Asiatic Lions and Black Buck Safari

1. Day 1 Arrive Mumbai

   Arrive at Mumbai International Airport. Mumbai: Mumbai or Bombay as it was known earlier is the commercial capital of India, a city of entrepreneurs, concrete towers, clubs and discos, cricket, Bollywood and more. In 1661, Charles II of England received the islands of Bombay as a dowry when he married Princess Catherine of Braganza. The British Government leased the islands to the East India Company, who developed it into a thriving trading port. Today, Mumbai is the country's financial and cultural capital. It is also home to India's thriving film industry. It is seen, to the teeming masses that flock there to live and work, as a place where opportunities abound. Its inhabitants, an amalgam of great wealth and abject poverty, are swept into the endless maelstrom of activity that characterizes this city of dreams. Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our representative who will present you with a welcome pack including all necessary documentation and arrange for your transfer to the Trident Nariman Point Hotel for check-in. No activity is scheduled today since most of the International flights arrive in India close to midnight only. Trident Nariman Point: Towering above the skyline and overlooking the Arabian Sea, the Trident Nariman Point Mumbai is centrally situated in the heart of the shopping and business district. The city's main promenade, Marine Drive, lights up in the evening to give a spectacular view of the "Queen's Necklace". It is within walking distance from major corporate houses, entertainment, recreation, and shopping centers, 5 minutes drive from the Gateway Of India and 10 minutes drive to the main convention- World Trade Centre. Well-appointed rooms, many offering ocean views, with broadband and internet access, mini-bars, tea-coffee makers, etc. Leisure facilities include a large swimming pool, fitness center, and several restaurants and bars. Overnight in Mumbai.

2. Day 2 Mumbai - Rajkot - Gir (166 kms/04 hrs)

   This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to airport to board flight) to Rajkot. Met our tour representative on arrival and drive to Gir (166 kms/04 hrs), the only place, where one can do a lion safari in India. Gir: The Gir National Park located in the Western Indian State of Gujarat, is known as the last habitat of the endangered Asiatic Lions. The 35,948 hectares of the Gir Forest National Park embraces a rugged terrain of low hills and stretches of scrubby grassland interspersed with meandering rivers. The vegetation consists of mixed deciduous forests containing Teak, Ber, and Flame of the Forest, Jamun, Tendu, and Dhak trees. Acacias grow commonly in the drier areas and there are also occasional Banyan trees, much favored by many bird species during the fruiting period. The Lions of the Gir Forest enjoyed a long history of protection from the former local rulers and it is undoubtedly due to their actions that a relict population has been able to survive. A disastrous drought brought the lion numbers down to a mere 20 by the start of the 20th Century, but since then their fortunes have prospered and it is estimated that there are now about 300 of them in the National Park. The national park supports a great diversity of mammals including Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Chinkara, Four-horned Antelope and Wild Boar. With such an abundance of prey, it is little surprise that Leopards maintain good numbers in the forests and a few packs of Striped Hyaena seek to scavenge any leftovers from the big cats' meals. Big cat numbers-wise, Gir perhaps has the highest number amongst all Indian Wildlife reserves. The star attraction of Gir remains the Asiatic Lions, but even keen birdwatchers will have plenty to see in Gir - the park checklist has 250 birds and about 50 other species (including the endangered lesser florican and the saras crane) are recorded in the grasslands along the periphery of the sanctuary. Long-billed vulture, Indian white-backed vulture, red-headed (king) vulture, Eurasian griffon vulture, changeable hawk-eagle, crested serpent eagle, bonneli's eagle, greater spotted eagle, lesser spotted eagle, tawny eagle, steppe eagle, imperial eagle, Pallas's fish eagle, grey-headed fish eagle, osprey, peregrine falcon, laggar falcon, red-headed falcon, oriental honey-buzzard, white-eyed buzzard and other raptors have been seen in the sanctuary. On arrival check-in to the Lion Safari Camp. Lion Safari Camp: The Lion Safari Camp is a new luxury jungle safari camp just outside the famous Gir National Park - the last remaining bastion of the Asiatic Lion. It is located in a private Mango Orchard overlooking the Hiran River. The location presently has around 900 Mango Trees with only 2% of the entire land area being built so that the natural setting is maintained. The accommodation consists of 20 Luxury Tents. The tents have large bedrooms with well-appointed ensuite bathrooms with bathtub, shower and hot/cold running water. The public areas of camp consist of an open-air river-facing restaurant. Evening game safari into Gir National Park. Safaris in Gir are organized in jeeps. Local guides and naturalists are at hand to enhance the experience. Overnight in Gir.

3. Day 3 In Gir

   Morning & evening game safaris into Gir National Park. Safaris in Gir are organized in jeeps. Local guides and naturalists are at hand to enhance the experience. Overnight in Gir.

4. Day 4 In Gir

   Morning & evening game safaris into Gir National Park. Safaris in Gir are organized in jeeps. Local guides and naturalists are at hand to enhance the experience. Overnight in Gir.

5. Day 5 Gir - Gondal (130 kms/2½ hrs)

   This morning you drive to Gondal (130 kms/2½ hrs). Upon arrival check-in to the Orchard Palace Hotel. Orchard Palace Hotel: Located in a huge complex of fruit orchards, lawns and gardens, the Orchard Palace is a wing of the Huzoor palace (the present royal residence) where the ruling family of Gondal entertained personal guests including relatives from other princely states of Gujarat. The 7 double rooms are beautifully furnished and have modern tiled bathrooms with western toilet fixtures. The 'room of miniatures' is a splendid sitting room with a collection of miniature paintings, brass, and antique furniture. The princely town of Gondal has several attractive buildings. It is a nice place to relax between the two sanctuaries. The main attractions of the town are the Naulakha Palace Museum, Ayurvedic pharmacy, and the Swaminarayan temple. Late in the afternoon a tour of the bird-rich lakes of Gondal and the Maharaja's private grasslands where blue bulls and blackbucks roam free. Overnight in Gondal.

6. Day 6 Gondal - Dasada (220 kms/05 hrs)

   This morning drive to Dasada - the gateway to the Little Rann of Kutch (220 kms/05 hrs), the next stop on your tour of Gujarat. Little Rann of Kutch Or Dhangadhra Sanctuary: The Dhangadhra Sanctuary or the Little Rann of Kutch, as it is popularly known, is situated in the Western Indian state of Gujarat, and is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India, spanning some 4950 sq km in area, and comprising a range of habitats from saline desert plains, arid grasslands, rocky and thorn scrub to lakes and marshes. The Rann of Kutch is a geographically unique landscape that was once an arm of the Arabian Sea. As the land separated from the sea by geological forces, it became a vast, featureless plain encrusted with salt that is inundated with water during the rains. The safari across the Little Rann visits the `bets', islands on the ancient sea bed that are now higher grounds covered with grass and scrub. These `bets' support a variety of wildlife including the Asiatic wild ass that is not found elsewhere. The wild ass is a handsome chestnut brown member of the horse family. Capable of reaching high speeds when galloping across the Rann, the wild ass is usually seen in small herds. The elegant blackbuck (Indian antelope), nilgai or blue bull (India's largest antelope) and the graceful chinkara (Indian gazelle) are other mammals seen at the bets. The main carnivores of the Little Rann of Kutch are the endangered Indian wolf, desert fox, Indian fox, jackals, desert and jungle cats, and a few hyenas. Smaller mammals like hares, gerbilles, and hedgehogs, and reptiles like spiny-tailed lizard, monitor, red and common sand boa, saw-scaled viper, cobra, Indian rat snake, etc, could also be seen during the safaris in the Rann. Upon arrival check-in to the Rann Riders Safari Resort. Rann Riders Safari Resort: Rann Riders safari resort is situated near the village of Dasada, a few minutes drive from the entrance of the Little Rann of Kutch Wild Ass Sanctuary. Surrounded by wetlands, Rann Riders is an eco-friendly resort imaginatively designed using local materials to recreate the appearance of a village. Accommodations are in cottages, resembling the old-style traditional hoses of the local tribes and are decorated with mirrors, mud-plaster work, and embroideries. Cottages are air-conditioned and have western style facilities. Jeep and camel cart safaris in the Rann of Kutch. Other facilities at the Resort include a small lake, lawns, and gardens with sit-outs and hammocks, a swimming pool that doubles as an irrigation tank recycling pool water for agriculture in the arid region near the Rann of Kutch. The Resort also offers facilities for Rann of Kutch Camel safaris, horseback riding, Camel cart tours of the Rann. Village tours by camel cart and village safaris by jeep. Evening game safari to Little Rann of Kutch. Safaris in Little Rann of Kutch are organized in jeeps. Local guides and naturalists are at hand to enhance the experience. Overnight in Dasada.

7. Day 7 In Dasada

   Morning & evening game safari into Little Rann of Kutch. Safaris in Little Rann of Kutch are organized in jeeps. Local guides and naturalists are at hand to enhance the experience. Overnight in Dasada.

8. Day 8 Dasada - Ahmedabad (90 kms/02 hrs.

   This morning you drive to Ahmedabad (90 kms/02 hrs.). Ahmedabad - It is one of the most highly industrialized cities in India. Also, called the "Manchester of the East'. Historically, Ahmedabad was a major base camp during the Indian freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi built the Sabarmati Ashram on the outskirts of the city, from where he guided India to freedom. Ahmedabad is also the textile city of India. Though the city has developed more as a business and commercial center, it also holds attraction as a center for the study of Indo-Saracenic architecture, a style that fuses elements of Hindu and Islamic architecture. The old city of Ahmedabad is dotted with a labyrinth of bylanes called pols. The exquisitely carved wooden mansions are beautiful examples of the craftsmanship of the time. Ahmedabad remains the second largest industrial city in western India. Upon arrival check-in to The House of Mangal Das. House of Mangal Das: The House of MG is the only boutique hotel in Ahmedabad. This stately heritage property has been tastefully refurbished to retain its old-world charm but with all the amenities and comforts of contemporary living. With the recent addition of twelve sumptuously furnished rooms, it now offers a complete hospitality package to its patrons. Another unique feature of this Hotel is that each room contains a catalogue of its signature range of furniture, light fittings, floor coverings and bed linen, including some of the decorative objects. The House of MG is conveniently located in the city center, at the T- junction of an un-congested 80-foot wide road. There is ample parking space within the complex with valet parking available. Both the Airport and the Railway Station are within a 7-km distance. Later you are collected from your hotel for a half-day sightseeing tour of Ahmedabad. This tour includes a visit to the Calico Museum, with exhibits of rare tapestries, modern and antique textiles, and also sightseeing of the City Havelis. Overnight in Ahmedabad.

9. Day 9 Depart Ahmedabad

   This morning met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to airport to board flight to Mumbai followed by the connecting flight to home.

Price

Start from: USD 2114 Per Person

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Accommodation

Important Information

• Small supplements may apply for travel between 24th October and 05th November’ and 20th December' and 05th January'.
• All the figures quoted above are net per person in US Dollars.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance