STRIPES, SPOTS & TAJ MAHAL
Would you like to see not only a tiger, but also a wild leopard? On this journey the chances are very good to meet both big cats. Leopards can be found in most tiger reservations, but are rarely observed. In Bera, the leopard is a protected king as he fears neither tiger nor lion. For this reason, he is spotted almost daily. This trip, which is accompanied by local English speaking guides, can be booked flexibly on request within the dates given.
Itinerary
Delhi – Corbett – Agra – Ranthambhore – Jaipur – Bera – Udaipur – Delhi
Transport
Flight, drive with privatem driver
Big Cats
Tiger, leopard
Possible travel period
November 15 – June 15
Duration of the tour
13 days
Prices Option A
in 3 – 4 star hotels & lodges**
for 2 pers. CHF 4150.–* per person
for 4 pers. CHF 3300.–* per person
Prices Option B
in 4 – 5 star hotels & lodges**
for 2 pers. CHF 4350.–* per person
for 4 pers. CHF 3500.–* per person
* The prices indicated represent the lowest margin. Final pricing depends on effective travel dates.
** Dhikala Forest Rest House in Corbett is a unique experience – only here can you stay overnight in the middle of an Indian national park. But it is a very simple accommodation, comparable to a mountain cottage. Power outages and hot water interruptions are to be expected. For an extra charge we offer you a comfortable alternative at the edge of the park.
Lodging
2 nights in Delhi
3 nights in Dhikala
A & B Dhikala Forest Rest House**
1 night in Agra
3 nights in Ranthambore
1 night in Jaipur
2 nights in Bera
A & B Bera Safari Lodge
Tour Program
Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
Individual arrival in Delhi. Pick-up and welcome at the airport by our English speaking representative, who will take you to your hotel, assist you with check-in and hand over the remaining travel documents. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Delhi – Corbett 5–6 hours drive, 275 km
Early breakfast and then drive to Corbett National Park. The drive to reach the jungle on the southern slope of the Himalayas in Ramnagar takes about 5 hours. Here you change from a closed vehicle to an open safari jeep and enjoy from now on the beautiful landscape and wildlife of the Terai. After another 2 hours you reach the Dhikala Forest Rest House built by the British. After check-in and lunch we will head off on our first jeep safari in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the Forest Rest House.
Remark:
Dikhala is the only accommodation in India located in the middle of a national park. It is picturesquely elevated above the shore of the Ramganga reservoir and overlooks the foothills of the Himalayas. Only vegetarian food is served here, so that no predators are attracted. Alcohol is not allowed. The Forest Rest House is tidy but very simple, no luxury awaits you. If you wish a more comfortable accommodation, we will be happy to organize a beautiful lodge at the edge of the national park for you.
Days 3 – 4
In Corbett
Early morning and afternoon jeep safari. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge.
Corbett was aptly described as "the land of the roar, trumpet and song" – representing the tiger, the elephant and the incredible variety of birds with more than 600 present species. Corbett displays a scene of remarkable beauty and was also the place where Project Tiger as inaugurated by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The magical landscape with dense vegetation gives you the feeling that the tiger is watching you from every corner - but you can't locate it. It feels as though it was lurking around every corner and disappears soon as you get closer. This tension will captivate you. The rich biodiversity of the park is attributed to the richness in habitats: Due to its location at the foothills of the central Himalayas, both the flora and fauna of the Himalayas and of the subcontinent can be found. Read the writings of Jim Corbett to get in the right mood for this wonderful park and its fauna.
Day 5
Corbett – Agra 7–8 hours drive, 350 km
In the morning you can either take a last two-hour jeep safari or spend a relaxed morning checking out at 8.00 am before heading off to Agra. If you opt for the safari, you will be back at the lodge at around 9.00 am to have a short breakfast and check out. The drive out of the park runs for 32 km through the jungle. Tigers, leopards and elephants are often seen on this route at this time. So don't put your camera away yet!
After leaving the park you can safely stow away your photographic equipment. Continue to Agra in about 6-7 hours. Upon arrival, check in and overnight at the hotel. Evening program at your disposal.
Day 6
Agra – Ranthambhore 5–6 hours drive, 265 km
At sunrise you proceed to visit the world renowned white marble mausoleum, the Taj Mahal. The Taj was built in the middle of the 17th century by the Mogul Emperor Shah Jehan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal as a tribute of love. For 17 years highly qualified craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy as well as about 20,000 labourers worked for the construction of this mad tomb. The white marble was transported over a distance of more than 200 km by elephants.
After a relaxed breakfast continue to the red sandstone fort of Agra, which stands like a crescent moon on the banks of the Yamuna River. Three successive Mogul emperors – Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jehan – helped to create this massive structure that combines Hindu and Muslim architecture. Check-out at the hotel and drive to Ranthambhore in the colorful state of Rajasthan. Upon arrival, check-in and dinner at the lodge.
Remark:
The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
Days 7 – 8
In Ranthambhore
In the morning and afternoon a jeep safari in the national park. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge. Ranthambhore is situated between the Aravalli and Vidnhya mountains and captivates with its rocky, wooded hills that merge into open valleys. The name Ranthambhore comes from the 1000 year old fortress that towers over the forest – an exceptional landscape where history blends with nature.
Day 9
Ranthambhore – Jaipur 3 hours drive, 180 km
Morning jeep safari in the park. After breakfast drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel. The rest of the day is at your free disposal. Overnight stay at the hotel. Jaipur – the capital of Rajasthan is kept entirely in pink – the color that is associated with hospitality in the Rajput culture. The Pink City, as it is also called, is picturesque with its fairytale palaces, wild fortresses on inaccessible hills and wide streets.
Day 10
Jaipur – Bera 7 hours drive, 390 km
After breakfast drive to Bera through rural India. Upon arrival check in at the lodge and late afternoon jeep safari. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. Bera is located near the Jawai Dam and is unique in terms of the reliable leopard sightings that are only possible here. Bera has no forest, but is semi-wild grassland with rocky hills on which leopards throne.
Day 11
In Bera
In the morning and in the afternoon one jeep safari each in Bera in search of leopards, including a visit to the reservoir where you can observe crocodiles and a large number of birds. With a bit of luck you may also see a striped hyena or a sloth bear.
Day 12
Bera – Udaipur – Delhi
3 hours drive, 13o km & Flug
After the last morning safari and breakfast drive to Udaipur airport. Flight to Delhi at 3.05pm and arrival at 4.30pm. Transfer to the hotel near the airport and overnight stay.
Day 13
Delhi & individual home or onward journey
Day at leisure in Delhi or individual onward journey. In the evening transfer to the international airport.
Included services
The above prices per person include:
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Hotel in Delhi and Agra including breakfast
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Lodge in Corbett, Ranthambhore und Bera with full board
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Continuous supply of bottled drinking water in hotels, lodges and vehicles
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Domestic flight in economy class Udaipur – Delhi
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Entrances and guides in Corbett, Ranthambhore und Bera
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6 exclusive safaris in a 4x4 jeep in Corbett
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5 exclusive safaris in a 4x4 jeep in Ranthambhore
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4 exclusive safaris in a 4x4 jeep in Bera
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Tour guide and private driver for sightseeing in Agra
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Entrances to the Fort of Agra and the Taj Mahal
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Assistance at the airports and hotels
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All land transfers with private driver in air-conditioned Toyota Innova
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All currently applicable taxes
The following is not included:
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Individual travel to Delhi
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Visa: all foreign visitors need a valid visa for India: the easiest way is to apply for an e-Tourist-Visa directly online: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa. The e-Visa can be applied for up to 120 days in advance and is valid from the day of entry. For a regular visa you must send your passport to an Indian representation in your home country. More information can be found on the website of the Indian representations in the US indianembassyusa.gov.in, in Australia cgisydney.gov.in, in the UK hcilondon.gov.in and in Switzerland indembassybern.gov.in. The passport should in any case be valid for 6 months beyond the validity period of your visa.
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Tips for drivers and guides: Tips are expected when you are satisfied – for exceptional services you may also exceed our recommendations. Calculate with 400-600 INR per guide and 300-500 for the driver per day or half of it for half a day or a single safari.
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Tips in hotels/lodges: we recommend not to tip individual staff members such as the concierge as this would be unfair towards others. Instead, at the end of your stay, put something in the most common tip box – the tip will then be evenly distributed among the staff. We recommend about 5 US $ or 350 INR per person and day.
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Possible fees for photo and video cameras in the national parks and at monuments
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Personal expenses such as smoking, soft drinks, alcohol, laundry and telephone calls.
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Travel Insurance
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Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Remarks
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The Dhikala Forest Lodge serves only vegetarian food and no alcohol. Bringing alcohol is strictly forbidden.
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Check-in and check-out are always at 12.00 noon.
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If the intended hotel or normal room category is sold out, alternative accommodations will be suggested.
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Single room surcharges or larger groups on request.
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Our jeep safaris are on an exclusive basis, which means you do not share your jeep with any other travelers.
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Ideally you should travel in groups of two or four, as the jeeps can accommodate a maximum of 4 tourists (5 are possible, but not very comfortable).
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The allocation of the park zone in which the individual safaris take place depends on the forestry authority and can only be influenced to a limited extent, depending on the park.
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Entrance costs to national parks or state taxes may change at any time. Such changes will be communicated to you in good time.
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Safari permits must be applied in most parks 120 days prior to departure. It is therefore often not possible to book at short notice or to change your name less than 120 days before the start of your trip.
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Travel safety: please refer to the recommendations of the US Department of State Travel Advisory, the Smart Traveller of the Australian Government or the UK Government foreign travel advice respectively for safety and security information on the areas you want to visit.
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Vaccinations: please check the current recommendations of your country such as cdc.gov/travel for the US, myvaccination.com.au/travel-vaccinations for Australia or safetravel.ch for Switzerland. In general, standard vaccinations and hepatitis A are recommended. Malaria proyphylaxis or the carrying of standby emergency treatment as well as good mosquito protection and long-sleeved outdoor clothing are recommended at dusk.