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1999 & 2000 Wild India Safaris: Itineraries
WILD INDIA & NEPAL ITINERARY: A 17-DAY WILDLIFE SAFARI WITH WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
ITINERARY • NOVEMBER 5-21, 1999 Day 1 Fri Nov 5 • Depart New York En-route Evening depart New York's JFK Airport on your overnight trans-Atlantic flight to London or Europe. (Meals on board) Day 2 Sat Nov 6 • Arrive New Delhi • Hyatt Regency Hotel Connect in London or Europe with flight to New Delhi, arriving around mid-night. You will be met by Toby Sinclair, your naturalist escort, and transferred to the hotel to rest for the night. Hyatt Regency Hotel: A five-star deluxe hotel with modern décor and facilities including some of the city's best restaurants serving Indian, Chinese, Italian & Continental cuisine and 24-hour room service. The hotel also has a fitness center, beauty salon, swimming pool, and shopping arcade. Toby Sinclair is of Scottish origin and has been in the wildlife tourism business in India and Nepal for over 25 years. Recently he has been field production manager for BBC and National Geographic films. He has worked at Tiger Tops, Nepal and helped create Kabini River Lodge in Nagarhole. Toby is on the advisory committee of the Bombay Natural History Society and has lectured at the Wildlife Institute of India in Dehra Dun. Over the years he has written and edited 20 books on the subcontinent including Insight Guides Indian Wildlife and Photographic Guide on the Birds of India. Day 3 Sun Nov 7 • New Delhi-Bangalore • Hotel Oberoi Morning welcome breakfast and safari briefing by Toby. This will be followed by a city tour of Old and New Delhi as well as lunch - the tour will include a visit to Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar, Red Fort, Parliament Buildings, and National Museum. In the late afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight to Bangalore. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for overnight. Tonight enjoy a dinner and talk with Dr. Ullas Karanth, WCS Associate Zoologist, and learn about his fieldwork and WCS's field tiger conservation projects. Hotel Oberoi: An oasis of luxury in bustling Bangalore, offering all five-star comforts and restaurants serving Indian, French & Continental cuisine and 24-hour room service. Day 4 Mon Nov 8 • Nagarhole National Park • Kabini River Lodge Early start and drive by air-conditioned 18-seater mini-coach to Nagarhole, arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon game viewing. Nagarhole National Park is a 247 square-mile park in Karnataka with an astonishing abundance of wildlife including large mammals such as tiger, leopard, wild elephant, dhole (Indian wild dog), and gaur (Indian bison). Other species present are chital spotted deer, muntjac (barking deer), mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, mongoose, civet, otter, and more. The landscape is one of gentle slopes and shallow valleys. Dry deciduous forest trees are leafless in the summer rather than in the winter. There are grassy swamps where the soil is clayey, perennially moist, and which support a luxuriant growth of green grass all year. The change in terrain throughout the park in refreshing and the river system provides a unique wildlife viewing experience. Kabini River Lodge is nestled in the southern fringes of the park amidst the tranquil green of the forest and the quietly flowing Kabini River. The Indian-colonial styled lodges have well-appointed spacious rooms with attached bathrooms and hot water. Meals are served in Indian and Western cuisine and buffet-style at the Gol Ghar (dining gazebo) beside the river. Game viewing activities include drives in open jeeps (in exclusive land not open to other park visitors), rides on the river by power boat or traditional 'coracle' (round fishing boat). Day 5-6 Tue-Wed Nov 9-10 • Nagarhole National Park • Kabini River Lodge Two full days for the variety of game viewing activities in the mornings and afternoons. Following is an excerpt of a recent report (March 98) received from the head naturalist at Kabini - please note that sightings can vary dramatically from day-to-day and seasonally: "We sighted Leopards seven times including courting pairs. The gaur, chital and langurs gave birth and we can see the little ones scampering along or clinging on to their mothers. A tiger and a tigress were seen playing about on the riverside at the end of the Presidents road. Guests on the jeep and the motorboat witnessed this beautiful scene! Many Avian visitors also came to Kabini during the hot season from as far as Siberia and Ladakh. The Brown-headed Gulls have arrived and we can see these handsome white birds with mirrors on their wings diving gracefully for fish. The River Terns have also arrived in strength and so have the lovely Painted Storks, White-necked Storks and a few Open-billed Storks, White Ibises and Spoonbills. We saw a lot of tiger movement between two waterholes. A family of 4 tigers including two almost fully grown cubs, made a kill near Tiger Tank and were closely guarding the kill while coming to the waterhole to drink or cool off after each bout of feeding. The track between the two waterholes resembled a tiger highway every morning with tiger pug marks all over the place. The cubs will leave their mother any time now and stake out their own territories. Sloth bear sightings were also dramatically high in April - 17 different sightings were recorded in our sighting book! ". Day 7 Thu Nov 11 • Mysore • Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel Morning drive to Mysore, arriving in time for lunch. Afternoon is at leisure when group has the option to visit the Mysore Palace or take a stroll in town shopping for silks. The former capital of the princely state, Mysore is Karnataka's second largest city. It is the city of royal palaces, sandalwood and a center for the manufacture of incense sticks. Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel: Built in 1931 for the Maharaja's guests, the central dome is modeled on London's St. Paul Cathedral. It has grand and old-fashioned verandahs and a beautiful swimming pool. Day 8 Fri Nov 12 • New Delhi • Hyatt Regency Hotel This morning, visit the wonderfully preserved Kesava Temple of Somnathpur built in 1268. Ranganthitoo Bird Sanctuary is the next stop where the Kaveri River and several rocky islands provide excellent habitat for water birds. Drive onward to Bangalore to connect with evening flight to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Day 9 Sat Nov 13 • Kathmandu • Hotel Shangri-La Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel where a drink and traditional Nepali welcome awaits. Welcome dinner in the Garden Restaurant at the Hotel Shangri-La. Hotel Shangri-La is a lovely five star hotel tucked away in a corner of Kathmandu with quiet gardens, excellent restaurants, a swimming pool and beauty parlor. Day 10 Sun Nov 14 • Kathmandu • Hotel Shangri-La Early morning optional Everest Mountain flight is available. This is followed by a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City. Visit the Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, House of the Living Goddess, Kasthamandap (believed to be built from a single tree), and other fascinating temples in the area. Move on to Swayambhunath, the oldest Buddhist stupa established more than 2500 years ago and also known as the 'Monkey Temple'. Perched high on a hilltop, it commands a superb view of the entire Kathmandu Valley. Continue on for lunch at Chez Caroline's. Afternoon sightseeing of Patan City with a visit to the new museum. Patan City, the City of arts and architecture was founded in 250 A.D. It is renowned for its fine works in bronze, silver and copper. Visit the Durbar Square, Royal Baths, Mahaboudha, Krishna Mandir and Hiranya Verna Mahabihar (the Golden Temple). Also visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp at Jawalakhel to watch the carpet weaving operation. Early evening cocktail reception at the 'White House', the residence of Jim Edwards, Chairman of Tiger Tops. A cross selection of the local community will attend this reception. Dinner at the Chimney Restaurant at the Hotel Yak and Yeti. Day 11 Mon Nov 15 • Kathmandu • Hotel Shangri-La Day trip to the town of Dhulikhel, on the edge of the Kathmandu Valley, including a short trek to Namo Buddha. Boxed lunches will be arranged from your hotel that will need to be carried in day-packs along with your water bottles, cameras and personal items. Dhulikhel is a small quiet town, known for its traditional crafts, and lies 30 km east of Kathmandu (approx one hour drive) at an altitude of 1470 m (4821 ft). From this point on a clear day you have a great view of the Himalaya range, from Cho Oyu in the east to Himalchuli in the west. The trek start point is Tudhikhel (1600 m / 5248 ft) from where a rough trail climbs steeply to Kavre, a substantial village that gives its name to this district. A rough unpaved road exists to Namo Buddha but is often not passable by vehicles. The trail avoids it, and passes through forested areas and scattered villages inhabited by Brahmins Chettris, Tamangs and Newars. In clear weather there are good views to the north of Gang Chenpo (6390 m / 20,960 ft) Dorje Lhakpa (6990 m / 22,928 ft) and Purbi Chyachu (6658 m / 21,838 ft). A two hour gradual uphill walk reaches the ancient sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha (meaning "Hail of Buddha"), which for untold centuries has drawn reverent pilgrims. Legend tells that the Buddha sacrificed his body here to feed a starving tigress and her cubs. A carved stone slab at the main stupa depicts the moving story, a strong lesson in compassion and selfless giving. There is a small village around the stupa and the top of the hill is adorned with prayer flags, chortens and monastery. You will walk back down the dirt road until you meet the point the vehicles - the trek will be approximately three hours in total. Return to hotel. Day 12 Tue Nov 16 • Royal Bardia National Park • Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge Afternoon transfer to Kathmandu Domestic Airport for flight to Nepalgunj. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to Tiger Tops Karnali. Well-known tiger conservationist, Chuck McDougal, will meet you at the Lodge and will share his experiences with you. The rich wildlife of Bardia includes swamp deer, chital, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, nilgai or blue bull, monkey, elephant, tiger, rhino, leopard, crocodile and over 300 species of birds. Karnali Lodge is built in the materials of the local Tharu people and is situated on the edge of the Royal Bardia National Park. Game viewing here is on elephant-back or by open Land Rover. You may also take nature walks with naturalists. Day 13 Wed Nov 17 • Royal Bardia National Park • Tiger Tops Karnali Lodge Full day of game viewing. Day 14 Thu Nov 18 • Royal Bardia National Park • Tiger Tops Karnali Tented Camp Morning drive to the tented camp. The Tented Camp is situated on the banks of the great Karnali River and has spacious safari tents with comfortable twin beds, separate hot showers and modern jungle toilet amenities. The Camp overlooks the Karnali River with its wide sandy beaches and low riverine grasslands. Activities at the Tented Camp include walks with experienced naturalists, a river trip down to the southern boundary of the National Park - a tranquil way of viewing birdlife and water-oriented animals such as river otters, Gangetic dolphins, marsh muggers and gharial crocodiles. A stop will be made on one of the many picturesque islands for a hot picnic lunch. Day 15 Fri Nov 19 • Kathmandu • Hotel Shangri-La After morning game viewing activities and lunch drive back to Nepalgunj for return flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival the group will be met and transferred to the hotel. Farewell dinner at the Bhojan Griha Restaurant, where a traditional Newari nine course banquet will be served. Day 16 Sat Nov 20 • New Delhi—Departure Transfer to the airport for flight to New Delhi. Transfer to hotel for dayrooms at the Hyatt Regency before late evening transfer to the airport for international flight to London or Europe. Day 17 Sun Nov 21 • Arrive New York Connect in London or Europe for flight home arriving in the late afternoon. (Meals on board). OPTIONAL AGRA & TAJ MAHAL EXTENSION Day 16 Sat Nov 20 • New Delhi • Hyatt Regency Hotel Return with the group as in base safari above. Afternoon of leisure in New Delhi. Day 17 Sun Nov 21 • Agra • Trident Hotel Early morning transfer to the station for train to Agra by air-conditioned chair car. You will transfer to your five star hotel for check-in. Morning visit to Fatehpur Sikri - a 400 year old city built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in red sand stone which has been beautifully preserved. Return to the hotel for lunch. Afternoon visit to the Taj Mahal - Shah Jahan's luminescent marble memorial to his wife, Mumtaz. In the unique beauty of the Taj, subtlety is blended with grandeur and a massive overall design is matched with immaculately intricate execution. Day 18 Mon Nov 22 • New Delhi—Departure Morning for shopping or at lesiure. Transfer to station for return train to New Delhi. Transfer to hotel for dayrooms at the Hyatt Regency before late evening transfer to the airport for international flight to London or Europe. Day 19 Tue Nov 23 • Arrive New York Connect in London or Europe for flight home arriving in the late afternoon. (Meals on board). |
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