Introduction
India is home to thirteen percent of World's bird species. The rare, endangered and endemic avian are cynosure of all eyes. Hence birders throng in large numbers to popular hotspots to see and checklist them. At some destination sightings are phenomenal hence draw a large number of enthusiasts from all over the World.
Bharatpur/ Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary
Bharatpur comprises of large wetlands some of which are shallow and marshy. This attracts waders, divers and shore birds in large numbers. It is the best place to witness large flocks in water and colonies near surrounding tree line. Encompassing an area of twenty eight square kilometers the bird sanctuary co-hosts predatory mammals, deer, reptiles besides three hundred plus avian.
Chambal
Flowing through the heart of India Chambal River is untouched by urbanity. It is one of the cleanest rivers, pristine esoteric and magnificent. An extensive part of river has been notified as river sanctuary and flows through three states Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The area is characterized by deep sandy ravines with sparse growth of trees.
The river is home to many interesting creatures namely snout nosed gharial, marsh crocodile, Gangetic river dolphin, fish and turtles. The shores abound with birds in their colorful garb. Bird watching is the main tourist activity on boat rides. Exploring the heartland offers deep insight about the remote confines of India.
Kanha
Tigers have made Kanha National Park their home since they first arrived in India. The lush tropical moist deciduous forests proved ideal for the big cat. The tiger reserve abounds in prey which is crucial for the survival for
the big cats. The deer can be seen in bright daylight foraging in the grasslands that abound in the reserve. The tiger kingdom boasts of more than hundred of these predators. Every year the tourist's folk in thousands to see the majestic beast in its natural surroundings.
Kanha with more than two hundred fifty species of birds is ideal for birding on tiger safari. The rolling
nature trail also accords good sightings of avian on foot.
Pench Kipling Country
Kipling penned Jungle Book based on story of Mowgli who was born here. Tigers abound and Pench National Park is a good place to see them in their wilderness haunts. Mammals can be seen in the grasslands while birds frolic in the forests. The Totlah Doh dam offers sighting of
shore birds and divers.
Pench River is the life line of this ecosystem and within its confines a large number of avian species can be seen. Pench is home to more than two hundred birds.
For wonderful birding and tiger safaris!
Tour Highlights:
Central India Birding & Tiger Tours
Itinerary
First Day
Arrival at New Delhi – A warm welcome awaits you at the airport from our representative. Your journey to explore amazing tiger and bird landscapes has begun. We take a brief rest in the luxury hotel. After you have rested a bit we will leave for sightseeing in New Delhi. Timer permitting we will visit the Red Fort and Qutub Minar and then enjoy dinner. This will be your first experience of delicious Indian cuisine.
2/3 Day
After freshening up very early in the morning we leave for Bharatpur. After four hour's drive, we reach our destination and check in at the hotel and relax. The tour leader accompanies you throughout, hence in the evening we will discuss the tour at dinner time. Birding at Bharatpur: Our birding quest begins after reaching Bharatpur. We look for lapwings, prinias, bush chats, and Indian courser. After a brief stint, we proceed to the gate and make an entry into the park. Our first target is the Siberian ruby throat, brown crake, and sparrow hawk after sighting them we proceed further to see the Indian nightjar, dusky eagle owl, woodpeckers, Tickell's thrush, brown fish owl, and more. We then proceed to wetlands where we will see migratory and resident water fowls, night herons, rosy pelicans, common and sarus cranes, marsh eagles, imperial eagles, greater spotted and Indian eagles, osprey, greater cormorant, grey and purple heron, snake bird, shikra, spoonbill, and many more.
At Bharatpur lunch arrives from the hotel around noon hence we move to the center point for a brief recess. After lunch, we continue with the foot birding. We have a choice to rent a bicycle or hire a rickshaw. We will only use to latter to reach the gate. All our expeditions will be on foot here.
An early morning visit is reserved for Bund Baretha reservoir to look for the targeted species like Indian skimmer, oriental lark, buntings, passerines, and small gulls to name a few. At noon we will continue to the Bharatpur bird sanctuary and stop at places to see Indian vultures on the cliffs, blue rock thrush, ibis, storks, and many more. Evenings will be spent at the luxury hotel with sundowners and fine dining before sleep takes over.
4 Day
Bharatpur to Chambal: After some quick birding at the bird sanctuary, a three-hour drive will take us to Bah Village in UP. We will spend the night at Chambal Lodge for the river boating the next day. In the early evening we will see some local birds like warblers, jungle prinia, shore birds, buntings, coucal, woodpeckers, quails some wetland birds at the local pond before we call it a day.
5 Day
Chambal Birding: The great day is set for an early morning boat ride at Chamal River Sanctuary some twenty km from Chambal Lodge at Bah. This will be a two and half hour's ride with some fantastic birds accompanying us. We will look for Indian Skimmer our target bird here. Ospreys, gulls, sand lark, Bonelli's eagle, laggar falcon, long-legged buzzard, Indian eagle owl, chestnut bellied sand grouse, bar-headed and gray lag geese, Ruddy Shelduck, gadwall, red-crested pochard, brown hawk owl,, Kentish plover, booted eagle, black-bellied tern and shore birds like river tern, sandpipers, wagtail, larks and more.
While on the river we will see the rare gharial reptile, marsh crocodile on the rock jutting out of the river. Another surprise will be the sight of river dolphins emerging to breathe. The stillness of the shores is amazing with locals and their hamlets frozen back in time.
6 Day
Chambal to Agra: Early morning we will leave for Agra to visit the Fatehpur Sikri & Taj Mahal. Post lunch we will board an overnight train to Jabalpur.
7 Day
Jabalpur – Kanha National Park: Upon reaching Jabalpur we will drive straight to Kanha. We should reach by lunch after five hours drive. Upon arriving at Courtyard House we will have lunch and some rest. The evening drive is waiting and we will reach the park in time. Our first drive at Kanha is an introduction and we can see the tiger while deep in the forest or near a watering hole. tigers frequent the places often and successful tracking takes place here. Birds are seen often but they are more visible during the morning safari.
8/9 Day
Kanha Safaris: Five more game drives will yield the sight of many mammals and birds. The diverse habitat assures plenty of avian frolicking around us. Our target species are the Malabar pied & grey hornbill, orange-headed thrush, Indian pitta, paradise, and black-naped flycatcher, racket-tailed drongo, iora, brown-cheeked fulvetta, plum-headed parakeet, black-rumped flame back, streak throated woodpecker, rufous woodpecker, brown shrike, puff throated and scimitar babbler, white eye, red-throated flycatcher and many more. During our game safaris on open jeeps, we will see tigers and likely see leopards and sloth bears. We will also see wild dogs, bison, sambar, swamp deer, and other animals. We will be well looked after at Courtyard House and served sumptuous food along with sundowners at the fireside and naturalist tales to entertain,
10 Day
Kanha To Pench Tiger Reserve: After the morning game drive and lunch we will leave for Pench which is about five hour drive. We arrive at Pench during the evening hours and spend time at the luxury resort followed by dinner and sound sleep.
11/12/13 Day
Pench Tiger Reserve: The wolf is one of the targeted species in this reserve. Hence on tiger safaris, we will keep a lookout for this predator. He was a part of Jungle Book as Akela. We search for tigers alongside and keep a lookout for birds, We will find many wetlands and shore birds besides the forest species at Totlah Doh Dam. The end of Pench River offers good sightings of big cats besides mammals and antelope like the Nilgai. The search goes on for big cats, sloth bears, wild dogs, bison, and common animals. Among the avian, we would see the hornbills, jungle owlet, mottled wood owl, white-naped woodpecker, hobby, common kestrel, peregrine falcon, barred button quail, white-bellied and ashy drongo, brown fish owl, brown wood and hawk owls, alexandrine parakeets, osprey, marsh harrier, grebe, snake bird, sandpipers, stints, migratory teals, pygmy cotton goose, ruddy shelduck, nakta and many more.
Our safaris at Pench will be full of surprises and extremely thrilling. The tiger land is picturesque and grand and we will thoroughly enjoy the last leg of our package tour.
14 Day
Pench to Nagpur – New Delhi: Two hour drive will land us at Nagpur Airport for the flight to New Delhi.
15 Day
Fly Back Home: Today we will fly back home from IGI international airport in New Delhi.