Our Vision
Our endeavour is to create a global eco tourism effort of
a world vision that protection and conservation of the earth’s
ecology is necessary to create a sustainable future and that
man must endeavor to maintain a healthy coexistence with nature
and cherish the earth in all its diversity.
|
Wild Endevor
We in “WILD ENDEVOR” believe that there is a growing
demand for wildlife and birdlife specific tours coming to
India. It should not be just for viewing tigers and other
wild animals and birds in the National Parks, but made of
stuff of unforgettable memories. Our naturalist play an important
role in the interpretation of the mystical blend of sights,
sounds and smells in breathtaking surroundings of the Indian
jungle that accompany the sighting of a tiger. Viewing of
wildlife both from elephant back and from vehicles, is more
meaningful and different when carried out under the guidance
of a skilled naturalist. More than just naming trees and birds
that are sighted , is the lore of accumulated knowledge that
must be interestingly conveyed in continuous interaction even
in fleeting glimpses that are seen .The sustained reading
of jungle signs, pug marks –and an eye for bird activity
can make each such outing quite memorable. Rapport between
the visitor and the naturalist is the key for such activity
being fruitful. It is in this spirit that Wild Endevor offers
the services of a quality wildlife naturalist-who acts as
a friend, philosopher and guide for that tour. It is this
high level of personal interaction that the perspective client
would greatly value.
|
 |
Dushyant Singh
After 25years in the field, Dushyant Singh is a man totally
in sync with his surroundings. Wildlife viewing in India,
and especially in Central India’s well known Tiger Reserves
is an all absorbing experience. The knowledge of Indian birds,
trees and other animals is a must to be able to fully partake
of this. It is rare to come across someone so committed to
this task as Dushyant Singh. Widely read and knowledgeable
about the sights and sound of the jungle and immensely respected
by the local communities, he is quick and articulate in interacting
with the local guides in their own dialects.
Hailing from the erstwhile princely state of Dhami near Shimla
in Himachal Pradesh, his paternal family traces its lineage
to the Rajput warrior clan, the Chauhans. However Dushyant’s
childhood was spent in the tiger country of Bundelkhand ,as
his maternal grandfather was the Maharaja of Orchha. The region
of Bundelkhand historically dates back 500 years and was controlled
by the Bundela Rajputs of Orchha. Hence the social and cultural
life of the area well ingrained in his upbringing.. Having
had his schooling from the Scindia School, Gwalior, he went
on to graduate from Delhi University. Joining Bandhavgarh
Jungle Camp, part of Tiger Tops, India in 1982, gave him the
opportunity to spend his life in the environment he loves.
His quick grasp and total absorption with the jungle and its
birds, animals and flora makes him one of India’s most
experienced naturalists, it is indeed a delight and an education
to be accompanied by him for wildlife viewing and bird watching
tours in the country.
Shyamendra
Singh
Popularly known as ‘Vinny Raja’, Shyamendra was
born into the erstwhile ruling family of Nagod , a small town
in central India ,at one time premier tiger country. Vinny
did his schooling at Mayo College Ajmer, followed by a Travel
and Tourism Management course in Mumbai. Vinny gave up his
royal lifestyle for his love of wildlife and set up Ken River
Lodge in 1987 in Panna National Park. Vinny is passionate
about wildlife and rarely leaves the jungle for the bright
lights of the city. He also supports villages in the forest
for community work and conservation.
Chandraveer
Singh
Popularly known as ‘CV’ hails from Salumbar (Mewar)
Rajasthan. He grew up seeing the devastation of the tiger
habitat in south eastern Rajasthan ,which influenced him to
become a lover of nature, his constant companion being Dr
Salim Ali’s ‘Book on Indian Birds’. Completing
his schooling from The Mayo College, he graduated from Rajasthan
University. Having worked in the hospitality industry since
1982, CV got an opportunity to work as a naturalist in a wildlife
resort in Bandhavgarh since 2004 and since then there has
been no looking back. |
| WHY
INDIA?
In more ways than one, India is a unique land, for in no other
single country or area of comparable size, can you find such
extremes of physical conditions and natural diversity. From
the nearly rainless desert to the rainiest place on earth,
from hot salt flats to snow clad peaks, with a vast area of
ocean shores, mangroves, great river systems and their plains,
and large lakes and daunting mountain ranges, India has nearly
every type of climate and terrain making its biological diversity
unparalleled. On a land area of just 2% of the earth’s
surface, it supports over 5% of the world’s life forms.
The country’s wildlife comprises over 75,000 animal
species which include 300 species of mammals and 1,200 of
birds. In addition there are over 15,000 species of flowering
plants. India has been able to preserve some of her natural
splendour in the face of severe pressures from environmentally
destructive development activity and a bursting population.
Today, most of the country’s wildlife finds refuge in
a number of national parks and sanctuaries, set aside as banks
of biological diversity in selected areas. These reserves
serve a dual function- both as repositories of wildlife and
as places for enhancing public awareness for the need for
conservation. |
 |
WILD
ENDEVOR-NOT JUST BIRDS
The biodiversity 0f India is exemplified by its birds.
About 8,650 bird species, representing 27 living Orders
and 155 Families, have been described in the world so
far. Of this total, India has over 1,200 species from
20 Orders and 17 Families. That makes it one sixth of
the world’s total avian diversity on a land mass
only one fiftieth of the earth! With Dushyants’
detailed knowledge of the areas to be visited, we would
like to extend and share our interests beyond just birds,
mammals and plants. We are in addition, accompanied
by expert local guides in order to further broaden the
educational value of the holiday be it nature or culture
extending our interaction with local communities and
cultures.
|
|
|
DELHI-BHARATPUR-CHAMBAL-AGRA-ORCHHA-PANNA-KHAJURAHO-DELHI
DELHI
Birders arriving into Delhi ,the capital of India , may not
realize the wealth of birdlife in various corners of the capital.
Delhi has a bird list of more than 430 species, there is a
richness of habitat in various parts of the city. The parks
and gardens have a good selection of species and some of the
historical sites have become overgrown and provide suitable
conditions for many birds. However with only a few hours to
spare, a walk in the Lodi gardens ,close to the hotel and
city center ,is a pleasant introduction to the commoner garden
birds of India.Rose
ringed parakeet, Asian Koel, white breasted kingfisher, common
hoopoe, brown headed and coppersmith barbets, black rumped
flameback, common myna, house crow, red vented bulbul, jungle
babbler, oriental magpie robin and purple sunbird. Yellow
footed green pigeon and Indian grey hornbill are also possibilities. |
BHARATPUR
Keoladeo Ghana National Park at Bharatpur in Rajasthan is
acknowledged as one of the most outstanding wetland reserves
in Asia and during the winter months the network of shallow
marshes within the National Park, replenished by monsoon rains
during the summer, provide refuge for thousands of waterfowl,
herons, storks, cranes and waders. This compact oasis of water
in the midst of a mostly agricultural landscape is a magnet
for birds and it is possible to see over a hundred species
in a stay of just a few days.
CHAMBAL
|
 |
90km south of Agra, the National Chambal Sanctuary currently
boasts of 242 species of resident and migratory bird species,
Marsh crocodiles (muggers), gharial (gavials), eight species
of turtles, and highly endangered Gangetic River Dolphin.
The River Chambal is one of the country’s most beautiful
and least polluted river systems. The National Chambal Sanctuary
was formed to protect this pristine river ecosystem, complete
with its varied flora, aquatic life and avifauna.
AGRA
With Agra so close, the unique cultural attractions of the
man-made wonders, the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri ideally
complement the visits to the natural history riches of Bharatpur
and Chambal.
ORCHHA & KAJURAHO
with their architectecturally unique temples, palaces and
cenotaphs, resounds with legends that celebrate the glory
and grandeur of Bundela and the Chandela Rajput Kings.
|
PANNA
36 km from Khajuraho is Panna, a stunning national park of
543 square kilometres, has remained largely unknown and ignored
by tourism, largely because its Tigers remain wary and elusive.
Though consisting largely of dry deciduous forest, it boasts
great scenic beauty through its combination of rolling hills
and plateau, grassy meadows, gorges and waterfalls. The broad
waters of the River Ken, and the attractive, green riverine
forest along its banks pass through the park and allow us
to enjoy wildlife viewing, abundant waterbirds and many large
Marsh Mugger crocodiles on boat excursions. The extensive
buffer zone surrounding the park provides the opportunity
for rewarding spotlighting on night drives, when Jungle and
Rusty-spotted Cats, Golden Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear,
Indian Hare, Common Palm Civet and other denizens of the night
such as Mottled Wood Owl are all possibilities. Primarily
though, we will explore this extensive park by jeep, and sometimes
on elephant back, encountering abundant Spotted Deer, Sambar,
Nilgai, Wild Boar and troupes of Common Langurs, the more
elusive Chinkara and Chousingha antelopes and, with luck,
a Tiger, Dhole (Wild Dog) or even a Leopard! With such a variety
of habitats, Panna also provides a most varied birdlife, with
Painted Sandgrouse, and a wide variety of owls and nightjars
likely to be amongst the highlights.
|
» Day 01:
Delhi. Meet for Lunch at Lodi garden restaurant with Wild
Endevor teamand afternoon walk around Lodhi gardens.o/n Delhi.
»
Day 02:
After b’fast depart for Bharatpur by coach, arrive by
lunch. Check into the Bagh. Afternoon visit to park o/n Bharatpur.
»
Day 03:
Full day at the park.Overnite Bharatpur.
» Day
04:
After b’fast depart for Chambal via Fatehpur Sikri .
Arrive Chambal Safari Lodge(CSL) for lunch. Afternoon boat
ride on the Chambal. Overnite CSL.
»
Day 05:
Morning boat ride on Chambal river. Return to CSL for lunch
,afternoon nature walk around lodge. Overnite CSL.
»
Day 06:
Morning walk birding, after breakfast depart for Agra. Visit
fort Lunch . Afternoon visit Taj Mahal. Evening dinner. o/n
Agra.
»
Day 07:
Morning transfer to railway station for Shatabdi to Jhansi
(0815hrs-1045hrs). Assistance on arrival. Transfer to Orchha
(16km). Check into Amar mahal .Lunch. Afternoon tour fort,
temple and chattris, o/n Orchha.
»
Day08:
Drive to Panna via Alipura. Arrive Ken River Lodge by lunch
. Afternoon depart for game drive. O/n KRL.
»
Day 09:
Panna. AM & PM game drives with boat safari
on Ken river. KRL
»
Day 10:
Panna AM & PM game drive (optional night
safari) jungle camp. KRL
»
Day 11.
Morning birding on the river. Drive to Khajuraho.
Check into Jass Radisson or similar, afternoon visit temples.
Sound and light show. 0/n Khajuraho.
»
Day 12:
Morning
at leisure. Depart for Delhi by air .
COST
USD 2560 PER PERSON ON TWIN SHARE
USD 3400 ON SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Above rates include
10 nights accommodation
All meals as per iternary
Boat and jeep safaris
All entrances
Local guides ,naturalists & escort
Transportation A/c Coach/Innovas
Train fare
Extra:
Elephant rides(subject to showing)
Hotel/transfers /dinner in delhi
Air fare
Tips/gratuities
Drinks/laundry/telephone other personal expenses
WILD ENDEVOR-NOT
JUST TIGERS
KHAJURAHO-PANNA-BANDHAVGARH-KANHA-PENCH-NAGPUR
The very heart of India-Madhya
Pradesh, is tiger country however we endeavor to enlighten
you of all of the extraordinary Indian wildlife rather than
the sole pursuit of tigers. Tigers sightings can never be
guaranteed, however the combination of these four top Tiger
Reserves across varied topography, over an fortnight gives
you the best chance you could have in that period. Accompanied
by high quality interpretation and local community representation
observe and enjoy the many other species of mammals, birdlife,
butterflies, plants and trees.
KHAJURAHO
Arrive into Khajuraho with its temples of unique architecture
that celebrate the glory and grandeur and the Chandela Rajput
Kings.
|
PANNA NATIONAL PARK:
36 km from Khajuraho is Panna, a stunning national park of
543 square kilometers, has remained largely unknown and ignored
by tourism, largely because its Tigers remain wary and elusive.
Though consisting largely of dry deciduous forest, it boasts
great scenic beauty through its combination of rolling hills
and plateaus, grassy meadows, gorges and waterfalls. The broad
waters of the River Ken and the attractive, green riverine
forest along its banks pass through the park and allow us
to enjoy wildlife viewing, abundant water birds and many large
Marsh Mugger crocodiles on boat excursions. The extensive
buffer zone surrounding the park provides the opportunity
for rewarding spotlighting on night drives, when Jungle and
Rusty-spotted Cats, Golden Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear,
Indian Hare, Common Palm Civet and other denizens of the night
such as Mottled Wood Owl are all possibilities. Primarily
though, we will explore this extensive park by jeep, and sometimes
on elephant back, encountering abundant Spotted Deer, Sambar,
Nilgai, Wild Boar and troupes of Common Langurs, the more
elusive Chinkara and Chousingha antelopes and, with luck,
a Tiger, Dhole (Wild Dog) or even a Leopard! With such a variety
of habitats, Panna also provides a most varied birdlife, with
Painted Sandgrouse, and a wide variety of owls and nightjars
likely to be amongst the highlights
|
|
BANDHAVGARH
NATIONAL PARK
Bandhavgarh National Park , former game preserve of the Maharaja
of Rewa, is cradled by the Vindhya range of mountains in central
India. The terrain is of great rocky hills rise sharply from
the swampy and densely forested valley bottoms. The finest of
these 32 hills is Bandhavgarh, sided with great cliffs and eroded
rocks, on the highest point stands Bandhavgarh Fort, thought
to be some 2,000 years old. Legend has it that Lord Rama, hero
of the classic Indian epic, gifted the fort to his younger brother
Lakshmana. Hence the name ‘Bandhav’ meaning brother
and ‘garh’ meaning fort. Scattered throughout the
park, and particularly around the fort, are numerous caves containing
shrines and ancient Sanskrit inscriptions. At the base of the
fort is the Shesh Saya,a 35foot,10th century carving of Lord
Vishnu reclining in the shade of a seven hooded snake. The Charan
Ganga, one of the park’s three perennial streams, flows
from the pool at Vishnu’s feet. Also of interest are the
carvings of the many incarnations in which Lord Vishnu visited
the earth.
The Bandhavgarh hill, rises 811 m above sea level – surrounding
it are a large number of smaller hills separated by gently sloping
valleys. Of the five ranges in the park, the 105 square km Tala
range is the only one open to the public .Rich mixed forests
consisting of Sal, Saja, Salai, and Dhobin etc. with dense bamboo
occur in many places. These together provide Bandhavgarh its
rich biodiversity .
The biggest attraction of this fascinating land is the tiger
and its sightings. Bandhavgarh has a very high density of tigers
within the folds of its marvelous jungles. Probably, the highest
in the world. With the tiger at the apex of the food chain,
it contains 37 species of mammals, more than 250 species of
birds, about 70 species of butterflies and a number of reptiles.
|
KANHA NATIONAL PARK
This beautiful reserve is situated on a plateau in the Maikal
Range in the very heart of India, and incorporates a crescent
of hills, rising to 915 metres, that embraces broad, undulating
grasslands speckled with clumps of bamboo and Sal. Mixed deciduous
forest cloaks the hills and borders the meadows. Small pools,
and a perennial lake, provide drinking holes for the animals
year-round. The lowland forest is a mixture of sal and other
trees, interspersed with meadows. The highland forests are
of a completely different nature. A very good looking indian
ghost
|
 |
tree
can also be seen in the dense. Kanha is home to about 22 species
of mammals and about 300 species of birds. This is tiger country,
one can also find leopards, the Sloth bear, the gaur(indian
bison) and Indian wild dog. Very rarely seen are the Indian
wolf .Other commonly observed mammals include the Common Grey
Langur, Wild Boar, Chital, Chousingha, Sambar and Barasingha
or Swamp deer (this is the hardground swamp deer, found only
in Kanha, barely 1200 survive in the wild). Barasingha were
only 60 left in this planet when measures were taken to prevent
extinction. Also the pangolin, which also are nocturnal and
live in the highlands. The Indian jungle fowl, which is the
ancestor of domestic hens, is common. .A good selection of
birds of prey, including vultures, Black-shouldered Kite,
Crested Serpent Eagle and White-eyed Buzzard could be seen.
Open country birds, such as Painted Francolin, Indian Roller,
Yellow- and Red-wattled Lapwings, and a variety of larks are
common, whilst, in the forests, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Black-headed
Oriole, and a selection of flycatchers, babblers and drongos
may be found. |
PENCH NATIONAL PARK
The terrain of Pench is covered with small hills and well-stocked
teak mixed forest nestled in the southern reaches of Satpura
Ranges. It derives its name from the Pench River that flows
through the National park from north to south dividing the
park into almost equal western and eastern halves- the well
forested areas of Chhindwara and Seoni districts of Madhya
Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra. The forest cover in the park
area includes grand Teak mixed with other magnificent species.
The ground is covered with maze of grasses, plants, bushes
and saplings. Bamboo is also found at places. Dazzling white
kulu (Sterculia urens) trees scattered around stand out conspicuously
among the various hues of green. Tiger is the main cat species
of the
|
 |
park present in good numbers but sighted infrequently. Commonly
seen wildlife is chital, sambhar, nilgai, wild boar, and jackal.
Other wild animals found are leopard, sloth bear, wild dog,
porcupine, jungle cat, fox, striped hyena, gaur, chowsingha
and barking deer. There are more than 170 species of birds
including several migratory ones. Some of them are peafowl,
junglefowl, crow pheasant, crimson-breasted barbet, red-vented
bulbul, racket-tailed drongo, magpie robin, lesser whistling
teal, pintail, shoveler, egret and herons.
»
Day 01:
Arrive Khajuraho 1300hrs by air from Delhi. Assistance on
arrival. Transfer to Hotel Jass Radisson or Taj for Lunch.
Proceed for sightseeing of western group of Chandela Temples.
Transfer to Ken River Lodge a simple jungle lodge beside the
River Ken,(27km ). Dinner. Overnight Ken River Lodge (KRL)
»
Day 02:
AM & PM game drive with boat safari on river Ken. Overnite
Ken River Lodge.
»
Day 03:
Early morning birding on the river near the lodge.
Lunch at camp. PM Safari in the park (or optional depart for
night safari which provide the opportunity for rewarding spotlighting
on night drives, when Jungle and Rusty-spotted Cats, Golden
Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Indian Hare, Common Palm Civet
and other denizens of the night such as Mottled Wood Owl and
night jars are all possibilities). Overnite Ken River Lodge/Jungle
Camp.
»
Day 04:
After breakfast depart for Bandhavgarh( 7 hrs drive)Arrive
by lunch. Check into Jungle resort. Evening nature walk. Overnight
Bandhavgarh.
»
Day 05:
AM & PM game drives. Overnite Bandhavgarh.
»
Day 06:
AM & PM game drives. Overnite Bandhavgarh.
»
Day 07:
AM game drive , breakfast and depart for Kanha.(6hr
drive) Arrive late afternoon. Check into Jungle resort. Overnite
Kanha.
»
Day 08:
AM & PM Jungle drives. Overnite Kanha.
»
Day 09:
AM & PM game drives. Overnite Kanha
»
Day 10:
AM game drive,after lunch depart for Pench. Overnite Pench
»
Day 11:
AM & PM game drive. Overnite Pench
»
Day 12:
AM & PM game drive. Overnite Pench.
»
Day 13:
Morning Transfer to Nagpur for connecting flights to Delhi/Mumbai.
COST
USD 3000 PER PERSON ON TWIN SHARE
USD 3950 ON SINGLE OCCUPANCY
ABOVE RATES INCLUDE
12 NIGHTS ACCOMODATION
ALL MEALS
JEEP/BOAT SAFARIS & ENTRANCES
LOCAL GUIDES/NATURALISTS/ESCORT
TRANSFERS BY A/C INNOVAS/COACH
EXTRA
ELEPHANT RIDES(SUBJECT TO SHOWING)
VISIT TO BANDHAVGARH FORT
AIR FARE
TIPS/GRATUITIES
DRINKS/LAUNDRY/TELEPHONE/ OTHER PERSONAL EXPENSES
(For upgrade to SINGINAWA JUNGLE LODGE.KANHA USD 150 PER
PERSON ON TWIN SHARE./ SGL USD 300)
Accommodation
Panna: Ken River Lodge
Bandhavgarh: Camp Mewar on Ketikiya or Similar
Kanha: Kipling camp or Similar
Pench: Pench Jungle Camp
|
|
|
