In search of the Tiger and India’s wildlife

DELHI
A short one-night stopover in Delhi is planned, allowing you to get acquainted with Old Delhi through a rickshaw ride and an orientation tour.

New Delhi is the capital and may feel unapproachable, both because of its sheer scale and because of the negative aspects typical of overpopulated Indian cities: noise, heat and pollution.

Spending a day there to visit the notable monuments, pass a few sacred cows, try some local fried snacks, and take in the striking contrast between the Hindu and Muslim quarters of the city seems the best approach.

Delhi’s architecture bears the deep mark of its history. In fact, there are two cities in one: Old Delhi, the former capital of Muslim India, lively and packed with monuments and museums tracing the city’s history, and New Delhi, proof that British colonial rule in India ended in the 1940s. It is a modern city of hotels, restaurants and upscale shops.

RANTHAMBORE
We take our time here — time for the scenery, for the place itself, and to maximise our chances of encountering the Bengal tiger on its legendary territory of Ranthambore, a superb park, though unfortunately heavily touristed due to its easy accessibility. Be warned: spotting the tiger is no simple matter. It takes a good deal of luck and patience, and sightings can be fleeting — we must remember we are in wild territory, where we are merely tolerated.

The park also holds numerous forts and palace ruins, testament to a grand historical past.

JODHPUR, THE BLUE CITY
The city is dominated by its immense fort, built on a rocky spur atop a plateau; its surrounding wall stretches over 10 km. This is Mehrangarh Fort, “Fort of Majesty”, one of the largest and most beautiful in Rajasthan. From the ramparts, the view takes in the city below, with its stone houses and narrow, winding lanes. The blue hue of many of the houses here is striking — residents found that this colour repels mosquitoes and other insects, and so painted their walls accordingly. This is why Jodhpur is sometimes known as the “Blue City”.

KHEESHAN
Kheeshan is a village near Jodhpur and a natural sanctuary for the bird known as the Kurjan. This bird migrates to India to escape the cold from October to March, departing again as summer approaches.

Demoiselle cranes settle here to breed; observing them, as with all birds, calls for the utmost discretion.

Kheechan is a village near Jodhpur and a natural sanctuary for the bird known as the Kurjan. This bird migrates to India to escape the cold from October to March, departing again as summer approaches.

BERA
We come here for the leopard, with a quick visit to Mehrangarh Fort, unless you prefer to arrive earlier for an initial safari.

The leopard has long made its home in these hills; the tireless work of the Thakur of Bera led to the creation of a sanctuary for its protection. Even more elusive than the tiger, and largely nocturnal.

Your encounter may be brief, but it remains intense all the same — we are, after all, in wild territory.

DUNGARPUR
Spread along the edge of a lake, set amid wild hills, the peaceful city of Dungarpur was founded in the 13th century.

A small stopover to break up the journey, with a charming little palace and a lake that will delight birdwatchers.

A visit to Udaipur will be proposed en route.

RANN OF KUTCH
The Little Rann of Kutch is part of the vast salt desert of Kutch, though it offers quite different landscapes. It is first and foremost a nature reserve where many birds can be observed, notably flamingos, as well as other animals such as the Indian wild ass, an equid somewhere between a horse and a donkey. Salt workers can also be found here, busy harvesting salt.

Our aim here is to encounter the wild ass in its own domain, a small sanctuary — watching them roam amid fields turned yellow with mustard flowers remains a striking sight.

GIR
An essential stage of our itinerary, Gir National Park is located in the state of Gujarat, India. It is the only place on Earth where Asiatic lions can still be found, making it a site of major importance.

The park and sanctuary are open year-round, but the recommended visiting period runs from early November to the end of March, when cooler temperatures make wildlife easier to observe.

In summary:
– 1 night in Delhi in a guesthouse
– 3 nights in Ranthambore in a 3* hotel
– 1 night in Jodhpur in a 3* hotel
– 2 nights in Keechan in a mobile camp
– 2 nights in Bera in a charming 3* hotel
– 1 night in Dungarpur in a charming 3* hotel
– 3 nights in Rann of Kutch in a charming 3* hotel
– 3 nights in Gir in a 3* lodge