Tiger, Taj and Culture Tour India

Wildlife Tour to Eastern India

Calcutta - Guwahati - Kaziranga National Park - Guwahati (Jalpaiguri) - Jaldapara - Gangtok - Darjeeling - Bagdodra - Calcutta

DAY 01: Arrive Kolkata

On your arrival at the airport our representative will meet you at arrival lounge,after a traditional welcome he will provide you transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 02: Kolkata

Morning after breakfast city sightseeing tour of Kolkata. Visit Victorial Memorial - Built of white marble and surrounded by lush gardens, the Victoria Memorial is probably the most beautiful monumental legacy of British India. It was built by Lord Curzon in the early 20th century in memory of the late Queen of England. St. Paul's Cathedral, The Birla Planetariums - This single-storeyed, circular structure is one of the largest planetariums in the world. The central hall is air-conditioned and can accommodate upto five hundred persons. The stars, planets and cosmic bodies look marvelous.

Also visit Indian Museum, Eden Gardens - These gardens were created in 1840. A Burmese-style pagoda brought after the British victory in the Burmese war of 1884 is set at a lake. The park is picturesque.

Kali Temple - This interesting temple, 6 km south of Sudder Street, is dedicated to Kali, the patron goddess of Kolkata. Kali means "black". The tongue of the deity of Kali drips with blood and she wears a garland of skulls. Kali is the destructive side of Lord Siva's consort, Parvati. The present temple was built in 1809 on the site of a much older temple. It is open from 3.00 am to 8.00 pm. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 03: Kolkata / Guwahati / Kaziranga National Park (217 km)

Morning we will provide you transfer to the domestic airport to board on flight to Guwahati. On arrival at Guwahati our representative will meet you at the guwahati airport and will take you to Kaziranga National Park. On arrival check in at the wildlife resort at Kaziranga. Overnight stay at resort.

DAY 04: Kaziranga National Park

Morning and evening Jeep/elephant safari into the national park. Overnight stay at wildlife resort.

Kaziranga National Park is located in the heart of Assam on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra river. Famed the world over for the presence of the one-horned rhinos, Kaziranga covers a total area of 430 Sq. Kms. Vast stretches of coarse, tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical forests makes Kaziranga the ideal habitat for wildlife. Abundant availability of water in the park is another advantage. Limitless poaching led to the declaration of Kaziranga as a reserve forest way back in 1908. It was upgraded to wildlife sanctuary status in 1940 and designated as a national park in the year 1974.

More than half of the total one horned rhinos in the world inhabit the Kaziranga National Park. Apart from the Rhinos, other animals found in good numbers are Indian Elephants, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer, Sloth Bears, Tigers, Leopard Cats, Jungle Cats, Otters, Hog Badgers, Capped Langurs, Hoolock Gibbons, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Buffalo, Pythons and Monitor Lizards. A few other species noticed in the park are Barking Deer, Sambar, Golden Langurs, Slow Loris, Pygmy Hog, Capped Langur and Bears.)

DAY 05: Kaziranga National Park

Morning and evening Jeep/elephant safari to the national park. Overnight stay at wildlife resort.

DAY 06:Kaziranga / Guwahati (217 km) /New Jalpai Gudi (NJP)

Morning after breakfast drive to Guwahati, and transfer to guwahati railway station time to catch train for for NJP. Overnight stay onboard.

DAY 07: Arrive NJP / Jaldapara (140 Km)

On arrival at NJP station our representative will meet you at the station, he will provide you drive to Jaldapara. On arrival check in at the hotel/Lodge. Overnight at Hotel/Lodge.

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary situated at the foothills of Eastern Himalayas in Alipurduar Sub-Division of Jalpaiguri district.The sancuary was eastablished in the year of 1943 for the protection of wild life specially the one horned Rhinos. River Torsha runs through this riverain forest sanctuary which is mostly covered with tall grasses. The wild life, in addition to the famous single horned rhinos, consists of Royal Bengal Tigers, wild elephants, deer, swamp deer, hog deer, wild pigs, bison and a number of birds, pea-fowl etc.Jaldapara is a paradise for bird watchers. It is one of the very few places in India, where the Bengal Florican was spotted. Set out with a binocular and see the majestic flight of hornbill, racket-tailed drongo and paradise flycatcher. See the splendors of sun set beyond the vast grassland of Jaldapara from you Bungalow deck.A thrilling elephant safari is organized in the early morning from Hollong to offer the exquisite beauty of the vast grassland of Jaldapara. The elephant ride is the best possible way to explore the sanctuary with the rare sight of Indian rhinos and Asiatic elephants. The jeep safari inside the sanctuary is another main attraction.)

DAY 08: Jadapara

Morning and evening jeep/elephant safari into the park. Overnight at hotel/lodge.

DAY 09: Jadapara

Morning and evening jeep/elephant safari into the park. Overnight at hotel/lodge.

DAY 10: Jadapara / Gangtok (150 km)

Morning after breakfast at hotel/lodge drive to Gangtok, on arrival check in at the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 11: Gangtok

After breakfast proceed to Tsomgo Lake (12,210 Ft), a 40 km drive which takes 2.5 hrs. This lake is located very close to Nathula Pass which is the entry point to China termed as the "Silk Route & remains frozen for most parts of the year. Legend has it that the Lamas use to forecast the future by studying the colour of the lakes waters. Enjoy the surroundings, majestic snowy peaks which feed the lake and the clean fresh air. Back to Gangtok by 3 pm for a late lunch. Evening free for leisure or go shopping for Sikkimese traditional handicrafts. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 12: Gangtok / Darjeeling (90 km)

Morning free after breakfast drive to Darjeeling. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon free to explore local market. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 13: Darjeeling

Start the day at 4 am with an early morning trip to Tiger Hill (7800 Ft) to catch the sunrise from behind the majestic Kunchenjunga range. On the way back visit the Ghoom Monastery & Batasia Loop. Back to the hotel for breakfast. Spend the rest of the day recouping the lost sleep. Walk to the mall, do some shopping or lazy around at "Chowrasta" - the meeting point. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 14: Darjeeling / Bagdogra (100 km) / Kolkata

Transfer to Bagdogra airport to board the flight for Kolkata, on arrival our representative will meet you at the airport and will provide you transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free for own activity. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 15: Departure

Transfer to the airport to board the flight for onward destination.

Tour and Services Ends.

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Tiger, Taj and Culture Tour India (Tour Highlight)

City	Tour Highlight
Delhi	Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Connaught Palace, Raj Ghat, Presidential Palace, Safdarjang’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb.
Jaipur	City Palace, Johri Bazaar, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Amer Fort.
Ranthambhore	Safari in the National Park.
Agra	Taj Mahal, Agra Fort.
Khajuraho	Architecture of Khajuraho.
Bandhavgarh	Jeep / Elephant Safari, Bird watching walks.
Kanha	Jeep / Elephant Safari in the National Park.

Animal spotting tips

If you're serious about observing wildlife there are a few things you can do to enhance your experience and bring you even closer to nature.

1) Once you've planned your trip, visit your local bookshop, library or go on the internet to find a wildlife guide for the area you intend visiting. This will give you the best idea of the kinds of plants and animals you can expect to see.

2) Always take services of a local and experienced naturalist/guide who knows the area better. There is nothing better than local knowledge when it comes to spotting wildlife.

3) Wild animals have their distinct daily and seasonal patterns of activities. a baisc knowledge of these patterns increases one's chances of seeing them. The frequency of wildlife sightings in national parks and reserves varies, depending on the time of year.In India the best times are from February to May,during these months the trees are often bare, so visibility is considerably improved. Since there is also a general scarcity of water, the animals concentrate near sources of water.

4) Many animals have an amazingly alert sense of sight which helps them survive in the wild. To get close takes a great degree of patience and time but you can increase your chances by wearing natural or neutral colours that blend into your surroundings. Keep your movements to a minimum and when you do move, do it slowly and quietly.

5) Animals are very wary of the human voice. So, in order to get close to them, absolute silence is essential. Walk softly and watch where you're placing your feet so as not to snap branches or twigs or create other noise as you make your approach. Even if you have to take a less direct route, avoid walking through dense undergrowth as the animal is more likely to hear you and run away. Avoid carrying any metal objects in your pockets which will make noise. This includes things like car keys and loose change.

6 ) A highly attuned sense of smell is one of the key aspects for many species of wildlife to detect where food is or, indeed, even prey. It is, for many, the most important of their senses in their battle for survival. Don't wear any aftershave or perfume and avoid scented soaps and deodorants. There are plenty of environmentally friendly non-scented soaps and toiletries on the market from specialist camping stores. Although you may baulk at this suggestion, wear your clothes for several days if you're really serious about wildlife spotting. The more you wear your clothes outdoors, the more the fabrics will absorb natural outdoors scents and smells. Always be aware of the wind direction and make sure that the direction in which you approach an animal is where the wind is blowing towards you. If it's blowing away from you, animals can detect your scent from many hundreds of yards away.

7) It shouldn't be important to get too close up to an animal to enjoy the experience and, in some instances, if you do get too near, it can even be dangerous and sometimes life-threatening. Binoculars can keep you at a safe distance from your quarry and means they are less likely to run away. Also, binoculars are the only way to view nesting birds or other forms of young wildlife. You should never get too close to a burrow, a nest or animals out and about with their young.

A magnifying glass will also come in handy if you're interested in examining insects and smaller wildlife alongside plants, flowers etc.

Following these tips and advice will ensure that your experience will be heightened as you marvel at all the wildlife and nature you've witnessed.