wilderness Lodge. Morning safari, then drive to Pench (approx. 6-hour drive). Afternoon nature walk on arrival.

March 20 Pench National Park. Jamtara Wilderness Lodge. The daily routine is morning and evening safaris in Pench National Park in 4x4 jeeps with naturalist guides. You also have the option to enjoy a star bed in a “machaan” stilted lookout.

March 21 Pench National Park. Jamtara Wilderness Lodge.

March 22 Satpura National Park. Reni Pani Jungle Lodge. Morning safari, then drive to Saptura Natonal Park (approx. 5-hour drive).

March 23 Satpura National Park. Reni Pani Jungle Lodge. The daily routine includes morning and evening safaris in Satpura, walking safaris, elephant safaris, bush walks around camp or village walks.

March 24 Satpura National Park. Reni Pani Jungle Lodge. Game drives, walking safaris, elephant safaris, bush walks around camp or village walks.

March 25 Delhi. Lemon Tree Premier Hotel.



Morning safari, then transfer to Bhopal airport for your flight to Delhi (6 :30 p.m. / 8 :15 p.m.). Greeted on arrival and taken to the Lemon Tree Premier Hotel for overnight.

March 26 Departure. Transferred to the airport for your onward international flight (not included).

SAFARI COSTS Safari Cost is $6,950 per person sharing; Single supplement is $1,400 Minimum of 4. With 2 people, we will be escorted by Darcie Carr with varying local naturalist guides Included:

All accommodations.

All transfers, sightseeing, and overland trips in air-conditioned mini vans in cities and air-conditioned Toyota Innova vehicles between national parks.

All internal flights.

All meals.

Services of English speaking resident naturalist services at Kanha, Pench and Satpura.

Services of English Speaking escort cum naturalist from Delhi to Delhi (min. 4 paying)

Jeep Safaris at Kanha, Pench and Satpura National Park

Entrance fees to National Parks

Mineral water during all transfers, sightseeing and drives, and at lodges and during safaris in Kanha, Pench and Satpura National Park.

Tips for drivers, helpers, bell boys at hotels/lodges, park/safari guides, local guides, mahouts, airport representatives etc.

Assistance at airport station and at all major city hotels at the time of check in/out.

Government Services tax.

Not included:

International flights.

Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks.

Laundry

Tipping to accompanying Indian Escort

Visa fee for entry into India (allow 2 months to apply for and obtain visa).

Travel insurance.

Anything not mentioned in inclusion above

Any expenses incurred due to any unforeseen situation or any other reason beyond our control like natural calamity/acts of god, change in government tax policy etc.



INTRODUCTION

India—a country rich in history and tradition—is also home to a dazzling array of animal life.

There are 400 mammal species and over 500 bird species that can be found among the

country’s 500 national parks and reserves. Two thirds of the world’s wild tigers, one-horn

rhino, and Asian elephants find refuge in India. 15 species of cats (5 big cats), 4 species of

wild cattle, 15 species of primates, 4 species of bear, 7 species of dog, 6 species of antelope,

9 species of deer, and numerous species of smaller animals roam the forests, grasslands,

deserts, mountains, and waterways of the Indian subcontinent.

Tigers though have become the magnet for eco-tourism in India. India is home to the Bengal

tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), the second largest tiger in the world after the massive Amur or

Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) which reaches weights near 700 pounds and reaches

lengths of 11 feet long. The tiger is revered in the Hindu religion, it is the national animal, and

India has fought tirelessly to bring the animal back from the brink of extinction. The protected

areas not only serve as success stories for tiger but for the umbrella of species that thrive in

keystone species-rich ecosystems.



YOUR PRIVATE NATURALIST

INDRAJIT

Gangadhar Latey, a.k.a. Indrajit has worked in the field of

wildlife management and tourism for the past 19 years.

His passion for wildlife & nature was ignited in his

childhood years, since he spent most of his summers in

the Melghat Tiger Reserve in Northern Maharashtra. With

an intense passion for photography, he has a proficiency

in ornithology, mammals and natural history. He started

his outdoor career with Nature Trails – an environmental

education campsite and went onto work with WWF Pune

as a Naturalist. Having spent over 5 years working in

Kanha national park (Madhya Pradesh), he has gained

insights and expertise in central Indian forests. He has

travelled extensively around the country and whether he is

guiding wildlife groups, diving in coral reefs or skiing in the Himalayas, Indrajit is at home in

all terrains. He believes that the urban man has lost touch with nature and strongly feels

that educating and helping people – especially locals – reconnect with nature will go a long

way in invoking the spirit of awareness and conservation. According to Indrajit, conservation

of wildlife and natural landscapes is essential for the long time survival of the human race.

Indrajit has visited more than 80 National parks and wildlife sanctuaries within India. The

parks range from Himalayas to Kaziranga in the east, to South India parks all the way to the

Andaman & Nicobar islands, to the Lion dominated West India and lastly his specialty:

Central India. Recently his dream of seeing the Snow Leopard was fulfilled in Ladakh region

where he successfully led an expedition to photograph them.

Traveling to Africa was his childhood dream. Seeing the wildlife in the Masai Mara and

Serengeti by leading a group of professional photographers was a treasuring moment for

him. With a plethora of experiences of various wildlife and conservation initiatives he is

going on a month long stint to explore the North Eastern rainforests of India.

Indrajit has also worked with the Late Fateh Singh Rathod on anti-poaching in Ranthambore

Tiger Reserve.

Having written forewords for very well known wildlife photographers like Michel Zoghzoghi

on wildlife of India he has also worked with the likes of Jonathan Scott and Todd Gustafson.

Lately, Indrajit and his wife Manjari, have become Animal Whisperers. To know more,

please read the National Geographic Article on them – How Animal Whisperers can change

your world view.

http://www.natgeotraveller.in/web-exclusive/web-exclusive-month/how-animal-whispering-can-change-your-world-view/

http://www.natgeotraveller.in/web-exclusive/web-exclusive-month/how-animal-whispering-can-change-your-world-view/



DARCIE CARR THE WILD SOURCE GROUP LEADER

Darcie has served as a naturalist guide and tour leader for over a decade, leading tours to

destinations across North America, India, and Africa including the major wildlife hotspots,

such as Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, the Okavango Delta, and India’s tiger regions.

Throughout her travels she remains most captivated by the world’s protected wilderness

areas whether she is on safari in the Serengeti or backpacking in the Tetons. She began

transitioning exclusively to wildlife safari travel in 2009 and has been on safari every year

since. She is an active traveler who loves walking safaris but also appreciates the patience

and inquisitiveness that nature demands.

As a safari planner for The Wild Source, Darcie specializes in customizing safaris to the needs

of the clients. As a group leader, she provides the same personalized attention and

compassion for each participant. After guiding over 50 group tours throughout her career,

Darcie maintains an enthusiasm for sharing the magic with fellow travelers and wildlife

enthusiasts, and looks forward to meeting you on your next adventure.



RADISSON BLU PLAZA

DELHI, INDIA – 1 NIGHT

Only five kilometres from the airport and the

booming Gurgaon business district, the Radisson

Blu Plaza Delhi hotel is positioned close to

shopping and attractions. Each of the 261

contemporary rooms and suites has an en-suite

bathroom and amenities like free high-speed,

wireless Internet. In addition to the hotel's four

Delhi dining outlets, guests can sip and snack at

the two lounges, R The Lounge and Savannah

Bar. A state-of-the-art gym, a full-service spa and

a designer, free-form pool offer a place to unwind.



KANHA JUNGLE LODGE

KANHA NATIONAL PARK, INDIA – 4 NIGHTS

This third generation-owned lodge was built by the

founders of Tiger Trust with minimum interference to

the natural jungle and is managed on eco friendly

principles from the same staff who have been at the

lodge since inception in 1987. 18 spacious rooms and

two deluxe cottages are tucked into a lush, Sal forest

and haven for the spotted deer, “chital.” The rooms all

have modern facilities including attached bath with

running hot and cold showers and comfortable

furniture.

The enthusiastic camp naturalist and management

team share in-depth knowledge of the local flora &

fauna, understanding most visitors are lifelong

learners. The camp also hosts an international

training program where naturalist interns can cut their

teeth in one of the highest density tiger reserves in the

world. Each night, guests enjoy a discussion or show

at 6:45 followed by dinner.



Strategically located closest to the Mukki gates, the

lodge offers excellent access to Kanha. The jungles

of Kanha inspired the famous Kipling literary classic,

“The Jungle Book.” This is one of the top parks in all

of India and is a must for a first time traveler to India

in search of tiger. The Indian wild dog is also

commonly seen here as well as the endangered

swamp deer (barasingha).

Kanha consists of a core area of 940 sq. km, which is

surrounded by a buffer zone of 1,005 sq. km, thus

comprising a total area of 1,945 sq. km. This is one

of the best managed parks in India and your

experience here will be a most memorable one.

In addition to tiger, barasingha, and wild dog, gaur

(pictured to the right), leopard, spotted deer, langur

monkeys, jackal, sloth bear, and a wonderful array of

other mammal and bird species also call the jungles

of Kanha home.



JAMTARA WILDERNESS CAMP

PENCH NATIONAL PARK, INDIA – 3 NIGHTS

Situated in the Village of Jamtara, near Pench

National Park, Jamtara Wilderness Camp is a 10

luxury tented property in the heart of rural Pench.

Surrounded by tall Arjuna Trees and an ancient

Banyan rooted on a dry riverbed, each tented room

overlooks the forest which set the perfect background

to this jungle experience.

Each luxury tent is designed to feel light and open,

allowing guests the optimum view of nature. With the

option of rolling up the front panels of the tent, the

guests can bring the outside in but still being in the

privacy of their own rooms. Although, these are tented

rooms, the bathroom has been made into a

permanent structure for the comfort of the guests.

While many may sleep inside the tent, some may feel

a little more connected with nature and have the

option of sleeping outside on their patio. Mosquito

netting will keep the bugs away, quilts and hot water

bottles will keep the cold away.



Pench National Park is nestled in the lower southern

reaches of the Satpuda hills and is named after Pench

river, meandering through the park from north to south.

The greater Pench National Park is comprised of 758

sq kms. Pench Tiger Reserve and its neighborhood is

the original setting of Rudyard Kipling's most famous

work, The Jungle Book. The undulating topography

supports a mosaic of vegetation ranging from moist,

sheltered valleys to open, dry deciduous forest. Over

1200 species of plants have been recorded from the

area including several rare and endangered plants as

well as plants of ethno-botanical importance.

The area has always been rich in wildlife and is

especially famous for large herds of Gaur (Indian

Bison), Cheetal, Sambar, Nilgai, Wild Dog and Wild Pig.

The key predator is the Tiger followed by Leopard, Wild

Dog and Wolf. Other animals include Sloth Bear,

Chousingha, Chinkara, Barking Deer, Jackal, Fox,

Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Jungle Cat, Hyena,

Porcupine etc.



RENI PANI JUNGLE LODGE

SATPURA TIGER RESERVE, INDIA

Situated near Satpura National Park and Tiger

Reserve, Reni Pani Jungle Lodge features 12 luxury

cottages with three distinct structural designs—Nallah

units, forest units, and hill units—, a cozy central

meeting area called the Gol Ghar, and a jungle pool

along the seasonal nullah. Spread across 30-acres of

forest, the camp delivers to nature lovers with

magnificent trees, sprawling meadows, seasonal

nullah, and water holes that attract several species of

birds and animals.

Built by local materials, the lodge features viewing

decks, large lounging bay windows, a swimming pool,

library, bar, dining area, and public bathrooms.



Satpura Tiger Reserve is a blend of Panchmari, Bori,

and Madai Sanctuaries. It is a unique and highly

diverse biosphere reserve which is considered by

many to be one of India’s best hiddent treasures. This

dry, deciduous forest features hilly backdrops,

gorgeous water bodies, and stunning landscapes of

teak trees, bamboo forests, and ravines.

While tiger still reigns supreme, the biodiversity of

Satpura is immense including leopard, wild dog, sloth

bear, gaur, sambhar deer, wild boar, cheetal,

languor, and an abundance of bird species. The rarer

Indian fauna that can be found here include the

hyena, flying squirrel, and porcupine.

Activities at Satpura are wonderfully varied including

elephant back safaris, nature walks and treks, boat

safaris, and canoeing as well as twice-daily game

drives. The location of the lodge provides exclusive

access to the western part of the park, which for most

camps using the main entrance gates is impenetrable

when the river is high. The more popular eastern

region is also accessible by a brief drive to another

entrance gate.



LEMON TREE PREMIER

DELHI, INDIA

Lemon Tree Premier is 4 kms away from the

International Airport and also lies in close

proximity to various entertainment and shopping

destinations of the city.

The hotel has 280 smartly furnished rooms and

suites The plush and spacious interiors at the new

Lemon Tree Premier take the zing up a notch.

Lemon Tree Premier pampers the style conscious

and upbeat traveler with its personalized

services, premium in-room amenities, award

winning restaurants and fun experiences.

The hotel also offers an eclectic pan-Asian

restaurant – Republic of Noodles, a hip recreation

bar – Slounge, a 24x7 multi-cuisine coffee shop –

Citrus Café, a business center, the rejuvenating

spa – Fresco, a Life Fitness equipped gym and

an outdoor swimming pool.

2 ITINERARY - India Tiger Safaris of English Speaking escort cum naturalist from Delhi to Delhi...

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