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Golden Triangle India Holidays Delhi Taj Mahal Jaipur Rajasthan Tigers

India Safari: Snow Leopards, Himalayas + Tigers, Pench + Sloth Bears, Satpura

India: Snow Leopards of Kashmir + Pench + Satpura
IPS16D
16 NIGHTS
FROM $5,979
Per person sharing
Flights quoted separately
India Safari Snow Leopards Himalayas Tigers Pench Sloth Bears Satpura

From January to March, this India safari goes in search of snow leopards in the Himalayas, tigers in Pench National Park & sloth bears in Satpura. In the Himalayan wilderness you will also search on foot for other elusive alpine wildlife, such as the Tibetan wolf & Himalayan fox. In Pench enjoy jeep safaris & in Satpura track wildlife on foot or canoe & jeep, including night drives. All park fees, game drives & transfers included.

India Safari Snow Leopards Himalayas Tigers Pench Sloth Bears Satpura
• 
India Safari
• 
Delhi Tour
• 
Himalayas Wilderness
• 
Leh
• 
Ulley Homestay
• 
Snow Leopards
• 
Tigers in Pench
• 
Satpura National Park
• 
Sloth Bears
• 
Satpura National Park
• 
India Safari
• 
Delhi Tour
• 
Himalayas Wilderness
• 
Leh
• 
Ulley Homestay
• 
Snow Leopards
• 
Tigers in Pench
• 
Satpura National Park
• 
Sloth Bears
• 
Satpura National Park
Day 1
You will be met at Delhi Airport and transferred to your hotel in this ancient capital of kingdoms and empires that is now a sprawling metropolis.
 
Delhi's strategic location was one of the main reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power and today it is a conglomerate of seven cities. The division between the old walled city and New Delhi marks a division in lifestyles, with the old city retaining its past traditions whilst New Delhi strives to match the pace of the 21st century.
 
On arrival enjoy an orientation tour of the 17th century walled city of Old Delhi including driving past the splendid Red Fort, once the most opulent palace in the Mughal Empire and the Jamia Masjid (or Friday mosque), the largest in India. Also enjoy a chaotic rickshaw ride through Chandani Chowk - one of the busiest markets in Old Delhi. We continue to the Raj Ghat - the simple but moving memorial on the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
 
Note: Both the Red Fort and the Temple are closed Mondays, when alternative sightseeing is offered.
Day 2
This morning transfer to Delhi Airport for your flight to the high-altitude town of Leh in the district of Ladakh in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
 
Check into your hotel in this ancient town that was originally a stopping point for trading caravans, but is now known for its beautiful Buddhist monasteries, picturesque trekking and interesting markets. Spend the rest of the day acclimatising to the high altitude in the spectacular Himalayas (11,500 ft / 3,500 m).
 
Note: Be aware that it will be extremely cold in the mountains. Dress in layers in full winter gear suitable for temperatures between -10 and -25 degrees, including thermals, fleece, inner jacket, outer padded jacket, gloves & balaclava. Take a small backpack for use during the day. If you are trekking, bring soft sided bags (sports bags are ideal) and leave your rigid suitcase with your summer clothing with our representative in Delhi.
Day 3
Today is free to slowly acclimatising to the extremely high altitude of Leh in the High Himalayas.
 
If you feel comfortable enough, this evening you can visit the Shanti Stupa and the city market. Alternatively you can do some birding around the Indus River.
Day 4
This morning transfer 2.5-hours to the small hamlet of Ulley high in the Himalayan wilderness.
 
Check into your simple homestay accommodation that will be your base for the next few days, as we explore different valleys and ridges in search of the alpine wildlife and birds of this region. You will also experience the local Buddhist culture.
 
Note: You will be staying in a simple homestead, with shared bathroom (with western toilet).
Days 5 To 8
Each day is devoted to game drives and walking in search of wildlife in the remote and stunning Himalayas, accompanied by a local naturalist and tracker.
 
This high-altitude desert has the highest density of Snow Leopards in the world. Other animals you can hope to see here including the Tibetan wolf, Himalayan fox, Argali (great Tibetan sheep), Bharal (blue sheep), Ibex, Eurasian brown bear, Red fox, Ladakh uriel and the elusive Eurasian lynx. Small mammals include the Himalayan marmot, Mountain weasel and Himalayan mouse hare.
 
These valleys also offers opportunities for birdwatching, with 73 recorded species including several Tibetan species not common in other parts of India. Birds present here include the Brown accentor, Robin accentor, Tickell's leaf warbler, Streaked rosefinch, Black-winged snowfinch, Chukar, Blyth's swift, Red-billed chough, Himalayan snowcock and the Fire-fronted serin. You can also see birds of prey such as the Golden eagle, Lammergeier vulture and Himalayan griffon vulture.
 
You need to spend five nights in the mountains to ensure an excellent chance of seeing a snow leopard. In the evening you can interact with the naturalists and trackers, or watch wildlife documentaries.
 
Note: November to early March are the best months to see snow leopards, as their movements are tied to that of their prey. When the snow starts to melt, the bharal (blue sheep) descend from the high peaks to the warmer valleys below, followed by the hungry snow leopards. Concentrated in these smaller almost snow-free elevations, this is when guides and trackers have the best access to search for these elusive cats. Be aware that this activity occurs at very high altitude, so do not exert yourself and walk slowly.
Day 9
This morning enjoy some final game viewing and birding in the Himalayan wilderness.
 
Afterwards we transfer 2.5-hours back to your hotel in Leh.
Day 10
Transfer to Leh Airport for your flight to Delhi.
 
You will be met at Delhi Airport and transferred to your hotel in this bustling city.
Day 11
Transfer to Delhi Airport for your flight to Nagpur.
 
You will be met at Nagpur Airport and transferred 2-hours to Pench National Park, situated in the lower reaches of the Satpura Hills.
 
Check into your lodge in this beautiful tiger reserve that is rich in diversity and supports an abundance of flora, fauna and aquatic life.
Day 12
This morning enjoy a private game drive in beautiful Pench National Park that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his famous children's story - The Jungle Book - featuring Mowgli the man cub, Shere Kahn the tiger, Baloo the sloth bear, Kaa the snake and King Louis the amusing ape.
 
Tiger sightings are good in this small reserve which is divided by the Pench River, but are never guaranteed. You may also see chital, sambar, nilgai, wild boar, jackal and barking deer. Jungle cats and leopards are also present but rarely seen. There are also over 170 different species of birds.
 
In the afternoon return to the park for another game drive.
 
Note: You will need to take a copy of your passport with you to enter the national park. Please note that we have no control over the driver and vehicle allocated to you, as this is done by the local park authorities according to a rota. In the winter months wear warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle.
 
This tiger reserve is closed every Wednesday afternoon, when only a morning game drive is offered. The park is also closed during the Holi & Diwali festivals, as well as during the monsoon season (July to early October).
Day 13
This morning enjoy another private jeep safari in Pench Tiger Reserve.
 
Afterwards transfer 4-hours to Satpura National Park. Named after the Satpura Range, this rugged reserve with its sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, ravines and dense forests preserves over 850 square miles (2,200 sq.km) of the central Indian highlands eco-system - together with the adjoining Bori and Pachmarhi wildlife sanctuaries. With an altitude ranging from the level plains of Churna (984 ft / 300 m) to the Dhoopgarh Peak (4,430 ft / 1,350 m), this park sustains a wide diversity of birdlife, animals and plants.
 
In the evening enjoy a private Night Drive, searching for the nocturnal animals of this park by spotlight.
Day 14
This morning enjoy exploring the dense vegetation of Satpura National Park with a local naturalist guide, either on foot or on a canoe ride down the Denwa River. In the afternoon venture further afield on a private jeep safari.
 
Satpura is very rich in biodiversity and in this sanctuary you can hope to see sambar, nilgai, chital, Indian muntjac, four-horned antelope, chinkara, wild boar, black buck, fox, porcupine, flying squirrel, mouse deer, Indian giant squirrel and the elusive leopard. Leopard and Sloth bear sightings in this park are particularly good, but tiger sightings are rare.
 
This park is also home to a wide variety of butterflies and over 300 species of birds that live in these lowlands, wetlands and mountains. During the winter months many build their nests and roost here, making this a particularly rewarding time to visit. You can hope to see the Peacock, Grey hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, Black shouldered kite, Treepie, Shikra and many more species.
 
The flora is also very interesting, consists of mainly sal forest with teak, tendu and mahua trees. You will also find bamboo, Indian gooseberries, bel fruits and many grasses and medicinal plants.
 
Note: You will need to take a copy of your passport with you to enter the national park. In the winter months wear warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle. This reserve is closed during the Holi & Diwali festivals, as well as during the monsoon season (July to September).
Day 15
Today enjoy a full day private jeep safari, taking the 20-mile (30 km) Churna Route deep into the forests of Satpura National Park.
 
Birdlife is prolific, but this route is notable for its Sloth Bear sightings. You can also hope to see leopard, wild dogs, Indian gaur (bison), malabar squirrel and nilgai. The probability of seeing a tiger is also higher in this zone, but sightings are still relatively rare.
 
A hot lunch is included today at Churna Forest Guest House.
 
Note: You will need to take a copy of your passport with you to enter the national park. In the winter months wear warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle. This reserve is closed during the Holi & Diwali festivals, as well as during the monsoon season (July to September).
Day 16
This morning enjoy another shared jeep safari in Satpura National Park.
 
Afterwards transfer 3.5-hours to Bhopal Airport for your flight to Delhi, where you will be met and transferred to your airport hotel.
Day 17
Transfer to Delhi Airport for your flight home.