Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both...

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Backcountry Journeys Tiger Safari India 1 Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com Tiger Safari: India "There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep Sea, and music in its roar: I love not Man the less, but Nature more." Lord Byron Pricing, Dates & Booking For current pricing, trip dates & online reservations please see our website. Trip Packets Our PDF Trip Packets are being updated all the time. Ensure you have the most recent version by clicking here. Last Published: December 13, 2019

Transcript of Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both...

Page 1: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 1

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Tiger Safari: India

"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,

There is a rapture on the lonely shore, There is society, where none intrudes, By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:

I love not Man the less, but Nature more." —Lord Byron

Pricing, Dates & Booking

For current pricing, trip dates

& online reservations please

see our website.

Trip Packets

Our PDF Trip Packets are being

updated all the time. Ensure you

have the most recent version by

clicking here.

Last Published: December 13,

2019

Page 2: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 2

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Trip Overview

Join Backcountry Journeys this year in India on one of the world’s most

unique photo safaris as we search for the elusive Bengal Tiger. The goal

of our trip being to return with an impressive portfolio of high-quality

images of Tigers in the wild! India is home to 70% of the world’s tiger

population which at the time of this writing was approximately 2400 of

the 3800 remaining wild tigers in the world. If you know where to look –

India’s National Parks are the premier destination to photograph tigers

in the world. As the world’s largest living cats, tigers instill an

appreciation and a deep sense of respect and awe – to witness a tiger

appear from the brush is an incredible experience! They are threatened

throughout most of their range due to overpopulation, illegal poaching

and disappearing habitat.

This trip is intended not only to focus on the star attraction, Bengal

Tigers, but to experience and photograph all of India’s unique wildlife.

Our trip takes place in two different National Parks that are known for

Page 3: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 3

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

their dense Tiger populations. Along with Tigers we will have the

opportunity to photograph leopards, sloth bear, Indian wolf, black-faced

langur, wild dogs, jungle cat, striped hyena, jackal, antelope, barking

deer, chital and gaur (Indian Bison) as well as approximately 300

species of birds. Although the main goal of this trip is photographing

tigers you will leave with a diverse and interesting portfolio of other

creatures as well.

As the world’s largest living cats, tigers instill an appreciation and a

deep sense of respect and awe – to witness a tiger appear from the

brush is an incredible experience! They are threatened throughout most

of their range due to overpopulation, illegal poaching and disappearing

habitat.

Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks

– both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest

on earth. The landscape is a mixed forest of bamboo, sal, grassland and

a complex of deciduous forests. We spend equal and ample time in each

park to ensure we leave with incredible tiger images.

When in the parks we travel in specially designed 4×4 vehicles with

only two photographers per vehicle to allow for maximum versatility

while shooting.

Special Access Permits

If you are traveling all the way to India, you want to ensure you return

with the best possible portfolio of Tiger images. For this reason, we

have secured for each of our guests – special government granted

permits reserved specifically for professional photographers.

We will utilize these special all-access passes on 4/8 of our full-day

shoots.

National Parks in India close every-day for about three hours and all

vehicles must exit the park. Not only do our special use permits allow

us early access prior to the park’s opening and to stay past close but we

are able to remain in the park while everyone else must leave!

Page 4: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 4

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

This is incredibly important if you happen to be on a tiger around

closing as normally one would be forced to exit the park. Not you!

Normally in India’s wildlife parks – safari vehicles are assigned a

specific zone and game drive route that they must adhere to –

regardless of whether or not the guide might know of Tigers in another

area. Without our all access permits the vehicles are only allowed to

drive forward – which is problematic if a Tiger appears behind you!

Our itineraries were designed to ensure the best possible chances for

getting incredible tiger photos. The logistics of this trip have been

meticulously designed under the guidance of some of India’s top wildlife

guides & photographers. It has been thoroughly planned and setup so

that you can show up and shoot – in the right places, in the right parks

and at the right time alongside a professional photographer and expert

tiger guides.

Please note: This is a “standard” tour so there is little to no hiking on

this trip – it mostly based out of 4×4 vehicles.

Highlights

• Photograph two of India’s National Parks

• Densest Tiger population on Earth

• Only two photographers per 4×4 vehicle

• Small Groups

• Return to our cozy lodge each night to unwind

• Top-notch meals, excellent lodging included

• Learn from & shoot alongside a seasoned pro

Page 5: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 5

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Noteworthy Travel Logistics

This trip begins & ends in Delhi, India

Specific Travel Logistics for India

Cell Phones:

India has pretty good cell coverage and there are several carriers. You

can purchase a pre-paid SIM card at the airport or any convenience

store.

Money:

The currency is the Indian Rupee

Page 6: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 6

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Passport:

You must have a current passport to enter the country. Immigration

may deny entry if your passport is damaged. Visitors are required to

carry appropriate documentation at all times. Tourists should carry

their passports when taking domestic air flights, driving, planning to

use a credit card, traveling overnight or a considerable distance from

their hotel. You must have at least one blank passport page when

arriving in India.

Tourist Visa:

Apply online more than 4 days prior to departure

U.S. Embassy Delhi

Address: Panchsheel Marg, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi,

Delhi 110021, India

Telephone: +(011-91-11-2419-8000)

Fax: +(011-91-11-2419-0017)

For more information on international travel to India refer to the US

Department of State Site

Page 7: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 7

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Itinerary Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day One (Travel Day)

Leave home and travel to India.

Day Two (Travel Day)

Arrive in Delhi in the evening.

As most international flights come in late – after clearing customs you

will be met by our tour representative and transferred to your hotel

for a great night’s sleep after a long journey!

Page 8: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 8

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Day Three (B,L,D)

This morning we will meet as a group and discuss the trip over

breakfast. After orientation we will transfer to the airport for a short

flight to Jabalpur.

Then it’s a four-hour drive to Bandhavgarh National Park in air-

conditioned vehicles. This afternoon we will have our first game-drive!

Days Four-Six (B,L,D)

The next three full-days will be dedicated to game-drives in

Bandhavgarh National Park photographing tigers and other wildlife.

Afternoons & evenings in-between drives will be spent at our

beautiful, air-conditioned lodge right outside the park. The food is

excellent!

Day Seven (B,L,D)

This morning we will have our last game-drive in Bandhavgarh before

we depart for Kanha, which will be a four-hour drive in air-

conditioned vehicles.

Check-in to our lodge near the entrance of Kanha, review images and

prepare for the next few days.

Days Eight-Ten (B,L,D)

The next three full-days will be dedicated to game-drives in Kanha

National Park photographing tigers and other wildlife.

Afternoons & evenings in-between drives will be spent at our

beautiful, air-conditioned lodge right outside the park.

Page 9: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 9

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Expect cozy accommodations, wonderful meals and great comradery

in-between sessions.

Day Eleven (B,L)

We will have a final morning game-drive in Kanha. After our final

morning with the tigers it’s off to Delhi for international flights home

this evening.

Most international flights leave Delhi late at night and so we have

secured day-rooms to rest-up before the long journey home.

Day Twelve

Arrive back home after a once in a lifetime experience. Begin pouring

over your images!

Page 10: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 10

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Trip Details

Physical Requirements

All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability

to hike with camera equipment and essential hiking gear. For example,

tripod, camera, lense(s), sunscreen, water (up to 2 liters person) and

snacks. The weight of your pack largely depends on what gear you

choose to bring on each hike. Typically backpacks weigh between 15 and

20 lbs - the choice is yours

Group Size

We keep groups small to maximize your one on one time with the

guide/instructor.

Accommodation

10 nights of lodging is included.

Page 11: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 11

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Trip length

12 days

Fitness level:

This is a “standard” tour so there is little to no hiking on this trip – it

mostly based out of 4×4 vehicles.

Meeting Time and Place

We will have an orientation/breakfast in the morning of Day Three in

Delhi. Please make sure to send your flight information to

[email protected]

Trip Conclusion

Delhi, India

Price/Start Dates

Please see the Tiger Safari: India trip page on our website for the most

current dates and pricing.

Meals

Most meals are included during the trip dates. Lunches will often be in

the field.

Weather

Expect hot weather for the duration of the trip. For more info on what

to bring please email or call us. You won’t need much in the way of

layering on this trip BUT make sure you and your camera are prepared

for rain!

Here is a link to the weather forecast for Kanha National Park, India.

Be sure to check this weather link for current weather conditions before

you go!

Page 12: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 12

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Price Includes

Most meals, ground transportation, transportation within India during

trip dates, accommodation during the trip dates: from the evening of

Day Two through the morning of Day Twelve, professional photography

instruction, medically certified wilderness guide, & gratuities for

service personnel such as drivers, pilots, captains as well as hotel &

restaurant staff.

Price Does Not Include

Airfare, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before or after the trip

dates, souvenirs & trip leader gratuities (industry standard is typically 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience)

Page 13: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 13

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

Lodging & Meals

This trip includes most meals, lodging from Day Two through the

morning of the last day of the tour, ground transportation while on the

tour, National Park entrance fees, guide fees and other items essential

to a successful trip – meaning that once your there all you will have to

focus on is your photography. We can accommodate most special diets

so please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.

Gear List

This gear list should answer a lot of your gear questions so please read

through this carefully. If you still have questions, please give us a call.

Photo & Field Gear Recommended Camera Gear:

• DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic etc.) • Telephoto Lenses (ranging from 100-600mm approximately)

• Normal Lenses (ranging from approximately 35mm to 100mm)

• Memory Cards

• Batteries & Chargers

• Lens cleaning pen & cloth

• Camera Rain Sleeve

Optional (but recommended) Camera Gear:

• Sturdy but lightweight Tripod • Back-Up Camera Body

• Wide-angle lens (10-20mm, 16-35mm or equivalent zoom) • 1.4x tele converter

• Laptop Computer with Lightroom / Photoshop Pre-Installed (for

personal use in hotels for downloading images while on tour).

• External Hard Drives

• Remote Shutter Trigger

Page 14: Tiger Safari: India · Our safari takes places in both Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks – both locations having growing tiger populations that are the densest on earth. The landscape

Backcountry Journeys – Tiger Safari India 14

Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com

• Camera’s Instruction Manual

Suggested Field Gear & Clothing: • Personal Field Clothing

• Warm top, such as a long-sleeved sweater or fleece jacket for the

evenings.

• Convertible hiking pants, or lightweight trousers to block sun, and

protect from insects

• Socks (Smartwool, Darn Tough etc.)

• Brimmed Sun Hat (really important!) • Sunglasses

• Sturdy Boots

• Casual wear, for your evenings

• Rain shell, waterproof/breathable jacket

• Rain pants (check the weather first!)

• Headlamp (with EXTRA Batteries)

• Power strip (optional) • Binoculars (optional) • Hydrocortisone ointment or cream, and/or afterbite

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Personal toiletries & medications

• Money, for tipping staff & guides (industry standard is generally 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience), and for any

personal expenses not included in the tour package such as alcoholic

beverages, souvenirs, etc.

This is a general list. Call with any questions!