The Royal India Tiger Safari

A Luxury River Safari Cruise and Tiger Safari Adventure

Ker & Downey’s Royal India Tiger Safari scours the jungles and waterways in search of India’s famous tigers. Headlined by a week-long Brahmaputra River safari cruise and bookended by wildlife safaris through Bandhavgarh National Park, this 18-night tiger safari adventure brings you face-to-face with India’s rich ancient heritage, natural beauty, and elusive Bengal Tigers, one of the most exalted and endangered species on the planet.

Suggested Itinerary-at-a-glance:

• Day 1:

  Arrive Delhi / Oberoi Hotel Gurgaon

• Day 2:

  Delhi / Oberoi Hotel Gurgaon (B)

• Day 3:

  Brahmaputra River Cruise / MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

• Day 4:

  Brahmaputra River Cruise / MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

• Day 5:

  Brahmaputra River Cruise / MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

• Day 6:

  Brahmaputra River Cruise / MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

• Day 7:

  Brahmaputra River Cruise / MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

• Day 8:

  Brahmaputra River Cruise / MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

• Day 9:

  Brahmaputra River Cruise / MV Mahabaahu (B,L,D)

• Day 10:

  Kolkata / Oberoi Hotel Grand (B)

• Day 11:

  Kolkata / Oberoi Hotel Grand (B)

• Day 12:

  Varanasi / Nadesar Palace (B)

• Day 13:

  Varanasi / Nadesar Palace (B)

• Day 14:

  Khajuraho / The Lalit Temple View Khajuraho (B)

• Day 15:

  Bandhavgarh / Mahua Kothi Jungle Lodge (B,L,D)

• Day 16:

  Bandhavgarh / Mahua Kothi Jungle Lodge (B,L,D)

• Day 17:

  Bandhavgarh / Mahua Kothi Jungle Lodge (B,L,D)

• Day 18:

  Delhi / Oberoi Hotel Gurgaon (B)

• Day 19:

  Delhi / Departure (B)

Itinerary Description:

This Royal India Tiger Safari begins in Delhi with a couple of days set aside for discovery and diversion. You will have ample time to take advantage of Oberoi Hotel Gurgaon's contemporary elegance and Delhi's colorful bazaars before traveling to Guwahati to board your river safari cruise vessel, the MV Mahabaahu. Seven days aboard this floating luxury boutique hotel will reveal a little-known paradise boasting one of the greatest varieties of wildlife outside of Africa. Within the river's four national parks are India's Big Four—the single-horned rhinoceros, the elephant, the wild buffalo, and the elusive tiger—as well as 850 different species of birds and plenteous freshwater dolphins. Every day on the MV Mahabaahu brings with it a new adventure, whether it be yoga classes on the beach, centuries-old Indian cuisine in the dining room, visits to legendary Assam tea plantations and temples, safaris in Kaziranga National Park, bargain shopping for homespun weaves, cultural dance performances, or passive tiger safari activities, lounging on the ship in anticipation of the great "Tiger!" call announcing the arrival of a tiger stopping for a drink at the water's edge. This is truly a tiger safari from one of the most unique vantage points.

Regain your land legs from your Brahmaputra River safari cruise within the luxurious confines of the Oberoi Hotel Grand, the "Grand Dame" of Kolkata. Enjoy a full discovery of this 300-year old city before continuing onward for a bit of royal pampering and historic richness at Nadesar Palace in Varanasi. This epicenter of Indian culture is at your fingertips as you experience a full-day tour of the city, topped off with an evening Aarti ceremony and a boat ride down the Ganges River.

Your adventures continue in Central India with an overnight in Khajuraho and a guided exploration of the city's famous temples, comprising a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They then culminate amid the luxury of Mahua Kothi Jungle Lodge set within Bandhavgarh, a small national park with the highest known density of tigers in India. The highlight of your stay is undoubtedly the morning tiger safari outing that scour the landscape in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger.

A final day in Delhi offers rest and recollection as you reminisce about all of the incredible tiger safari adventures from your once-in-a-lifetime Ker & Downey journey.

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