Rajasthan Bird Watching Tour

Day 01 – Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by International flight. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 – Delhi – Udaipur (By Night Train)
Morning go on a birding tour with a guide at the Sultanpur National Park. The park is home to the Indian Courser. Sind Sparrow has now made its way down the canal from Sind and Brooks’s Leaf Warbler is a regular winter visitor, as well as many waterbirds including the impressive Black-necked Stork and Sarus Crane.

Later tour visit the Qutab Minar, Humayun’s Tomb drive along the ceremonial avenue – Rajpath, past the India Gate, Parliament House and President’s Residence and drive thru Diplomatic Enclave.

In evening transfer to the railway station to board train for Udaipur. Overnight on the board.

Day 03 – Udaipur
Early Morning arrive at Udaipur railway station and transfer to the hotel for check-in (Early check-in subject to availability). Udaipur, founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 AD. Udaipur is a beautiful city of lakes, with its hilltop fortresses, fairytale palaces and exotic legends and its urban and industrial center, the city is proud of its heritage as a center for performing arts, painting and crafts. Most of the marble palaces & havelis have now been transformed into heritage hotels.

After breakfast visit famous City Palace, the Crystal Gallery, this is one the most lustrous attractions for tourist showcasing the rare and precious crystal from the royal treasure, closely is another fascinating monument Jagdish Temple, Built in 1651 A.D., by Maharaja Jagat Singh I, it is the largest and most splendid temple in Udaipur and later visit Sahalion Ki Bari.

Afternoon enjoy boat ride in lake Pichola and later enjoy exciting cultural folk dances of Rajasthan. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 – Udaipur – Kumbalgarh – Ranakpur
After breakfast drive to Ranakpur (approx. 135kms / 03hours) enroute visiting Kumbalgarh fort. It is designed by Rana Kumbha and its 36kms long wall and soaring towers is the most impressive to attract the tourists. It has steel grey ramparts enclose the fertile Shero Mallah valley with antique monuments, cenotaphs and ponds.

Later drive to Ranakpur to visit Jain temple. Ranakpur has grand structures & beautiful sculpture. There are 1444 pillars in the temple and none of them are similar. The magic of light & shade is really awe inspiring. Surya Temple and other Jain Temples are side attractions. Also stop over to see traditional process of jaggery making.

Post visit transfer to the hotel for check-in. Evening is free for relaxation. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 – Ranakpur – Jodhpur
Morning after breakfast drive to Jodhpur (approx. 160kms / 03hours). Jodhpur- The Gateway to the Thar desert, the city is known for its striking Forts, stately palaces and gracious buildings. Some of these are now India`s finest hotels. The city was built in 1459 by Rao Jodha of The Rajput clan.

Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and later visit Mehrangarh Fort built by the city`s founder five centuries ago and which is situated on a low sandstone Hill. Also visit Jaswant Thada an imposing Marble Memorium built in 1899 and market clock tower.

Evening is free for individual activities or relaxations. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 – Jodhpur – Kheechan – Jaisalmer
Today after breakfast drive to Jaisalmer (approx. 310kms / 05hours) en route at Kheechan to see large demoiselle cranes and other species. Jaisalmer, the golden city of Rajasthan, situated in the heart of the Thar Desert.

Upon arrival check-in at your hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room.

Afternoon is free for individual activities or enjoy a stroll through the bazaar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 – Jaisalmer
Morning after breakfast, visit the 12^th century magnificent fort at Jaisalmer (This is the highlight of the tour) and The Rich & beautiful palaces and “Havelis” of Jaisalmer shimmer against the relentless monotony of the Thar Desert. Its Rulers were known for their valour, their beautiful havelis and glorious temples. For close to ten centuries Jaisalmer has assumed the air of a virtual art museum.

In between take permission from District Magistrate office which requires appearance in person to visit Desert National Park.

Rest of the day spend birding in and around Jaisalmer. One can find Isabelline, Variable and Desert Wheaters, Common Kestrel, Shikra, Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse etc. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 – Jaisalmer – Jaipur (By Night Train)
After breakfast, we will go to Desert National Park to look for Great Indian Bustard, Stoliczka’s Bushchat and Greater Hoopoe Lark. Eagles such as Lesser Spotted, Bonelli’s and Short-toed are found here.

In evening transfer to the railway station to board train for Jaipur. Overnight on the board.

Day 09 – Jaipur
In morning arrive at Jaipur railway station and transfer to the hotel for check-in (Early check-in subject to availability). After breakfast visit the impressive Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned Elephant for the climb to the main gate. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.

Afternoon tour of the Pink City – will include City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here. Also visit the Hawa Mahal “Palace of the Winds”, and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments.

Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 – Jaipur – Ranthambore National Park
Morning after breakfast, drive to Ranthambore National Park (approx. 165Kms / 04 hours). It’s the former hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur, the Ranthambore National Park is situated in Eastern Rajasthan at the confluence of the Aravali hill ranges and the Vindhyan plateau. The rugged terrain and the dense deciduous forests are major features of this national park, which has among the largest and most diverse collection of wildlife species in India.

Upon arrival, check-in at your hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room.

Afternoon Jeep/Canter safari to view wildlife. The birds we can expect to see include Grey francolin, Sirkeer Malkoha, Painted Sandgrouse, Yellow-wattled Lapwing, Isabelline Wheatear, Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, Blue Rock Thrush, and Common Buzzard. Return to the hotel for relaxation. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 – Ranthambore National Park
Morning and afternoon Jeep/Canter safari to view wildlife. Main species found Tiger, panther, hyena, jungle cat, civet, sambar, chital, nilgai, bear, wild boar, green pigeon, red spurfowl etc. On our journey we will see various indigenous animals such as: Nilgai, Chausingha, Chital, Chinkara, wild Boar. Other habitants of the Park include the muntjac, jungle cat, Ratel, Hyena, porcupine, the Rhesus macaque and the black-faced Langur (Please note Ranthambore National Park remains closed every year from 01 July to 30 September)

Afternoon visit Ranthambhore Fort & Lord Ganesh Temple inside the Fort. Evening is free for relaxation and individual activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 – Ranthambore National Park – Bharatpur
Morning after breakfast, drive to Bharatpur (approx. 220Kms / 04 hours). Bharatpur famous for the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a wetland site of international importance and a designated Ramsar site. This is a manmade and managed wetland area home to 336 species of birds, and every year thousands of migratory birds visit the area for winter breeding. The large number of birds has led to the region being declared one of the richest bird watching areas of the world.

Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and visit the Keoladeo Ghana National Park on foot or cycle rickshaws with our birding guide. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 13 – Bharatpur
Today after breakfast, we will go on a full day tour for birding in Keoladeo Ghana National Park on foot and cycle rickshaws with our birding guide. The birds to expect are Indian Courser, Sarus Crane, Dusky eagle Owl, Large tailed Nightjars, Common Pochard, Great white Pelican and Greylag. Evening is free for relaxation or individual activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 – Bharatpur – Agra – Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
Today morning after early breakfast, drive to Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary (approx. 240Kms / 05 hours) en route visiting Agra city to visit one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jehan for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. We will also visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan, in the later years of his life, was imprisoned by his son to prevent him from spending the family money on a black echo of the Taj Mahal.

Thereafter continue your drive to Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary. Upon arrival check-in to the resort and relax amidst the comforts of your room. Evening is free for leisure walks around the resort. Overnight at the resort.

Day 15 – Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
Morning after breakfast go on a boat cruise with a guide to see Indian skimmer, black-bellied tern, flocks of migratory waterfowl, cranes such as common, demoiselle and sarus; fish-eating crocodile and marsh mugger, Gangetic dolphin, turtles etc. Afternoon enjoy your birding activity on the banks of the river.

Evening is free for individual activities or relaxation. Overnight at the resort.

Day 16 – Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary – Delhi
Today morning after breakfast, drive to Delhi (approx. 270Kms / 05 hours). Upon arrival, rest of the day is free to explore the city or for individual activities.

Late night transfer to the airport for your departure flight for onward destination.