Next Adventure India Wildlife Safari 2016nextadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Next-Adventure-India...Day 10 - March 15 – Drive to Jabalpur and fly to Delhi. Overnight at

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Next Adventure® 11-Day Tiger-Tracking Safari An Exclusive Expedition with Kili McGowan

India: March 6 - 16, 2016

Important Notes Regarding Passports andVisas for US Passport holders: • Visas for India can now be obtained on arrival using an electronic Tourist Visa on Arrival program. Applicants must complete an application online a minimum of 4 days prior to arrival. The application also requires submission of a scan of the applicant’s passport’s information page and a scanned passport photograph as well as visa fee payment of US $60 per person (not included). Please review the separate “Visa Information” bulletin for full details. All visa requirements and fees are subject to change. • Please ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. Also, you must have at least two consecutive/side-by-side blank pages in your passport for visas so check this carefully.

On this safari you explore the fabled jungles of India in search of the Bengal tiger. We are visiting the best tiger reserves in India at the best time of year, so we should enjoy multiple sightings of this charismatic cat. We’ll also see a full range of the beautiful animals that share the tiger’s world. Herds of deer (cheetal, sambhar, and swamp deer), gaur (impressive bovines larger than American buffalo), wild pigs, and acrobatic langur monkeys are the main prey. The tiger is the apex predator but it shares the jungle with leopard, dhole (Asian wild dogs), spotted jungle cat, sloth bear, and jackals. Peacocks, rollers, hornbills, and bee-eaters are some of the many colorful tropical bird species. The Indian jungle is alive with the sounds and sights of the wild. Join Next Adventure owner and Wildlife Safari Expert Kili McGowan on a special journey through the jungles of India. We’ll have the privilege and thrill of tracking and glimpsing the largest cat in the wild – the Bengal Tiger. This 12-night itinerary has been designed to experience a wide variety of ecosystems, habitats, activities and wildlife sightings. We’ll be traveling under the care of &Beyond India, a leading luxury experiential travel company whose commitment to sustainable responsible travel, community empowerment and conservation is world-renowned. Note: For a group of 7-10 travelers, we’ll also be joined by naturalist guide Allen Bechky.

Itinerary in Brief

Day 1 - March 6 – Arrive in Delhi (or optional extensions). Dinner and Overnight at Taj Mahal Hotel Day 2-3 - March 7-8 – Fly to Nagpur anddrive to Pench National Park. Overnight at Baghvan Lodge Day 4-6 - March 9-11 – Drive to Kanha National Park. Overnight at Banjaar Tola Lodge Day 7-9 - March 12-14 – Drive to Bandhavgarh National Park. Overnight at Mahua Kothi Lodge Day 10 - March 15 – Drive to Jabalpur and fly to Delhi. Overnight at Trident Gurgaon near airport Day 11 - March 16 – Departure from Delhi or optional extensions

Participation Notes: The climate in March is pleasant, with cool evenings and mornings, and warm sunny days. Wildlife viewing improves as the month progresses and the landscape dries out, as animals remain close to water sources. Travellers must be in good health. Although this is an easy-moderate itinerary, in order to fully enjoy the experience, you must be prepared for short walks and climbing in/out of safari vehicles. Wildlife viewing takes place by vehicle or elephant back over rough and dusty roads. To get the best photographic opportunities, we’ll be out for game drives early in the mornings and in the late afternoon.


We’ll have plenty of time at midday to relax and enjoy our wonderful camps, but you must also be prepared for several long drives between parks (up to 6 hours) and chaotic local conditions in cities. While tiger sightings are very reliable, viewing is dependent on variables such as weather and tracking conditions. Due to the nature of the environment and the behaviour of wild animals, it’s impossible to guarantee tiger sightings although we’ll have very good odds at this time of year! March 6, 2015 Arrival in New Delhi, India In accordance with your international air itinerary (to be arranged and quoted separately), arrive in New Delhi at any time today. After obtaining your visa on arrival (US $60 per person, not included) at immigration and clearing customs, exit to the International Arrivals area. You’ll be met by a representative of &Beyond India Safaris and transferred to our hotel. Our overnight stay at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Deluxe Rooms is inclusive of breakfast with rooms available after official check-in time of 14:00 (2:00pm). Dinner and drinks with the group this evening is included in the safari cost. (Note: This overnight stay is required to ensure you arrive in time for the early domestic flight the next morning, but you can add extra nights in Delhi to get over jet lag and explore this fascinating capital city. Please see further notes about arrivals and departures at the end of this itinerary). Delhi, the capital of India has fascinating history and a stimulating present. Believed to be the legendary Inderprastha described in the epic “Mahabharata”, Delhi has been the seat of a power of a number of dynasties- the Rajputs, the Muslims invaders from the North, the Afghan dynasties followed by Tughlaqs, Sayyaids, the Lodis and the Mughals, who continued the imperial line, until British days. The old city, built by Shah Jehan in the 17th century, stands today as an epitome of the whole history of Indo-Islamic architecture. New Delhi, designed and constructed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker is a mixture of east and west. The public buildings in red sandstone are in the Mughal style. It has a circular Parliament House and an imposing Central Secretariat in two blocks that stand at the approaches to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the residence of the President of India. Delhi is today the political, economic and cultural capital of the world’s largest democracy and has also become one of the greatest tourist centres of the world.

Optional Activities – Time-Permitting (could also be after the safari) Sightseeing in Old Delhi: Visit Jamma Mosque and drive through fabled Chandani Chowk,the main area of the old city, the Red Fort, built by the builder of the Taj Mahal – Shah Jehan, and famous for its delicately carved, inlaid and marbled Royal Chambers, Raj Ghat, where the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Sightseeing in New Delhi: Visit Humayun’s Tomb aptly called predecessor of the Taj Mahal. Drive past Safdarjung’s Tomb, the Qutb Minar, 72 meters high and one of the perfect towers of the Persian islam Mosque stands the Iron Pillar which has stood the vagarues of the weather and not rusted over 1500 years. An orientation drive through New Delhi includes the Embassy area, Govt Building and Birla temple. March 7 Travel to Pench via Nagpur Early this morning, we check out of our rooms and depart with a packed breakfast. We are chauffeured to Delhi airport for a morning flight to Nagpur.


On arrival, we are met by a driver and transferred by road about 2.5 hrs to Pench National Park. A spectacular natural reserve set among typical Central Indian teak jungle, Pench offers a quiet and secluded game viewing experience. Taking its name from the meandering Pench River which intersects the park, the reserve sprawls over a breathtaking landscape of hills, forests and valleys. Coupled with the feeling of having the entire forest to yourself, the gentle, undulating scenery of the Satpura Hills allows for an unforgettable jungle experience. The mosaic of vegetation, from lush valleys to dry, deciduous forests create a range of habitats for India’s exotic wildlife. Flat hilltops known as dadars appear among grassy expanses and riverine forests. A typical Central Indian Teak forest, Pench supports a rich variety of wildlife, including the tiger, leopard, wild dog, gaur, sambar, chital and brilliant wildlife. On arrival, we check into the Baghvan Lodge. With its open rooftop machans and large wooden decks that overlook the shady nullah (watercourse), guests at Baghvan are constantly immersed in the sights and sounds of the Indian jungle. Rich birdlife flits through the trees overhanging your machan and monkeys chatter excitedly in the dense foliage. The sandy bed of the dry nullah provides a clear path through the dense jungle for the forest's inhabitants and guests needn't be surprised to find a sambar deer on their doorstep in the morning. Spend two nights at Baghvan Lodge. Accommodation is in an air-conditioned Luxury Suite with ensuite facilities. Our stay is on a fully inclusive basis including scheduled game drives in exclusive jeeps. This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a game drive at Pench National Park returning to the lodge for dinner. March 8 Pench National Park Today, we explore the dense jungles of Pench National Park on early morning and evening game drive by exclusive open 4x4 safari vehicles. One of the lodge’s specially trained naturalists will accompany us, pointing out and explaining details about the fascinating animals and plants of the jungle. Our early morning drive enters the park as dawn breaks over the jungle. Explore the densely forested parts of the park, where the tiger prefer to hunt, in search of the elusive king of the jungle. On an afternoon drive, the wildlife is settling down for the night or having a final drink at the Pench River. Watch out for the elusive leopard and listen to the calling of jackal getting ready for the hunt.


March 9 Drive to Kanha Following a morning jungle safari and early lunch, a drive of approximately 4.5 hours takes us to Kanha National Park. Prime tiger wilderness, Kanha National Park was one of the first areas to be protected under Project Tiger. Aimed at preserving this magnificent animal, the park remains a renowned conservation area. This picturesque reserve boasts the ideal habitat for both tigers and their prey species. Lush sal and bamboo forests are interspersed with vast grassy meadows known as maidans, while the Banjaar River, which forms the park’s south-western border, provides a steady water source for the abundant wildlife. A huge population of various deer and antelope, including the extremely rare barasingha, supports a large number of predators including tiger, leopard, jackal and wild dog. On arrival in Kanha, we check into the Banjaar Tola Lodge. Overlooking the lush forests and grassy meadows of Kanha National Park, this camp blends seamlessly with the environment. Admire stunning river views from the privacy of your own veranda or share the experiences of the day on dramatic decks facing the Banjaar River. We’ll spend three nights at &Beyond Banjaar Tola Lodge. Accommodation is in a Luxury Tent with ensuite facilities. Our stay is on a fully inclusive basis including scheduled game drives by exclusive jeeps.

March 10 and 11 Kanha National Park For two full days, we’ll explore the sal and bamboo forests of Kanha National Park on early morning and evening game drives in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. Explore the meadows, or maidans, where scores of grazing herbivores attract tiger, leopard and wild dog to the edges of the clearings. On an afternoon drive, the wildlife is settling down for the night or having a final drink at the Banjaar River or the many perennial streams that run through the park. Watch out for the elusive leopard and listen to the calling of jackal getting ready for the hunt. Kanha National Park: Kanha is the Indian subcontinent’s greatest reserve and tiger country par excellence. The park’s sal forests form the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, created in 1974 under Project Tiger. This is also where the world’s preeminent field biologist, George Schaller, conducted the first-ever scientific study of the tiger from 1963 to 1965. Kanha was the setting of Schaller’s book The Deer and the Tiger.


Conservationists at Kanha have been in the lead in international efforts to save the tiger for nearly 25 years, and saving the tiger means saving its habitat: sufficient land with the water, grasses, plants, and trees that its prey lives on—in other words, saving the delicate web of an entire ecosystem. Project Tiger at Kanha has yielded much success, with Kanha’s original population of 48 tigers in 1974 now at around 100 individuals. Kanha stretches over 500 square miles and records more than 200 species of birds and about 22 species of mammals.

The variety and abundance of wildlife in Kanha is remarkable. The park is famous for its herds of hard-ground Barasingha—also called swamp deer, a large and beautiful endemic animal with 12-point antlers (it has probably been saved from extinction by careful management in Kanha). We may see herds of the beautiful chital (also called the spotted deer), and sambar, the biggest of the Indian deer. Other commonly seen herbivores include barking deer, wild boar, and the imposing gaur (also called the Indian bison), which is considered the largest wild bovine in the world.

A gaur bull may stand over six feet tall at the shoulder and weigh more than a ton! Kanha is known for its large population of gaur, and this large animal is an important food source for the tiger. Nilgai antelope and the four-horned antelope can also be seen in the higher elevation part of the park, on the Bamni Dadar plateau. Predators in the park include sloth bear, the common (or golden) jackal, the striped hyena, and the dhole or Indian wild dog (which, like the African wild dog, lives and hunts in packs). Leopards also live in Kanha, and although more easily overlooked than the tiger, they are regularly seen here. Other interesting mammals include the Indian ratel (honey badger), Indian porcupine, and various species of mongooses. Primates are

represented by troops of monkeys of two species—the rhesus macaque and the silver (or common) langur. Kanha’s bird life is equally impressive, with more than 200 recorded species.

March 12 Drive to Bandhavgarh Following a morning jungle safari and early lunch, a drive of approximately 6 hours will take us to Bandhavgarh National Park. An essential stop on any serious tiger safari, Bandhavgarh National Park is renowned for one of India’s highest concentrations of this magnificent animal. A relatively small park with a thriving tiger population, it offers guests a good chance of encountering the king of the jungle, as well as a selection of other exotic wildlife. Cradled between the picturesque Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges, Bandhavgarh boasts a breath-taking mixture of dense green valleys and rocky hills. Tropical forests and woodlands are interspersed with flat grasslands and serene waterholes.


On arrival, we check in to the Mahua Kothi Lodge. Guests in search of an authentic jungle experience won't be disappointed at this Jungle Lodge, where just 12 kutiyas scattered around an original homestead disappear into the bamboo fronds. Given over to natural forest, the vast grounds create a park-like atmosphere that guests are free to explore on bicycles invitingly parked in the private courtyards of their jungle suites.

We’ll spend three nights at &Beyond Mahua Kothi Jungle Lodge. Accommodation is in an air-conditioned Luxury Cottage with ensuite facilities. Our stay is on a fully inclusive basis including game drives in private jeeps. March 13 and 14 Bandhavgarh National Park For two full days, we explore the dense jungles of Bandhavgarh National Park on early morning and afternoon game drives in an open 4x4 safari vehicle. Bandavgarh National Park: Bandavgarh was the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. The famous White Tigers, now major attractions around the world’s zoos, were first discovered in Rewa, not far from here. The terrain is broken, with rocky hill ranges, running roughly east-west, interspersed with grassy swamps and majestic forested valleys.

The park is dominated by the ancient Bandavgarh Fort, located on a plateau and reached after a steep climb. The fort is now in ruins, its monuments and tanks beings gradually reclaimed by the forest, thus providing additional shelter for wildlife. Much of the park is covered in Sal forest, replaced by mixed forests in the higher elevations of the hills. There are extensive stands of bamboo and grasslands. Generally the forests are less dense here, with less undergrowth than in North India, thus offering better sightings of wildlife, notably

mammals, including the daylight sightings of tigers in the grassy “maidans”. 40+ igers are estimated to live in the park. The park also has numerous ancient caves and rock shelters, with shrines and inscriptions. About 240 species of birds are known from the Tala area, including the Brown Fish Owl, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Shahin Falcon.


March 15 Fly to Delhi via Jabalpur Following a morning jungle safari and early lunch, a drive of approximately 4 hours will take us to Jabalpur Airport to board an evening flight back to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, you will be met and transferred to the Trident Gurgaon Hotel for our final night together as a group. Accommodation is in a Superior Garden View Room with ensuite facilities. Our stay is on a bed and breakfast basis, but we’ll have a group dinner that is included in the safari cost.

Day 13 Departure This morning after breakfast and check-out (rooms available until noon), guests are chauffeured to the Delhi International Airport to connect with onward flights (to be arranged and quoted separately). Say farewell to India and board your international flight back to the US or continue on an optional extension within the country… Safari Costs cont inued on the next page…


Next Adventure® Extension

Pre-Trip Extension to India’s Golden Triangle Taj Mahal & Rajasthan: Agra, Ja ipur , Samode

March 1 – 6, 2016

Please review the India Wildlife Safari itinerary for full details about visas and passports. This is a brief outline to showcase our custom extension to India’s Golden Triangle, accompanied by a local guide, and only open to participants of the India Wildlife Safari from March 6-16, 2016.

Itinerary in Brief

March 1 – Arrive in Delhi. Transfer to Taj Ambassador (may be adjusted depending on arrival and flight details) March 2 – Drive to Agra (3 hours). Visit Agra Fort & Taj Mahal at sunset. Courtyard Marriott, Agra March 3 – Visit Taj Mahal at Sunrise. Drive to Jaipur (5 hours) via Fatehpur Sikri. Samode Haveli, Jaipur March 4 – Visit Amer Fort & City Palace. Drive to Samode (1.5 hours). Samode Palace March 5 – Sightseeing in Samode. Optional Camel or Jeep Safari with Farm Lunch. Samode Palace March 6 – Drive to Delhi (4 hours) to join the main group India’s “Golden Triangle” Incredible India is a chaotic and enchanting country, but the cultural extravaganza is well worth stretching past your comfort zone! Although the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur) is well-trodden, its attractions are breath-taking and captivating. Beginning from the capital city of Delhi, you’ll depart by road for an easy 3-hour drive to Agra, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Taj Mahal. Well-known as a perfectly symmetrical tribute to lost love, it is a brilliant pinnacle of Mughal dynasty architecture. Seeing the shimmering white marble of the Taj at sunset and sunrise is an essential part of exploring India. Although the Taj Mahal draws most of the attention, both the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri are fascinating and dramatically different. In contrast with the solemn Taj, these Mughal palaces bring the courtly wonders of bygone centuries to life. Another 3-hour drive brings you to the edge of the princely state of Rajasthan into the “Pink City” of Jaipur. The surrounding hills are dotted with parched trees - a hint that a great Thar Desert sits not too far beyond. The Amber Fort (pronounced ‘amir’) is another great legacy of a long-lost empire, while the City Palace in the center of town is still inhabited by the Rajputs. Beyond these monuments, the city is a thriving mix of delicious foods, decorative architecture and amazing craft markets. You’ll finish with a relaxing stay in a spectacular and lovingly-restored palace outside of Jaipur. Exploring the palace grounds and gardens, relaxing at the spa, hiking in the nearby hills or visiting a local village will immerse you in the enchanting hospitality of Rajasthan.


March 1 Arrive in Delhi In accordance with your international air itinerary (to be arranged and quoted separately), arrive in New Delhi at any time today. After obtaining your visa on arrival (US $60 per person, not included) at immigration and clearing customs, exit to the International Arrivals area. You’ll be met by a representative of &Beyond India Safaris and transferred to the Taj Ambassador. Accommodation is in a Superior Charm Room with en-suite facilities on a bed and breakfast basis.

Taj Ambassador Inspired by colonial charm, this hotel’s design offers a palette of local colors, materials, and fabrics. Nearby, there is much to see and do including Lodhi Gardens and Humayan's Tomb. Conveniently, located the Ambassador Hotel is just 17 km from the domestic airport, and 22 km from the international airport.

March 2 Travel to Agra This morning after breakfast and check-out, you drive for about 3 hours to Agra to check into your hotel, the Courtyard Marriott, just 5 minutes away from the magnificent Taj Mahal. Your one night stay is on bed & breakfast basis in a Junior Suite with ensuite facilities. After check-in and some time to freshen up, you begin guided sightseeing of Agra Fort followed by a visit to the Taj Mahal at sunset.

Agra The city of Agra flourished under the patronage of the emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan and attracted artisans from Persia and central Asia. Agra is where Emperor Shah Jahan engraved his immortal love for his Empress in marble, the Taj Mahal. Agra is still famous for handicrafts products such as inlay work on marble, carpets, jewellery, zari and embroidery work. Agra Fort - The red sandstone Agra Fort was renovated and converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time, and reworked extensively with marble and pietra dura inlay. Notable buildings in the fort include the Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jehangir's Palace, Khaas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (mirrored palace), and Musamman Burj.


Taj Mahal - It is said to be one of the most elegant and harmonious buildings in the world, Taj Mahal is the manifestation of the wealth and luxury of Mughal art as seen in its architecture, garden design, painting, and calligraphy. March 3 Agra - Jaipur Early this morning, you will go back for guided sunrise sightseeing of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. After breakfast and check-out from your hotel, you departure on a drive of about 5 hours to Jaipur with a stop en-route for guided tour of Fatehpur Sikri. On arrival in Jaipur, check into the Samode Haveli hotel. Your one night stay is on bed & breakfast basis in a Deluxe Room with ensuite facilities. In coordination with your guide, you can decide whether to visit a site this afternoon or perhaps enjoy some shopping at a market.

Jaipur

Founded in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, Jaipur is where modernity and tradition exist side by side. The walled city, vibrant with colours, houses the City Palace, an astronomical observatory and a bustling bazaar where artisans fashion puppets, silver jewellery, lac bangles and other handicrafts in their workshops. At a short distance is the Amber Fort Palace at Amber. Fatehpur Sikri - Fatehpur Sikri is a fine example of a Mughal walled city with defined private and public areas and imposing gateways. Its architecture, a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles, reflects Akbar’s secular vision as well as his style of governance. Samode Haveli - Samode Haveli, the townhouse of the Samode family oozes with charm and character, with pretty courtyards and leafy garden. The bedrooms lie all over the rambling building and are superbly decorated in an impeccable Rajasthani style at it best. An urban oasis in the historic walled city of Jaipur, Samode Haveli is a traditional Indian mansion set in a verdant garden with apartments arranged around a series of intimate couryards. Built 175 years ago as a residence of the rulers of Samode, it is still occupied by their descendants, who have converted their home into a luxury hotel.


A quintessential Indo-Saracenic regal residence seeped in history and age old traditions of impeccable hospitality, the Samode Haveli is an intimately luxurious heritage hotel hidden deep in the folds of old Jaipur. The former royal apartments are now deluxe rooms and suites, each having a distinctive character which reflects the rich history and culture of Samode. They retain the luxuriousness of the past while at the same time offering guests modern amenities. The private courtyards and balconies of the rooms still look out upon the charming pools, fountain courts and gardens of the old Haveli. March 4 Jaipur - Samode Today you will be taken for guided sightseeing of Jaipur, which includes Amber Fort and The City Palace. After lunch, you’ll drive about 2 hours to the town of Samode where you check-in to the Samode Palace hotel. Your 2-night stay is on breakfast-only basis in a Deluxe Room with ensuite facilities.

Samode Amber Fort: The stunning Amber Fort is built all in white marble and red sandstone. It was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber, before the capital was shifted to present day Jaipur. Amber Fort is known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim (Mughal) elements, and its ornate and breathtaking artistic mastery.

The City Palace: A wonderful combination of Mughal and Rajput forms of architecture is now partly a museum housing miniature paintings, manuscripts, Mughal carpets, musical instruments, royal costumes and weapons, giving invaluable insight into Jaipur's royal past. Samode Palace: A 300-year-old maharaja's mansion is the surreal setting for Samode Palace boutique hotel near Jaipur, in the heart of Rajasthan. Home to mirror-tiled halls and mural-lined walls, marble swimming pools and regal, antique-filled suites, this walled desert wonderland is the stuff of legend.


March 5 Samode Today, you have the full day at leisure to explore the Samode Palace and surrounding village from your base at Samode Palace.

Visit the Mughal garden at Samode Bagh. Horse or camel safaris are available and special visits to the sand dunes can be arranged (at extra cost). You could also just step out of the gates of the Palace and walk through the cobbled lanes of the Samode village into the local market, stopping by the little shops of the bangle maker, the cloth merchant, or the gemstone expert. March 6 Samode - Delhi You have the morning at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities. After checking-out, you drive for about 4.5 hours to Delhi to join the rest of the group at our hotel in central Delhi. Our overnight stay at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Deluxe Rooms is inclusive of breakfast with rooms available after official check-in time of 14:00 (2:00pm). Dinner and drinks with the group this evening is included in the safari cost. Extension Safari Land Costs 7 guests: $2,150 per person 6 guests: $2,250 per person 5 guests: $2,250 per person Single room supplement: $865 Safari cost includes:

• 1 night in New Delhi on an accommodation and breakfast basis • 4 night tour in Agra, Jaipur & Samode on an accommodation and breakfast basis • Activities and tours as described in the itinerary, accompanied by a professional Indian guide • Road transfers as described in the itinerary

Safari cost does not include:

• International airfare to/from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and airport taxes • Visas • Lunches, dinners, drinks and laundry throughout • Gratuities for driver and professional tour guide as well as hotel staff • Horse or camel safaris at Samode Palace • Activities, excursions or extra nights in Delhi • Comprehensive travel insurance policy including cancellation and emergency medical/evacuation coverage.


International Air and Arrivals

Most international flights to New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport arrive and depart at odd hours. Please be prepared for the need to add extra accommodation or services to suit your flight time. We’re happy to assist with booking or consulting about the best flights.


Next Adventure® Extension Post-Trip Tour in Assam, India

Kaziranga & Kolkata March 16 – 22, 2016

Please review the India Wildlife Safari itinerary for full details about visas and passports. This is a brief outline to showcase our custom extension to India’s North-East, accompanied by Kili McGowan, and only open to participants of the India Wildlife Safari from March 6-16, 2016.

Itinerary in Brief

March 16 – Transfer to airport. Fly to Guwahati. Transfer to Kaziranga. Diphlu River Lodge (3 nights) March 17-18 – Game viewing activities from Diphlu River Lodge March 19 – Transfer to Guwahati. Fly to Kolkata. Transfer to Oberoi Grand (2 nights) March 20 – Sightseeing in Kolkata. Oberoi Grand March 21 – Transfer to Kolkata Airport. Fly back to Delhi. Transfer to Trident Gurgaon Hotel (1 night) March 22 – Transfer to Delhi international airport for international departure Kaziranga Originally established as a reserve forest in 1908, Kaziranga was declared a sanctuary in 1916 to counter extensive poaching of the rhinoceros. In 1974, the Indian Government demarcated the present area as a national park. Then, in 2007, it was declared a tiger reserve under the Central Government's Project Tiger scheme. The Park is home to more than 70% of one horned rhinoceros in the world, as well as the highest density of tigers' prey in the country. Kaziranga harbors more than 60% of India's wild buffalo population along with the only population of the Eastern swamp deer and seven species of turtles and tortoises. The other important wildlife found are leopard, fishing cat, other lesser cats, large Indian civet, small Indian civet, sambar, barking deer, hog deer, gaur bull, hog badger, hoolock gibbon, capped langur, assamese macaque, rhesus macaque, sloth bear, Ganges river dolphin and otter. The avifauna of the park region comprises over 400 species. The numerous water bodies within the park are rich reservoirs of food, and thousands of migratory birds, representing over 100 species, visit the park seasonally from as far afield as Siberia. There is a grey pelican rookery near Kaziranga Village. Other birds of interest include black-necked stork, lesser adjutant stork, Pallas's fish eagle, grey-headed fish eagle, Bengal florican, swamp partridge, grey peacock-pheasant, great pied hornbill, green imperial pigeon, silver-breasted broadbill and Jerdon's bushchat. Kolkata Established in 1690 as the trading post for the English East India Company by Job Charnock, Kolkata, or Calcutta as it was formerly called, is the present capital of the eastern state of West Bengal and one of the largest cities in India. The city that once served as the showpiece capital of British power in India is noteworthy for its colonial architecture including the Victoria Memorial. Other important sights include the Howrah Bridge, an engineering marvel that links the city and Howrah Station, the Indian Museum. Gateway to eastern India and home to prominent intellectuals, the city is fiercely loved by Kolkatans.


March 16 Delhi - Guwahati - Kaziranga National Park Today you will say farewell to the group before being picked up from your Delhi hotel and transferred to Delhi airport to board your flight for Guwahati, ETD 07:45am ETA 10:00am. (Note: Flight schedule is based on present schedule available for March 2016 – Subject to change). Upon arrival you will be met by your driver and will then drive for 4 hours drive to Kaziranga National Park where you will check in at the Diphlu River Lodge where your 3-night stay is on full board basis in a cottage with ensuite facilities.

Diphlu River Lodge The Diphlu River Lodge is a Jungle Lodge located outside Kaziranga National Park. It is an attractive rural style hotel with grounds having more than 40 species of trees over 200 species of shrubs, creepers and climbers.

March 17-18 Kaziranga National Park You have two full days to enjoy twice daily game drives and wildlife viewing activites from your base at Diphlu River Lodge.

Kaziranga National Park Famous for its sightings of India’s one-horned rhino, Kaziranga National Park also offers exceptional tiger viewing opportunities. A World Heritage Site, it is recognised as a biodiversity hotspots thanks to its incredible range of bird and animal species, and diverse habitats. Covering grasslands, marshes and tropical forests, the vast expanse of the park stretches from the banks of the Brahmaputra River to the dense forests of the Mikir Hills. The reserve is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with almost 500 species encountered here, including many migrants.


Home to some of India’s largest mammals, Kaziranga boasts a thriving population of one-horned rhino, Asian elephant and Asiatic wild buffalo, as well as the swamp deer known as barasingha, wild boar sloth bear and many others. Grasslands, marshes and tropical forests, the vast expanse of the park stretches from the banks of the Brahmaputra River to the dense forests of the Mikir Hills. Everything appears larger than life at Kaziranga – even some of the largest snakes in the world, including the reticulated and Indian pythons, king cobra and branded krait, are found here. The reserve is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with almost 500 species encountered here, including many migrants. March 19 Kolkata Today you have a 4-hour road transfer will take you to Guwahati airport to board your flight to Kolkata, ETD 14:15pm ETA 15:30pm. (Note: Flight schedule is based on present schedule available for March 2016 – Subject to change). On arrival in Kolkata, you will be met and chauffeured to the Oberoi Grand where your stay is on room and breakfast basis in Deluxe Room with ensuite facilities.

Oberoi Grand The Oberoi Grand offers the ultimate classical residence in the City of Joy. Standing stately for over 125 years, The Oberoi Grand combines classic Victorian architecture and charm with state of the art amenities and facilities, offering guests an oasis of tranquillity amidst this bustling city. Located in the heart of the commercial and administrative hub of Kolkata, this heritage hotel features elegantly appointed rooms, award winning restaurants and exclusive spa and fitness centre. Personalised, efficient and unobtrusive service combined with the unique luxury offering makes The Oberoi Grand the preferred hotel for travellers on leisure and business alike. March 20 Kolkata You have the full day for guided sightseeing in Kolkata from your base at the Oberoi Grand.

Kolkata Kolkata flowered as the capital of British India during the nineteenth century, the heyday of the Raj. The streets of Kolkata still bear the Victorian imprint with its streets lined up with Victorian gothic buildings and churches. Dominated by the Victoria Memorial, the Writers' Building, St. John's Church, these structures of imperial India coexist with the structures where the soul of Calcutta lies, the Kalighat temple, Jorasanko-Rabindranath Tagore's house and Mother Teresa's homes for the destitute run by the missionaries of charity.


Heritage Walk – Early morning take a Heritage walk of Dalhousie Square, now a World Heritage Site. The walk takes place in the morning so that you can leisurely take in the architecture and history of the city's many unique and spectacular buildings without any traffic on the roads. There is an option to begin at The Flower Market on the River Hoogly - where it really "all" began. The walk then starts at the site of the terrible 'Black Hole'. Takes you past the famous Writer's Building, the former HQ of the infamous East India Company, around the square to, among others, the magnificent Governor's House and the almost forgotten Charnock Mausoleum. The whole experience takes you back to the 18th and 19th century when the British ruled the entire subcontinent from Calcutta - at that time the most fashionable city in the world after London. It is also a chance to experience a special side of the city as it is waking up in the morning with many interesting city characters to interact with along the way. Victoria Memorial - Located in the heart of city, is a memorial building dedicated to Queen Victoria and currently a museum and famous tourist attraction. Designed using Indo-Saracenic style incorporating Mughal elements in the structure. (Closed on Mondays). Indian Museum - The Indian museum is the ninth oldest museum across the world. It is the largest museum across India and boasts exquisite collections of armour, antiques, ornaments, skeleton, fossils, mummies and beautiful Mughal paintings. (Closed on Mondays). Marble Palace - Marble Palace is a palatial mansion, built in 1835 by a French architect for Raja Rajendra Mullick, an affluent Bengali merchant and art connoisseur. He built this grand palace with a passion of preserving the exquisite works of art. The mansion is famous for its sparkling white marble walls and floors, from which it has derived its present name. The palace also has an exquisite collection of Western sculpture and Victorian furniture. (Closed on Mondays & Thursdays).

Kalighat Temple - Kolkata, the home of festivals and celebrations is also the land of profound devotion. Goddess Kali is worshiped as the Mother Goddess in the city. A number of temples are found in Kolkata, devoted to Goddess Kali, the most prominent and popular being the Kalighat Temple. It is said that the city of Kolkata has derived its name from this temple, which was anglicised later as Calcutta. Kalighat is one of the 52 Shaktipeeths of the Hindus, highly revered and most sacred religious site across Kolkata. The deity of the Goddess Kali housed inside the temple is built of black stone.


March 21 Kolkata - Delhi Today after breakfast & check-out you are transferred to Kolkata airport for your flight to Delhi, ETD 10:35am ETA 13:05pm. (Note: Flight schedule is based on present schedule available for March 2016 – Subject to change). On arrival in Delhi you will be met and transferred to the Trident Gurgeon Hotel where your stay is on bed & breakfast basis in Superior Garden View Room with ensuite facilities. March 22 Departure This morning after breakfast and check-out, you will be chauffeured to the International airport to connect your flight to your onward destination. Extension Safari Land Costs 2 guests: $3,595 per person Single room supplement: $985 Domestic airfares, included in the safari cost, are subject to change as are any increased park fees. Safari cost includes:

• 3 nights at Diphlu River Lodge in Kaziranga on a full board basis • 2 nights at Oberoi Grand in Kolkata on an accommodation and breakfast basis • 1 night in New Delhi on an accommodation and breakfast basis • All safari activities and touring described in the itinerary • All meals, drinks (apart from premium cellar wines) and laundry on safari • Gratuities to safari camp staff and local naturalist guides • Road transfers and domestic economy airfares as described in the itinerary • Safari escorted by photographer/safari specialist Kili McGowan


• International airfare to/from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and airport taxes • Visas • Lunch and dinner in Delhi and Kolkata as well as drinks and laundry • Activities, excursions or extra nights in Delhi or Kolkata • Comprehensive travel insurance policy including cancellation and emergency medical/evacuation coverage.


Next Adventure® Extension Pre-Trip Safari in Satpura National Park

India: March 1-6, 2016

Please review the India Wildlife Safari itinerary for full details about visas and passports. This is a brief outline to showcase our custom extension to Satpura National Park, accompanied by Kili McGowan, and only open to participants of the India Wildlife Safari from March 6-16, 2016.

Itinerary in Brief

March 1 – Arrive in Delhi. Transfer to Trident Gurgaon Hotel for overnight (may be adjusted depending on arrival flight details and/or to add nights) March 2 – Early morning flight to Bhopal. Drive to Satpura (4 hours). Forsyth Lodge March 3, 4 & 5 – Morning & afternoon activities in Satpura. Meals and overnights at Forsyth Lodge March 6 – Drive to Bhopal (4 hours). Fly back to Delhi and transfer to meet the whole group. Dinner and Overnight at Taj Mahal Hotel

Satpura National Park Satpura National Park is a core area within a greater biosphere reserve, nestled in a range of hills within central India’s Madhya Pradesh State. The hills arise in the eastern Gujarat State near the Arabian Sea coast, and run across the central portion of the country, dividing the subcontinent (in parallel with the Vindhya Range) into two sections – the Indo Gangetic plain of northern India and the Deccan Plateau of the South. The name Satpura derives from “Seven Hills” and the diverse terrain of the park (consisting of sandstone hills, gorges, ravines and moist deciduous forests) supports rich biodiversity. Although there are tigers present in the park, they are seldom seen. However, leopard sightings are fantastic and sloth bear are more easily found than in other parks. Gaur, a large bovid, and sambar, among other deer species, are commonly seen. Birding is excellent as the Satpuras are a corridor from the mountains of the Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats. The real highlight of Satpura is the ability to participate in a wide range of safari activities including walking safaris, elephant-back safaris and canoeing in addition to traditional jeep safaris. Forsyth Lodge is situated near Sarangpur village at the northern edge of the Satpura Tiger Reserve and is about 4 hours’ drive from Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. Their focus on meaningful wilderness experiences and partnerships with the local community & park administration has earned great acclaim. March 1 Arrive in Delhi In accordance with your international air itinerary (to be arranged and quoted separately), arrive in New Delhi at any time today. After obtaining your visa on arrival (US $60 per person, not included) at immigration and clearing customs, exit to the International Arrivals area. You’ll be met by a representative of &Beyond India Safaris and transferred to our hotel, the Trident Gurgaon. Accommodation is in a Superior Garden View Room with en-suite facilities. Our stay is on a bed and breakfast basis, but depending on your arrival time we can dine together at the hotel’s restaurant.


March 2 Travel to Satpura Early this morning, we’ll transfer back to Delhi Airport for a flight to Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh State (estimated departure 06:10, arrival 08:05). We’ll meet our driver and transfer by road about 4 hours to Satpura. This reserve is mostly covered in forest, dominated by Teak trees but also including groves of Sal. The wildlife includes tiger, leopard, sloth bears and gaur. It is the only place in central India to harbour Malabar Giant Squirrels and Mouse Deer. Birdlife is magnificent and includes exciting species like Black eagle, Malabar pied hornbills and various species of harriers among many others. We’ll check in to the Forsyth Lodge, a stylish and comfortable lodge in Satpura National Park just a few minutes from the beautiful Tawa Reservoir and the park entrance. With a backdrop of plateaus and hills, the area is totally unspoiled and ultimately peaceful. The 12 cottages are made primarily of mud and brick and according to local village design. With private verandahs and colourful, cheery furnishings, they are spacious, well decorated and scattered around the central lodge and swimming pool. The main lodge is home to a cosy sitting room, dining room, bar and relaxing, open air terraces. Despite being in prime tiger habitat, the focus here is on the environment and the quality of the overall wilderness experience provided. Walking in the wilderness can only be experienced in this National Park and of course the morning evening game drives are as usual available with trained naturalists. Spend 4 nights at Forsyth Lodge in comfortable, en-suite cottages on a fully inclusive basis. Note: As our arrival is on a Wednesday, the park is closed this afternoon due to park regulations. We’ll relax and rest around the lodge or visit the village together.

Forsyth Lodge Forsyth’s consists of 12 independent cottages built in an arc around the lodge building. The lodge is a two- storey building that opens out on to stunning vistas of the mountains while the cottages are built to offer unique vantage points into the landscape. The main building holds spacious dining areas, a well-appointed library devoted to Indian wildlife, a lounge, several fireplaces and the Forsyth Bar. Daytime is usually a well-grounded affair, with any number of things to do in the Park, and thus evenings bring elevation, and everybody usually ascends to


the first floor, to the Forsyth Bar, and to the terraces, where a telescope might silently bid you to gaze upon the spectacular night-sky, where the day’s stories are exchanged and new plans made before everybody descends again for dinner. The lodge is a rammed-earth structure while the cottages are built out of cob. Both are ecologically responsible ways of building that blend with local architecture and go a long way towards moderating temperatures through the variations of summer and winter. This is but one of several ways in which the Lodge treads softly on the landscape while offering every necessary comfort.

An eco-friendly swimming pool (with virtually no chlorine) is no more than a stone’s throw from each of the cottages. The grounds, beyond the lodge, offer an expanse where you can witness--on foot, preferably, or with wheels—the million little things that mark the exciting spectacle of the returning jungle. March 3, 4 & 5 Satpura We have three full days to explore Satpura National Park. The resident naturalist guides are eager to get us out to explore the wilderness. We can choose from one-hour rides on elephant-back through the jungle, canoeing along the Denwa River or walking through the tiger reserve. Morning and afternoon jeep rides are also available and, with very few tourists, we’ll have much of the park to ourselves! Jeep Safaris Jeep safaris remain one of the best ways of seeing wildlife simply because animals gets habituated to vehicles and you can cover a large swathe of territory in a relatively short time, tracking wildlife by listening for calls, checking favoured resting and feeding spots, and traversing a range of habitats. While a vehicle takes you one step away from the immediacy and excitement of exploring the jungle on foot, a well-conducted game drive is a joyous experience.


Cross the Denwa at the crack of dawn to watch the Satpura Reserve come alive—birds, mammals, reptiles and more. Look out for the impressive ghost tree, the frankincense tree, and more. Our naturalists, and trackers from the reserve, will stop and point out to you the bits of the unfolding action you might have missed. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the tigress who frequents this part of the jungle. She either knows the morning safari schedule by heart, or has a puckish sense of humour; every now and then, she will cross the paths between two jeep trips, and leave a careful set of pugmarks across fresh jeep tracks. The Jeep Safari will take you through the Madhai meadow to breakfast at a pile of volcanic rock, overlooking a stream. You can also try the Jeep Safari for a similar duration in the afternoon. Set aside about four hours if you’d like to do this the right way—by the stop-whisper-peer-whisper-start method. The Night drives in the buffer zone of Satpura are carefully controlled by the Park management and are a fantastic way of looking for rarely seen nocturnal species like owls, civets and Rusty Spotted Cats and also the biggies like leopards and sloth bears. It is astonishing how many animals inhabit these human dominated forests. Night Safaris can either be included in the two daily safaris or as a third extra safari to be paid for separately.

Walking Safaris To truly understand the secret ways of the jungle, to appreciate the workings of its innermost recesses, to see and learn the signs and tracks that wildlife leaves through the forest and to learn to interpret these, to savour the smell, sounds and sense of wilderness you have to take to your feet. Get off the vehicle tracks and strike out across the forest and allow the wild to envelop you. This is a thrill in any wild place but doubly so in tiger country. The Satpura Reserve is one of only two protected forests in India where visitors are allowed the privilege of walking through a designated area. There’s walking, and then there is learning to place your feet according to the undulations of the landscape, the minor shifts in the undergrowth, and the many variations of mud the jungle can offer. Not to speak of the rather surprising racket that your feet can make across fallen teak leaves. When you’ve got past the preliminaries; there is landscape that opens out like an ancient text to


reveal the hieroglyphs of animal presence, there are trees to touch, birds to follow, and an endless series of insect curiosities to stop and wonder at. There is something to be said for experiencing this forest at human scale; when you are unmagnified by technology, dwarfed by the hills and by stands of teak and sal turned into cathedrals by birdsong. About the silence that precedes the moment when you ear begins picking up all the forgotten frequencies it was designed for--the entire range of jungle sounds from close by and afar. There is also the that addictive prickle of excitement that comes from animal encounters; ranging from a sounder of wild boar hurtling by, and the sounds of chital or sambhar jogging off, looking back at you curiously, but careful about staying out of range, to somewhat trickier meetings with sloth bears, Indian bison, and leopards. The Walking Safari is best done in small groups, at dawn, or later in the day; a tracker from the reserve will lead, you in the middle, and our naturalist behind you. You will be put through a quick safety-drill—what to do if a surly sloth-bear turns up. Elephant Safaris To explore a wilderness on elephant back is to ride the greatest all-terrain vehicle in the world. Wide rivers or rocky escarpments - nothing fazes an elephant. And at Satpura there is no 'kettling' of tigers and no tiger show. All you get is the best seat in the jungle! Those who clamber atop an elephant and adjust to the gentle pitch-and-heave of its movement will inevitably clutch the guard-rail on the howdah. Not because they are about to fall, but because travelling elephant-scale is to experience the jungle simultaneously as terrain and as flourishing ecosystem. Canopies go missing, or kissing, by. Birding is transformed. And there’s the pachyderm’s miraculous sense of footing. On request, the elephants will tramp up the most impossible pile of rocks into the thicker clumps of forest where the leopards are. As usual, you will cross the Denwa, and spend over two hours accompanied by mahout and naturalist, in a quieter part of the forests.


Canoe Safaris The magic of being in a canoe is to paddle quietly along the shore, drifting into little bays and inlets to watch birds and animals coming down to water unmindful of the boat - a wilderness experience to be savoured. And then to paddle back across water turned to liquid gold in the sunset while birds arrow back to roost across a purple sky. The park is usually teeming with migratory birds during the October to March season and getting on the water is simply the only way to see these species in all their splendour. The northern edge of Satpura is bordered by the enormous reservoir of the Tawa Dam which adds enormously to the scenic splendour of this park. In a wonderfully pioneering move, the park management introduced 3-man canoes for two guests and a boatman who will take you across the Denwa into its many little bays and inlets. Here you may observe, unobtrusively, animals stopping to drink, or shy marsh mugger crocodiles sunning themselves. You’ll need a little list to keep track of the birds you might pass on the sandbanks: sandpipers, red wattled lapwings, cranes, herons, stilts, and five kinds of kingfisher. Indeed there is no better way to watch and photograph birds. Most people are addicted after the first experience. On several occasions we have paddled gently along observing wild dogs hunting, or bears foraging for food and on one occasion tracked a leopard kill. There are two simple ways to plan a holiday at Forsyth’s. You could choose to wake to the routine of the discerning wildlife enthusiast—and career through a day filled with things to do, interrupted only by serious eating and lively conversation. Or, you could devote yourself to one carefully chosen activity each day before returning with equal seriousness, to good food and conversation, and then stretch out on the planter’s chair at your cottage to watch, or hear, the world inch by, somewhere beyond your toes. Either way, like Bill Watterson’s hyperkinetic six-year-old, you will find yourself saying that the days are just packed. You may not have the time to notice that your mobile phone fell silent after you turned off the highway, or the absence of newspapers and the internet.


March 6, 2015 Return to Delhi After breakfast, we’ll say farewell to Forsyth and transfer by road back to Bhopal Airport (again, about 4 hours’ drive). Our flight back to Delhi arrives late afternoon and we’ll be transferred to our hotel in central Delhi. Our overnight stay at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Deluxe Rooms is inclusive of breakfast with rooms available after official check-in time of 14:00 (2:00pm). Dinner and drinks with the group this evening is included in the safari cost. Extension Safari Land Costs 5 guests: $3,195 per person 4 guests: $3,395 per person 3 guests: $3,595 per person Single room supplement: $545 Domestic airfares, included in the safari cost, are subject to change as are any increased park fees. Safari cost includes:

• 1 night in New Delhi on an accommodation and breakfast basis • 4-night safari at Forsyth Lodge in Satpura • All safari activities described in the itinerary • All meals, drinks (apart from premium cellar wines) and laundry on safari • Gratuities to safari camp staff and local naturalist guides • Road transfers and domestic economy airfares as described in the itinerary • Safari escorted by photographer/safari specialist Kili McGowan


• International airfare to/from New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and airport taxes • Visas • Lunch and dinner in Delhi • Activities, excursions or extra nights in Delhi • Comprehensive travel insurance policy including cancellation and emergency medical/evacuation coverage.

International Air and Arrivals

Most international flights to New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport arrive and depart at odd hours. Please be prepared for the need to add extra accommodation or services to suit your flight time. We’re happy to assist with booking or consulting about the best flights.

Documents

Next Adventure India Wildlife Safari 2016nextadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Next-Adventure-India...Day 10 - March 15 – Drive to Jabalpur and fly to Delhi. Overnight at