India 2014 - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur
Golden Triangle - Culture, Birds and Wildlife
November 25 to December 4
Photos by Kelly Sekhon
Two of the original group left and three new participants joined us in Delhi. We spent the morning of the first day visiting the Sultanpur National Park just outside Delhi. Couple of hours of early morning birding in the park was just magical. In the afternoon we visited Humayun's Tomb and later in the evening the crowded spice mart in old Delhi.
Sultanpur National Park
Painted Stork with two young
Alexandrine Parakeet
Next morning we drove to Chambal Safari Lodge and after lunch spent the evening birding the wooded area, gardens and the fields around the lodge.
Chambal Safari Lodge
Spotted Owlet
Next morning was spent birding at various spots in the country side before arriving at the banks of Chambal River for lunch and afternoon boat ride. Chambal River Sanctuary home to Ganges Dolphin, Mugger and Gharial Crocodiles and Indian Skimmers. We also saw numerous other birds and a rare glimpse of a Jungle Cat.
The Chambal River
Mugger Crocodile
Gharial Crocodile
Flapshell Turtle
Indian Skimmers
Jungle Cat
River Lapwing
Life on the banks of Chambal
The group and the lodge staff
From Chambal we traveled to Keoladeo National Park via Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. We spent the next day in the park.
Sarus Cranes
Another day and another national park - Ranthambhore. We had two jeep safaris in the park and saw a wide variety of birds but no tigers.
Wood Sandpiper
Redshank
Spotted Owlet
Great Thick-knee
Lesser Golden-back
Indian Darter
Pin-tailed Snipe
Striated Heron
From Ranthambhore we traveled to Jaipur and spent a full day sightseeing and overnight at Shahpura House.Next day we drove to Delhi to catch a flight to Cochin.
View from Amer Fort
Roof-top dining area at Shahpura House