Tiger, Tiger

1-Join tour Delhi
After arriving in Delhi and checking into the hotel, you’ll have some free time to relax and explore the vibrant surroundings. The real adventure begins later in the day as we explore the busy streets of Connaught Circrus. Taking in the energetic atmosphere, vast array of colours and exotic smells en route, we will have an orientation walk, followed by plenty of free time to immerse ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the markets, and sample some of India’s world renowned cuisine.

Our hotel tonight will be a centrally located tourist hotel with en suite facilities. Chosen for its easy access to taxis, tuk tuks and rickshaws, it provides the perfect location to easily explore the city and its many ancient monuments and landmarks.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

2-Train to Ranthambore National Park; game drives
After an early start, we will board the Golden Temple Mail train to Sawai Madhopur. Leaving the bustling platform of New Delhi station behind, the train will journey into the serene countryside of Northern India. Travelling by train in India is one of the great travel experiences, with almost 20 million people a day using the railways; often it seems, to move their entire villages! There is no better opportunity for interacting with local people and taking in the sights, smells and sounds of Indian life, whilst enjoying the beautiful and diverse Indian countryside as we pass through.

On arrival at Sawai Madhopur we will be met, and driven the short distance to Ranthambore National Park, where we’ll check into our wildlife safari lodge which will be our home for the next three nights. Set in natural surroundings these lodges are typically located around Ranthambore National Park and provide the ideal base for exploring wildlife in the area, as well providing a number of leisure facilities for those wanting to sit back and enjoy the pool and beautiful surroundings.

This afternoon we take our first game drive in the park. Travelling in a jeep we will journey through the picturesque landscape in search of the iconic Bengal tiger. The excitement will build as we pass beautiful lakes, old hunting manors and dense forests while our park rangers expertly follow tiger tracks and listen for warning calls to signal that tigers may be close. With so much other wildlife to observe, you will be surprised how quickly the three hour game drive goes.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

3-Ranthambore National Park; game drives
Rising early, we’ll venture into the park before sunrise in a bid to maximise our chances of seeing a tiger. Watching the wildlife wake as dawn breaks over the beautiful landscape, we’ll continue our exploration of the expansive national park. The surrounding cliffs and rocky outcrops provide the perfect home for spotting wildlife such as sloth bear, langur, jackal and fox. We also hope to spot some of the many impressive birds resident in the area, including the crested hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle, jacana, parakeet and white-breasted kingfisher.

After making the most of our morning in the park, we will return to the hotel for a late breakfast before heading out to visit Ranthambore’s stunning fort. Situated on a natural escarpment with a number of sheer drops up to 65 metres in height, the historic fort provides a perfect vantage point from which to admire breathtaking views over the Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary.

This afternoon, we will return to the park for our second game drive of the day. Exploring the park in greater depth, we will continue our search for the majestic tiger. With over 40 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 45 species of reptiles and over 300 species of plants, Ranthambore National Park has been a firm favourite for many wildlife photographers for years and as the sun slowly sets over the horizon, you will see why.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

4-In Ranthambore National Park – Relaxing and game drives
Following a few early starts, you are free to relax this morning, or explore the local surroundings. If you are keen to discover more of the national park, additional game drives can be booked through your Tour Leader.

In the afternoon we will return to the park for the last game drive of the trip. Making the most of the stunning surroundings and diverse wildlife, it is little wonder that this was once one of the best hunting areas of the Maharajahs. We will stay in the park until sunset, watching the landscape transform in the changing light; a good time to reflect on our experience and the wildlife that we have seen.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

5-Travel by train back to Delhi
This morning we will depart Ranthambore and board the Jan Shatabdi Express to arrive in Delhi early afternoon. Travelling among the locals once again, we’ll have time to recuperate and enjoy the views of this amazing country and the people who make their home and livelihood along the trackside.

Arriving back in the bustling city, a world away from the serene national park, a local guide will give a fascinating tour of New Delhi. Taking in the main sights including Lok Sabha, the President’s Palace and India Gate, we will learn about the history of these iconic sites.

Later in the afternoon we set off to explore Old Delhi on foot before enjoying an exhilarating cycle rickshaw ride through the back streets, alleyways and side roads of the old town where a jamboree of deafening barter, vivid colours and smells await us. Dodging the crowds and traffic, the rickshaw ride gives a good insight into everyday life in India and travels past the striking Red Fort and traditional Jami Masjid Mosque before finally heading back to our hotel and our last evening in Delhi.
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Rooms Available

6-Tour ends Delhi
Today we depart Delhi on our journey home, or onwards to the next leg of our adventure.

Tour includes:

5 Breakfast
2 Lunch
3 Dinner
Transport:
4WD, Rickshaw, Bus, Train
Accommodation:
5 nights Standard Hotel
Tour Staff:
Driver(s), Explore Tour Leader, Naturalist(s)
Group Size:
Generally 10 – 16

Explore have been running small group adventure holidays throughout the world since 1981 and have a vast array of experience, knowledge and well established close personal contacts in all the countries in which they operate, which makes them stand out as one of the most trusted adventure tour operators in the UK.

They are passionate about what they do, and above all, simply love nothing more than to travel. The founder directors ran overland trips through Asia, Africa and the Americas in the 1960s and 70s prior to setting up the company, and were determined that the spirit of adventure that was such an important part of those early pioneering days, should continue to play key role as part of the driving ethos of Explore.

Our Opinion
It is little wonder that over 60% of all Explore customers who travel each year have travelled with them previously, Explore are clearly committed to the “travel experience” and their itineraries are always offer that slight “Explore Twist” which makes them even more appealing.