Global Itinerary of the Photography Trip: The Big Five in India

The itinerary for this trip is a general outline, allowing room for individual preferences and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances on-site.

Day 1:
We will fly for approximately 8.5 hours from the UK to Delhi. Since it is 4.5 hours later in the Indian capital during winter, we usually arrive just after midnight. We will be greeted by our Indian guide, Rakesh Sharma, who will take us to a comfortable hotel located not far from the airport.

Day 2:
After a good night’s rest to adjust to the time difference, we’ll have the option to take a short tour of a part of Delhi (such as India Gate etc.) after lunch. You can also withdraw rupees nearby the hotel. We will enjoy dinner at our hotel in the evening.

Day 3:
In the early morning, we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Jabalpur (departure at 07:15 and arrival at 09:05). After landing, we will take a 3-hour drive to Kanha National Park. We’ll check into the lodge where we’ll be staying. After lunch, we will embark on our first game drive, exploring the beautiful area, which consists of forests and open fields. We hope to see our first remarkable wildlife.

Days 4, 5 and 6:
On each of these three days, we will enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in open jeeps, exploring different regions of the park. We will have opportunities to see tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaurs, three species of deer, wild boars, monkeys, dhole (wild dogs), nilgai, and various bird species.

Day 7:
After breakfast, we will drive to the northern Bandhavgarh National Park, another stunning forested area home to tigers and many other breathtaking animals and birds. The drive will take around 4 to 5 hours. Upon arrival, we will check into our lodge and head out for a game drive in the afternoon.

Days 8 and 9:
On both days, we will have morning and afternoon game drives.

Day 10:
After breakfast, we will take approximately 4 hours to drive to Jabalpur Airport for our flight back to Delhi. We will arrive in the afternoon and be transferred to our hotel.

Day 11:
After breakfast, we will be taken to the airport for a flight of about 3 hours to Guwahati. Upon arrival, we will transfer by car for around 4 to 5 hours to Kaziranga National Park. We will now be in Assam, and you’ll immediately notice that this is a completely different part of India than what we have already visited. Upon arrival, we will check into our lodge, where we will stay and eat during our visit.

Days 12 to 16:
Each day will consist of morning and afternoon game drives in one of the three sectors of this magnificent area.

Day 17:
All good things must come to an end, and this trip is no exception. After breakfast, we will drive back to Guwahati. Here, we will board our flight to Delhi at 16:55, arriving around 19:40. After checking into our hotel, we’ll have a chance to shower and enjoy our evening meal. Later in the evening, we will be taken to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi for our flight back to the UK.

Costs

This trip is bookable starting from £5,295 based on shared accommodation.

• Single Room Supplement: £615

Room Options:

• 1 Person in a Shared 2-Person Room:
  If you book this room, you will share it with another person of the same gender, with separate beds. If there is no one else of the same gender to share with, you will pay the single room supplement for this trip.
• 2 People in a 2-Person Room:
  Booking a 2-person room is ideal for couples or friends traveling together for the photo trip. Please indicate in the comments field during booking whether you prefer a double bed or two single beds.
• 1 Person in a Single Room:
  If you book this room, you will have it to yourself, subject to the single room supplement. You may also find yourself alone in a 2- or 3-person room, in which case the same supplement applies for sole occupancy.

What’s Included:

• All accommodations based on a shared 2-person room
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
• All transfers by car and domestic flights/train.
• Entrance fees to all national parks.
• Guidance from nature photographer Benjamin Smail and our tiger spotting guide Rakesh.
• All game drives.
• All local guides..
• Photo reviews.
• Participants meeting before the trip.

What’s Not Included:

• An international flight is estimated to cost between £500 and £900. The sooner we book, the cheaper the flight. Once we have a minimum number of travellers, we’ll start booking tickets. We can help you with ticket booking.
• Alcoholic and soft drinks beverages.
• Personal purchases.
• Visa costs.
• Travel and cancellation insurance.
• Tips amounting to approximately £110 to £150.
• Single room supplement.

Practical information Photography tour India The Big Five

Participants Meeting

Before the trip, we will organise a participants meeting so that you can meet your fellow travellers and ask any questions you may have about the journey.

Accomodation

We will stay in comfortable to luxurious hotels and lodges. All rooms feature a private shower and toilet, as well as air conditioning. Bookings are based on shared twin rooms with separate beds, but a single room can be reserved for a small additional fee.

Trip Intensity

This trip is not physically demanding, but the tropical temperatures and bumpy roads can make it feel more challenging. A good level of basic fitness is necessary, as we will undertake both (sometimes long) photography walks and carry our photography gear while hiking hills or mountains.

Travel Arrangements

The flight from the UK to Delhi is not included in the trip price. Once we have enough participants to confirm the trip, you will receive email advice on which flight to book. We can assist you with booking tickets at no additional cost.

Scheduled Dates:

We will depart on January 26 from the UK and arrive in Delhi on January 27. We will head to our hotel and take the return flight on February 11th after dinner and be back in the UK on the 12th.

Local Transportation

Transportation will be provided via a minibus driven by a local driver, and we will also have several domestic flights.

Required Equipment

For this trip, we recommend bringing the following photography equipment:

• 2 Camera Bodies
• For Bird Photography: Lenses with a minimum focal length of 400mm.
• For Jeep Safaris: Lenses of 200mm and larger.
• Handheld or monopod, or a lightweight rice bag (preferably model “short trousers”) for game drives.
• Sufficient memory cards and camera batteries.

In the jeeps, there is usually not enough space for a tripod, and open jeeps are equipped with steel bars, making rice bags more practical.

Climate and Clothing

In January, temperatures can be around 15 degrees Celsius, with cool mornings requiring warm layers. A sweater, body warmer, and jacket are advisable for early mornings, while a hat/cap is recommended for both morning chill and daytime sun exposure. During the day, expect warmer temperatures, so lightweight clothing is ideal.

Sturdy shoes are recommended for short walks to the bird hides, while flip-flops are suitable for use at lodges/hotels. It’s also wise to pack mosquito repellent clothing for added protection. A rain jacket will be essential for rainforest excursions, and comfortable lightweight shoes that can get wet but dry quickly will be useful.

Vaccinations

For current information on required or recommended vaccinations, check with your GP or a travel health clinic. You can find details on vaccinations for travel to India on the UK government website or through organisations such as the NHS Travel Vaccination Service. Anti-malaria medication is strongly advised.

Passport and Visa

To travel to India, you will need a valid passport, which must remain valid for at least 6 months after your departure from India. A visa is required for visiting India, which can typically be obtained online through the Indian government website or at the nearest Indian embassy. The visa is generally valid for 30 days.

Safety

India is generally a safe country, with friendly and helpful locals. During your walks, it’s advisable to avoid wandering through tall grass or dense shrubbery to mitigate encounters with any wildlife.

Wildlife Photography Opportunities

What animals can you expect to encounter during this incredible trip to India? India is a unique and exotic destination famously known for its enormous diversity of flora and fauna. There are over 270 bird species, almost half of which are endemic to the region. In addition to stunning bird species, you can also expect to see remarkable mammals, including lemurs and reptiles.

Expected Bird Species Include:

• Indian Roller
• Various Raptors (including 3 species of Sea Eagles in Kaziranga)
• Numerous Heron Species
• Various Owl Species
• Too many to list: Kanha and Bandhavgarh alone host over 300 bird species, while Kaziranga boasts nearly 500.

A bird guide specialising in the birds of the Indian subcontinent will also accompany us, and we will allocate time for discussions during our pre-trip briefing.

Expected Mammal Species Include:

• Bengal Tiger
• Leopard
• Asian Elephant
• Indian Rhinoceros
• Wild Indian Buffalo
• Chital (Axis) Deer
• Sambar Deer
• Barasingha Deer
• Musk Deer
• Jungle Cat
• Sloth Bear
• Ganges Dolphin
• Otter
• Nilgai
• Rhesus Monkey
• Gray Langur
• Indian Fox
• Golden Langur
• Gibbon

We look forward to welcoming you on this incredible adventure in India, where you will capture stunning images and create lasting memories!