Big Cats of India Tour
23 Nights / 24 Days
The Big Cats of India Tour embarks on a thrilling adventure across Northern India to see some of the most formidable beings to grace our planet. Whether it’s the royal stripes or clandestine rosettes, we’ve got your list covered as you traverse some of the most spectacular landscapes that the country has to offer.
From the scrub forests of Gir National Park to the snow clad expanse of the mesmerizing Himalayas, you get the chance to see the magnificent Big Cats of India – the majestic Lion, the illustrious Tiger, the graceful Leopard and of course, the exclusive Snow Leopard.
This once in a lifetime expedition encapsulates the most sought after species on Earth and is sure to get the adrenaline pumping for weeks on end. Book the Big Cats of India Tour with Nature Safari India NOW!
Most trusted name in Indian Wildlife for the last 30 Years
Experience the best of Indian wildlife that includes the Royal Bengal Tigers, Asiatic Lions, Black Leopard, Indian Leopards, Snow Leopards, Red Panda, Asian Elephants, and a plethora of reptile and bird species, with experienced naturalists while you stay at the best-selected premium wildlife lodges and hotels.
Outline Itinerary
Big Cats of India Tour
❯ Day 01 : Arrive New Delhi (Flight).
❯ Day 02 : New Delhi – Rajkot – Sasan Gir (flight + 180 Kms/4 hrs drive)
❯ Day 03 – 04 : In Sasan Gir National Park
❯ Day 05 : Sasan Gir – Ahmedabad (by surface, 330 kms/6-7 hrs drive)
❯ Day 06 : Ahmedabad to Bera (by surface, 290 kms/5 hrs drive)
❯ Day 07 : Bera – Morning and evening safari
❯ Day 08 : Bera – Jaipur (by surface 390 kms/7 hrs drive)
❯ Day 09 : Jaipur – Ranthambore (by surface 180 kms/3 hrs drive)
❯ Day 10 – 11 : In Ranthambore National Park
❯ Day 12 : Ranthambore – New Delhi (by day train)
❯ Day 13 : New Delhi – Chandigarh – Shimla (Flight + 120 kms/3-4 hrs drive)
❯ Day 14 : Shimla – Rampur (by surface, 130 kms/4-5 hrs drive)
❯ Day 15 : Rampur – Tabo (by road 10-12 hrs drive)
❯ Day 16 – 21 : Tabo – Kibber
❯ Day 22 : Kibber – Rampur
❯ Day 23 : Rampur – Chandigarh (by road, 425 kms/8 hrs drive)
❯ Day 24 : Chandigarh – New Delhi Fly back home (Flight)
Trip Highlights
➤ With a healthy Tiger population, Ranthambore National Park offers the best chance to witness the big cat at close quarters on your Big Cats of India Tour.
➤ Enjoy trails in Bera and engage in the stories of the Rabari herdsmen who have coexisted with the Leopards here for many centuries on your leopard safari in India.
➤ Experience one of the best places in the world at Kibber to witness the elusive Snow Leopard.
➤ Navigate the scrubby outback see the Asiatic Lion, with the last remaining population residing in Gir National Park.
➤ Immerse yourself in unique hospitality, with some of the most skillful naturalists to guide you through our Big Cats of India Tour.
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Detailed Itinerary for Big Cats of India Tour
Day 1 : Arrive New Delhi (By Flight)
On arrival at the New Delhi airport, you will be received by our representative who will transfer you to your hotel, assist you in check in procedure and handover all travel related documents, as he briefs you on your upcoming tour. Overnight stay at the hotel in New Delhi.
Accommodation: The Roseate House, Aerocity or similar
Day 2 : New Delhi - Rajkot - Sasan Gir (flight + 180 Kms/4 hrs drive)
After Breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Rajkot at 0515 hrs, which arrives at 0700 hrs. Meet our driver at the airport and depart for Sasan Gir (180 kms/ 4 hrs). On arrival, check into the lodge. Lunch at the lodge and afternoon jeep safari to the national park. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: The Fern Gir Forest Resort or similar
Day 3 : Sasan Gir
Morning and afternoon jeep safari to the National Park. Breakfast and lunch at the Lodge.
Gir is the only home in India for the Asiatic Lion, with a population of over 600. The Gir National Park lies in the Gujarat peninsula in South-Western India. The terrain is rugged with low hills and the vegetation is mixed deciduous, with stands of Teak, Acacia, Jamun, Tendu and Dhak trees, interspersed with large patches of grasslands.
The trees on the hills are sparse and stunted. Within the sanctuary there are numerous human settlements of cattle herders called Maldharis with an estimated 20,000 head of livestock (which, incidentally, forms a significant part of the Lion’s diet). There are also places of Hindu worship and pilgrimage and sulphur springs at Tulsi Shyam and Kankai Mata. The edges of the park have a good population of Indian Gazelle, which are protected by the religious sentiments of the local people. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: The Fern Gir Forest Resort or similar
Day 4 : Sasan Gir
Morning and afternoon safaris to the National Park. Meals at the lodge are included.
The largest compact tract of dry deciduous forest in the country, protected as Gir National Park and Sanctuary, covers an area of 1412 sq km in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Gir has evolved to host a very stable ecosystem with tremendous regenerating, self-supporting and self- sustaining capacity due to its richness of biodiversity: 606 different plant species, 39 species of mammals, 37 species of reptiles and over 300 species of birds and more than 2,000 species of insects.
A breeding ground for migratory birds, the avifauna of Gir includes a variety of raptors and many other significant species, including Lesser Florican, Osprey, Indian Pitta, Red-headed Vulture, etc. It also supports a variety of reptiles, including the Indian python and the Indian star tortoise, and possibly one of the highest populations of Marsh crocodile in the country. Gir also has one of the densest concentrations of leopards in India. The park is therefore a great place to see Leopards as well, with a population of over 400 individuals that inhabit the area.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: The Fern Gir Forest Report or similar
Day 5 : Sasan Gir – Ahmedabad (by surface, 330 kms/6-7 hrs drive)
Morning jeep safari to the national park and after breakfast, drive to Ahmedabad (330 kms/6-7 hrs). On arrival, check into hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Ahmedabad.
Accommodation: Comfort Inn Sunset or similar
Day 6 : Ahmedabad to Bera (by surface, 290 kms/5 hrs drive)
After an early breakfast, depart for Bera (290 kms /5 hrs) and drive through the country side. On arrival, check into lodge.
Bera, Rajasthan is located adjacent to the Jawai Dam. It is well-known for its magnificent sightings of Leopards. The experience is unique as it’s not a forest; instead you will sight leopards near around this sandy village.
Bera is home to a number of mammals and birds, it attracts wildlife enthusiasts from all over to spot the elusive Leopard, the mighty Bluebull, the Mugger Crocodile, the ever so mischievous Hyena, the graceful Pelican, the Greylag Goose, Robin Accentor, Demoiselle Crane, and the Bar-headed Goose, to name a few. Indulge in a Late evening safari as you navigate trails which share space with leopards. Dinner and overnight safari in Hotel.
Accommodation: Jawai Leopard Safari Lodge
Day 7 : Bera - Morning and evening safari
After breakfast, experience the golden mornings of Rajasthan with spectacular wildlife sightings. Morning & Afternoon Safari also one can see the village life in Rajasthan. All Meals at the hotel.
Not only Leopards! Bera is a well-known habitat for Crocodiles. These 15 feet giants are notorious to bask close to mudflats, as if they’re asleep. They could be as active as in hunting process even if they are doing nothing. They won’t move, hence sometime create a camouflage with the marshy banks of the reservoir. They sun bath for entire day and whenever hungry they simply dive in the lake full of fishes, which makes sightings a bit challenging when they are in action, however they will always be visible on a sunny day, glistening on shore.
Day 8 : Bera – Jaipur (by surface 390 kms/7 hrs drive)
After breakfast, transfer to Jaipur and on arrival, check in to Hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to unwind.
Jaipur – the capital of Rajasthan is washed in pink – the color associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. This Pink City of fairytale palaces, rugged fortresses that lay perched on barren hills and broad avenues, is immensely picturesque. The first planned city of its time, Jaipur is encircled by a formidable wall that was impenetrable among the many invaders who laid siege on the land. Overnight in Jaipur.
Accommodation: Oberoi Rajvilas or similar
Day 9 : Jaipur – Ranthambore (by surface 180 kms/3 hrs drive)
After breakfast, depart for Ranthambhore (180 kms/3 hrs). On arrival, check into the lodge. After lunch, leave for an afternoon jeep safari. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.
Accommodation: Oberoi Vanya Vilas
Day 10 : Ranthambore
Morning & afternoon jeep safaris in the park. Meals at the lodge. Overnight at the hotel in Ranthambore.
Ranthambore encompasses an area of 400 sq. km encompassing rocky hill crests which descend to open valleys between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges, dotted with water pools and fruit trees, this park gets its name from the thousand-year-old fortress, which lies nestled on hill above the forest.
Well known for the diurnal activity of tigers, Ranthambore is special and an unusual area where the natural present meets the historical past. Sambar, cheetal, chinkara, nilgai and langur are predominant in these parts. The elusive leopard and tigers are found in this reserve with tourists standing a very good chance of seeing tigers at close quarters during the safaris.
Accommodation: Oberoi Vanya Vilas or similar
Day 11 : Ranthambore
Morning & afternoon jeep safaris in the park. Meals at the lodge. Overnight at the hotel in Ranthambore.
Ranthambore is also rich in bird diversity with over 300 species that can be seen here. In fact, for a keen bird watcher, Ranthambore and the surrounding area is a birding paradise. Some interesting resident species of birds are the Great Cormorant, Painted Spurfowl, Sarus Crane, Bronzed Winged Jacana, Sandpipers, Kingfishers, Nightjars, Painted Sandgrouse, the Indian Eagle Owl and many more winter migrants which arrive from their nesting ground north of the Himalayas.
Dotted across the landscape are the crumbling ruins of past glory, be it chatris or cupolas like palaces or old guard posts, all of these reinforce the magical and ethereal quality of this great wilderness.
Accommodation: Oberoi Vanya Vilas or similar
Day 12 : Ranthambore – New Delhi (by day train)
Morning jeep safaris in the national park and breakfast at lodge. Post lunch or (with packed lunch) transfer to Sawai Madhopur station to board a 1st or 02nd A/C Sleeper class day train to New Delhi at 1230 hrs. Arrive at Hazrat Nizamuddin station at 1845 hrs and transfer to New Delhi Hotel or International airport to board your flight back home.
Accommodation: Roseate House Aerocity or similar
Day 13 : New Delhi – Chandigarh – Shimla (Flight + 120 kms/3-4 hrs drive)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Chandigarh at 1115 hrs, which arrives in Chandigarh at 1210 hrs. Our representative, will meet you at airport, post which, you will depart for Shimla. On arrival, check in in at the hotel. Evening is free for leisure activities. Overnight stay at the hotel in Shimla.
Accommodation: Woodville Palace, Shimla
Day 14 : Shimla – Rampur (by surface, 130 kms/4-5 hrs drive)
After relaxed breakfast drive to Rampur. Stay at Nau Nabh Heritage hotel in Rampur. Rampur is situated at an altitude of 4000 ft above sea level. Guests stay here on a double occupancy basis.
Day 15 : Rampur – Tabo (by road 10-12 hrs drive)
Day 16 - 21 : Tabo – Kibber
Early next morning, we will visit the Tabo monastery before making our way to Kibber. Kibber is situated at 14,500 feet. On the way to Kibber, which is a 2-hour drive, if there are any snow leopard sightings, we will drop you off and get you ready with your cameras. The porter and guide will come and assist you but it is better to go up, settle in and come back once you are acclimatized as exhaustion can lead one to mountain sickness. So depending on how difficult the sighting site is to reach, we will take a call then.
Once you are settled in your rooms at the home stay in Kibber, you can go for a short walk around the village to familiarize yourself. In the afternoon, if there are any sightings, we will take you to the site as soon as receive the news. We use a Maruti Suzuki Gypsy so that it is convenient for the guests to reach the site rather than hiking.
There will be some points like 100- 400 yards one may have to walk as they navigate their way to the snow leopard site. There is also Yak available in case one is comfortable to ride one. Generally, the daily routine is as follows:
– Morning tea/coffee around 6:30 AM and one has to be ready by 7:15 AM for breakfast. The spotters come for a meeting by 7:15 AM and set out for the snow leopard sighting sites. Once breakfast is over, guests can step out to see Blue Sheep, Red Fox and Ibex. We encourage everyone to stay close to the home stay till they’ve received word of a good snow leopard sighting and then pursue other wildlife prevalent on the area. Lunch is generally served at the snow leopard sighting site.
If there are no sightings on certain days, we will stay back at the home stay and have lunch there. Dinner is always at the home stay. In between the meals tea/coffee/snacks are served at the site and at the home stay. Mineral water is provided free of charge throughout the trip.
Each room is equipped with wood fired hot stove and electric heater. Each bed has an electric blanket. Heavy quilts are provided too. Bath towels are also provided. There is generator set in case the electricity goes out.
There is no running water in winters. Hot water will be provided for freshening up every day. The toilet present is a dry toilet. Wet wipes and toilet paper will be provided. Bathroom is separate and hot water will be provided in case someone wants to take a bath. A porter is available for each guest. You don’t have to lift anything during the course of your stay. Your camera is carried by the porter and he will also carry your day time camera bag/back pack. Extra scanner guides are present for maximum chances of quick and confirmed sightings.
You will be provided with a walking pole and a chair/stool while sitting down for photography. A tent is also pitched in case one has to lie down. Insulated mats are kept inside the tent. Oxygen tank is also carried along with the group while going to the sighting site. Oxygen saturation measurement device is available to test for any symptoms of shortness of breath.
The escort will guide you and be available for any issues you may have. There is arrangement of dropping the guest to lower altitude incase they’re suffering from mountain sickness or experiencing shortness of breath. There could be a detour up to 30 kilometers for new or different sites for Snow Leopard sighting. Any extra help needed or extra trips will be undertaken by the helpers to get equipment or other essential items from the home stay to the site.
This is the routine for 6 days.
Day 22 : Kibber – Rampur
Day 23 : Rampur - Chandigarh (by road, 425 kms/8 hrs drive)
Day 24 : Chandigarh – New Delhi Fly back home (Flight)
Tour Inclusions
- Accommodation in New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Chandigarh are on bed and breakfast basis.
- Accommodation in Sasan Gir, Bera, Ranthambhore, Rampur, Tabo and Kibber on room, all meals and safari basis.
- Your entrance and guide charges in Sasan Gir, Bera and Ranthambore.
- 06 exclusive jeep safaris will be provided in Sasan Gir.
- 06 sharing jeep safaris will be provided in Bera (3-4 pax in one jeep).
- 06 exclusive jeep safaris will be provided in Ranthambore.
- 01st or 02nd Air-conditioned sleeper class day train from Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore) to New Delhi.
- Executive AC chair car from New Delhi to Chandigarh.
- Executive AC chair car from Chandigarh to New Delhi.
- Assistance at airport, railway station and hotels.
- All land transfers in air-conditioned Toyota Innova car/Tempo Traveler.
- Water and hot tea at the site & snacks.
- Veg/Non veg preference.
- Electric blanket in bed for each guest.
- Electric heater or hot stove in each room.
- Fresh clean linen and quilt. Fresh towels.
- Hot water.
- Toilet paper/ Wet wipes.
- Walking pole.
- Foldable stool in the field.
- Collapsible tent to rest while in the field.
- Oxygen in the home stay and on the field.
- Insulated mat to rest on the field.
- BSNL connection to call home.
- Taxi with escort to and for pick up and drop off points.
- All currently applicable taxes.
Tour Exclusions
- Still / video camera fee in the monuments and national parks.
- Expenses of personal nature like tips, smokes, liquor, laundry and telephone calls.
- International airfare and domestic.
- Alcohol or any other non-alcoholic beverages other than mineral water, tea, coffee, milk, hot cocoa at all stops, stays and in field.
- Medical attention at any clinic or hospital. Taxi for other than designated trips.
- Stay at any place other than designated place.
- Drops or excursion other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Extra porter or guide.
- Yak ride to any point of sighting.
- International airfare and domestic.
- Travel insurance.
- Any favour or request other than mentioned in the itinerary.
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
- Please note that any changes in entrance fees or government taxes will be payable extra and the same will be advised to you if applicable.
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Guest Testimonials
Our efforts have time and again been recognized by all our guests on TripAdvisor. With reviews that are 100% genuine, you can read them here or head on to our official TripAdvisor page to browse through in detail.
We just finished the first half of two tiger safari tours in India. The first was on the Banhavgar National Park. Our guide was Sanjay Gupta, who had 25 years of experience in the park and with the tigers. He was wonderful, sharing his experience and knowledge throughout our three full days together. He was definitely a highlight of our trip, as a great guide makes for a great experience, whether you see tigers or not! And we did see tigers...
Nature Safari India organized our private 2 Weeks Safari in Central India plus a couple of Sightseeing and we are very happy to having choose this agency. I found them on the responsible tiger tourism association (TOFTigers) and I liked them from the very first contact. From the first email more than two years ago to the end of our trip in April 2022, the service was great, the selection of the itinerary, Parks, lodges and guides was perfect...
Deepkul and the Tiger Safari India team put together an incredible experience for us in Kanha and Bandhavgarh. All the details were taken care of as per our preferences and budget including transportation, food, lodging, and our amazing safari guides. Deepkul was easy to communicate with and always quick to respond to any questions before and during our trip. Highly recommend!
Extension Tours
Extend your stay in this enchanting country with any of the below extension tour packages. It could be an ensemble of culture, wildlife or even historic walks! Choose from whatever satiates the soul. Our travel specialists are here to customize the ideal itinerary to your liking.
Faqs
The best time to do a tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park is between the months of February to May. The summer season curtails their movement to the few and far in between water holes and big predators like the Tiger are seen around these lakes almost all day.
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