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India: Bharatpur and Tigers - a photographic tour Saturday 24 November to Thursday 6 December 2012 with David Tipling and local guides
Photo David Tipling Cost: £2590 plus about £700 for flights (2012) Maximum group size: 8 with 1 leader, plus local guides |
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India is quite simply a photographer's paradise. Wherever you go and whatever your interest, there is always some colourful or memorable image to grab your attention. This tour will concentrate on just two sites. We begin at the world-famous wetland reserve of Bharatpur where we'll have opportunities to photograph the amazingly tame wildlife. From there we move to the Sariska National Park and although there will be plenty of birds, mammals and historic places to grab our attention, it will be the magestic Tiger that will be uppermost in our thoughts. A re-introduction programme has made Sariska an excellent place to see this animal, and we are hopeful of securing some stunning photographs. As with our other photographic tours, the emphasis will be on taking time to secure the very best image and, of course, David will be on hand to offer informal advice on all aspects of wildlife photography.
Day 1: The tour start in London with a flight to Delhi. Day 2: We arrive in Delhi in the early hours of Day 2 and transfer to a hotel for the remainder of the night. After breakfast we’ll begin our journey south towards Bharatpur. Along the way we’ll get our first glimpses of Indian wildlife with Black Kites patrolling the skies and Rose-ringed Parakeets squawking overhead. We’ll also encounter something of the rich variety that makes up modern India as ox carts share roads with modern vehicles. We’ll arrive at Bharatpur in time for lunch and check into the Bagh (www.thebagh.com), our home for the next four nights. This heritage hotel is located in an ancient mango orchard just outside the famous Keoladeo National Park (known simply as Bharatpur) and provides a suitably serene base from which to explore Bharatpur and the surrounding countryside. After lunch we’ll begin that exploration by taking cycle rickshaws into the park and spending the rest of the afternoon there. Night at The Bagh. Days 3-6: Bharatpur is a wetland of international importance. It was developed originally for duck shooting during the time of the Raj but thankfully, today, the only shooting is through a camera. Entering the park you pass through a fringe of dense woodland that eventually gives way to a series of vast open wetlands. These are bordered by wide tracks that make getting around the park easy and also give wonderful access to most of the wildlife. Over the years this wildlife has become used to seeing people and is now amazingly approachable. In recent years concern was raised as the wetlands started to dry out. Recognising the importance of Bharatpur both for wildlife and the people who visit, the Indian Government instigated a rescue plan and now water is piped into the reserve from nearby rivers, restoring it to its former glory. Two features make Bharatpur a photographer’s paradise – the tameness of the wildlife and the light. The apparent tameness of the birds is almost impossible to believe as we find ourselves standing right next to a motionless Purple Heron or White-throated Kingfisher, both more intent on finding a meal than being concerned by our presence. The light during the time of our visit can stay perfect all day with misty early mornings creating superb effects and even the midday light lacking any harshness that can so often ruin that part of the day for photographers. Birds feature in a big way here with over 150 species ranging from Sarus Crane to Small Minivet and Ruddy-breasted Crake to White-tailed Eagle. Among the numbers of waterbirds, Black-necked and Painted Storks, Intermediate Egret, Cotton Pygmy-goose and Darter will vie for our attention and ‘herds’ of Purple Gallinules walk around in the open at times just feet away from the trails. Our time here will be relaxed as we wander the trails waiting for that ideal opportunity to present itself. The first wintering birds from further north will have already arrived and there should be large flocks of wildfowl bustling in the open areas of water, perhaps mingling with stately Sarus Cranes. The local guides are a rich source of information on the location of many species and there are usually certain species ‘staked out’ at their daytime roost such as Dusky Horned Owl or a nightjar or two. There are also mammals to be found here, as well with large Nilgai and Sambar present in good numbers along with a few introduced Black Buck, one of Asia’s most attractive antelopes. During our time here, there will be the chance to spend one day visiting Agra to see the Taj Mahal and the deserted city of Fatepur Sikri, while on another day we can visit a local village to see ordinary rural life up close and where we can take as many photos as we wish. Nights at The Bagh.
Sarus Cranes are a feature of Bharatpur and the surrounding countryside. Photo David Tipling. Day 7: Today we take to one of India's great means of transport, the train as we travel to Ranthambore. This is the subcontinent’s most famous and most accessible Tiger reserve and we anticipate taking a number of drives inside the park during the morning and the early evening. We'll ride in open-topped vehicles, allowing wonderful views of the wildlife and we will undoubtedly encounter good numbers of Spotted Deer, a main prey item for the elusive Tigers. A healthy population ensures that we have a good chance of at least one encounter with this magnificent cat. This undisturbed habitat is also good for birds and ornithological distractions could include Painted Spurfowl, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, and White-naped Woodpecker. Night at Ranthambhore. Days 8 - 11: We'll spend our time inside and also outside of the reserve. Besides the Tigers, there are numerous other attractions, including a spectacular ancient fort and a series of bird-thronged lakes, while outside the reserve we have a good chance of finding regional specialities such as the gorgeous Indian Courser and elusive Painted Sandgrouse. Night at Ranthambhore. Day 12: We'll board a train once more for our return to Delhi where we'll have dinner before transferring to the airport for a flight back to London where tour ends on Day 13.
E-mail or phone +44 (0)1767 262522 +44 (0)1767 262522 for availability.
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