Duration: 11 nights/10 days photographic safari

Spaces: 6 Spaces (Minimum of 4 required)

Your tour will be hosted by Tracey

You will also be joined by an experienced local Indian guide/naturalist. Both hosts will be on hand to provide any tuition both in the field and during down time at the lodge. This trip is ideal for all photography levels.

Ranthambore National Park is not one of the biggest National parks of India, but surely it is the most famous one. Situated in the vicinity of the Aravali hills and Vindhya plateau, the Ranthambore forest spreads over an area of 1334 sq km with having the 392 sq km of the area as the national park. Highly revered for the natural habitat to the significant number of Royal Bengal tigers.

The Ranthambhore National Park not only boasts of its populous tiger reserve, but also the heritage sites which includes the mighty Ranthambore Fort, Jogi Mahal, Ancient temple and Rajbagh ruins which are the reminders of glory and grandeur of the Rulers of Ranthambore. Many picturesque lakes like Padam Talao, Malik Talao, Raj Bagh Talao and others are enriching the landscape of this forest which consists of deciduous forest, small hills, valleys and lush greenery. The park is enclosed by the Chambal River and Banas River from the two sides enhancing the wild ambience of the Ranthambhore forest. Without any doubt, the tour to this National Park of Rajasthan will be the best holiday for you if you actually love nature and wildlife. The whole experience of watching majestic tigers roaming freely in the park, a mesmerizing gamut of ultimate species of animals and birds and captivating greenery will enthrall your mind and you will be thanking yourself for having embarked on this wildlife journey.

Jhalana Leopard Reserve is spread in an area of 23sq km Jhalana Leopard Safari Park is home to 30-35 leopards out of which around 10 leopards have their territory in the tourism area of park. Situated right in the heart of Jaipur city, Jhalana is slowly becoming a favorite destination to spot leopards in wild. This otherwise shy cat is the apex predator here and does not have much competition for survival which makes them confident and therefore better sightings .

Once a reserve forest around Jaipur, Jhalana has always been home to leopards and other smaller fauna including spotted deer, blue bulls, wild boars and loads of resident as well as migratory birds.

Jhalana Leopard Safari has grown into a recognized non-profit wildlife park dedicated to conservation, education, and animals in wide open spaces. Jhalana Leopard Safari features over 500 animals representing their wild counterparts, making it a true intersection of human and nature nestled into the picturesque hills of Aravalli. It has leopards, jackals, nilgai, hyena, jungle cat, peacock etc. With over 400 acres of space for some of the rarest, most endangered and simply coolest species on earth to roam.

May is the dry season and is one of the best times of year to view and photograph Tigers and all the other wildlife we will see. The temperatures can be hot (35-42 ° C). Due to the temperature the Tigers/Leopards often seek out the water holes giving increased opportunities for sightings & photography.

Guests should be advised that the game drives can get very dusty and also be a tad bumpy at times but this is all part of the adventure. As with any wildlife adventure tiger sightings can never be guaranteed.

Hotel Pride Plaza, Aerocity, Delhi (Nr International Airport) - (2 Nights)

This 5-star hotel near Delhi Airport provides the finest accommodation and state-of-the-art amenities and serves as a delightful haven for business and leisure travellers. The palatial rooms are decorated with the magnificent monumental images of India. The most striking aspect of the lovely images highlighting the beauty of the country is that they are absolutely authentic. Being a quintessential traditional hotel, the Pride Plaza offers it’s guests a host of opportunities to feel at home and relish the true Indian treat in the form of home-made jams, pickles, conventional chaats in the buffet, the relaxing welcome drink, tamarind candies, hot water bottles among many others.

Ranthambore Kothi Resort (Nr Ranthambore National Park) - (6 Nights)

Encompassed by the lush green forests and edged with soothing sight of natural water lake, Ranthambhore Kothi offers a never to be forgotten experience, with an exciting chance to glimpse the very rare tigers, and other species in complete wild.

If your senses need soothing and frayed nerves need mending, a holiday with Ranthambhore Kothi will restore you. Nestled by the thick vegetation, picturesque vantages, and green field gardens with the proximity to National Park, 'Ranthambhore Kothi' promises an excellent holiday experience.

Themed on British Bungalows in the area of 14400 sq.mt, the Ranthambhore Kothi offers 28 well appointed and aesthetically designed Regal and Deluxe rooms with distinctive features like English interior, lush courtyard and private balcony to enjoy the fascinating sight of open gardens, swimming pool and the tiger sanctuary. And if the peace in your room gets a little too much, there's always a visit to sight the Big Cats for that extra thrill.

Mark on a blissful vacation with Ranthambhore Kothi and experience the thrills of Jungle Safari.

Accommodation

Within the British style Bungalows, spread in an area of 14400 sq. mt. the Ranthambhore Kothi offers 28 well appointed and aesthetically designed rooms comprising of Regal and Deluxe rooms. The distinctive features like English interior, lush courtyard private balcony with the wooden art work in rooms give a salubrious feel of Jungle. Open Shower bequeaths complete luxurious sensation together with the vistas of natural surroundings.

The modern amenities like Library, mini-bar, tea-kettle, safe are not to be missed, while the perk of flawless services makes it stand out as one of the best forest hotels across India.

Dining

Dining in the verdant settings of Ranthambhore Kothi, while guided and served by skilled people, is a unique experience which will change your view of the wild by reversing your perspective. With the capacity of catering to more than 200 guests, our main courtyard is an elegant area for the delightful dining and party experiences. At our "Pool Side Bar" guests can enjoy tantalizing wine and spirits with luscious snacks.

The Tiger Onyx Stone bar counter, wooden furniture, dimming lights, sound of fresh water and the calming fragrance of lotus flowers from the pond adds up to the luxury of your indulgent evening here. Be it a setup for dining surrounded by trees of the wild or the candle light dinner under palm tree each offers an unforgettable experience to cherish beyond times.

Hyatt Place, Jaipur - (3 Nights)

Hyatt Place Jaipur Malviya Nagar is a contemporary, modern hotel designed for the multi-tasking travelers. Inspired by old & new Rajasthan the hotel offers uncomplicated experiences in a stylish seating. Located in Business district of Malviya Nagar, the hotel is near the Jhalana Leopard Safari.

The hotel features 115 spacious rooms and suites, each designed and fitted with the latest amenities to meet the needs of the modern-day business and leisure traveller.

Dining

Zing - World of Flavours is an all-day dining restaurant that offers a casual dining experience with an open kitchen that serves Local, Indian, Asian and Continental cuisines. Unwind yourself with a casual mocktail or made-to-order coffee experience and relish some authentic cuisines from a-la-carte menu presented in modern and contemporary style.

Pre-trip advice

2-3 months prior to travel you will receive a comprehensive document that provides packing advice so you are prepared for your trip

Tour language

This tour is an English-speaking tour. Please note: that not all lodge staff/forest guides will have a good understanding/ use of understanding the English language. However, we do have a local Indian guide who is able to assist if required.

Visas

Foreign nationals visiting India must obtain a visa prior to their arrival in India. The new e-via system can be accessed here:

https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

Visas are usually granted quite fast (2-3 days). Please be wary of other visa providers who may charge extra for the visa service. It is best to use the government’s own website to avoid extra visa service fees

It is your responsibility to also ensure that your passport is valid for a minimum of six months and has several clear pages for visas prior to departure. It is also suggested that you check your status as regards visas prior to travel as they can change on a regular basis.

Vaccinations

We are not qualified or legally allowed to provide vaccination or medical advise. Therefore, you should consult your travel nurse or doctors for specific medical advise and up to date advise on vaccinations required. We suggest doing this at least 2-3months prior to travel or sooner if this allows

Diarrhea / giardia etc. – good personal hygiene and control over the quality of your drinking water should avoid this. Bottled water is readily available throughout the country. Please take along some diarrhea and rehydration medicine just in case, particularly if you are planning to spend some time travelling alone and not with a tour. We recommend that guests buy only bottled water with the seal intact. Bottled water is usually provided free of charge as standard at most safari lodges and tented caps. Please ensure bottled water is used when brushing one’s teeth, even in well-established camps and city lodges

Fitness Level Required

This tour does not require a high level of fitness. However, guests should be able to get in/out of a game vehicle (a step up/down of around 2 feet) with little or no assistance and should be capable of walking up to 200 metres to and from their room at the lodges/hotels. Guests should also be aware of the temperatures below that can be experienced at this time of year.

Weather & Environmental Conditions

During May in India, it is their summer. Late mornings and afternoons will be very hot, and the temperatures may go to 39-45 C at the hottest part of the day. Usually on average, temperatures will be around 36-41 C. Rain at this time of the year is generally not experienced, although occasionally there can be the odd thunderstorm

You may require a lightweight fleece or a light sweater for a short while during morning safaris. The moment the sun starts coming up, it starts getting very hot. The heat can start from early/mid-morning.

It is very important to avoid dehydration in these temperatures by wearing a hat and drinking plenty of water. In the evening it can be warm. On our group safaris, we use air-conditioned hotels/lodges

Camera Equipment

For game viewing we would recommend bringing a camera/lenses that can cater for a range of distances. A good starting point is to have a camera/lens that can accommodate focal lengths of between 100-400 mm. In general, you will be using longer lenses/focal length for the majority of the time. However, some tiger sightings may be experienced at much closer focal lengths, or you may want to take a more wider-angle lens for environment images. Therefore, we would recommend cameras/lenses that provides a minimum of around 70-100 mm focal length, with the opportunity of a zoom lens or an alternative lens that can cater for sightings at a further distance (e.g., 400mm – 600mm)

Often on safari you will be photographing in the early morning and early evening and therefore sometime in low light. So, for those more serious photographers, we therefore recommend faster lenses, for example F4 or below. Further information on photography equipment will be supplied as part of your pre-trip advice.

Gratuities

Gratuities are not included in the cost of your safari. What you provide as a gratuity is very much up to the individual traveller. However, below is a guideline of what is generally recommended to budget for:

Tipping is very much part of the culture in India and is usually expected and it is advisable to have local currency for this purpose. Wages for most nationals of India in the national parks are very low and as we like to ensure we are tipping for the good service we receive from local staff.

Your hosts will advise on this nearer the time and will collect this amount from you all at the beginning of the tour or on the first night at the hotel. Which will then be used during your trip to avoid you having to worry about paying gratuities daily or at the end of the trip.

Wi-Fi/Phone Network Access

At most of the lodges or hotels in India there is Wi-Fi access. However, please be aware that the speed of these networks may be much slower than normal broadband speeds. There is generally good access to cellular networks in Delhi, but this can be very sporadic in the more rural areas of India.

Dietary

Most dietary requests can be catered for with advance notice provided to us at least two months prior to departure.

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend purchasing your own travel insurance at the time of booking to cover any eventualities should you need to cancel your trip due to unforeseen circumstances as both the deposit and final balances are non-refundable. Guests travelling without their own travel insurance do so at their own risk.

Group Photo Safari Cost: £4295 pp

Single Occupancy Supplement: £600 pp

£4895 for 1 x traveller in a single occupancy room

Secure your place with 25% non-refundable deposit of £1073.75 / £1223.75 (single occupancy) per person

Payments accepted by Bank Transfer

*Please see Terms & Conditions for payment details

Cost Includes :-

2 nights accommodation at Hotel Pride Plaza Aerocity (Breakfast included)

6 nights at Ranthambore Kothi Resort Nr Ranthambore National Park (including Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

3 nights at Hyatt Place, Jaipur Nr Jhalana Leopard Sanctuary (including Breakfast only)

Road transfers as stated in air-conditioned comfortable vehicle for all transfers included in the tour program

All park entrance fees, jeep charges, permit fees, services of forest guide and driver

Assistance/meet & greet at airports on arrivals / departures

Services of a photographic host

Services of local tour guide and naturalist

Service tax levied by the government

NOT Included:-

International flights to/from Delhi

Any personal expense such as laundry bills, beverages / drinks bill at all hotels, snacks whilst travelling, telephone bills, airport tax etc

Dinner & Lunch costs whilst at hotel in Delhi (2 nights)

Dinner & Lunch costs whilst at hotel in Jaipur (3 nights)

Tips & gratuities (E.g. for local drivers, forest guides, local tour leaders & hotel staff). Please budget for around £180 per person

Travel Insurance, Visas & Vaccinations