FSD 2020: EXTENDED TRIPS TIGER TRAILS Delhi, Agra, Bharatpur and Ranthambore Expected Weather: 8 nights & 7 days Delhi, Agra, Bharatpur -Min.13°C- Max.30°C Moving across fields of history, culture and wildlife, this is Ranthambore - Min.10°C-Max.33°C a journey of exploration into the many facets Northern India has to offer- MONUMENT & HISTORY visits in Delhi Physical Level: & Agra and WILDLIFE tracking in Ranthambore. Easy to moderate, with walking over undulating plains. Highlights: Good for: ✴ Escorted hikes in secluded Himalayan forests Historical & Cultural exposure, ✴ Two days of game drives in open jeeps birding, wildlife, photography ✴ Stay in small luxury lodges on the edge of the reserves. Departure 1: Pre-Conference 23 Feb 20 Arrive at Delhi. Check in and overnight at hotel in Aerocity. 24 Feb 20 A visit to old & new Delhi, visiting famous monuments and bazaars. 25 Feb 20 Drive to Agra and visit to the three UNESCO World Heritage sites- Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri & Taj Mahal and overnight at hotel in Agra City. 26 Feb 20 Drive to Bharatpur and evening birding at Bharatpur. Overnight at Birder’s Inn 27 Feb 20 Morning birding and then drive to Ranthambore. Overnight at Dev Vilas. 28 Feb & 29 Feb 20 Morning and evening jeep safaris into Ranthambore National park. 01 Mar 20 Travel from Ranthambore to Delhi by train 02 Mar 20 Transfer to the conference venue after breakfast. Departure 2: Post-Conference 06 Mar 20 Arrive at Delhi. Check in and overnight at hotel in Aerocity. 07 Mar 20 A visit to old & new Delhi, visiting famous monuments and bazaars. Drive to Agra and visit to the three UNESCO World Heritage sites- Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri 08 Mar 20 & Taj Mahal and overnight at hotel in Agra City. 09 Mar 20 Drive to Bharatpur and evening birding at Bharatpur. Overnight at Birder’s Inn. 10 Mar 20 Morning birding and then drive to Ranthambore. Overnight at Dev Vilas. 11 Mar & 12 Mar 20 Morning and evening jeep safaris into Ranthambore National park. 13 Mar 20 Travel from Ranthambore to Delhi by train. 14 Mar 20 Transfer to the conference venue after breakfast. FOOD & ACCOMMODATION Delhi Accommodation is in a smart and contemporary airport hotel in the Aerocity area of Delhi. Your accommodation will have modern amenities and food here caters to international travellers. Agra Accommodation will be in a smart, contemporary hotel. Your accommodation will have modern amenities and food here caters to international travellers. Birder’s Inn The Birders Inn, just outside the park entrance has been an all-time favourite with birders. This family run inn, has 20 rooms that are modern, comfortable and come equipped with air- conditioning, overhead fans, and cable TV. Each room has en-suite facilities with hot and cold running water and a shower. The Birders inn reputation has been built on its warm hospitality and the personal service offered by cordial and friendly staff. Dev Vilas Dev Vilas, built using local resources and materials is designed taking inspiration from the hunting lodges built by the Maharajas. It is situated in an eco-sensitive zone, close to the park and practices sustainability in use of recycled water for plantations and rain water harvesting. It is known for being warm, welcoming and highly hygienic maintenance of its property. GEOGRAPHY & NATURAL HISTORY Delhi Delhi is India’s capital city and is a metropolitan urban space while retaining old world charm with buildings dating back to the 1600s. It is bordered by Haryana on three sides and by Uttar Pradesh on the east. The Yamuna is the only major river flowing through the city of Delhi. It is one of the most densely populated cities and is home to many cultures. It houses exemplary contemporary artistic influences while also having sprawling Mughal & Turkish architectural marvels including the Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s tomb & Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Delhi is also known for its bazaars where shopping can be a never ending activity! Agra Agra is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh and is built on the banks of the Yamuna river. It was put on the world map with the construction of grand Mughal buildings, including the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Agra also hosts a number of cultural fairs and festivals- Taj Mahotsav, Ram Barat, Kailash Fair and the Taj Literature Fest, to name a few. Bharatpur The Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, is a famous avifauna sanctuary that plays host to thousands of birds especially during winter. The erstwhile duck-hunting reserve of the Maharajas is one of the major wintering areas for large numbers of aquatic birds from central Asia. Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a man-made and man-managed wetland. The 29 sq. km reserve has dry grasslands, woodlands, woodland swamps, and wetlands. These diverse habitats are home to 366 bird species, 379 floral species, 50 species of fish, 13 species of snakes, 5 species of lizards, 7 amphibian species, 7 turtle species, and a variety of other invertebrates. Every year, thousands of migratory waterfowl visit the park for winter breeding. The Sanctuary is one of the richest bird areas in the world, known as a nesting ground as well as a migratory site. Some of the target birds are Siberian Rubythroat (Luscinia calliope), Greater Painted Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis), Black Bittern (Ixobrychus flavicollis), Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca), Baikal teal (Anas formosa), Dusky Eagle Owl (Bubo coromandus), Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius), Large-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgus macrurus), Red Knot (Calidris canutus) and Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo). The rare Siberian cranes used to winter in this park but this central population of Siberian Cranes is now extinct. Ranthambore National Park The National Park sprawls languidly across 824 sq. km. of contiguous, dry-deciduous forests where the rolling Vindhya and craggy Aravalli Hills meet. The park lies at the edge of a plateau and is bounded in the north by the Banas river and to the south the Chambal river. The park’s forests were once the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, but today Ranthambhore is a prime example of Project Tiger’s conservation efforts and is an important destination for visitors hoping to see the Bengal tiger in its natural habitat. Other major fauna include Leopard, Jungle Cat, Caracal, Sloth Bear, Hyena, Indian Fox, Jackal, Sambar and spotted deer, Nilgai and wild boar. Over 260 species of birds are reported. Marsh crocodiles are found in the lakes and river and the endangered Gharial and Gangetic river Dolphin is found in the Chambal river. The area is peppered with old crumbling walls, ruined pavilions, wells and other relics of a glorious past, including the impressive 10th century Ranthambhore fort. Tour price: Rs.1,27,628/- (incl of 5% GST) NOTES: Trip price is per person based on double/twin occupancy This is a fixed departure trip and requires a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 travellers. Tour Price Includes: • All accommodation on twin/double sharing basis. • All meals starting with breakfast on day 1 to breakfast on day 8. Tea/coffee included. • All entry fees and permit cost as per the itinerary. • Guided excursions as mentioned in the plan including Jeep safaris. • A naturalist guide for the entire duration of the tour. • Road transfers by air-conditioned vehicle and rail journeys by air-conditioned coaches between locations as specified in the itinerary. Tour Price Excludes Any expenses of a personal nature like beverages, laundry, telephone, souvenirs, gratuities and food/snacks beyond what is mentioned in the itinerary. Ritish Suri Phone: +91 – 8650350756 Email: [email protected] Conan Dumenil Phone: +91 – 9972068300 Email: [email protected] www.avisfera.com All pictures and content are used with permission. Designed by and property of Avisfera Adventures, 2019..