ITINERARY
Sat Mar 1 · International Flight
USA to New Delhi · Evening depart from USA.
Sun Mar 2 · New Delhi · The Oberoi Hotel
Late night arrival in New Delhi. You will be met and transferred to your
hotel for the night.
Mon Mar 3 · New Delhi · The Oberoi Hotel (BLD)
After a leisurely morning, the group will meet at midday for a briefing by
the leaders, followed by lunch in the coffee shop. In the early afternoon we will take a
tour of New Delhi that includes Vijay Chowk, Humayun's Tomb and Qutab Minar. Before
dinner, Toby will offer a slide presentation or film that relates to the tour to give you some
background on the areas we are visiting.
The Oberoi Hotel is a five-star deluxe hotel which is centrally located and
overlooking a golf course. The hotel has 350 centrally air-conditioned rooms with direct
dial telephone, mini-bar, and color TV with satellite transmission. Five restaurants serve
very good Indian, Chinese, Thai and European cuisine. Other facilities include a 24-hour
business center, swimming pool, same-day laundry & dry cleaning, 24-hour room service, health
club, beauty salon, chemist, and a variety of shops.
Tue Mar 4 · Delhi-Corbett NP · Infinity Resorts Corbett Wilderness (BLD)
Drive 6-7 hours (300km) from Delhi to Corbett.
Corbett National Park is situated in the Himalayan foothills in Uttar
Pradesh. Once a popular hunting ground of the British, it was named Corbett
National Park, in honor of the late Jim Corbett, the legendary
hunter-naturalist turned author and photographer who helped in demarcating
the park's boundaries. With the help of the World Wildlife Fund, Project
Tiger was launched in Corbett National Park in 1973 and this park was one of
the first such tiger reserves in the country. Presently, the park comprises
of 201 square miles (521 km2) of which 124 square miles (320 km2) is the
core area or sanctum sanctorum. The park has varied topography that
comprises hilly and riverine areas, temporary marshy depressions, plateaus
and ravines. The lower areas are almost completely populated by sal trees.
In the park are found 110 tree species, 50 mammal species, 580 bird species
and 25 reptile species. Found in Corbett are tiger, four kinds of deer, wild
boar and lesser animals. Leopards are found in the hilly areas of the park
but often do not cross paths with tigers in their territories. Some
nocturnal cats found here are the leopard cat, jungle cat and fishing cat.
Sloth bear is found in the lower regions of the park while the Himalayan
black bear is seen in the higher hills only. Some of the smaller residents
of the park are Himalayan palm civet, Indian gray mongoose, common otter,
black-naped hare and porcupine. Elephants (solitary bulls and breeding
herds) are one of the main attractions of Corbett. Along the Ramganga River
shores, one can spot the long-snouted, fish-eating gharial crocodile and the
mugger crocodile. The four species of deer found here are - chital
(spotted), para (smaller cousin of the chital), kakkar (muntjak or barking
deer) and sambar (Asiatic deer). Also seen on the rocky hillsides is the
ghoral (goat-antelopes). The langur monkeys and rhesus macaques are well
distributed through out the park and also warn the jungle with alarm calls
when they see either a tiger or leopard from tree-top perches. The Indian
python, viper, cobra and king cobra also inhabit Corbett, as do monitors and
lesser lizards. Game viewing in the park is done in open jeeps and on
elephant-back.
Infinity Resorts Corbett Wilderness is situated in the Kumaon foothills of
the Himalayas. The lodge has jungle ambience with its huge wooden rafters in
a dome-shaped split level pagoda, which serves as a lounge with a cozy
fireplace, a fully-stocked bar and a dining hall. The decor, the furniture,
the artifacts, all captures the life of the jungle so loved by the legendary
Jim Corbett. Its 24 twin bedrooms offer a panoramic view of the Kosi River
with the backdrop of the Kumaon hills. The owners of the lodge run The
Corbett Foundation which is a private trust that is engaged in
eco-developmental works in the buffer area with special emphasis on an
awareness programme.
Wed Mar 5-Fri Mar 7 · Corbett NP · Infinity Resorts Corbett Wilderness (BLD)
Three full days of game viewing and on elephant-back in the park.
Sat Mar 8 · Corbett NP-Delhi · The Oberoi Hotel (BLD)
Morning drive back to Delhi.
Sun Mar 9 · Delhi-Agra · Amar Vilas Hotel (BLD)
Morning drive 3-4 hours (265km) to Agra for a visit to Fatehpur Sikri.
Evening visit Taj Mahal.
Only 600 meters from the Taj Mahal stands Amar Vilās.. This luxury hotel
gives guests uninterrupted views of the Taj Mahal from all 106 guest rooms
and suites. The lobby, bar and tea lounge also offer spectacular views of
the world-famous monument. Elaborate gardens, terraced lawns, and fountains,
reflecting pools and pavilions complement the classical architecture of the
hotel. The rooms at Amar Vilās have a distinctive ambience that combines
old-world charm with state-of the-art conveniences. All rooms also have the
most modern conveniences such as voice mail, a data port for computers,
satellite television, digital videodisc players, and in-room electronic
safes.
Mon Mar 10 · Delhi-Agra · Amar Vilas Hotel (BLD)
Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal followed by other sights in Agra including Agra
Fort.
Tue Mar 11 · Agra-Ranthambhore NP · Sher Bagh Camp (BLD)
Morning dirve 5-6 hours (220km) to Ranthambhore.
Ranthambhore encompasses nearly 152 square miles of dry deciduous forest in
southwestern Rajasthan and, in the heart of this forest, the Aravali and
Vindhya ranges meet. The park derives its name from the fort that sits on a
rocky outcrop in the forest. The fort dates back to the 11th century when it
was a vital citadel for the control of central India. Ranthambhore is a
favorite with photographers for its tigers and beautiful landscape dotted
with ruins. The terrain is made up of massive rock formations, steep scarps,
perennial lakes and streams and forest suddenly opening up into large areas
of savannah. For a relatively small area, the park has a rich diversity of
fauna and flora - species list includes 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, 272
birds, 12 reptiles (including the marsh crocodile) & amphibians and 30
mammals. Other than the tiger, other predators found in Ranthambhore are
leopard (rare), striped hyena (rare), jackal, caracal (rare) and jungle cat.
Also seen are sloth bear, sambar deer, chital (spotted) deer, nilgai (blue
bull) antelope, wild boar, chinkara (Indian) gazelle, Indian hare, mongoose,
langur monkey, palm civet, palm squirrel, porcupine, and monitor lizard.
Sher Bagh is situated at the edge of the Ranthambhore National Park in
Rajasthan. It is set amidst trees on a private estate, overlooking a valley
and along its northern periphery. It is a 10-minute drive from the main
entrance of the reserve. The camp consists of 12 luxurious bedroom tents
with attached verandahs and bathrooms, a dining tent, a cafe and lots of
verdant spaces. Originally designed for the Maharaja of Jodhpur at the turn
of last century. The tents are custom made, raised on a concrete plinth. The
attached bathrooms are permanent with running hot and cold water. There is
24-hour electricity at the camp.
Wed Mar 12-Thu Mar 13 · Ranthambhore NP · Sher Bagh Camp (BLD)
Two days for jeep drives in the park and visit to the Ranthambhore Fort,
Ranthambhore Wildlife Art School and surrounding areas.
Fri Mar 14 · Ranthambhore NP-Jaipur · Raj Vilas Hotel (BLD)
Drive 4 hours (156 km) to Jaipur. Afternoon at leisure.
Located on thirty-two acres of beautiful gardens, pools and fountains, Raj
Vilas has deluxe rooms in clusters of four and six around tranquil
courtyards; air-conditioned Rajasthani luxury tents with lavish bathrooms
and teak floors, and romantic villas with private swimming pools. Located in
the lush gardens of the hotel, The Spa, is a tranquil haven for the senses,
with Ayurvedic and Western relaxation and beauty treatments. Two floodlit
tennis courts, fully equipped health club, elephant safaris, and horseback
riding nearby. The main restaurant has a selection of continental dishes and
Indian specialties. Al fresco dining in the adjacent open courtyard is a
special feature with traditional Indian music and dance performances in the
evening. There is also a lounge and a cozily appointed library bar.
Sat Mar 15 · Jaipur · Raj Vilas Hotel (BLD)
Full day tour of Jaipur including Amber Fort, City Palace and Jantar Mantar.
Sun Mar 16 · Jaipur-Delhi · The Oberoi Hotel (BLD)
Morning transfer to the airport for Jet Airways flight 9W3401 departing at
9:45am, arriving in Delhi at 10:45am. You have the rest of the day to shop,
repack and rest. This evening will be farewell dinner at the hotel before
late night transfer to the airport.
Mon Mar 17 · New Delhi - USA · International Flight
Depart Delhi very early morning. Arrive USA in the afternoon.
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