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Day 1 – Arrive Delhi and transfer by train to Ranthambhore National Park

After your overnight flight, pass through immigration upon arrival at Delhi international airport and meet up with your tour leader who will travel with you for the duration of your time in India.  Transfer by private car to a restaurant / hotel for lunch and to freshen up.  Take the express train to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore National Park) at about 5pm for a journey of approximately 3 hours (Air-conditioned Chair Carriage).  Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for dinner and where you will stay for the next 4 nights.
Lunch in Delhi and dinner at Ranthambhore Forest Resort or similar

Days 2, 3 and 4 – Ranthambhore National Park – 6 jeep safaris

Leave for the park early in the morning (before sunrise) and enjoy your jeep safari (approx. 3 hours) looking for tigers and many other mammals and birds too.  Return to your hotel for breakfast, relaxing time (by the swimming pool if you wish) and lunch before your afternoon jeep safari at about 2-230pm in to Ranthambhore National Park.  The park closes by sun set.

Ranthambhore National Park is one of the largest national parks in northern India. It is situated in south-eastern Rajasthan, about 120 miles from Jaipur.  It used to be the hunting grounds for the Maharajas’ of Jaipur (until 1970) and comprises nearly 850 square miles of jungle scrub, rocky ridges, lakes, old temples and buildings, along with the 10th century fort that looks down over the lake.  It was established as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary in 1955 by the Government of India and was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973. Ranthambhore became a national park in 1980.  In 1984, the adjacent forests were declared the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary and Keladevi Sanctuary, and in 1991 the tiger reserve was enlarged to include Sawai Man Singh and Keladevi sanctuaries.  The park now has 10 different routes / zones for jeep safaris in which to search for wildlife.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Ranthambhore.

Day 5 – Ranthambhore National Park to Pushkar

After breakfast drive to Pushkar (approx. 5 hours).  Arrive in Pushkar and check in to your hotel.  After lunch enjoy a visit to Pushkar Lake, Bramha Temple and the local markets.  Optional sunset camel ride in to the desert starting and ending from your hotel – subject to availability and timing.
Breakfast in Ranthambhore with lunch and dinner at Pushkar Resort

Day 6 – Pushkar to Bera

After an early breakfast drive to Bera (6 – 7 hours) set in the Aravali Mountain Range of western Rajasthan, enjoying lunch on route.   Arrive at Bera and check in at your Luxury Tented Camp for the next 3 nights and relax.  Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with hot water (geyser electric shower with good pressure), western style WC, air-conditioning, electricity, beds and chairs for relaxing on the outside verandah.  There are also communal seating areas at the entrance, under the shade of the tree and in the dining area.

Bera is where leopards roam free amongst large granite boulders and it is one of the best places for viewing them in their natural habitat. Scrub land, cacti, acacia vegetation on hillocks, along with caves provide a perfect habitat for leopards. A dam on the river Jawai provides a lake with crocodiles and both resident and migratory birds.

Breakfast in Pushkar, packed-lunch on-route and dinner at Safari Camp

Days 7 & 8 – Bera – 4 jeep safaris

You will take an early morning jeep safari around Bera and Jawai Dam area, to the foothills of the Aravali Ranges, driving over the enormous boulders and on sandy tracks amongst the trees, with views of the surrounding lake and farmland in search of leopard.  The safari drive is an adventure itself and culminates with morning coffee / tea overlooking the lake before returning to the camp for breakfast.

The remainder of the day is free until late afternoon when you go on another jeep safari. Return by early evening for dinner.  On one of the days, a visit to the village and lunch over-looking the Mithdi Dam will be included between jeep safaris – the dam area is a good spot for bird-watching and relaxing in the shade of the trees.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Camp

Day 9 – Bera to Velavadar National Park

After breakfast drive to Velavadar (6-7 hrs).  Arrive at Velavadar National Park and check into the lodge. The remainder of the day gives you time to relax – sit on your balcony over-looking the landscape and keep a lookout for the blackbuck and other wildlife that come in to the grounds of the lodge.  There is also a comfortable sitting room overlooking the lake, which is good for birdwatching or watching the sun set and there is a library in the reception area.  Bedrooms and bathrooms are spacious and have inside and outside (private) showers.  There is also a window seat / single bed which is ideal for relaxing on or for looking at stars at night.

There are also spa treatments on site (optional cost) – subject to availability.

Breakfast in Bera, packed-lunch on-route and dinner at Velavadar – Luxury lodge

Day 10 – Velavadar National Park to Gir National Park

In the morning, visit Velavadar National Park (34 sq kms), mainly for the elegant Black Buck antelopes. You will have good opportunities to photograph them as there are approximately 5000 in the park.  Other mammals which you might encounter (if you are lucky) are jungle cat, jackal, Indian fox, Indian wolf (25 in the park as of March 2018) and striped hyena (only 5 in the park as of March 2018). One very interesting aspect of Velavadar National Park is the roosting site for of Montagus’ harriers – up to 2000 have been recorded here.

After lunch transfer by road to Sasan Gir National Park (5 hrs drive approx.) where you will check into the lodge for the next 4 nights.

Breakfast and lunch at Velavadar and dinner at Gir – Nature lodge cottage

Days 11, 12 & 13 – Gir National Park – 6 jeep safaris

You will spend three days exploring Gir National Park, where you can enjoy 2 jeep safaris per day, of about 3 hours each, to maximize your chances of wildlife viewing and birding.  The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset.  The area is best known for being the home for the last remaining population of Asiatic Lions and is also one of the finest reserves to see leopards. Some of the birds found here include the Indian Jungle Nightjar, Mottled Wood Owl, Rock Bush Quail, White-bellied Minivet, Painted Sandgrouse, Black Ibis, Rufous-fronted Prinia and Crested Hawk Eagle.

The middle part of the day is free for you to relax or to do optional activities – guided nature / bird watching walk alongside the river or a village visit

Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Gir – no alcohol available here

Day 14 – Gir National Park to Rajkot – TOUR ENDS

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Rajkot airport in time to connect with your evening flight to Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and connect with your international flight back to your country – domestic and international flights are not included in above price.

Breakfast and packed lunch