Taking a hot air balloon ride over Masai Mara has to be one of the best ways to comprehend the sheer size & the unending beauty of this natural reserve. The hot air balloons are so silent that the animals probably don’t realize you’re around. And the ride will definitely give you a new perspective on things! Here are some pictures that capture the beauty of this ride. Photos courtesy: Skyship Hot Air Balloon Company.
If you could pick any place in the world to spend a day, week, a month of your life, where would it be? Would you travel half way across the world to visit one of the wonders of the world, or just drive down to the closest beach and pick a spot with the perfect amount of sun?
Well, you ask me “What if I have more than one place in mind?” That’s okay, a lot of us (including yours truly) do. Be it a single place or a bunch of them, I’d love to hear your thoughts (and maybe even help plan your next vacation there)!
While you’re thinking, here’s the top 5 on my bucket list (for now) –
Where: Greece, Europe
Who: For the culturally inclined, history lover and food connoisseur
How long: 1 month! – I find that I enjoy a leisure trip to soak in all that you see and truly experience the “local” lifestyle much better than a fast paced checklist oriented vacation.
When: May – June or September – October to avoid the peak season summer crowds.
Why: The Greek Islands have everything I can think of in a vacation – Cities that mix the old with the modern, archeological sights, pristine beaches and good food for vegetarians! You can pick whether you’d like to stay in the heart of a city or take a cruise ship out to a beach in the middle of nowhere!
Where: Yellowstone National Park, USA
Who: For the outdoorsy & adventurous
How long: 1 week
When: June – July when the wild flowers are in full bloom.
Why: Yellowstone is the mecca for fun in the outdoors. In the warmer months you can hike, bike, camp, go whitewater rafting, horseback riding and ziplining. In the winter months Yellowstone is a great place for cross country skiing and snowmobiling (though that’s not my cup of tea). Aside from all that, the real reason is 3 words – GRAND PRISMATIC SPRING. Google it!
Who: For the beach bum that wants to get away from it all
How long: 1 week. I’d pick two drastically different settings and spend a few days in each.
When: Any time of year! January – February if you want to get away from winter, July – August if you’re looking for low season.
Why: Really?? Is that even a question? Don’t you know me at all 🙂 Dazzling white sands, crystal blue waters make for the best getaway ever!
Where: London, Europe
Who: For anyone who’s never been there before.
How long: a weekend
When: A warm summer weekend, if there’s an India – England match at Lord’s, even better!
Why: Seems like the perfect tourist city for a weekend away!
Where: Galapagos Islands, South America
Who: For the nature and animal lover
How long: 2 weeks
When: March – April. It’s the warmer, wet season so the weather’s great. It’s also the breeding / mating season for birds sea turtles & sea lions. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the adorable newborn pups crawling around the islands.
Why: Galapagos is an ecological masterpiece, with a wide range of endemic wildlife. Some of these creatures don’t exist anywhere else in the world! Truly a Darwinian wonderland to visit. Cruise ships plan 2 week trips that cover most of the island, this might be easiest vacation to plan yet!
Well, that’s my list for now… what’s yours?
The Royal Bengal Tiger has a special connection with India. Maybe it’s power of this magnificent creature, the mythological stories I’ve heard as a child or the sheer beauty of it’s walk that has always drawn me in. Making a trip to North India to see the tiger has always been on my list of “Top Ten Things to do”.
Here’s my sample itinerary in the journey to find the elusive tiger – India’s answer to the Big Five. A must do for any wildlife or photo enthusiast, this 8-day Tiger Photo Safari is a well-paced exploration of two of India’s most famous tiger-spotting national parks, Kanha and Bandhavgarh. Of course, it’s a long journey to make it to India, but well worth the effort. Along the way, you’ll learn more about the densely jungled and hilly national parks, where hundreds of animal and bird species roam free.
Tiger Photo Safari in Indian National Parks
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights (suggested)
Day 1: Arrival in New Delhi, India
Arrive in Delhi to historic Oberoi Maidens hotel, where you’ll be greeted with a regal welcome that rivals the days of the British Raj. Spend the day taking in Delhi on your own, from the capital city’s historic sites such as the Red Fort and Qutub Minar to sweet and savory delicacies like chaat and jalebis in Chandni Chowk.
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Days 2,3 and 4: Kanha National Park
Board an early morning flight to Nagpur on day 2, followed by the five- to six-hour drive to reach Kanha National Park. After checking into the eco-minded 12-villa Kanha Earth Lodge, you will head out for an afternoon game drive in a Gypsy (four-wheel-drive vehicle) or nature walk along the Banjar River.
During your stay at Kanha National Park, you will be accompanied by a naturalist, and spend your days on a photographic expedition covering the park’s deciduous forest, grasslands, hills and meandering rivers. As an optional add-on, you can also visit to a local village and tribal market to get a taste of the local culture.
Day 5: Morning Game Drive at Kanha and Transfer to Bandhavgarh
Start the day with one last game drive and picnic breakfast at Kanha before driving to Bandhavgarh National Park, a six- to seven-hour journey. Check into the Kings Lodge, an eco-friendly resort spread across 10 acres in the Rancha Village surrounded by forested hills.
Day 6 and 7: Bandhavgarh National Park
Game drives and photographic expeditions to explore rugged hills and dense forest of Bandhavgarh with nature expert. You will also take an excursion to the Rewa Fort, set within the national park.
Day 8: Transfer to Airport for Flight to Delhi
After breakfast, drive to Khajuraho airport (5-6 hours) and board the afternoon flight back home.
If you would like me to organize this tour for you, just leave a comment or email me at info@marundeshwara.com.
Here’s a map that list all the places that you can visit during the tiger safari… You can view the larger map through Google by using the link below.
pirsqr.wordpress.com 