The starting point of Erco Travels' bird-watching and tiger safari tour in India is Delhi. Like every city in India, Delhi also has an amazing and unique character. Delhi is the national capital of India and thus, is the first destination to be visited during any north India tour. After your arrival at the airport, a traditional Indian welcome awaits you. After that, you will be transferred to a pre-booked hotel for check-in. You can spend the day afterwards in relaxing and rebooting your mind and body.
On Day 2, you will get to experience the real day-to-day life of Delhi. The Delhi tour will include a morning visit to the historic Red Fort and Jama Masjid in Chandni Chowk. The busting market of Chandni Chowk is a must see attraction in Delhi. Then, in the afternoon, you can visit the India gate (war memorial) and Qutab Minar (a 13th century brick monument). You can visit the Dilli Haat in the evening if you want to buy handicrafts and handlooms. Return to the hotel afterwards for overnight stay.
The morning of Day 3 will begin with a lazy breakfast in the hotel. Afterwards, you are to checkout from the hotel and proceed to the railway station. Board the next train to Sawai Madhopur railway station, which is the nearest railway station to Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan. Upon arrival, you are to proceed to a resort near the national park, where you will be spending the rest of the day.
Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places in north India to have a jungle safari. Morning and evening provide better chances for spotting tigers. So, take an early-morning jeep safari inside the park. Get back to the resort for lunch. Then after lunch, take a thrilling wildlife excursion in the other parts of the park. Return to the resort for dinner and spending the night.
On Day 5, you can have a day tour of Ranthambore Fort. It is located inside the National Park and offers a panoramic view of the jungle. Get back to the resort for lunch. After lunch, take a jeep safari to Kachida Valley where Panther can be seen. Dinner and overnight stay will be in the resort.
The Day 6 begins with a lazy breakfast in the resort. It is now time to depart from the resort as you are to be transferred to Jaipur by surface. It will take about 3-hours to reach Jaipur. Upon your arrival, you will be assisted in transferring to a heritage hotel for check-in and lunch. Take the rest of the day off to enjoy your time in leisure activities.
The Day 7 itinerary includes many activities. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and thus is a prime tourist destination with many tourist attractions. In the morning, you can take an elephant ride from the gates of Amber Fort to the top. The fort complex has many monuments and buildings that showcase the mixed Hindu and Rajput architectural designs. While returning from the fort, visit the famous Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds and the Jal Mahal. After lunch, visit the amazing Jantar Mantar that is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments. Also, visit the City Palace of Jaipur that houses a museum. Dinner and overnight stay will be in the hotel.
After the breakfast, get ready in the morning to checkout from the hotel. Hit the road and after a three-hour road-trip, arrive in Bharatpur and check-in at the hotel. After some relaxing moments, you will be taken to Keoladeo National Park for a birding tour. There are more than 230 species of birds are native to this park and many more species of migrating birds visit Keoladeo during the winter season. Siberian cranes, Hawks, Cormorants, Pelicans, Spoonbills, Egrets, Darters, Grey Herons, Stork, Ibis, Ducks, Eagles, Pipits and Warblers are some of the birds that are easily spotted in Keoladeo. Other than walking, cycle rickshaws are available for moving around. Their drivers are also skilled guides and will assist you in making the most out from your bird-watching tour in Bharatpur. Later in the evening, you are to return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 09 Bharatpur Fatehpur Sikri Agra
In the morning of Day 9, you can either take another tour of Keoladeo National Park or just relax in the hotel. In the afternoon, checkout from the hotel and proceed to Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh (just 25 km away). It is an old mughal town with many beautiful monuments. Some of the attractions are Panch Mahal, Diwan-i-Am or Hall of Public Audience, Diwan-i-Khas, or Hall of Private Audience, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Buland Darwaza and Jama Masjid. After the sightseeing tour of Fatehpur Sikri, proceed to Agra (37 km). The former capital of India under mughal kingdom, Agra enjoyed much attention from the mughal rulers. It is mostly famous because of the Taj Mahal, the most beautiful white marble monument in the world. Arrive in Agra and check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 10 Agra Umaria/Katni ( Bandhavgarh )
Today, a full-day sightseeing tour of Agra is arranged for you. Get ready in the morning to checkout from the hotel and to visit the Taj Mahal. It is a world heritage site and is the most visited monument in India. Keep a note that Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday. The next attraction that you will be visiting after lunch is the Agra Fort. This fort complex houses many monuments including the Jahangiri Mahal, Moti Masjid and Diwan-i-Khas. Later in the evening, you are to be transferred to the railway station to board an overnight-train to Umaria in Madhya Pradesh.
Day 11 Arrive Umaria/Katni Bandhavgarh
The train arrives at the Umaria railway station early in the morning. Erco Travels' local representatives will be present at the railway station upon your arrival and will assist in your transfer to a jungle resort in Bandhavgarh National Park. Check-in and spend the day in the resort. Bandhavgarh National Park is a popular wildlife tourist destination in central India. The next two days include tiger safaris and wildlife tours inside the park.
After the breakfast, proceed for a full-day tour of Bandhavgarh Fort. This fort is one of the most ancient forts in India and provides a beautiful view of the forest. There is a temple of Lord Ram inside the fort that is easily accessible by jeep. There are many caves near the fort that contains many ancient Sanskrit inscriptions. Dinner will be in the resort.
Today, a full-day wildlife tour of the park is arranged for you. Today's activities include two guided tiger safaris, outdoor lunch, nature walk and a bird-watching tour. Bengal Tiger is the dominant species in this park and can be easily spotted during the winter season. Overnight stay will be in the hotel.
Day 14 Bandhavgarh Umaria/Katni Delhi
The entire day is free for leisure activities, so spend it accordingly. Later in the evening, proceed to the railway station to board an overnight train back to Delhi. Dinner will be on-board.
On the final day of the tour, arrive at the railway station in Delhi and proceed to a hotel for check-in and breakfast. Room is available only for the day use only till departure. After dinner, you will be transferred to the airport. Board the next flight back to your home country.
