Big Cat Tours India albeit focused on one animal is in actuality a Pandora’s Box. It is a window to understanding ecosystems and the niche habitats that it supports. While searching for the big cat many interesting facets of our reserves come into the open. Right from the perspective of conservation to becoming familiar with mammals, birds, reptiles and insects the tours are a revelation and enlighten our knowledge of nature on which we are so dependent upon.
Central Indian Highlands
The once colossal and contiguous hill ranges now fragmented still preserve the complex biodiversity in the protected areas. The tiger landscape is extensive but pock marked with human settlements rural and urban. The highlands though much in need of protected corridors the highlands are weakly connected to enable migration.
In a good state of preservation are the Big Cats Indian reserves like Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Tadoba, Nagarhole, Kaziranga, Ranthambore and Corbett. These are the tourism hot spots where people throng to see the Wild Cats and other wild denizens.
Notified as tiger reserves and National Parks these destination are must visit for wildlife enthusiasts, film makers and photographers. They have become an excellent alternative for holiday makers in India and abroad. These destinations are incidentally ideal hot spots for bird watching besides Big Cat Tours India.
Corbett Tiger Reserve
Corbett is an excellent place for animal watchers and birders alike. This picturesque destination in the Himalayan Foothills supports more than five hundred avi-fauna which are residents, pale arctic and altitude migrants. The latter arrive whence severe snow falls in the upper reaches.
Nagarhole down South
Part of Western Ghats in Nilgiri Hills Nagarhole Tiger Reserve is one of the finest destinations to witness biodiversity in Southern India. It is home to rare and endemic mammals, birds and reptiles.
Kaziranga in East
Located in the Indian State of Assam Kaziranga is home to the one Horned Rhino and Wild Water Buffalo. It is home to amazing birdlife and unique small mammals and reptiles. The main attraction is the rhino but water buffalo and wild elephants are the target species for lovers of the mega fauna.
Big Cat Tours India is guided tour with expert naturalist and tour guide.
25 Nights 26 Days Itinerary
Day 1 New Delhi
New Delhi the Capital is a window to India. It offers a glimpse of people, the culture and the history of the vast country. This is where we will spend a night before leaving for Ranthambore our first leg of the tour.
Day 2/3/4 Ranthambhore 3 Nights
Situated at the junction of Aravalli and Vindya Hills the forests are home to the Bengal tigers. We will not only search for the tigers but will also find other interesting mammals and the crocodiles. The latter can be seen around many lakes in the park which incidentally are the hunting grounds of the big cats as well.
The big cats can be seen everywhere and that makes Ranthambore one of the best places to see them in the wild. Situated at the vicinity of Sawai Madhopur Township the park encapsulates a large area in the State of Rajasthan in India. The township houses many hotels which are famous for their architecture and hospitality. We will definitely enjoy our stay here.
Day 5/6/7 Bandhavgarh 3 Nights
History and tigers are slated to be our next rendezvous at Bandhavgarh. One of the most picturesque paradises on Earth the reserve is home to magnificent tigers. On our expeditions we will film and photograph the big cats. Not only this but luck will fetch us exciting events like wild dogs on hunt, leopard on a deer and somber sight of huge bison ambling across. We will be in a state of fascination as we come across the big cats and other enchanting animals of the park.
The historic monuments here date back to two thousand years and the idols of Vishnu in various avatars are captivating beyond belief.
The wild terrain comprises of steep cliff where eagles nest, marshy meadows, bamboo and mixed forests intersected by glistening rivulets that flow down the mountains. Tiger safaris in this reserve are an amazing experience enhanced by artifacts, temples and ancient structures that remain frozen back in time. Expect the management no human activity is permitted in the reserve.
Day8/9/10 Kanha 3 Nights
Absolutely enchanting, serene and peaceful an cliché that often describe Kanha National Park. Long drives amidst grassy meadows, rolling hills and dense Sal forests are captivating to say the least. Best place to see the tiger in the wild Kanha exults in exciting sightings. You will film and photograph tigers in the pristine settings of KTR jungles. Watch enchanting mammals, leopards, sloth bear, wild dogs and bison. Animals are everywhere especially the common ones like boar, spotted deer, massive sambar, swamp deer and langur monkeys. Apart from the tiger we will also focus on the hard ground swamp deer or barasingha. It is unique race found only in this park and differs from other swamp deer found in North and Northeast India.
During our drives we will see herds of swamp deer besides other mammals. Kanha is rich in birdlife and exciting finds occur often. During our safaris we will keep an eye for the colorful avian species.
Day 11/12 Pench 2 Nights
Few hours’ drive from Kanha is Pench National Park where we will hope to see the wolf besides the tiger and loads of Nilgai antelope. This is true Kipling country where Jungle Book was based.
We will look for river tigers here those that live along the Pench River and Totlah Doh Dam. These water bodies are the lifeline of the park and they shelter vast species of birds as well. We will keep an eye for the wild wolf as well since they are often seen here in this tiger reserve.
Day 13/14/15 Tadoba Tiger Reserve 3 Nights
Have three nights of pure fun with tiger sighting daily at Tadoba in the State of Maharashtra. It is one of the most popular destinations in India which boasts of very high big cats sightings. Not only tourists but also film makers and wildlife photographers prefer this reserve for tiger photography. If you have the passion for photography, then keep your camera ready on safaris.
Tigers, leopard, crocodiles, wild dog, deer, bison and antelope what more do you wish for. And if it is birds that you wish to watch then too you will not be disappointed. The home of God Tadoba or Taru as some people call is a biodiversity hub and the land of the tiger.
The hotel stays here are fantastic, but fetch your own wine as the destination is under prohibition or what they call “dry”.
Day 16/17/18 Nagarhole 3 Nights
Besides tiger leopards and sloth bear at Nagarhole you will be able to see many endemic species as well. During the game rides you can see the bonnet macaque, elephant, mouse deer, slender loris, giant squirrel, flying squirrel and the leopard cat.
The idea behind adding Nagarhole to the itinerary is to add sighting of species you have not come across. Not only mammal’s birds like Nilgiri wood pigeon, blue winged parakeet, white bellied tree pie, Malabar trogon, Malabar whistling thrush and more.
You enjoy your stay in a luxury hotel besides the safaris in the park which is part of the Niligir cluster.
Day 19/20/21 Kaziranga 3 Nights
The one horned Indian rhino is the chief attraction here nevertheless you will also see the wild water buffalo, Indian elephant, tiger, leopard, Eastern swamp deer and hog deer. All these beautiful creatures are added to your list here.
Kaziranga is situated in the State of Assam and is the breeding ground of the rhino. During the package tour you can also add new avian species here like lesser white fronted goose, Baer’s pochard, Blyth’s kingfisher, white bellied heron, pale capped pigeon, Nordmann’s greenshank and several species of birds that you have not come across so far.
Kaziranga is a biodiversity hub with amazing flora and fauna and in the tour you will relish all the great sighting and the stay at luxury lodge with mouth watering Assamese cuisine.
Day 22
New Delhi the capital city is not only a window to the country it is also home to many enchanting species of birds. Hence we will reserve a day to visit the places of historical importance like Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Swami Narayan Temple and Chandni Chowk the old bazaar.
During our stay we will also visit Okhla Bird Sanctuary and Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. These are short distance from Delhi and we will spend the morning hours watching interesting species like the yellow bellied prinia, blue throat, bristled grass bird, green pigeons, many wintering wetland species, several species of vultures and raptors. Sarus crane is often seen near these water bodies along with shore the birds.
Day 23/24/25 Corbett 3 Nights
Corbett is not only the land of the tiger it is a wonderful bird habitat with more than five hundred species seen the year around. Our stay here will be in search of the tiger as well as other animals like the hog deer, goral and wild elephants. The reserve has much more to offer and we will keep our eyes open for all exciting creatures that we can come across.
From the crocodile point you can see the marsh crocodile as well as the long snouted critically endangered gharial. This is a good place to observe fishing eagles and other species of raptors.
Forktails, Ibis bill, wren warblers, tesia and many species of flycatchers will be on our target. Our stay at Corbett will be the defining moment of this package tour of wilderness in India. Hope you have enjoyed immensely and will come back again.
Day 26 New Delhi
Back to New Delhi for flight back home.