North India Wildlife Tour

From $1,590 pp

  • Duration

    13 days

  • Bookable From

    September - March

  • Trip Style

    Privately Guided

  • Country

    India

  • Physical Rating

    Easy

Overview

This 13-day tour of North India combines responsible wildlife experiences with a mix of luxury, city, and village tours.

Visit Delhi, Agra (home to the Taj Mahal), Jaipur (the Pink City), Sawai Madhopur, Bundi, Ghanerao, and Jodhpur over the course of this tour. Witness incredible wildlife like Indian elephants, tigers, sloth bears, camels, and the antelope, and stay in luxury wildlife lodges and charming homestays that directly impact wildlife conservation, rehabilitation, and local community development projects.

For example, the tiger conservation community in Sawai Madhopur and the homestay in Ghanerao are working with tribals and pastoralists to create alternative incomes by selling camel milk products and wool products, in addition to supporting a local school.

You shall also see well-known cultural sites such as the Taj Mahal, the India Gate, and numerous other temples, forts, and monuments, for a well-rounded India experience.

Highlights

  • Visit a rescue and rehabilitation center for distressed wildlife
  • Stay in a luxury wildlife lodge, and do a guided safari in Ranthambore National Park
  • See Indian bears, elephants, tigers, leopards, camels, antelopes, and more
  • Spend time with pastoralists, witnessing their nomadic life and camel conservation efforts
  • Hear lesser-known, unique facts about the famous Taj Mahal on our storytelling tours
  • Visit the artisans and custodians of marble inlay and embroidery
  • Explore Delhi, including the President’s Palace, India Gate, and the bustling markets
  • Discover craft, spice, textile, and jewel markets
  • Enjoy cultural tours at temples, forts, and prominent monuments
  • Optional: Walking tours for food tasting, visiting families working in artisanal products, and much more!
A tiger in Ranthambore National Park in northern India is seen swimming in the water, one of the animals you can see on a responsible wildlife tour of northern India. The tiger has classic orange-brown fur with black stripes and some white patches near his face. They are swimming toward the right side of the frame. The water is a dark green.
The top of the Taj Mahal is in a close up view with a lush green tree to the left of it in the foreground. The sky behind it is a pale blue.
The Hawa Mahal in Jaipur, India, is shown at sunset with hues of its red and pink sandstone and ornate architecture.
A black Himalayan sloth bear rests on top of a wooden log in India. This is a big bear with fluffy black fur and long claws visible on his front two paws. Their mouth is slightly open. There is grass and greenery blurred out in the background. You can see such bears on a responsible wildlife tour of northern India when you visit a bear sanctuary.
The Ranakapur Jain Temple is shown from a slight distance and is offset from center. You can see the beautiful and ornate architecture of the beige building with a brown and green hillsite behind it. There are a couple trees to the left and right of the frame, and you can see several people walking up the red lined steps leading into the temple.
An Indian women in traditional pink garb - a pink headcover and a reddish pink dress - wearing a gold nose ring, necklaces, and bracelets or bangles, smiles broadly while looking down and to the left side of the frame. Her face is partially covered by the head cover.
The Amber Fort in Jaipur, India, is shown with its yellow hues against a blue sky.
A market stall vendor stands with his colorful orange and yellow-hued food in Jaipur, India.

The combination of wildlife safaris, conservation projects, and cultural experiences makes this tour equally great for families, couples, kids, and solo travelers.

Seasonal Notes

Best time to do this tour: September through March.

During this period, the weather is pleasant and comfortable. It is usually sunny and dry, with cooler temperatures in the north and more moderate temperatures in the south. Besides, India's important festivals, such as Diwali, Holi, and Dussehra, also take place during these months. Diwali is in November, and Holi is in March; exact dates vary every year.

Summers (May to August) can be scorching hot in Rajasthan. However, this season is great for the Himalayas and the North East. This private tour happens on a date of your choice.

Itinerary

Day 1 Delhi [India] (Arrival)

Arrive in Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport). We receive, welcome, and assist you with the transfer to the accommodation.

Spend a few hours relaxing and recovering from jet lag, and explore the south Delhi neighborhood on foot.
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Accommodation: Homestay | Meals: -

Day 2 Delhi City Tour

Walking tour of old Delhi, where we visit the jewel, textile, and spice markets and taste some of the traditional and freshly made Indian snacks. This is followed by a drive to the India Gate (a memorial for Indian soldiers who died in WW I and the Anglo-Afghan war) and the President's Palace.

During the second half of the day, we cover any two of the following experiences: Akshardham Temple, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Qutub Minar, and Humayun Tomb. Each of these visits involves extensive storytelling where we share the history and cultural significance of the destination and have you immerse yourself with the locals in community kitchens.
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Accommodation: Homestay | Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Delhi to Agra + Wildlife Rescue Experience

Overland transfer to Agra. Visit a project that works with the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife in distress, especially the Indian bear and elephant. The animals are rescued from amusement shows where they are exploited. Before they are rescued, the bears are usually kept in inhumane conditions without sufficient nutrition and not in their natural habitat. At this wildlife center, we'll see the community's efforts to cure and rehabilitate the animals in their natural habitat.

Evening traditional dinner. Contrary to what is served in a hotel, this dinner is locally sourced, served on eco-friendly utensils, and is seasonal. This experience is created to revive the native cuisine while giving you a fine dining experience.

Evening available at leisure in Agra.

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Accommodation: Homestay | Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Agra

Sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal with storytelling on the lesser-known facts about the monument. Visit the custodians of marble inlay, the art that adorns the Taj Mahal.

Go beyond the monument and visit the marble artifact makers who are the custodians of the art on the Taj Mahal. Watch them in action and interact with them as they work on marble pieces.

After breakfast, visit the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri monuments on a guided tour. Combine Agra Fort with a hands-on workshop of embroidery (a specialty of Agra).

Optional: If you are an outdoor person, you can choose to do a countryside cycling experience and visit several villages and family homes.
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Accommodation: Homestay | Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Wildlife Safari

Drive to Sawai Madhopur, the home of the tiger. Your stay will be in a farm stay or a resort at the Ranthambore National Park. Do a shared afternoon safari at the national park.
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Accommodation: Farm stay/Resort | Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Wildlife Safari and Onward to Bundi

Morning shared safari at the Ranthambore National Park, followed by a visit to the community that protects the tigers from poaching. Drive onward to Bundi, a small yet charming town off the busy tourist destinations.

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Accommodation: Heritage Hotel | Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Village tour

Morning visit to the Bundi Palace.

Afternoon experience in the Bundi countryside, where we will visit several beautiful yet hidden medieval temples and tribal villages. This is also an opportunity to see wildlife such as the antelope in its natural habitat. Return to Bundi by evening.

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Accommodation: Heritage Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Packed lunch

Day 8 Countryside Nature Tour

Visit several prehistoric rock paintings, waterfalls, and the stunning Garadia Mahadev temple, surrounded by the canyon and the Chambal river. This part of the tour is great for nature lovers who like to walk in the countryside.

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Accommodation: Heritage Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Packed lunch

Days 9 Ghanerao

Drive to Ghanerao via the Ranakpur Jain temple (a stunning masterpiece of white marble), a small town to spend the next two days with the pastoralists. The first evening will be available at leisure.
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Accommodation: Heritage Hotel | Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Cultural Tours & Leopard safari

Visit the pastoralists, a community that protects and conserves the camel. It gives you a perspective on the life of nomadic herders. This part of the tour follows the natural flow of the day as it is for the herders. We visit a camp and possibly travel with the community and even taste tea made with camel milk. Know about the conservation projects that include the use of camel milk, poo, and wood to create livelihoods.

Afternoon safari in a private vehicle into the countryside known for leopards.
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Accommodation: Heritage Hotel | Meals: Breakfast

Days 11-12 Jodhpur

Transfer to Jodhpur. Evening available at leisure to spend with the family. In the evening, we'll go for a wildlife/village safari and visit the carpet weavers. Some of the animals that you may see on this safari are the antelope and black buck.

On the second day, we do a morning walking tour of the Blue City with a visit to a family home for tea, and learn about several stepwells and temples in the area. Spend the rest of the day doing a self-guided city tour, including that of the Mehrangarh Fort.

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Accommodation: Homestay | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 Departure

We can either drop you off at the Jodhpur railway station or the airport for your onward journey.

Note: We provide rail and flight tickets on request.

Customization

This tour is customizable according to your budget, the number of days, and your choice of experiences.

If you have a few more days to spare, we highly recommend that you add Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer. This can give you the opportunity to embrace a “slow travel” mindset and provide the time for an additional safari or to visit more wonderful cultural sites.

Route Map

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • All accommodations on a twin-sharing basis at locally-owned homestays, heritage homes, hotels, and farm stays

  • Breakfasts and special local meals mentioned in the itinerary

  • Airport and railway station transfers in a private car

  • Full-time intercity transportation, including fuel, toll, and parking fees

  • Fee for all storytellers & guided activities

  • Entry fee for all wildlife experiences and safaris

  • Applicable government taxes

  • Stainless steel water bottles

  • International flights

  • Domestic flights/trains (can be booked on request)

  • Cost of opting for a higher grade of hotels

  • Meals that are not mentioned

  • Entry fees to any monuments, wherever applicable. The government-set rates are INR 500 (per person per monument) and INR 1300 (per person for Taj Mahal).

  • Travel insurance, visa, tips (optional)

  • Any changes in the itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control or an act of God

Pricing

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

Contact us for solo traveler pricing and for groups larger than 10.

Prices may vary during peak seasons such as during Diwali, Christmas, and New Year's.

  • Deposit per person

    30% of the trip price

  • Group of 2-3 travelers - price per person

    $1,950

  • Group of 4-6 travelers - price per person

    $1,700

  • Group of 7-10 Travelers - price per person

    $1,590

  • Single Supplement

    $700

Payment & Cancellation Policy

This trip is offered from September through March.

At checkout, choose your preferred departure date and pay the deposit. Yugen Earthside’s standard Payment & Cancellation Policy applies.

Book With Confidence

  • Your deposit is fully refundable for 30 days when you book 120+ days in advance and pay by bank transfer.
  • If you pay by credit card, the card processing fees are non-refundable.
  • We’ll confirm availability for your chosen dates within 3 business days. If confirmed, you’re all set! If not, we’ll help you adjust your dates or refund your deposit.

Sustainability

We cap the number of travelers we host per year per destination to 500 to combat the risk of over-tourism. We stay free of touts (persistent salespeople) and do not do shopping for commission. Our trips support 8 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (#1, 5, 8, 10, 12-15). We promote tourism dispersal by spending only limited time at bigger cities and main monuments, with the majority of the tour in less-busy areas.

  • Environmental Initiatives
    Our many environmental actions include strict care of nature, using energy-saving electrical appliances in our homestays, and efforts to manage waste responsibly. We minimize plastic on this tour and provide safe and healthy alternatives to plastic plates, packaged items, and bottles. We leave behind zero waste. We locally source raw materials for meals.
    All accommodations are personally reviewed by our team. Our homestays and accommodations focus on local & organic food (vegetarian options available!), recycling waste properly, and striving to use energy-saving lights and appliances as well as solar thermal panels.
  • Sociocultural Initiatives
    We pride ourselves on propagating and reviving local folk tales through storytelling. We support local artisans by involving them in tourism. This tour focuses on ethical animal and wildlife tourism. We do not indulge in animal slavery, cruelty, or luring through bait during the wildlife experiences. We visit rescue centers and speak with those caring for the animals.

Health & Safety

Be sure you have traveler's insurance.

FAQs

What does the physical rating of "Easy" mean?

This is not a physically demanding tour and those of average physical fitness will be able to enjoy it. There are some walking tours and visits to monuments for which you'll need to be on your feet, but there are no hikes or arduous activities involved in this tour.

What are the accommodations like?

This tour provides lodging at homestays, heritage homes, and farm stays. We audit and work with a specific set of accommodations that are inclined toward sustainability. However, if you have any special requests for accommodation(like upgraded hotels), we can arrange that (the cost may vary). Just let us know when you send the inquiry.

What is the best season to do the wildlife tour of North India?

We suggest that you take this tour anytime between September and mid-April. While the afternoon may be hot, the rest of the day is pleasant, and the nights have a nip in the air.

Is this a fully escorted wildlife tour?

This tour is a mix of guided and un-guided experiences. The walking tours and village experiences are with our storytellers whereas monument visits are self-tours. All monuments usually give an audio guide with the ticket which is a great way to know about the place. Your private car will be available 24/7. On special request, we can do this as a fully escorted tour (at additional cost).

What kind of a car do you provide?

We provide either a sedan or an SUV depending on the number of people. All the cars are air-conditioned as the weather and local terrain demand it. Our drivers are professional and well-trained.

I am a solo traveler. Can I use public transport?

Yes, we can setup tickets for all public transport available. However, you may have to follow the departure times defined by the service provider, in which case all the activities mentioned above may not be possible in the given time.

Is this wildlife tour safe for solo travelers and female travelers?

Yes, all accommodations, drivers, and storytellers we have are well-trained. This tour of Rajasthan is safe for solo travelers and female travelers.

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Departure Dates

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Group Size

  • Min: 2
  • Max: 10

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