India
ICONIC WILDLIFE & CULTURAL SPLENDOURS
MAR - APR 2024 • 15 DAYS • 18 GUESTS
Delve deep into the heart of India where Wild Earth Expeditions uniquely blends an extraordinary wildlife viewing experience with the exploration of its splendid cultural heritage.
Surrender your senses to a world of the unfamiliar: The sound of a tiger’s roar, the din of an energetic daily market, the peace of a temple ... The colors of saris swirling down a busy street, the iridescent blue wings of an Indian roller, the rainbow showers of Holi powders welcoming love and springtime ... The taste of a welcome libation after a day of tracking, and photographing, a leopard in full glory, of a thousand spices in a single sip of chai ... The fragrance of an ancient teak forest, of a traditional meal prepared in a family home ... The touch of a silk-encased pillow, the heat of a desert grassland at midday and a lake-cooled breeze of a starlit evening.
Begin with a total immersion into the natural realm of two distinct national parks in the state of Madhya Pradesh: Kanha, a world-renowned preservation mecca of the Royal Bengal tiger, and Pench National Park, Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book paradise—a shady canopy of teak forest and sun-splashed grassy hillocks. Explore these diverse landscapes and habitats where nearly 40 species of mammals and 250 of birds make these parks unique on the planet. Your time in Pench coincides with the occurrence of Holi—India’s beloved holiday of joy and color. Celebrate with the locals at a nearby village where authentic traditions are in full swing.
Return to civilization with the welcome embrace of Rajasthan, home to fabled palaces and forts, sprawling desert landscapes, and renowned cuisine. Discover the pleasures of Jodhpur—blue houses, winding lanes, silk textiles, step wells—on foot and by madcap tuk tuk rides through teeming, colorful neighborhoods.
Spend two days at a lavish private Relais & Chateau camp surrounded by the ethereal, tawny grass landscape of Jawai, where ancient granite boulders and rolling hills offer secret shelter for the more than 60 leopards that roam here. Meet the Rabari tribal people who live peacefully alongside the leopards.
As a memorable finale visit enchanting, and ultimately romantic, Udaipur, and discover its daily delights and opulent wonders. Set between soaring peaks and sky-blue Lake Pichola, the city is a collage of architectural marvels—ornate palaces, Haveli mansions, and intricately carved temples and cupolas—all woven together by narrow whitewashed streets.
Throughout this memorable journey, stay in unique accommodations, each chosen to showcase India’s tradition of hospitality, its regional styles, and an unparalleled level of luxurious comfort. From a deluxe tented camp beneath a giant Banyan tree to gorgeous hotels furnished with the colorful handcrafts of Rajasthan... and from a pampering luxury camp nestled among rocky outcroppings where leopards dwell, to the legendary Taj Lake Palace that “floats” on Udaipur’s sky reflecting lake, wake to dreams of India come true.
HIGHLIGHTS
Venture into the heart of India to explore 2 extraordinary national parks: Kanha and Pench
Enjoy 4X4 wildlife drives in search of tigers, wild dog, sloth bear, Chital, and Sambar deer, and witness a dazzling array of bird life
Visit the ancient blue city of Jodhpur, and discover the splendors of Udaipur’s palace
Celebrate the Festival of Holi in traditional exuberant village style
Watch and photograph the magnificent, rock-dwelling leopards of Bera
Walk through the Jawai wilderness with Rabari shepherds, remarkable people who live peaceably alongside leopards
Enjoy exquisite accommodations: The Taj Lake Palace (featured in a James Bond movie), a luxury jungle lodge, a “sandstone” hotel honoring the handcrafts of Rajasthan, and a lavish safari camp.
COMBINE FOR THE ULTIMATE INDIA EXPERIENCE
This journey can be combined with its prequel, India: Quest for Snow Leopards—a wildlife lover’s dream-come-true set in the remote valleys of the Himalayas. Enhance your travel experience by adding one or both of our Optional Add-ons to either India: Kaziranga National Park, where you can get close to the highly endangered Asian rhino and Indian elephant or journey to the iconic Taj Mahal, listed as one of the seven modern wonders of the world and explore the past and present on the Old and New Delhi City Tour.
“What an experience with Thomas, the born Expedition Leader, exploding with energy, who is ever so knowledgeable, eloquent, cheerful, and charming - he who makes the seemingly impossible possible! And he always had a surprise up his sleeve. Is someone not quite up for the day’s program? You can be sure he finds him/her an easier alternative. We all kept marvelling how on earth he did it over and over again. With the assistance of Shirley Campbell, Professor of Ethnology, as well as the very best local guides in every country, this was a truly unforgettable three-week experience. THANK YOU, Wild Earth Expeditions!”
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ITINERARY OVERVIEW
INDIA – Iconic Wildlife and Cultural Splendors
Day 01 | Depart home and travel to Delhi, India
Day 02 | Arrive in Delhi / Welcome cocktails & dinner
Day 03 | Fly to Raipur / Travel through rural Madhya Pradesh to Kanha National Park
Day 04-05 | Two days of safari drives in search of Tigers and India’s iconic wildlife
Day 06 | Drive from Kanha to Pench National Park / Evening wildlife safari
Day 07 | Explore Pench National Park on morning and evening wildlife drives
Day 08 | Experience the Holi festival / Visit local village / Nature walk
Day 09 | Fly to Mumbai / Explore Mumbai
Day 10 | Fly to Jodhpur / Jodhpur heritage walk / Jodhpur Fort and old town
Day 11 | Travel to Jawai in the heart of Rajasthan / leopard safari
Day 12 | Bera leopard safari / Afternoon traditional village visit / Evening wildlife drive
Day 13 | Morning safari / Drive to Udaipur / Taj Lake Palace hotel
Day 14 | Udaipur City palace / Fly to Delhi and continue home
Day 15 | Arrive home
INDIA – Kaziranga Indian Rhino & Asian Elephant
2024 ● 5 DAYS ● Optional Add-On Pre or Post Extension
Day 01. Arrive, dinner and overnight in Delhi, India
Day 02. Fly to Guwahati / Journey to Kaziranga
Day 03-04. 2 full days exploring Kaziranga National Park
Day 05. Travel back to Delhi / Join Snow Leopard expedition
INDIA – Iconic Taj Mahal
2024 ● 2 DAYS ● Optional Add-On Pre or Port Extension
Day 01. Dinner and overnight in Delhi, India
Day 02. Travel to Agra / Red Fort & Taj Mahal at sunset
Day 03. Taj Mahal sunrise / Return to Delhi
INDIA – Delhi City Tour
2024 ● 1 DAY ● Optional Add-On Pre or Post Extension
Day 01. Full-day Old and New Delhi City Tour with lunch.
ADD ON - KAZIRANGA INDIAN RHINO & ASIAN ELEPHANT
Optional Add-on Pre or Post Extension
2024 | 5 DAYS
Be part of an extraordinary wildlife expedition to witness and photograph some of the world's rarest mammals in India’s far north-eastern State of Assam. Travel to the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River, famous for its one-horned Rhinoceros and Asian elephants, tiger, gaur, and swamp deer. Explore Kaziranga National Park on elephant back and on 4x4 jeep safaris.
HIGHLIGHTS
Explore Kaziranga National Park on 4x4 jeep safaris and on elephant-back.
Key species to spot: Asian elephant, one-horned rhino, Bengal tiger, leopard, gaur, monkeys, dhole and a variety of birds and deer
Learn about the local tribes and savor delicious Assamese food
Stay at a lovely jungle lodge, designed to resemble an Assamese village
Witness breathtaking scenery along the mighty Brahmaputra river
*Please note this is an optional add-on extension that will be led by professional local guides, no Wild Earth leaders. We are currently holding 3 rooms at Diphlu Lodge for these dates prior to the Snow Leopard expedition, but depending on availability, this extension could be done at any time Pre or Post either of our two India Expeditions.
ADD ON – ICONIC TAJ MAHAL
Optional Add-on Pre or Post Extension
2024 | 2 DAYS
Our Iconic Taj Mahal Add-on provides Wild Earth Explorers the opportunity to discover some of India’s most iconic architectural treasures. Learn about the history and construction behind some of India’s most spectacular fortresses, tombs, and palaces. Marvel at the impressive architecture of the Taj Mahal and Amber Fort and take in the incredible blend of past and present.
HIGHLIGHTS
Be mesmerized by the beauty of the majestic Taj Mahal and Red Fort
*PLEASE NOTE this is an optional add-on extension that will be led by a professional expert Agra Tourist guide and driver, not a Wild Earth leader. This extension can be done at any time Pre or Post either of our two India Expeditions.
ADD ON - DELHI CITY TOUR
2024 | FULL DAY TOUR w. LUNCH
Optional Add-on Pre or Post Extension
If you have an extra day in Delhi (which we always recommend), we are offering a full-day guided Delhi city tour with lunch. Delhi, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land.
WILD EARTH LEADERS
PHOTO CREDIT © Thomas & Natalia Baechtold, Encounters Asia, Indrajit Latey, Adobe Stock