Lions and Leopards: India Wildlife Tour 

Arrive in India’s City of Dreams, where a private driver awaits to transfer you to the regal Taj Mahal Palace. Overlooking Mumbai’s iconic harbor and the Gateway of India, this storied hotel has welcomed royalty, dignitaries, and cultural icons since 1903. Unwind after your journey with a classic cocktail at the Harbour Bar, Mumbai’s first licensed establishment, before settling in for a restful night. 

Experience Mumbai as it comes alive. Your private guide leads a full-day exploration tailored to your interests, beginning at the vast Dhobi Ghat, where the city’s laundry is washed by hand. Watch the famed dabbawallas at Churchgate—an intricate lunchbox delivery system that borders on orchestral precision. After lunch, ride a local train from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Byculla, then visit the Spice Market, where vendors grind bespoke masala blends before your eyes. 

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rajkot, then continue by road to Aramness Gir, your forest sanctuary for the coming days. Arrive in time for an afternoon safari drive, where sightings may include the rare Asiatic lion, leopards, and vibrant birdlife such as the Tickell’s blue flycatcher. After a farm-to-table Gujarati dinner surrounded by forest, the evening is yours to reflect and unwind. 

Rise early for a morning game drive in the Gir Forest, guided by a naturalist deeply attuned to the land. In the afternoon, visit the Maldhari, a semi-nomadic pastoralist community and ancestral guardians of the forest. This experience is rooted in genuine connection—learning how life, wildlife, and landscape are intrinsically linked. In the evening, enjoy another garden-fresh meal before indulging in a traditional Ayurvedic spa treatment for two. 

Enjoy a final morning safari before transferring to Velavadar on a scenic drive. Check into The Blackbuck Lodge, an intimate retreat overlooking shimmering grasslands where blackbucks, nilgai, and other wildlife roam freely. Private villas, attentive Gujarati hospitality, and immersive safaris define your stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure. 

With two private safari excursions today, Blackbuck National Park reveals its remarkable diversity. Search for blackbucks, Indian wolves, striped hyenas, and the endangered lesser florican. Birders will be especially captivated by the vast harrier roosts, the largest in the world. Each drive uncovers new perspectives across this beautifully preserved wilderness. 

Transfer to Rann Riders, an eco-lodge so seamlessly integrated into the landscape it feels part of the bush itself. Set on the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch, the lodge is ideally positioned for safaris into the Wild Ass Sanctuary and for exceptional birding in surrounding salt marshes. In the afternoon, set out for a safari to the Nalsarovar wetlands or explore Dasada’s architectural heritage. Your time here is flexible, shaped by your interests. 

Explore the Wild Ass Sanctuary by jeep, home to the endangered Indian wild ass, blue bulls, foxes, and prolific birdlife including flamingos, pelicans, and cranes. In the afternoon, visit a local village to connect with Rabari and Bharwad communities, renowned for their textile traditions. Sit together as they weave and embroider vibrant fabrics, gaining insight into a way of life sustained for generations. 

Travel to the remote Pali District, where humans and leopards coexist in remarkable harmony. Settle into Suján Jawai, a luxury tented camp focused on conservation and community engagement, surrounded by granite hills and quiet lakes. This evening is intentionally unstructured—time to absorb the stillness of this extraordinary landscape. 

Game drives and walking safaris are led by members of the Rabari tribe, whose deep knowledge of the land offers rare perspective. In place of a traditional drive, set out on horseback, riding pedigreed Marwari and Kathiawari horses across scrubland and rocky hills. Wildlife sightings may be fewer, but the experience is profound—an intimate way to move through the land, guided by centuries-old tradition. 

Transfer to Jodhpur and settle into RAAS Jodhpur, housed within an 18th-century haveli beneath the mighty fort. Later, explore the Old City by tuk-tuk, wandering bazaars near the Clock Tower and visiting historic textile houses as your guide reveals the stories woven into the Blue City’s past. 

Begin at the commanding Mehrangarh Fort, where ornate palaces—Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, and Sheesh Mahal—showcase exceptional craftsmanship. Continue to the marble cenotaph of Jaswant Thada, then join a local family for a traditional Rajasthani lunch in their home. After a moment of rest, enjoy sundowners on the rooftop, watching the city glow below. 

Bid farewell to India. A private driver transfers you to the airport in Jodhpur, where you’ll connect through Delhi for your international flight home.