Day 1: Arrive New Delhi
Arrive in New Delhi and transfer to The Claridges Hotel. One of the most distinguished addresses in the city, this landmark heritage luxury hotel provides a comfortable respite as you rest after your travels. The evening is at leisure with dinner on your own—try one of the hotel’s many fine restaurants, or inquire with the concierge for nearby suggestions.
Overnight at The Claridges.
Day 2: Discovering Old Delhi.
India’s capital offers a spellbinding introduction to the country—not to mention quite a contrast to the wilderness and wildlife we will soon be encountering. Explore and photograph Old Delhi on a half-day guided tour as we embark on a rickshaw ride that reveals the many layers of its complex and captivating history. We take a stroll through the bylanes, including bustling Chandni Chowk Market, and visit Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque and the architectural magnum opus of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Built in the mid-17th century, the stunning creation is constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble, with a vast inner courtyard that can hold 25,000 people. We also visit Bangla Sahib, one of the country’s most revered Sikh temples. The complex is associated with Guru Har Krishan and includes the main temple, a school, a sacred water tank and a large community kitchen that generously prepares over 10,000 free meals each day, known as langar, all cooked by volunteers using donated ingredients from Sikh farmers. This evening we gather with our Expedition Leader for a welcome dinner and overview of our photo safari ahead.
Overnight at The Claridges.
Day 3: Delhi – Jaipur – Ranthambore National Park.
This morning we transfer to the Delhi airport for our short flight to Jaipur, known as India’s stately “pink city” for the trademark stone from which it is built. From Jaipur, we travel by road to Ranthambore National Park and our luxurious 5-star tented accommodations that are inspired by the opulent caravans of the royal families. We spend the next four nights surrounded by tranquil gardens, forest and grasslands that are the domain of the Bengal tiger, staying in utmost comfort within excellent proximity to the park. After a quick lunch we head into the park for an introductory visit. One of India’s largest and most renowned nature reserves, Ranthambore is famed for its population of comparatively approachable tigers, in comparison to other parks. Our explorations take place on early morning and afternoon game drives. In the middle of the day, there’s time to relax at our elegant tented camp, enjoy the refreshment of the swimming pool, and visit the Ranthambore School of Art and Dhonk, a local handicraft training institute.
Overnight at Oberoi Vanyavilas.
Days 4–6: On Safari in Ranthambore
Our daily safari drives take place early in the morning and late afternoon, when temperatures are relatively cooler and wildlife is more active. We head out in 4×4 vehicles before sunrise each morning, eager for the day’s discoveries. In contrast to an African safari where wildlife is often on display before us, India’s animals take more effort to find. Tigers typically take shelter under the cover of trees and bushes, hiding from their prey and seeking relief from the heat. Because their black and orange stripes provide excellent camouflage, we have to work hard to locate them. But our Expedition Leaders are seasoned pros at this, and we follow their lead, listening for sounds and watching for signs that may reveal a tiger’s location: rustling grass, deer racing away from its presence, birds circling overhead.
While tigers are our main focus, we also look for other wildlife that is plentiful in the park. Sightings may include spotted deer, nilgai, jackal, jungle cat, sloth bear, sambar, chinkara gazelle, wild boar, langur monkeys and rhesus macaques. Ranthambore is also home to a notable leopard population, though they tend to stay in higher, more inaccessible areas and are not frequently seen. Birds flourish here, too, with more than 300 species in the reserve. Keep an eye out for crested serpent eagles, paradise flycatchers, painted storks, peacocks and many more.
In the middle of the day, return to the comfort of our lodge to relax or cool off in the swimming pool, or visit the Ranthambore School of Art and Dhonk, a local handicraft training institute.
Overnight at Oberoi Vanyavilas.
Day 7: Sawai Madhopur / Delhi / Depart
Our tiger safari comes to a close today as we transfer to the railway station at Sawai Madhopur for our return to Delhi by train. Day rooms in Delhi are provided before transferring to the airport for homeward flights.
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