Stripes & Wings Tour

Delhi – Bandhavgarh – Kanha – Delhi (10 Nights /11 Days)

India is famous for its Tigers, Temples & Culture and central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is the best since it offers all three. Madhya Pradesh - the heart of India has some of the best known wilderness and cultural spots. The famous temples of Khajuraho and tiger reserves Kanha and Bnadhavgarh are in this state. Most wildlife lovers and photographers prefer a trip to these national parks since they have well developed tourism infrastructure but it has been done responsibly, without in anyway interfering in the local environment and biodiversity.

Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves boast of 22 species of mammals, more than 259 species of birds and 117 butterflies and are so rightly called paradise for wildlife and nature lovers. Bandhavgarh is famous for having highest density of tigers in any tiger reserve in India along with Bandhavgarh fort. Kanha is well known for its beautiful forest and protection it has given to its Tigers and Hard ground swamp deer. Being in central India and having virgin protected forests both have good numbers of bird life and birders come from all over to spot some rare species. So if you are a wildlife lover or photographer taking a tour of these famous forests is something you would never like to miss.

Day 1: On reaching the capital of India – New Delhi you check in at your hotel. Day is free to take some rest to ward off Jet lag or you can visit the famous museums and historical monuments of Delhi.

Day 2: Today is our flight to Jabalpur from where we leave for Bandhavgarh by road. After checking in, some rest and lunch we leave for our first bird watching walk in the buffer region of world famous Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to see some of more than 270 bird species seen here. Peacock, Munia, Grey hornbill, shrike, Spotted owlet, eagles and many other birds can be seen here.

Day 3: Today we will leave for our first jungle safari to spot the king of the forest - Tiger  along with Leopard, Sloth bear, Spotted deer, Sambhar deer, Barking deer and other mammalian species found here. In safari you will also be able to spot some rare birds which prefer dense forests instead of fringe areas.

Day 4: Bandhavgarh national park is famous for white tigers, the first white tiger cub caught live in the wild was here in these forests. Bandhavgarh fort is of historical importance and is said to have within it history of more than 5000 years. Tigers roam these ruins and can be seen as guardians of historical past of the area. Evenings are reserved for bird watching on foot in the fringe area of forest around villages to spot those flying beauties which prefer open areas.

Day 5: We will be visiting core area of Bandhavgarh national park in the morning to spot the big cat – Tiger and other wild animals and birds of the forest. Due to good management and terrain of the area bandhavgarh forests have the highest density of tigers in the wild. In the evening we will be out on foot to spot birds who prefer clearings and village surroundings. We may also visit some tribal hamlet of the area to understand age old traditions and way of living.

Day 6: Today we leave for Kanha national park by road to reach by noon. After lunch we will have an orientation program about Kanha and its bio diversity before we leave for our first bird watching walk in the buffer region. Kanha tiger reserve is spread over an area of 940 Sq Km as core protected reserve forests. With predominantly Sal and Bamboo forests and meadows in between this is one of the best tiger country in the world.

Day 7 : Early morning we leave for our first safari in the core area of this world famous national park to spot Tigers and other free roaming wildlife. This is also a good time to see birds of the forest and you may see some rare ones like Shama, Paradise fly catcher, Munia, Hornbill and many more. Kanha forests are known for 259 birds species including some migratory birds and many rare species.

Day 8: Kanha national park was created as a tiger reserve looking into its suitable landscape for tigers and other wildlife. Gaur, the largest bovine species in the world can be seen here very comfortably. Kanha forests have 22 known species of mammals with a few of them nocturnal like the mouse deer which very few can boast of seeing. Jungle cat, Leopard and Jackals can be seen in the core area. Evening comes and we leave for spotting birds on foot as many birds prefer fringe areas of the forest. Parakeets, dove, Mag pie robin, Indian robin, Hoopoe are some of the birds we can see.

Day 9: Spotting a Tiger from back of open Gypsy is an experience you will never forget in your life. Trying to locate a tiger with help of trained guide and naturalist will always be itched in your memory. One species you would love to see at Kanha is Hard ground swamp deer or the Barasingha the twelve tinned deer as it is locally known. This species is rightly known as 'Jewel of Kanha' as it is endemic to these forests. In the evening we will go for birding in the buffer forest area with some water bodies to see water loving birds like cranes, ibis and herons. In March and April when most trees are flowering or fruiting you will see host of birds in these trees.

Day 10: We will visit the core area of Kanha national park in last safari of our tour. Forests of Central India have always been inviting to nature lovers and wildlife photographers along with general tourists. The meadows or grass lands make this a perfect tiger forest. Due to good water management, grassland management and forests management today Kanha has inscribed its name on tiger tourism map of the world. A healthy forests saves all wild animals including birds, reptiles, mammals and other fauna. Kanha's flora is famous for many shrubs and plants of medicinal value.

Day 11: Today we take our last walk in the buffer region of Kanha tiger reserve and try to see those elusive birds which we have missed till now. After Lunch we leave for Jabalpur to catch our flight to New Delhi and move on to catch our flight back home.

This will be the end of our safari and bird watching tour with lots of happy memories.