Tiger Safari in India

Named after the legendary Jim Corbett (1875-1955) who shot his first big cat - a leopard - when he was only eight but went on to become an ardent conservationist, Corbett was India's first (and remains one of its finest national parks. Against a backdrop of Himalayan peaks, this scenically attractive park of valleys, grassland and sal forests has the river Ramganga (splendid mahseer fishing in season) running thoughit, and offers rich and varied bird and wildlife viewing. Visitors' creature comforts are not forgotten; the park lodges are more than comfortable- indeed Tiger Tops even has a swimming pool. During the monsoon season (June-mid Nov) the park is closed. Bird watching - over 600 species including the crested serpent eagle and Great Pied Hornbill - is best during December to February. The larger mammals - tiger, leopard and wild elephant - are best seen in late spring and early summer as they forsake forest cover for the river and waterholes. In midwinter the park can be very cold and early morning game viewing even in midsummer can be chilly Best approached from Delhi, the park is also easily reached from Agra and Lucknow.

Day 1-5
After the interesting 6-7 hr drive from Delhi, check into your hotel and relax. During the 3 following days enjoy game viewing and jungle activities -jeep safaris and expeditions on elephant back. On the fifth day return to Delhi by car.

More on Indian Tiger:-
Though slim and elegant, tigers are immensely powerful. Their front legs and paws are tremendously strong: they can kill young elephants and rhino and drag prey weighing 200 kg. (5001 bs.) Or more. Tigers walk on the fore pads of their feet, which gives their stride suppleness and elasticity. They have flexible forelegs that can twist inwards, allowing them to grasp prey. Their claws remain retracted until they are needed in the final moments of attack. Tigers are famed for their glowing amber eyes. Unlike most other cats, they have round pupils. Tigers have acute eyesight and the cells in their eyes are sensitive to color. They can perceive depth because their eyes face forwards, thus allowing direction and distance to be judged with extreme accuracy. Tigers, like all cats, have a special adaptation that gives them excellent night vision: a membrane at the back of the eye reflects light through the light sensitive cells of the retina. This effectively doubles the intensity of dim light. The same principal is used in the "cats' eyes" on our roads. Scent forms the basis for territorial behavior. Tigers keep track of each other's movements by scent marking, which helps them to avoid conflict. To make the best use of information contained in a scent mark, the tiger has to hang out its tongue and draw back the lips, causing the eyes to close. This is called the flehmen response and it allows the tiger to pass the scent through two small holes in the upper palate behind the incisors in effect the tiger can "test" he scent. To human eyes, the expression looks like a grimace of disgust.

Suggested National Parks:-

Kanha National Park: Kanha is the place that has been described by RUDYARD KIPLING in his great book "The Jungle Book". Located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is a tiger reserve that extends over an area of over 940 square km. A horseshoe shaped valley bounded by the spurs of the Mekal presents an interesting topography.

Ranthambhore National Park: Ranthambore has large numbers of sambar, chital and nilgai. Sounders of boar and an occasional gazelle - the chinkara can be seen, as also the Indian hare, mongoose and monitor lizards. The Park which covers an area of 392 sq. km. is set between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. Its deciduous forests were once a part of the magnificent jungles of Central India.

Bandhavgarh National Park: Bandhavgarh an ancient stronghold of many kings, a land with history dating back to roughly 4000 years ago. This area had many dynasties ruling over it and finds mention in the Ramayan. The chances of seeing a Tiger in Bandhavgarh is greater than in any of India's other forests. In summer's Tiger can quite often be seen at couple of major waterholes in the park like Chakradhara, Gopalpur, Jurmani and Barwanala.Other important cats in Bandhavgarh are Leopard and the jungle cat.

Pench National Park: Pench National Park, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura hills is named after Pench river which flows from north to south through the Pench National Park.Cheetal, Sambar, nilgai are commonly seen grazing on the open sites on roadsides and banks of river & reservoir. Jackals can be seen in search of food anywhere in the Park. Packs up to 15 of wild dog can be seen near Chhedia, Jamtara, Bodanala and Pyorthadi areas of the Reserve.

Periyar National Park: Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife. A glimpse may be had even of the tiger during this season, as it comes to the water. Periyar also harbors the leopard, wild dog, barking deer and mouse deer. On the rocky outcrops along the lake, monitor lizards can be seen basking in the sun.

Corbett National Park: Corbett has the highest density of tiger in the Country - approximately one every 5 sq.km. and it was here that the prestigious "Project Tiger" was launched in 1973. Four of deer - hog deer, samber, chital and barking deer and other prey like the wild boar, support the predator. The magnificent Ramganga River flows through the entire length of the Park and little forest streams tumble through the ravines.



Click here for Reservation/More Information

Camel Safari Rajasthan

There is no better vantagepoint to appreciate the wilderness desert areas of Rajasthan than the saddle of a camel. Surrounded by endless sandy wastes, these apparently ungainly animals come into their element, allowing you an authentic and intimate glimpse of villages and ways of life virtually unchanged for centuries. Your own creature comforts however should not be forgotten, so do bring a sun hat and a cushion (the swaying 'ride' of the camels can have unforeseen effects!). You will have your own camel and attendant/driver. Luggage will be accommodated in camel carts. The best center for camel safaris is Jaisalmer, easily accessible from Delhi or Mumbai.

Day 1
Leave Jaisalmer after breakfast by camel, visiting the oasis of Bada Bagh, lunching at Ramkunda, and continuing past Rajput and tribal villages, some occupied others abandoned, to Luderva for dinner and overnight tented accommodation.

Day 2
Leave for Moolsagar, a garden set around a small tank or lake where lunch will be taken (and the camels left) and so on in the afternoon to Jaisalmer by jeep.

About Pushkar Land:-

Excitement, gaiety and a keen sense of competition fill the air as the long journey to Pushkar begins. The only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma (the creator) is located at Pushkar. The Pushkar lake is surrounded by 52 flights of steps called ghats. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu appeared at the Varah ghat in the form of a boar. Brahma took a bath here and performed yagna at the Brahma Ghat accompanied by Vishnu & Mahadev. The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation) were immersed at the Gandhi ghat. Pushkar is among the five principal places of Hindu pilgrimage. People consider the water of the Pushkar lake to be very sacred and the ritual of taking dips in the holy water IS believed to bestow salvation. It is customary to float lighted eastern lamps on pattals (plates made of leaves) on the waters of lake. This creates a spectacular view when the sacred lake takes on a mystical tint sprankled with twinkling spots of light. In conjunction with he religious fair, a cattle fair is also organised. The ancient town of Pushkar is transformed into a spectacular fair ground. The fair grounds reverberate with festivity and woman folk shop for bangles, clothes, utensils, sundry household items & leather goods. The highlight of the Pushkar fair is the trading in camels.

Pushkar which is transformed into a spectacular fair ground in the month of Kartik. People bathe, worship and delight in the dazzling wares of roadside stalls. Camels are bought, sold, beautified, raced and parade. Most unusual are the small groups of men and women seen busy tattooing their hands and other parts of the body. The fair is predominantly a rural gathering. Villagers come from different parts of the state and bring their cattle with them. On spectacular sanddunes camel, horse and bullock races are great crowd pullers. All roads lead to the lake, which is flooded with pilgrims. The movement of the crowd is like a tide of colour with currents of crimson, yellow and turquoise. Evenings at the Pushkar Fair have their own charm. The silent night is pierced by calls of camels. Ballads are sung by actors in passionate tones. Folk dramas, skits and folk dance are organised for the entertainment of the tourists. The Rajasthan

Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) puts up a tourist village during the fair. The tourist village is self sufficient and specially designed to complement the natural beauty of the site. It has a Coffee Shop and Dining Hall which can cater to 1 500 guests at a time. The village is arranged in blocks of tents, each with its own identity, being named after the famous dances of Rajasthan. The village also has huts with attached western style toilets and running water. One can also stay in Sarovar Hotel, Pushkar and Khadim Tourist Bunglow at Ajmer.


Click here for Reservation/More Information