Big Cats of India
Destination : Mumbai
- Gir National Park - Jaipur
- Ranthambore National Park - Leh - Spetuk.
Duration : 20
Days 19 Nights
DAY 01 ARRIVE MUMBAI
Arrive Mumbai met and transferred to your hotel
Over night stay
at the hotel
DAY 02 MUMBAI
DIU GIR NATIONAL PARK
Departure transfer to the airport to
connect flight to Diu (9W 3403 1045 hrs / 1145 hrs)
Arrive Diu at
1145 hrs met upon arrival and transferred to Gir National Park
Arrive Gir National Park and check in at your resort
DAYS 03 04 GIR
NATIONAL PARK
Morning and afternoon game drives to the
national park for tiger tracking and animal watching
DAY 05 GIR NATIONAL PARK
MUMBAI
Departure transfer to the Bhavnagar airport
to connect flight to Mumbai (DN 325 1645 hrs / 1745 hrs)
Arrive
Mumbai and transferred to your airport hotel for one night stay
DAY 06 MUMBAI JAIPUR
RANTHAMBHOR NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast drive to
Ranthambhor National park (180 kms / 04 hours)
Arrive Ranthambhor
National Park and check in at your resort Today after lunch we will
have our first game drive to the national park. We might be able to
meet stripe gentleman.
DAYS 07 08
RANTHAMBORE TIGER RESERVE
Ranthambore National Park is one
of the prime examples of Project Tigers conservation efforts in
Rajasthan. The forests around the Ranthambore Fort were once, the
private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The desire to
preserve the game in these forests for sport was responsible for their
conservation, and subsequent rescue by Project Tiger.
The Park sprawls over an estimated area
of 400 sq kms. Steep crags embrace a network of lakes and rivers, and
a top one of these hills, is the impressive Ranthambore Fort, built in
the 10th century. The terrain fluctuates between impregnable forests
and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type,
with dhok, being the most prominent tree. The entry point to the Park
goes straight to the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi
Mahal. The latter boasts of the second-largest banyan tree in India.
The Padam Talab, the Raj Bagh Talab and the Malik Talab are some of
the lakes in the area that attract the tiger population. They have
been spotted at the edges of these lakes, and Jogi Mahal itself. Old
crumbling walls, ruined pavilions, wells, and other ancient structures
stand witness to the region's glorious past. The entire forest is
peppered with the battlements and spillovers of the Ranthambore Fort -
tigers are said to frequent these ruins, too. The tigers can be
spotted quite often even during the day, busy in their normal pursuits
- especially stalking or hunting and taking care of their young. With
the strict measures that have been taken for their conservation, they
seem quite accustomed to human activity and are not disturbed by it.
For a relatively small area, the park has a rich diversity
of fauna and flora - species list includes 300 trees, 50 aquatic
plants, 272 birds, 12 reptiles (including the marsh crocodile) &
amphibians and 30 mammals.
DAY 09 RANTHAMBHOR NATIONAL PARK - DELHI
After a final morning's
game drive today, we will return to Delhi by train (Golden Temple Mail
departing Sawai Madhopur at 1300 hrs. Arriving Delhi at 1855 hrs.
After arriving at Delhi we will be transferred to our airport hotel
for a night.
DAY 10 DELHI
LEH
Departure transfer to the airport to connect flight to Leh (9W 609
0540 hrs / 0655 hrs)
Arrive Leh at 0655 hrs met upon arrival and
transferred to the your hotel
Rest of the day to get acclimatized
Over night stay at Leh at your hotel
DAY 11 LEH Day at
leisure or acclimatized
Leh is the capital of Ladakh a
vast highland desert lying between the Karakoram and the Himalayan
ranges. Leh is inhabited predominantly by the Buddhists and
accordingly is the centre of Buddhist culture. At an altitude of 3500
meters and a population of approximately 14000, Leh today is an
important military base and a tourist attraction.
Leh became an
important trading post and established relations with North India and
Central Asia. After 1947, it became a strategic military center as it
is situated along Indias borders with both Pakistan and China.
Leh is located in a fertile valley with the river Indus racing
10 kms off it.
The nerve center of Ladakh converges at Leh, ever
since Soyang Namgyal made it the capital city in the 16th century. And
what a throbbing nerve center, with a bustling maze of shopping
pathways and all major GOMPAS in and around this part of the Indus
valley. Leh opened to the world in the late 70s. Despite the fact that
down the years, tourism has lead to a profusion of hotels, bakeries,
restaurants which veil its original agrarian character, Leh wears
its heavily touristy look without cramping its style. Even as one
strolls down the market areas, stopping to listen to the music of the
prayer wheels, the singing bowls, or experiencing the sheer rush of
entering a whole mesh of curio keepers and antique haunts to choose
from, walking to the wonderful vantage point, the Shanti Stupa or
catching a polo match, an archery competition in the main maidan
(grounds), theres still more to discover in this verdant valley
capital. It is a walkers town, as most of the attractions mentioned
are in town itself
The main town is dominated by Sengge
Namgyals nine-storey palace, a building in the grand tradition of
Tibetan architecture. Above it, on Namgyal Semo the peak overlooking
the town, are the ruins of the earliest royal residence at Leh a fort
built by king Tashi Namgyal in the 16th century. In the bazaar the
main sites to visit are the jo khang a modern ecumenical Buddhist
temple, and an imposing mosque dating from the late 17th century
situated opposite each other.
DAY 12 TREK TO
SPITUK
Trek to Spituk for Snow Leopard
Over night in tents
DAY 13 TREK TO
ZINGCHEN
Trek to Zingchen for Snow Leopard
Over night in tents
DAYS 14-15 ZINGCHEN
Search for Snow Leopard
Over night in tents
DAY 16 TREK BACK TO
SPITUK
Trek back to Spituk
Over night in tents
DAY 17 TREK TO LEH
Trek and drive to
Leh town
Over night stay at your hotel
DAY 18 LEH DELHI
Departure transfer to the airport to connect flight to Delhi
Arrive Delhi met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel
Stay
at Delhi hotel for 02 nights
Day at leisure
DAY 19 DELHI
Day at leisure
DAY 20 DELHI
ONWARD DESTINATION
Early morning departure transfer to the
airport to connect flight to onward destination
HOTELS USED IN THE ITINERARY
MUMBAI
THE LEELA A KEMPINSKI HOTEL
The Leela is centrally air-conditioned
hotel and has and 417 rooms each with a telephone, television, mini
bar and attached private facilities. Other amenities include a
swimming pool, discotheque, spa & fitness centre, multi-cuisine
restaurant
Location:
International Airport 1.5 kilometers: Domestic Airport 7 kilometers:
Railway Station 20 kilometers
Government grading:
Five-star deluxe hotel
Our comments: A
modern five-star deluxe hotel
HOTEL AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL MUMBAI
Budget hotel with modern amenities
Hotel Airlines International is situated
near the domestic and International Airport. This air-conditioned
hotel has 27 rooms equipped with telephone, television and a private
bathroom with bath and/or shower and toilet. The hotel does not have
an in house restaurant, but a very popular next-door restaurant offers
Indian and Chinese cuisine. The hotel offers neat and clean
accommodation and is ideal for a short stay.
GIR
NATIONAL PARK
THE GIR LODGE SASSANGIR
Standard Grade Jungle Lodge a unit of Taj Group of Hotels
Located at the edge of Gir Forest, the Gir Lodge is 65 kilometres from
Junagadh railway station and 60 kilometres from Keshod airport. The
Lodge has 29 rooms including 2 suites, each with a telephone,
television and attached private facilities. The lodge also has a
fitness centre and a multi-cuisine restaurant.
LION
SAFARI CAMP, GIR ( Tented camp)
Located in a private mango
orchard overlooking the Hiran River, Lion Safari Camp is a new luxury
jungle safari camp in Gir National Park. The location presently has
around 900 mango trees with only 2% of the total land area being built
so that the natural setting is not disturbed.
Fact sheet:
"
Accommodation consisting of 12 luxury tents each with a large bedroom
with bathtub, shower and hot / cold running water
" An
open-air river-facing restaurant
" Bar
" A
recreation room consisting of indoor games and a pool table
"
Library
" Television room
RANTHAMBHOR NATIONAL
PARK
VANYAVILAS, RANTHAMBORE (FOR LUXURY QUOTE
CATEGORY ONE)
Deluxe Resort with tented accommodation - a
unit of prestigious Oberoi Group
Unique in India, this
luxury jungle resort is located beside the Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve.
Like the hunting parties of old, accommodation is in tents - but tents
with a sumptuous difference. There are 25 of them all air conditioned
with teak floors, marble bathrooms and a private deck for sunbathing
or outdoor dining. The tents are placed discreetly within the 20-acre
jungle estate so the natural peace and beauty of the location can be
fully appreciated. Two restaurants, one air-conditioned and the other
outdoors, serve continental and Indian cuisine while a swimming pool
and therapy rooms complete the indulgence. You can view wildlife from
a watchtower, listen to a lecture on the regional flora and fauna or,
in the evenings, take your seat in the amphitheatre for an evening of
Rajasthani music and dance. The Maharajas never had it so good!
NAHARGARH, RANTHAMBHORE (FOR COMFORT QUOTE CATEGORY TWO)
First class accommodation
Surrounded by a 16th century style
fortress, Nahargarh is built like a traditional Rajput hunting palace.
Rooms on the first floor have individual courtyards while the suites
on the second floor have private terraces with views of the national
park.
Fact sheet:
"
Air-conditioned rooms with television, telephone and attached private
facilities
" Restaurant
" Swimming pool
HAMMIR WILDLIFE RESORT (FOR BUDGET
QUOTE CATEGORY THREE)
Standard Grade Accommodation
Hammir Wildlife Resort is located on
Ranthambhor road on the way to the national park, near Sawai Madhopur.
It is 185 km from Jaipur.
Air-cooled cottages with fully
furnished amenities and attached toilets. Twin & double-bedded
air- Cooled & air-conditioned rooms with hot and cold running
water & attached toilets.
A dining room that serves
Indian, Rajasthani and Chinese cuisine.
Other services are room
service, laundry facility, doctor on call, local and international
dialing.
Wildlife viewing by jeeps and open trucks, nature walks,
folk music & dance, camel ride, excursion to Devpura black buck
sanctuary.
NEW
DELHI
THE IMPERIAL (FOR LUXURY QUOTE CATEGORY
ONE)
This colonial hotel is located in the heart of the city in
the midst of beautiful landscaped gardens. The hotel has been recently
refurbished and upgraded to one of the best and most sought after
hotels in Delhi.
? Each air-conditioned room has the
facility of a telephone, television and attached private facilities.
? Swimming Pool
? Shopping Arcade
? Health Club
?
Tennis and Golf facilities
? One multi-cuisine restaurant and 3
specialty restaurants.
? Bar
? 20 kilometres far from the
airport
? 2 kilometres far from railway station
Government grading:
Five-star hotel
Our comments: Five-star deluxe
period hotel
HOTEL THE CLARIDGES (FOR COMFORT
QUOTE CATEGORY TWO)
Located very near to the centre of the
city, The Claridges has been recently renovated. Each air-conditioned
room has the facility of a telephone, television, tea/coffee maker and
attached private facilities. Other amenities include a swimming pool,
shopping arcade, health club, tennis court, bar and multi-cuisine
restaurants.
Location: Airport 20
kilometers: Railway Station 6 kilometers: City Centre 4 kilometers.
Government grading:
Five-star hotel
Our comments: First class
period hotel
GUEST HOUSE PALS INN DELHI (FOR
BUDGET QUOTE CATEGORY THREE)
Guest House Pals Inn has conditioned
rooms with television, telephone, refrigerator and attached private
facilities
Location: Airport 40
minutes: City Centre 15 minutes
Government grading:
Our comments: Basic guesthouse accommodation with
ensuite facilities
UPPAL'S ORCHID (FOR LUXURY &
COMFORT QUOTE CATEGORY ONE & TWO)
Uppals Orchid is spread over an expanse
of 10.5 acres. The hotel has 84-rooms. The range of rooms includes
suites, deluxe rooms, and deluxe rooms with Jacuzzi, deluxe rooms with
terrace and deluxe rooms with private garden. Each room has a minibar,
telephone, television and attached private facilities. Other amenities
include a bar, health club & spa, swimming pool, 9-hole putting
golf green and multi-cuisine restaurant.
Location:
International Airport 4 kilometers: Domestic Airport 7 kilometers
Government grading: Five-star
hotel
Our comments: A Five-star eco-friendly
hotel
ASHOK COUNTRY RESORT (FOR BUDGET
QUOTE CATEGORY THREE)
Ashok Country Resort is a farmhouse
turned into a resort hotel recommended for transit tourists.
Fact sheet:
Location: 4 kilometres from the international
airport; 25 kilometres from the railway station and city centre
" Air-conditioned rooms with
telephone, television, mini bar and attached private facilities.
"
Swimming pool
" Fitness centre with sauna and massage
facilities
" Coffee shop
Our comments: First
class hotel
LEH
THE KAAL, LEH
This peaceful
guesthouse is a delightful place to stay in Leh. The 7-room boutique
guesthouse has attached bathrooms and wooden flooring in each room.
Each of the first floor rooms has an attached balcony. The guesthouse
offers only vegetarian food.
The Kaal is a well-maintained
and well-run guesthouse and is highly recommended for stay.
Government grading:
Our comments: A boutique guesthouse
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