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A great mix of history and heritage - forts in Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Jaipur, local crafts and culture and lovely hotels including maharajahs palaces - and wildlife - birds, insects, reptiles and mammals including tigers. Our tour guide looked after us perfectly in all ways - while travelling, at hotels, on local tours and, his real speciality, the birdwatching for experienced birders and novices alike. An amazing holiday in an amazing place.
C.W. West Yorkshire, Oct 23
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Rajasthan - Wildlife & History
Tour Code: IND53An 18-day wildlife holiday to Rajasthan focusing on the Great Thar Desert, Ranthambore and Bharatpur, including visits to the historical cities of Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Agra. The tour can be extended to include three nights in Corbett National Park, set in the foothills of the Himalaya.
18 days
from
£5,995 (Inc flights)
£5,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£5,495
£5,495
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
This is a comprehensive tour of northern India staying in comfortable hotels and using a combination of rail and road transport to visit key locations. After a flight to Delhi we take the overnight train to Bikaner on the edge of the Thar Desert. We’ll look for Black-bellied Sandgrouse, visit stunning citadels and enjoy sightseeing in the region as well as looking for wildlife. Other highlights will be the sight of thousands of Demoiselle Cranes, the colourful Rajput people and looking for desert wildlife during a full day’s exploration of the Thar Desert. Next we travel via Rohetgarh and Jodhpur to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve where we will look for Tiger, Sambar and Spotted Deer, as well as birds such as Rufous-tailed Lark and Small Minivet. For the final stage of our holiday we’ll visit Bharatpur Bird Reserve, enjoy some sightseeing in Jaipur, and explore Agra’s special monuments before returning to Delhi for our flight home.
- Stay in Maharajah's palaces
- Look for Great Indian & Macqueen’s Bustards in the Thar Desert
- Enjoy the spectacle of thousands of Demoiselle Cranes
- Cream-coloured Courser & Desert Foxes among highlights, Thar Desert
- Travel through beautiful villages & learn about the Bishnoi people
- 3-night stay at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in search of Tiger, Sloth Bear & Leopard
- Pheasant-tailed Jacana & Brown Fish Owl among special birds, Ranthambore
- Visits to Agra Fort & the unforgettable Taj Mahal
- Guided tour of Jaipur including the Amber Palace, Hawa Mahal & Observatory
- Option to extend holiday in Corbett National Park
- Led by expert naturalist guides
Grading
Grade A. This is a wildlife and cultural tour with little walking.Beyond the rich tapestries of colour, noise and confusion that characterise the cities and countryside of the Gangetic plain lies a desolate wilderness of breathtaking beauty. Scattered amongst the Thar Desert’s 700,000 square kilometres can be found a patchwork of habitats that together create a last stronghold for some of India’s most threatened wildlife. Among the region’s ever-shifting sand dunes sit rocky outcrops, pockets of scrub forest and remnants of savannah grassland which provide vestiges of a once vast, but now vanishing, landscape. Quiet and peaceful, but always colourful, this desert holds many surprises. Resplendent Rajput peoples in their gaudy turbans and scarves, desert citadels, eerie forts and Maharajahs’ retreats provide the backdrop to this unique and exciting natural history tour.
We begin in Delhi, and enjoy the birdlife and sights of the city before travelling by overnight train to Bikaner, situated on the edge of the Thar Desert. After exploring this old royal city, we continue to Gajner Wildlife Reserve, where we will stay in the old palace of the Maharajah of Bikaner for two nights. This little-known, private reserve is a former hunting ground of the Maharajahs, the quiet seclusion of its lake and acacia woodlands today offering us fine birdwatching opportunities. In particular, we hope to observe large gatherings of Black-bellied Sandgrouse as they come to drink at the lake each morning and evening.
Our exploration of the Thar, or Great Indian, Desert now begins in earnest as we travel next to the magnificent citadel of Jaisalmer, stopping en route to enjoy the spectacle of thousands of Demoiselle Cranes attracted to the village of Khichan through generations of feeding by the locals. With its intricate stonework, minarets, palaces and proud and colourful people, Jaisalmer is a reminder of the Rajput past of the Thar. From here we will do a full day’s excursion to the Thar Desert National Park, where we will look for both Great Indian Bustard and Macqueen’s Bustard, the latter a winter visitor to the Thar. Although sadly both species are now very rare due to habitat loss and hunting, we would be unlucky to miss the former. Other desert birdlife includes Chestnut-bellied and Spotted Sandgrouse, Cream-coloured Courser and the enigmatic Stoliczka’s Bushchat. Amongst the desert mammals we may see are the elegant Chinkara (or Indian Gazelle), Indian and Desert Foxes and perhaps even the increasingly uncommon Blackbuck, Wolf or Striped Hyena.
On completion of our desert safari, we will travel to the beautiful village of Rohetgarh, where we will spend two nights. Nearby live the Bishnoi, a unique tribe of practising naturalists … and the world’s first environmentalists! Continuing to Jodhpur, we visit the Mehrangarh Fort — one of the largest forts in India — and Jaswant Thada, a 19th century royal cenotaph built in white marble. Next we travel to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve for a 3-night stay which offers a magnificent setting in which to search for Tigers and other wildlife. Set in the Aravali Hills, the dry deciduous jungles of Ranthambore are dominated by the impressive ruins of a massive 11th century fortress and by Moghul monuments that nestle discreetly on the shores of small lakes. In addition to Tiger, we also hope to find Spotted and Sambar Deer, Nilgai, Wild Boar and Common Langur, and if fortunate, perhaps even a Sloth Bear or Leopard! Birds are abundant and include flocks of colourful Peafowl, plus Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Brown Fish Owl, Small Minivet and Rufous-tailed Lark, an Indian endemic.
Moving on, we have two nights to explore Jaipur, ‘the Pink City’ and a chance to visit Hawa Mahal, ‘the Palace of Winds’, the Amber Fort and the city palace residence of the Maharajah of Jaipur. We will then visit Bharatpur, one of India’s finest birdwatching sites, before driving to the greatest monuments of Moghul India: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itmad-ud-Daulah’s tomb (also known as the ‘baby Taj’).
We will return to Delhi by road to complete our tour of the magical and exotic state of Rajasthan. However, for those of you wishing to extend your stay, our extension to the north-east into the scenic forested hills and wide river valleys of Corbett National Park is thoroughly recommended.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London.
Day 2
Delhi; overnight train to Bikaner.
Day 3
Half day at Bikaner;transfer to Gajner.
Day 4
Gajner Wildlife Reserve.
Day 5
Jaisalmer via Khichan.
Day 6/7
Jaisalmer and excursion to Thar Desert.
Day 8
Rohetgarh.
Day 9
Bishnoi and Khaira Dam. Overnight Rohetgarh.
Day 10
Jodhpur.
Day 11/13
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
Day 14/15
Jaipur.
Day 16
Bharatpur and overnight Agra.
Day 17
Delhi, via Taj Mahal.
Day 18
Fly London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: A combination of former Maharajahs' palaces and forest lodges, all with private facilities.
- Food: All included in the price, except for main meals in Delhi. Allow ?30.
Reviews
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sun 19th Jan – Wed 5th Feb
2
£5,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,495
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
Female sharing available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Sun 5th Oct – Wed 22nd Oct
SPACES
£5,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sun 18th Jan – Wed 4th Feb
SPACES
£5,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
Sun 4th Oct – Wed 21st Oct
SPACES
£5,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£5,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£995
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[description] => Tiger Safaris – Unparalleled 100% Record of Success
Naturetrek has nearly 30 years of experience leading Tiger watching holidays to the Indian subcontinent. With a 100% record of success on our top tours, we’ve shown Tigers to more people than any other wildlife specialists.
Arguably the most iconic and charismatic species on the planet, this enigmatic big cat is a vision of natural perfection. The opportunity to observe the animal in its natural habitat on a dedicated Tiger watching tour is at the top of many people's wildlife wish lists. With almost three decades of expertise leading in India, and the widest range of itineraries available, we have a Tiger tour to suit all interests.
We visit some of the most wildlife-rich reserves in this astonishingly diverse country. Accompanied by the best local naturalist guides and enjoying the security and intimate experiences that come with small group travel, participants enjoy the ultimate thrill of encountering these magnificent wild animals in their own environment.
Superb Tiger Watching with Naturetrek
As the leading operator of natural history tours in India, Naturetrek has a long and proud tradition of enabling clients to experience the very best wildlife viewing opportunities in the subcontinent. Over the past three decades, many hundreds of nature lovers have enjoyed the benefits of our renowned small group itineraries to gain multiple sightings of this beautiful animal in the wild.
Our professionally organised tours take in some of the most famous and wildlife-rich reserves in India, including Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Panna National Parks. Our expert naturalist guides provide the best opportunities for sightings of a wide range of species in these spectacular natural environments.
Two other fantastic national parks – Tadoba and Satpura – can be visited on optional extensions to several of our top Tiger tours. Tadoba is an excellent Tiger watching destination, while Satpura is renowned for intimate encounters with Sloth Bear, Leopard and Dhole (Indian Wild Dog); the park also offers walking safaris and night game drives.
Some of the reasons our tours are so successful:
- 100% sightings on our four top safaris in the last five years
- Small groups escorted by India’s best naturalist guides
- Up-to-date information from wildlife reserves
- Scrupulous attention to detail in choosing a high standard of accommodation
- Excellent local guides monitor the animals’ movement daily to ensure the best sightings
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek Tiger holiday?
- A comfortable lodge within a convenient distance from the reserve
- Twice-daily excursions by vehicle (or by foot in Satpura) into the reserves
- A focus on sightings of this wonderful big cat, while also enjoying culture and other wildlife
- The enjoyment of like-minded travelling companions in a small group
Further information on when, where, and how to see Tigers can be found here.
Our specialist recommends...
"I’d recommend our Tiger Marathon tour, which takes you straight into the heart of the jungle on a 13-day safari that combines Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna National Parks, four of India's finest reserves. Since we began the tour we've had 100% sightings! Alternatively, our Tiger Direct itinerary encompasses less travel and also has 100% success rate.”
Rajan Jolly - Operations Manager
Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists
The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
