North India Birding | 10 Days
Delhi - Chambal – Agra - Bharatpur - Uchagaon - Jim Corbett National Park – Delhi

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Overview
Itinerary
Inclusion
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The dense forested hills of North India’s plains and hills, with cool oasis of water pools within, make the ideal habitat for a number of birds. The regions Jim Corbett in Uttarakhand and Bharatpur in Rajasthan are especially famous with birding enthusiasts. Up in the higher reaches of Uttarakhand, the excitement of spotting the colorful Monal and a host of other birds like Ruddy Shelduck, Kingfishers, Goldfinch and Woodpeckers, runs high amongst enthusiasts. Between the warmer climes of the plains and the cool hillsides, a number of species can be found in North India.

Tour Advantages

Tradition Indian welcome ceremony
Drive down Delhi’s impressive Raisina Hills to India Gate
Bird watching on Rickshaw ride in Bharatpur to see the migrated bird
Horse cart ride to Taj Gate
Stand before the world’s most famous monument to love, The Taj Mahal UNESCO World Heritage Site
Bullock cart ride in Unchagaon nearby villages to see the local life and cultural

Enjoy the morning and afternoon game drives in Corbett National Park in search of the tiger
Enjoy the Morning and afternoon game drives in Bandhavgarh National park
Jeep safari to Explore the Pench National Park
Become one with nature at authentic accommodations that put you in the heart of India’s jungles and wildlife

Day By Day Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive Capital Delhi
Arrive Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. You will meet at the airport by Recreation Travel’s representatives and transfer for hotel by first class air-conditioned car. Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which have left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles.

Day 02 In Delhi
After breakfast at hotel visit to Old Delhi was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Shah Jehan possessing an exquisite talent, especially in architecture, created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi's glorious renaissance. Here you will see Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. The fort is Shah Jehan's symbol of power and elegance, built behind red sandstone walls. Its main gate (Lahore Gate) faces Chandni Chowk, the perpetually congested avenue heading west from the Red Fort, is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. If you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved, silver being weighed, or any other conceivable form of intense commerce. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; Proceeds on a Half-day tour of New Delhi New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920's-it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the Design and construction of Delhi's eight cities - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947. You will visit two monuments from Delhi's past & known as two of the26 World Heritage sites of India - Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar and also visit Lotus Temple.Your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House. Overnight stay

Day 03 Delhi – Chambal
After breakfast, drive to National Chambal Sanctuary. This is a lovely destination for great birding. The National Chambal Sanctuary was set up in 1979 as a riverine sanctuary along an approximately 425 km length of the Chambal River and its ravines stretching over 2-6 km wide along the river, Chambal supports 8 rare turtle species out of the 26 found in the country. Chambal is one of the cleanest rivers in the country and supports more than 320 resident and migrant birds. After breakfast, drive about 10 km to the Chambal River for a boat cruise in the morning to see the Indian Skimmer, black-bellied tern, bar-headed goose and other waterfowl. The area is also known for Gangetic dolphin, 5 species of turtles, marsh and fish-eating crocodiles etc. Proceed for afternoon birding, with a guide around for special Nature Walks along the river banks, around the ravines and in the fields surrounding the National Chambal Sanctuary.

Day 04 Chambal - Agra-Bharatpur 90 km/2 hrs
After breakfast drive to Bharatpur, en-route visit Agra -At the time of the Mughal, in the 16th& 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of the grand Mughal Empire. During this period the city became a leading center of art, science, commerce and culture. Akbar the Great made Agra great. The city's origins are dim but Akbar’s grandfather Babar is credited with Agra's founding. The short golden age of Agra came to an end with the seventeenth century reign of Shah Jehan, mastermind of the unforgettable Taj Mahal

Upon arrival Horse cart (Tonga Ride) both way enjoy the Magnificent Taj Mahal – The New 7 wonder of the world and Monument of Love in the warm glow of Sunrise, which was built in 1630 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, what makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow. When the Mughal brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of Incomparable artistry

Continue drive to Keoladeo Birds Sanctuary in Bharatpur home to more than 300 species of Birds are found in this small park of 29 sq. kms. of which 11 kms are marshes and the rest, scrubland & grassland. Evening Rickshaw puller ride to deep into the Jungle for bird watching. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it used to be a part of the private shooting reserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur.Overnight stay in Bharatpur

Day 05 In Bharatpur
After breakfast enjoy the birding with a guide in the wetlands of Keoladeo National Park. Among many bird species to be seen are egrets, storks, ducks, Chinese coots, kingfishers, spoonbills, sarus cranes and several birds of prey, including falcon, marsh harrier and eagle. Alone 80 species of ducks can be spotted here. There are also chital, Nilgai, deer, wild cats, hyenas and wild boar whilst near the entrance there are usually some very large rock pythons. During November to February the northern hemisphere migratory birds visit the park from China, Europe and Siberia, including the rare Siberian Crane.
Late afternoon enjoys the birding with a guide in the wetlands of Keoladeo National Park. These diverse habitats are home to 366 bird species, 379 floral species, 50 species of fish, 13 species of snakes, 5 species of lizards, 7 amphibian species, 7 turtle species, and a variety of other invertebrates. The Sanctuary is one of the richest bird areas in the world. It is known for nesting of its resident birds and visiting migratory birds including water birds. According to Sir Peter Scott Keoladeo Sanctuary is the world’s best bird area. Overnight stay in Bharatpur

Day 06 Bharatpur – Unchagaon 185 kms/ 4.30 hrs
After breakfast drive to Unchagaon. Fort Unchagaon is a living witness of ancient glamour and valour. It was inherited by the present Raja Surender Pal Singh at the age of ten. The young prince put substantive effort to develop and maintain this ancestral property. Upon arrival transfer to hotel, check-in to hotel.

Day 07 Unchagaon – Corbett National Park 158 kms / 3.30 hrs
After breakfast drive to Jim Corbett National Park. Corbett is one of the finest National Parks in India. The core area of the park covers an area of 500 sq. km. and comprises the broad valley of the Ramganga River in the foothills of the Himalayas. This has resulted in great habitat diversity and given the park scenic charm and some magnificent sub-mountain and riverine views. One can see Himalayan animals along with numerous other animals and flora of peninsular India. The park was established in 1936 and later renamed after Jim Corbett, who spent many years in this area and wrote the book, The Man Eaters of Kumaon. The park has always been noted for its tigers and it was here that the prestigious ‘Project Tiger’ was launched in 1973. The wildlife of the park includes tiger, leopard, jungle cat, Asiatic elephants, and a variety of deer including muntjac (barking deer), spotted deer and hog deer. The park has a spectacular avifaunal diversity. Over 500 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded in and around the park. Your Home for 3 nights in Corbett

Day 08- 09 In Jim Corbett National Park
Enjoy morning & afternoon game drive in the national park. During the Safari you will drive down to the river, to look for the long snouted, fish eating Gharial and Marsh Crocodiles. With the possibility of seeing 05 species of Kingfishers, Pallas & Himalayan Grey-headed Fishing Eagles, Osprey, Crested Serpent Eagle and of course the Mammalia, the Safari is truly magical. The Bird life in this lower altitude wilderness is rich. Every flower truly enjoys the air that it breathes. The morning sun sets the hills on fire in their rich vibrant hues. The rough rocky terrain and the land formations are unbelievable.
Next day enjoy morning & afternoon game drive in the national park. Along with various mammals, bird species to be seen are Plum-headed & Red-breasted Parakeets, Black-rumped & Himalayan Flameback, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Dark-throated Thrush, Crested Tree Swift, Crimson & Purple Sunbird, Scarlet & Long-tailed Minivets, White-crested Laughing thrush, Mountain & Changeable Hawk Eagle, Oriental Honey Buzzard, Crested & Ashy Bulbuls, Tickell's Blue & Paradise Flycatcher, Corbett special "Collared Falconet", Small Blue & Himalayan Kingfisher, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Long-tailed Minivets, Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo, Changeable Hawk Eagle and Green Magpie etc.

Day 10 Corbett – Delhi
After breakfast say good bye to this fascinating, unforgettable and memorable tour drive back to Delhi if your flight is in mid night we will arrange your accommodation in atrocity near airport to board the flight for home town

Tour Inclusion

Accommodation

02 Night stay in Delhi
01 Night stay in Chambal
02 Night stay in Bharatpur
01 Night stay in Unchagaon
03 Night stay in Corbett

Meal

Daily full Buffet Breakfast in hotel
During stay in Chambal Bharatpur, Corbett Breakfast, lunch & dinner will be served in hotel

Transfers & Sightseeing

All transfers, Sightseeing and excursions by First-class Air-conditioned Vehicle
04 Jeep Safari in Corbett
Rickshaw Puller in Bharatpur
Boat safari In Chambal River to the Crocodile

Other services Includes

Monument entry fees
Services of local English-speaking guide
Cycle Rickshaw Puller Ride in Chandani

Aarti ceremony in Varanasi
Boat cruise at Banaras Ghat to see the worship and bathing Ghat
All Applicable Government Taxes

Tour Exclusion

Indian Visa
Travel Insurance
Major Meals - Lunch & Dinner
Services of Language Speaking Guides
Video, film & professional still camera fees

Anything which is not mentioned in inclusions above
Expenses of personal nature like Telephone Calls, Laundry, Porterage, Tips, Alcoholic Beverages, etc

Add on Experiences

With this Incredible India holidays, you can add on some experiences according to your taste to make the unforgettable & memorable tour with an additional price.