Wander through the mystical forests of the Terai on the southern slope of the Himalayas and follow in the footsteps of hunter and book author Jim Corbett, who spent most of his life walking through these jungles. Apart from Corbett, you will get to know unknown parks that receive only a few foreign guests, which, besides tigers and leopards, house elephants, Asiatic black bears and rhinos. This trip, which is accompanied by local English speaking guides, can be booked flexibly on request within the dates given.
Itinerary
Delhi – Corbett – Kishanpur – Dudhwa – Bardia – Lucknow – Delhi
Transport
Flight, drive with private driver
Big Cats
Tiger, leopard
Possible period of travel
November 15 – June 15
Duration of tour
15 days
Prices Option A
in 3 – 5 star hotels & lodges**
for 2 pers. CHF 3990.–* per person
for 4 pers. CHF 3350.–* per person
Prices Option B
in 4– 5 star hotels & lodges**
for 2 pers. CHF 4200.–* per person
for 4 Pers. CHF 3600.–* per person
* The prices indicated represent the lowest margin. Final pricing depends on effective travel dates.
** We are delighted to offer you 4 nights in stunning and luxurious Jaagir Lodge in Dudhwa. You will stay 4 nights in this lodge for the price of a middle class hotel.
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
A & B Ibis Aero City
3 nights in Dhikala
A & B Dhikala Forest Rest House**
1 night in Corbett
A Taj Corbett Spa & Resort
4 nights in Dudhwa
4 nights in Bardia
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 6 – 7 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
In Corbett
In the morning last jeep safari in the Dikhala zone before leaving the park for a resort beyond the park boundaries after breakfast. Check-in and lunch at the resort. In the afternoon jeep safari in the Jhirana zone of the park. Dinner and overnight at the resort.
Day 6
Corbett – Dudhwa Tiger Reserve 5 – 6 hours drive, 260 km
After breakfast drive to Dudhwa. Upon arrival check-in and lunch at the breath-taking Jaagir Lodge. In the afternoon jeep safari at Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, which is part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. It covers an area of 227 km2 and was established in 1972. About 30 km from the Dudhwa National Park, it is located on the banks of the Sharada. The forests of the Dudhwa National Park and the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary are unfortunately not contiguous and interrupted by agricultural land which often leads to conflicts between humans and animals.
The vegetation of Kishanpur is similar to that of Dudhwa with dense alluvial forests and moist deciduous trees such as sal, teak and jambul. The open meadows, fed by streams, attract a variety of animals and birds. There are 450 species of resident and migratory birds that are worthy of mention, such as the red-crested pochard, the darter and the black-necked stork.
Day 7
In Dudhwa
In the morning and afternoon jeep safaris in Dudhwa. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Dudhwa slowly becomes an alternative to the celebrity parks of Ranthambhore, Kanha and Bandhavgarh, but the frequency of tiger sightings in Dudhwa is much lower than in the more famous parks. But Dudhwa is an undiscovered paradise for nature lovers with no claim to luxury and hustle and bustle. The biodiversity of this park is unsurpassed. Dudhwa is home to practically half the world's Barasingha population, many tigers, elephants, rhinoceroses, swamp crocodiles and gharials.
Day 8
In Dudhwa
Morning and afternoon safari in Dudhwa, including elephant ride in the rhino sanctuary. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge.
Day 10
Dudhwa – Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary 2 hours drive, 120 km
After breakfast drive to the Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary which is also part of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Enjoy a boat safari on the Girwa River looking for Ganges dolphins, swamp crocodiles and gharials. With luck, you may also see a rare fishing cat which, unlike most other cats, loves water and hunts its prey on the shore. Overnight either at Katerniaghat's Forest Rest House or return to and overnight in Dudhwa's Jaagir Lodge.
Day 10
Dudhwa – Bardia 110 km, 4 – 5 hours drive
After breakfast drive to Bardia National Park across the border to Nepal via Dhangarh. Entry formalities at the border: please bring two passport photos in standard size with you. They are required for the visa in Nepal.
Our driver will drop you off at the border to Dhangarh and introduce you to the driver who will continue to take you to Bardia. After arrival, check in at the lodge, lunch and afternoon safari in the park - in Bardia you can either go into the jungle by jeep, boat or on foot.
A walking safari is a unique experience. For safety reasons, however, we recommend that you choose the jeep. A walking safari is always at your own risk.
Days 12 – 13
In Bardia
Full day safaris in the park with lunch packed by the lodge. You will have lunch at a watchpoint inside the park, overlooking a nearby riverbed. The Bardia National Park is a protected area founded in 1988. With an area of 968 km2 it is the largest and still relatively little visited national park in the Nepalese Terai. Meals and overnight stay at the lodge.
Day 14
Bardia – Lucknow – Delhi 6 – 7 hours drive, 290 km & flight
After breakfast head towards Lucknow for a longer drive. The Nepalese driver will take you to the border with India, where our Indian representative will already be waiting for you. He will assist you with the entry formalities. Continue to Lucknow Airport. Flight to Delhi at 6.05 pm with arrival at 7.10 pm. Reception at the airport and transfer to the nearby hotel. Check-in and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 15
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 including breakfast
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Lodge in Corbett, Kishanpur, Dudhwa und Bardia 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 Lucknow-Delhi with Jet Airways
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Entrances and guides in Corbett, Kishanpur, Dudhwa und Bardia
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5 exclusive safaris in a 4x4 jeep in Corbett
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2 exclusive safaris in a 4x4 jeep in Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
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1 elephant safari inside the Rhino area during stay in Dudhwa
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1 boat safari in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
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All safari activities in Bardia organized according to your personal wishes organised by the lodge.
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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 & Dudhwa Forest Rest Houses only serve 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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The above travel times from one location to another are based on normal road conditions and may vary. Every break for food, tea, toilets etc. prolongs the travel times.
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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.