The span of time between October and May is considered to be the main travel season for folks making their way to India. This is because the temperatures are on the cooler side. Trips leaving in May result in the highest tiger sightings but the temperature will be very hot.
If you are thinking about taking a trip to visit India, you should definitely plan to visit during a time where you can do something you enjoy. If you like the sound of a nice, comfortable game drive, for example, you should plan your visit to India in the cooler months. On the other hand, if you enjoy wildlife activities and seeing tigers and other animals local to India, then the warmer months may be a good time to plan your trip.
What are some of the best months for seeing tigers and other wildlife in India?
The months of April through June are typically the warmest for India, and afford visitors the chance to see a good deal of India’s local wildlife. Sometimes, folks will be able to see tigers come to their watering holes to get a drink and break from the heat. This gives us a great chance to see them in their habitat.
This is when Expedition Wild comes out with our Tiger adventures. This isn’t the only place where wildlife can be seen, however, as we also see tigers and plenty of other wildlife through the entirety of the season on our India trips.
What are the average temperatures in India?
Here is a nice summary of the average temperatures by month. These are the same kind of temperatures you should expect on our different trips in India, with a variety of itineraries. There is also the optional Agra & the Taj Mahal extension available for anyone interested in an interesting and memorable experience.
Where is the best place to see Bengal tigers in India?
We visit some of the best national parks in India on our trips here at Expedition Wild. If you are an animal lover looking to spend time watching wildlife in India, then a trip to some of our frequent destinations – Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore, Pench and Kanha – might be just the trip for you.
Each of our frequent destinations offer up some of the best natural habitat in all of India, affording visitors the chance to see Bengal tigers up close and in person. The chances of seeing a tiger in one of these parks and natural reserves are actually significantly higher than in other parts of India.
The terrain and wildlife regulations in many areas allow us to track, quite effectively, some of these ever elusive animals, and view them in a fashion friendly to the safety of everyone around, visitors and tigers alike!
Are tiger sightings in India’s national parks common?
Tigers can be very elusive animals, mastering the art of camouflage from a young age. They can be incredibly difficult to pick out in dense woods, especially if bad weather is on the horizon. Our trips are designed to showcase the very best places in the area to see tigers, especially around the time of year when it is really hot and dry.
Even though some encounters with tigers are more brief and to the point than others, the biggest majority of people in our groups have seen tigers on one of their trips with us.
How close will we get to tigers on an Expedition Wild trip to India?
It can be very hard to predict our views of tigers, because it can vary quite a bit. If the luck is in our favor, we might see some tigers or other individual animals for longer stretches of time as they hang out and lounge on the side of the road, sometimes even crossing the road right in front of our vehicles, or behind us. On other occasions we may catch quick sights of them further away through thicker vegetated areas.
How will we be travelling around India?
On our trips, we travel between private cars hire, private buses and a few scheduled flights. Once we hit Delhi, we will fly south and continue on the road to Bandhavgarh National Park, then make our way to Kanha National Park afterwards.
We will have wildlife drives in open 4×4 trucks in both of these parks. We’ll have a few more days 4×4 drives looking for animals, then we will make our way by plane back Delhi. At this point, you can either continue with a trip extension or you can head on home.
On our Ranthambore trip, we will be flying from Delhi to Jaipur, then take a drive on down to Ranthambore National Park.
What should I pack?
Temperatures for our trips can get pretty cold. The North India region is cold from the months of November through January, and we can even see colder temperatures in February and March as well. With this in mind, you may want to consider dressing in a few layers for extra warmth and comfort.
Bring a waterproof, light rain jacket and some extra pants in case of bad weather conditions, as well as a warm fleece or down jacket. Don’t forget some warm hats and gloves, long sleeve shirts or hoodies, and pants. Some guests even prefer to bring some long underwear for morning drives in the open trucks.
Departures leaving after may, temperatures will probably be quite hot. You’ll want to bring some lightweight and moisture-wicking clothes. Don’t forget a hat and sunglasses, your eyes will thank you later. It’s not required, but long sleeved shirts can help protect you from the sun during our wildlife drives.
Keep in mind that rain is always a possibility on these trips, so always have a plan to bring some light rain clothing. To help you easier decide what to bring, we have a handy packing list just for you!
What are the physical requirements on these trips?
Our India trips are rated as “easy to moderate”. This means guests should be able to walk around unassisted for at least two miles at a time or over uneven terrain. It also includes climbing stairs at some of our accommodations, as well as climbing a short ladder to get in and out of our safari vehicles.
A city walking tour can be as long as three miles, and our wildlife drives can be quite bumpy and dusty, too.
What are the differences between all of the India adventures?
We have a few different India adventures for you to choose from, each one just as fun as the last.
What are the hotels and lodging like on the India tours?
All of our India adventures include accommodations that range from beautiful and elegant hotels in cities to safari camps and some lodges in national parks. Each one is selected to add to the adventure, with a decor style reflecting traditional Indian design.
All of our “ecolodges” are steeped into nature, situated conveniently next to park entrances, and all of them offer visitors comfortable rooms and different amenities, all while giving you the best possible wildlife sighting opportunities during your trip.
What type of food is served on these Indian Safaris?
We enjoy a nice combination of Western and traditional Indian meals on our India adventures. Each meal is carefully prepared in a professional kitchen. Early morning breakfast at some of the wildlife parks will be eggs, bread or muffins, fresh fruit, as well as coffee, tea, and juice.
Lunch and dinner options vary between buffets and a la carte menus of different Western and local foods. Some lodges in the more remote areas of our trips may only offer local cuisines, but they offer menus for vegetarian and non vegetarians as well.
Meals are all quite hearty and filling, made from local organic eggs, dairy and produce. Indian cuisine can consist of lentils, grilled meat, curried veggies, paneer and naan bread. Indian food can be spicier than some Western palates are accustomed to, but the level of spice can be brought down a bit if you so desire.
What kind of camera gear is best for photographing tigers in India?
The best rule of thumb is “the best camera is always the one you have with you”. This is a simple and great point to think about because the perfect camera doesn’t exist. What is best, however, is knowing what you have well and knowing how to use it.
Photography in India’s natural areas does include some telephoto capabilities, so you might think about bringing a 400mm lens. Make sure you also have the ability to grab wide angle shots, as landscapes and general travel photo opportunities are going to be present at every turn.
If you use a camera with interchangeable lenses (such as mirrorless or DSLR) you may be happier with the quality of your shots, but this can be a more expensive option and require packing a lot more gear. A simpler set up could be an advanced point and shoot.
What currency will I need to use while traveling around India?
India’s currency is the Indian rupee. United States dollars are accepted in India, but it is best to exchange before arriving in India due to the better exchange rates. Your US cash can also be converted upon arrival at the international airport in Delhi. Some hotels will also exchange money, but the exchange rates will not be as good.
Credit cards are widely accepted at many Indian accommodations. Visa and MasterCard are still the biggest ones over there, too. You might want to have some cash on hand for general purchases or other incidental purchases.
Will there be cell phone service or internet connectivity on our trips?
Internet can sometimes be intermittent so expect occasional interruption in service. There is also cell phone service in Delhi and some other remote parts of the country. Since our main trip activities are all about being immersed in nature and enjoying the experience, we try to keep technology usage to a minimum so everyone can enjoy the group activities.
Are Indian trips appropriate for kids?
The minimum required age for our Indian adventures is 15 years old. The days go from early morning to late evening with barely any downtime, so it would not be the best option for small children.
What’s the best way to get to New Delhi to meet the group?
Guests are responsible for booking round trip flights from their airport of choice to New Delhi.
You may want to take a look at our Indian Packing list. While we are at it, you may also like supporting the Wildlife Trust Of India who does great work to help save India’s wildlife.