India Exotic | Exotic Places in India | Exotic Destinations in India

Arrive at Mumbai, the commercial capital of Maharashtra also known as Bollywood city, meet and greet by our representative and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning leave for world famous Elephanta caves: UNESCO world heritage site, 9 km by sea from Gateway of India. From Gateway of India regular ferry service are available. A ferry ride across the harbour takes you to Gharapuri, the local name for Elephanta. Almost at its center the island rises into two conical hillocks. The island stone elephant was found when they landed there in the 16th century. These eight-century rock-cut caves were hewn out of the hills and sculpted intricately. Three avenues made from four rows of massive columns cut into the main rock lead to the 18-ft high imposing structure of Maheshmurti- depicting Shiva as the creator, destroyer & preserver. It has been often erroneously called the Trimurti.

This afternoon visit to mighty Gateway of India, the ceremonial arch was built in 1927 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911 than visit to Victoria Terminus – Gothic Architecture style, Then travel to the Churchgate railway station to observe local dabbawallas at work as they prepare to deliver hundreds of thousands of home-cooked meals to working professionals throughout the city with astonishing accuracy. Later visit Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi was based from 1917 to 1934, and organized much of his movement for independence Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to airport to board the flight for Jamnagar - known as the "Jewel of Kathiawad" is a sizeable city way off the tourist trail. It's best known today for the Bala Hanuman Temple where, since 1964, there's been 24-hour continuous chanting of the invocation `Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram'. At sunset the area around the temple becomes lively and animated when people come to promenade, and chai and kulfi stalls set up and ply their trade. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive 13 kms to explore the Khijadia Bird Sanctuary, it is a unique wetland area with sea water on one side and fresh water on the other. The area of this Sanctuary is 605 Hectares. There are 3 Watch Tower for bird watchers, as well as inspection paths leading deep into the foliage. One can find both types of sea and shore birds. Watching the arrival of the Cranes during sunset for roosting is a fantastic experience. Some of the notable birds found here are Black Ibis, Black-winged Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Great Thick-knee, Common Greenshank, Grey Francolin, Imperial Eagle, Indian Pond Heron, Little Tern, Black-tailed Godwit, Comb Duck, Common Crane, Common Teal, Dunlin, Garganey, Marsh Harrier, Northern Pintail, Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, Pale Harrier, Demoiselle Crane, Sanderling and Darters.

Afternoon drive to Marine National Park, which is 30 kms from Jamnagar. The Northwest coast of Saurashtra, bordering the heavily tidal Gulf of Kutch, is fringed with more than forty small islands, whose ever-depleting mangrove population gives rise to some of the richest marine life off mainland India. The park is spread over an area of 458 sq kms. Here you will find plants that look like animals and animals that look like plants. Turtles, shrimps, sponges, eels, sea urchin lurk among corals. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Today, we drive to Bhuj and obtain permission to go the local Banni villages. Rest for the day is at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for Rann of Kutch. Not just the variety but the sheer numbers of birds seen here is amazing. This is due to the varied habitat types that include deserts and wetlands, vast grasslands, scrub lands, and mangrove swamps. For many bird species Gujarat is a gateway to India coming in from Europe, Siberia and the Middle East. During the months of Dec-March this whole region becomes a birding paradise of sorts with hundreds of common and Demoisele cranes, Waders, Eagles, Harriers, Buzzards, Falcons, Warblers, Buntings, Ducks, and other passerine birds. Not to mention the Great Indian Bustard and Macqueen's Bustard. It has now become a norm for any birdwatcher to visit the Great Rann every year. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Dasada. Dasada is famous for desert wild life and magnificent birds at the lakes & the Kolis at the salt works. Dasada is the base to visit the bird-rich Nawa Talao lake, a number of seasonal wetlands near Dasada, the village lake of Dasada, the wetland near Patdi fort, Viramgam town lake and many reservoirs of Surendranagar district that offer good winter birding opportunities. Birds like rose-colored starling and green pigeon are often seen at Dasada village. In the monsoon months of July, August and September, Lesser florican visits the grasslands of Surendranagar district to breed and the vegetation around the wetlands becomes the breeding area for painted storks, several species of resident ducks and other waterfowl. Lesser flamingo breeding colonies have been recorded and photographed in the Little Rann of Kutch during these months. In fact the site is called Flamingo City near the Solanki Bet. Today, there is morning drive to Wild Ass Sanctuary which is located in the Little Rann of Kutch, that covers an area of 4954 Sq. km. The sanctuary is named after a sub species of wild ass, the last population of which it harbours. The Rann is one of the most remarkable and unique landscapes of its kind in the entire world. It is a vast desiccated, unbroken bare surface of dark silt, encrusted with salts which transforms into a spectacular coastal wetland after the rains. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Dhariyawad. Dhariyawad was founded in the middle of the 16th century by royal prince Sahasmal (the second son of Maharana Pratap, the legendary hero of Mewar, Udaipur). Situated on the confluences of the Jakham and Karmoi rivers, Dhariyawad is located in the south of Rajasthan and is surrounded by thick subtropical forests of the Aravali Hills. Bhils and other tribal people inhabit this area. This region is unspoilt by modern civilization, and the best cultural heritage can be experienced here. The fort of Dhariyawad has been converted into an exclusive heritage hotel maintaining the decor, and the traditional splendor of the fort. In the morning and evening enjoy birding in Sita Mata Century and in & around Dhariwayad. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Siyana. The village of Siyana featured in David Attenborough’s Epic Life of Mammals as the place where a leopard wandered at night past the silent houses, for this is probably the best place in India to look for this rarely seen creature as the local people do not molest them.

In the late afternoon we will go for jeeps safari to look for leopards and we have a very good chance of an encounter. Early morning enjoy birding in Siyana. The area around Siyana, which consists of dry desert plains and rocky desert hills rising dramatically out of the plains, partly clothed in scrub jungle, also provides great birding. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Jodhpur to board the flight for Delhi. Rest of the is free for rest and relax. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast visit Old Delhi. It was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Shah Jehan possessing an exquisite talent, especially in architecture, created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi's glorious renaissance. Here you will see Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. The fort is Shah Jehan's symbol of power and elegance, built behind red sandstone walls. Its main gate (Lahore Gate) faces Chandni Chowk, the perpetually congested avenue heading west from the Red Fort, is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. If you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved, silver being weighed, or any other conceivable form of intense commerce.

Also take a Cycle Rickshaw Puller Ride through the bustling and colorful market of the old city is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. If you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved, silver being weighed, or any other conceivable form of intense commerce. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi.

In the afternoon, visit New Delhi. It was designed and built by the British in the 1920's-it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the Design and construction of Delhi's eight cities - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947. You will visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar. drive pass through the Raisina Hill, ceremonial avenue past the imposing India Gate, Government Buildings, President House and Parliament House. Also visit Sikh Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to see the worship etc. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Say good bye to this Gujarat & Rajasthan birding tour and drive to Delhi Indira Gandhi International airport for flight for onward destination.

The above itinerary can be further customized as per your travel requirements.