North India Birding Tour - Delhi, Bharatpur, Corbett & More

Arrive at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, meet & greet with Traditional Indian welcome. Transfer to the hotel.

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. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast visit Old Delhi. It 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 take a Cycle Rickshaw Puller Ride through the bustling and colorful market of the old city 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.

In the afternoon visit New Delhi. It 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 - Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar. drive pass through the Raisina Hill, ceremonial avenue past the imposing India Gate, Government Buildings, President House and Parliament House. Also visit Sikh Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to see the worship etc. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Later, 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. Overnight stay at the hotel.

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. Then leave for Bharatpur, en-route visit Agra - 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, take 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. It is home to more than 300 species of Birds, which are found in this small park of 29 sq. kms. of which 11 kms are marshes and the rest, scrubland & grassland. In the evening, take rickshaw puller ride to deep dive 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 at the hotel.

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.

In the late afternoon, enjoy 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 at the hotel.

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 the hotel, check into the hotel. Later, enjoy Bullock cart ride in Unchagaon nearby villages to see the local life and cultural. Overnight stay at the hotel.

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. Overnight stay at the Corbett.

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. Alongwith the 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. Overnight stay at the Corbett.

After breakfast, say good bye to this fascinating, unforgettable and memorable tour. Drive back to Delhi airport to board the flight for onward destination.

The above itinerary can be further customized as per your travel requirements.