India
ICONIC WILDLIFE & CULTURAL SPLENDOURS
11-26 FEB 2028 • 17 DAYS • 16 GUESTS
Delve deep into the heart of India where Wild Earth Expeditions uniquely blends an extraordinary wildlife viewing experience with the exploration of its splendid cultural heritage.
Surrender your senses to a world of the unfamiliar: The sound of a tiger’s roar, the din of an energetic daily market, the peace of a temple ... The colours of saris swirling down a busy street, the iridescent blue wings of an Indian roller, the rainbow showers of Holi powders welcoming love and springtime ... The taste of a welcome libation after a day of tracking, and photographing, a leopard in full glory, of a thousand spices in a single sip of chai ... The fragrance of an ancient teak forest, of a traditional meal prepared in a family home ... The touch of a silk-encased pillow, the heat of a desert grassland at midday and the lake-cooled breeze of a starlit evening.
Begin with a total immersion into the natural realm of two distinct national parks in the state of Madhya Pradesh: Kanha, a world-renowned preservation mecca of the Royal Bengal tiger, and Pench National Park, Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book paradise—a shady canopy of teak forest and sun-splashed grassy hillocks. Explore these diverse landscapes and habitats where nearly 40 species of mammals and 250 birds make these parks unique on the planet. Your time in Pench coincides with the occurrence of Holi—India’s beloved holiday of joy and colour. Celebrate with the locals at a nearby village where authentic traditions are in full swing.
Return to civilization with the welcome embrace of Rajasthan, home to fabled palaces and forts, sprawling desert landscapes, and renowned cuisine. Discover the pleasures of Jodhpur—blue houses, winding lanes, silk textiles, step wells—on foot and by madcap tuk-tuk rides through teeming, colourful neighbourhoods.
Spend two days surrounded by the ethereal, tawny grass landscape of Jawai, where ancient granite boulders and rolling hills offer secret shelter for the more than 60 leopards that roam here. Meet the Rabari tribal people who live peacefully alongside the leopards.
As a memorable finale visit enchanting, and ultimately romantic, Udaipur, and discover its daily delights and opulent wonders. Set between soaring peaks and sky-blue Lake Pichola, the city is a collage of architectural marvels—ornate palaces, Haveli mansions, and intricately carved temples and cupolas—all woven together by narrow whitewashed streets.
Throughout this memorable journey, stay in unique accommodations, each chosen to showcase India’s tradition of hospitality, its regional styles, and an unparalleled level of luxurious comfort. From a deluxe tented camp beneath a giant Banyan tree to gorgeous hotels furnished with the colorful handcrafts of Rajasthan... and from a pampering luxury camp nestled among rocky outcroppings where leopards dwell, to the legendary Taj Lake Palace that “floats” on Udaipur’s sky reflecting lake, wake to dreams of India come true.
HIGHLIGHTS
Venture into the heart of India to explore 2 extraordinary national parks: Kanha and Kaziranga
Enjoy 4X4 wildlife drives in search of tigers, wild dog, sloth bear, Chital, and Sambar deer, and witness a dazzling array of bird life
Explore Kaziranga National Park on 4x4 jeep safaris and on elephant-back.
Key species to spot: Asian elephant, one-horned rhino, Bengal tiger, leopard, gaur, monkeys, dhole and a variety of birds and deer
Learn about the local tribes and savour delicious Assamese food
Stay at a lovely jungle lodge, designed to resemble an Assamese village
Witness breathtaking scenery along the mighty Brahmaputra river
Visit the holy city of Varanasi by the River Ganges and the ancient city of Kolkata
Enjoy exquisite accommodations: The Taj Lake Palace (featured in a James Bond movie), a luxury jungle lodge, a “sandstone” hotel honoring the handcrafts of Rajasthan, and a lavish safari camp.
COMBINE FOR THE ULTIMATE INDIA EXPERIENCE
This journey can be combined with its sequel, India: Quest for Snow Leopards - a wildlife lover’s dream-come-true set in the remote valleys of the Himalayas. Enhance your travel experience by adding our Optional Add-ons to the iconic Taj Mahal, listed as one of the seven modern wonders of the world.
“It’s hard to describe how we felt seeing our first wild tiger, or the Indian wild dogs playing or the golden jackal lying in the sun or the leopard at sunset.
It takes a lot of planning and organization to get these outcomes and our thanks to Wild Earth Expeditions for making it possible. We’ve planned our next trip already!”
RESERVE MY SPACE & ENQUIRIES
You've got that "I don't want to miss out" feeling for a good reason. Our expeditions are life changers and we have a solid following of Wild Earth Explorers who love returning to adventure with us. Don't hesitate in reserving your space today.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
11-26 FEB 2028 ● 17 DAYS ● 16 GUESTS
INDIA – Iconic Wildlife and Cultural Splendors
Day 01 | Feb 11 Depart home and travel to Delhi, India
Day 02 | Feb 12 Arrive in Delhi / Delhi City Tour / Welcome Cocktails & Dinner
Day 03 | Feb 13 Fly to Raipur / Travel through rural Madhya Pradesh to Kanha National Park
Day 04-05 | Feb 14-15 Two days of safari drives in search of Tigers and India’s iconic wildlife
Day 06 | Feb 16 Morning game drive / Drive to Bandhavgarh National Park
Day 07-08 | Feb 17-18 Two days of safari drives & nature walks in search of India’s iconic wildlife
Day 09 | Feb 19 Journey from Bandhavgarh to Varanasi
Day 10 | Feb 20 Sunrise Ganges River Cruise / Discover Varanasi temples & ancient traditions / Evening Aarti Ceremony
Day 11 | Feb 21 Fly Varanasi-Kolkata
Day 12 | Feb 22 Discover the sites of Kolkata
Day 13 | Feb 23 Fly Kolkata to Guwahati / Journey to Kaziranga National Park
Day 14 | Feb 24 Explore Kaziranga National Park on morning and evening game drives
Day 16 | Feb 25 Transfer to Guwahati / Fly to Delhi & continue home
Day 17 | Feb 26 Arrive home or fly to Leh and join the Snow Leopards Expedition
INDIA – Iconic Taj Mahal
2028 ● 2 DAYS ● Optional Add-On Pre or Port Extension
Day 01. Dinner and overnight in Delhi, India
Day 02. Travel to Agra / Red Fort & Taj Mahal at sunset
Day 03. Taj Mahal sunrise / Return to Delhi
INDIA – Delhi City Tour
2028 ● 1 DAY ● Optional Add-On Pre or Post Extension
Day 01. Full-day Old and New Delhi City Tour with lunch.
ADD ON – ICONIC TAJ MAHAL
Optional Add-on Pre or Post Extension
FEB/MAR 2028 | 2 DAYS
Our Iconic Taj Mahal Add-on provides Wild Earth Explorers the opportunity to discover some of India’s most iconic architectural treasures. Learn about the history and construction behind some of India’s most spectacular fortresses, tombs, and palaces. Marvel at the impressive architecture of the Taj Mahal and Amber Fort and take in the incredible blend of past and present.
HIGHLIGHTS
Be mesmerized by the beauty of the majestic Taj Mahal and Red Fort
*PLEASE NOTE this is an optional add-on extension that will be led by a professional expert Agra Tourist guide and driver, not a Wild Earth leader. This extension can be done at any time Pre or Post either of our two India Expeditions.
WILD EARTH LEADERS
PHOTO CREDIT © Thomas Baechtold, Encounters Asia, Indrajit Latey, Adobe Stock