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Author & Editor
Author: Starrynight
Editor: <Please add your name here if you have edit this article>
Photographs and article are copyright of starrynight
Introduction
India … a land rich in culture and history. I have heard so much about her that I decided to have the first hand experience. Of course wildlife and birds are my first priorities … and one of my main objectives is to see Sarus Crane.
Overview of India http://www.tourindia.com/htm/homepage.htm
Some birds and wildlife that may interest you. http://www.ecoindia.com/animals/birds/
Planning the trip
Once again I did an extensive search on the internet. Researching on the things I wanted to see, the best seasons and possible tour agents. Having decided on the time frame and subject, I started to contact various tour agents.
How do I decide on which tour agent? The one that is most consistent and responsive in their replies as well as one that shows a good knowledge of the subjects / places / season and state the itinerary and price clearly will get my pick.
Tour Agent
Mr Sharad Vats Nature Safari India Nature Safari Pvt Ltd, 106-107, Pocket A-3, Sector 11, Rohini, New Delhi - 110 085 Tel: +91-11-2757 0446, 27570581 Fax: +91-11-2757 0833 Mobile: 9811200094 Email : info@naturesafariindia.com Website : http://www.naturesafariindia.com/
In India, I rely heavily on the tour agent. This tour agent is most consistent in their correspondence and subsequently proves to be reliable and reasonable in their charges. They have also quote me the price, state what is covered and what is not covered clearly without any hidden cost.
Bear in mind that they will need your particular for insurance purpose and a small portion of deposit. Upon arrival, one will need to pay in full and usually in US dollars. Remember to get receipt from the company.
The charges do varies with season, oil prices and wages etc.
Air ticket
Plane ticket to New Delhi is easy to get because this is a big city. Look around and you will definitely find some good bargain on the air ticket. I chose Sahara Airlines because of good price and relatively better service.
Season and duration
I have spent a total of 1 month there. Took 2 major tour packages and rest of the time just relax and chill out in the city.
What about season?
I quote from Mr Sharad “March mid is a decent time for birding and Tiger photography. As the water reduces in the park, so the birds are concentrated in restricted areas, otherwise they are spread out. So from photographic perspective they are together in good numbers and easier to photograph. You will find good number of waders, storks and cranes. Also lot of nesting can be seen of local birds. Migration is towards its fag end, but March is for sure good for Birds.
For Tigers and other Wildlife March is just ideal. Due to less water in the park, Tigers tend to spend more time near water holes. So if you wait near the water holes you will get some excellent shots. My personal experiences of photography in March has been very good.”
Of course there are other time frame and it al depends on the location, current year of climax, local area changes. Do research on internet and the local agent will be able to advice.
Summary of itinerary and cost
Trip 1
Day 1 : Arrive New Delhi
Day 2 : New Delhi - Katni overnight train
Day 3 : Katni – Bandhavgarh (2.5hrs drive), morning and afternoon game drives, overnight Bandhavgarh
Day 4 : Morning and afternoon game drives, overnight Bandhavgarh
Day 5 : Morning and afternoon game drives, overnight Bandhavgarh
Day 6 : After Lunch board overnight train for Agra from Katni at 1710hrs
Day 7 : Arrive Agra at 0430hrs, visit Taj Mahal and drive to Bharatpur(55km), overnight Bharatpur
Day 8 : Bharatpur
Day 9 : Bharatpur
Day 10 : Bharatpur to New Delhi (End of services)
Hotels Used:
New Delhi on arrival : Hotel Hans Plaza, 4 star hotel in city centre www.hanshotels.com
Bandhavgarh : Tiger Den Resort, good wildlife resort www.naturesafariindia.com
Bharatpur : Hotel Pratap Palace (walking distance from the park)
New Delhi on return : Hotel Shatni Palace near the airport
The cost includes:
- Accommodation in New Delhi on Bed and Breakfast basis
- Accommodaiton in Bandhavgarh and Bharatpur on Room, and All Meals basis
- 7 exclusive Jeep Safaris in Bandhavgarh
- Entrance fee and naturalist charges in Bandhavgarh National Park
- Entrance fee and naturalist charges in Bharatpur
- Rickshaw Ride daily in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
- Boat Ride once in Bharatpur if available
- 1st A/C sleeper class train fare from New Delhi to Katni and from Katni to Agra
- Transfer from Agra to Bharatpur in A/C car
- Assistance at Railways stations and Airport on arrival and departures
- All land transfers in A/C car from Railways station and Airport
- Porterage at Railway Station
- Hotel near airport for wash and change in New Delhi
- All currently applicable taxes
However the cost does not include:
- Elephant Safari in Bandhavgarh @ 14USD per person per safari as subject to availability
- Still / Video Camera fee in Bandhavgarh and Bharatpur or during sight seeing in Agra at Taj Mahal
- Still Camera fee in Bandhavgarh is 1USD per day
- Video Camera fee in Bandhavgarh is 12USD per day
- Still Camera fee in Bharatpur is free
- Video Camera fee in Bharatpur is 5USD per entry to the park
- Sight seeing in Agra of Taj Mahal at a supplement of 25USD
- Sight seeing in New Delhi at a supplement of 25USD
Trip 2
Day 1 : Overnight Train to Udaipur
Day 2 : Full day at Udaipur
Day 3 : Full day at Udaipur
Day 4 : Drive to Jodhpur ( Half day Visit)
Day 5 : After half day visit transfer to Osian Sand dune camps
Day 6 : Drive to Jaipur
Day 7 : Full day at Jaipur
Day 8 : Drive to Ranthambhore ( PM Visit to sancturay in Canter)
Day 9 : Am+PM Canter (open top bus) visit to Ranthambhore Natioanl park
Day 10: Baord morning train at 0700 Hrs to reach Delhi at Lunch time (End of services)
The charges are inclusive of :
- All taxes
- 1st AC Sleeper class train tickets from Delhi to Udaipur
- All land transfers in an AC Vehicle
- All hotels on Room + Breakfast basis
- Stay at Sand dunes at accommodation + Dinner + Breakfast basis
- Stay at Tiger Den Ranthambhore on Room + all meals + 3 Canter safaris basis.
- Executive Chair car tickets from Ranthambhore to Delhi
- Entrance fees at all the monuments
- Guide charges at all teh monuments
- Boat ride at Lake Picchola in Udaipur
- Elephant ride at Amber fort.
- Station transfers in Delhi and at Ranthambhore
- Ranthambhore fort visit once during the stay
Trip 3
I returned to Bharatpur just before I left the country. This is via a local guide and I did it with a land transport (i.e. car). Although I can not remember the exact cost for 3-4 days trip but I do know that the savings are not much and via land transport is a less comfortable option.
I have omitted the exact prices so that I would not inconvenient the tour agent. Do PM me if you want to know.
Description and comments
I had a good trip overall and India is not as chaotic / dirty as most people think. Generally the people are pleasant and very curious, especially if one carry a large lens. Service is good and probably influence by the British colonial days as well as current influx of western tourist. The tours and safari rides are catered to westerners so if you want good photo opportunities, do state before hand that you would like to have the vehicle by yourself. For this, one may need to pay extra but it is worth the money.
Food is ok and for those that are not great curry fans, there were western diet to choose from. Just take note that some places have only vegetarian food. The most ‘stressful’ part is about tipping. Almost all would ask for a tip from the tourist when they render a ‘service’ except the official tour operator themselves. So keep some loose change and it is a courtesy to show your appreciation in this way (for example the driver or guide). But of course, in the end it is still your choice.
I have gotten many species of wildlife and birds although some birds will overlap with SE Asia ones.
Black Kite taken in the city of New Delhi
New Delhi
Some sight-seeing places include Red fort, India Gate, Raj Ghat, Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple Or Bahai Temple and Jama Masjid. These are mainly historical places BUT in these places, there are often black kites, parkeets and even hoopoe!
Bandhavgarh National Park
Water birds taken in Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
History and background info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandhavgarh_National_Park
Because it is famous for tigers and many came all over the world to see them, the drivers will rush about to find tigers only. Drivers (not the rangers) are the ones that know whereabouts are the birds / wildlife. So if u are interested in other birds / wildlife, you must instruct the drivers to slow down or look for them!
In this national park, I have the closest encounter with the tiger … less than 5 m away! But like I said, they are lots of other wildlife and birds in this park waiting to be photograph …
Bharatpur
History and background info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharatpur%2C_India
The Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
History and background info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keoladeo_National_Park
This place is pilgrimage for the bird lovers and offers many photographic opportunities. However the bird population depends on local condition, water level and season. Sarus Cranes can be found here. Around the national park, the village area and a nearby dam (approx 1 hour drive away) are also great places to do bird photographs. But usually these places, you need to arrange with the guide to bring you there. I taken pictures of Egyptian Vultures, Pied Bushchat, Pied KF, Sarus Cranes, Bronze-winged Jacana etc at these places.
Udaipur
History and background info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udaipur,_Rajasthan
Known as the lake city but lake = birds! Lots of terns / pond heron etc around the lakes.
Jaipur
History and background info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaipur
Mainly sight seeing
Ranthambhore National Park
History and background info
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranthambore_National_Park
Famous for tigers and suppose to be “probably the best place in the world to see wild tigers and is the only dry deciduous tiger habitat in the world”. In this national park, I have made the mistake to take an open top bus … which is a disaster for photographer because of the other tourist on the same bus. So it is better for one to arrange his / her own jeep or with other photographers!
India is a great place to visit both for sight seeing and wildlife / bird photography. It is just impossible for a photographer to be disappointed at the end of the trip!
Photographs and article are copyright of starrynight
