India – Wildlife & Cultures of Northern India 2026

This morning we will head to Indira Gandhi International Airport for our flight to Varanasi (approximately 1,5 hours). After arrival in Varanasi, and baggage collection, an ORYX representative will meet you before transporting you to your hotel.

After check-in and lunch we will explore and photograph Varanasi (Benares or Kashi), the oldest living city in the world and the city that has been the ultimate Hindu pilgrimage for ages. Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the holy land of Varanasi will attain salvation from the cycle of birth and re-birth.

During our time in Varanasi, we will enjoy an early morning boat ride on the river Ganges to witness the sunrise over the river and Ghats (the broad flight of steps leading down to the water) and also to observe the devotees taking a holy dip and offering morning prayers.

The city is an experience the likes of which you will find nowhere else in the world! It is also one of India’s most photographed cities, particularly its Hindu pilgrims, worshipers and bathers on the Ghats situated along the banks of the Ganges (Ganga) River.

According to legend, the city was founded by the Hindu deity Lord Shiva several thousand years ago, thus making it one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the country.It is also a general held belief that it stands on the weapon “The Trishool” (Trident) of Lord Shiva. It is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus, and many Hindu scriptures, including the Rigveda, Skanda Purana, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata, mention the city.

A dip at any of the 84 sacred Ghats of the Ganges is believed to wash away the sins of mortals. The city is a centre of learning and civilization and for over 3000 years Varanasi has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance.

After a final morning’s photography and breakfast we will fly back to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi.

After breakfast, we will hit the road as we drive from Delhi to Agra, which is approximate 4-5 hour drive. Agra is the home of arguably the world’s most famous and spectacular historic building, the Taj Mahal! This morning we will visit this architectural masterpiece, the name of which literally means “Crown of Palaces”. This tour highlight is a World Heritage Site and is famous for the elegance of its design, its extraordinary translucent white marble dome, its mathematical symmetry and the immense numbers of intricately carved and inlaid semi-precious stones that adorn its walls. Begun in 1632, tens of thousands of architects and labourers, and over a thousand elephants, toiled for more than 20 years to complete this breath-taking edifice, which was commissioned by the grief-stricken Shah Jahan after his third wife died during the birth of their 14^th child. This is without a doubt one of India’s most iconic and impressive sites, and this afternoon we will take advantage of the soft afternoon light, which is optimal for photography.

This morning we will again visit the Taj Mahal as the sun comes up for golden hour photography.

Today we will also explore the fabled Agra Red Fort, located in the centre of the city and serving as a monumental reminder of the fascinating history of the region.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is more accurately a 94 acre walled city and was constructed in the 16th century. Visiting this architecturally spectacular complex is fascinating and from here we will also be able to enjoy views of the shimmering marble Taj Mahal.

In fact, Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal in memory of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, spent his final years here at the Agra Fort as a captive of his son Aurangzeb who deposed him.

Shah Jahan apparently died here whilst imprisoned in a tower with a view of the Taj Mahal.

Our final day in Agra concludes as we embark on one last sunset photography session at the Taj Mahal.

Our journey continues as we travel from Agra to Jaipur, which is an approximate 4 hour drive. The afternoon is set aside for some relaxation at the hotel (activities to be confirmed).

We will use open-top jeeps to explore the park for Tigers, enjoying the prolific bird life of the area as we explore. The rangers will be on the lookout for telltale signs such as pugmarks or scat in the road and will be ever alert for the alarm calls of Sambar, Spotted Deer (Chital) and Hanuman Langur.

With luck, these signs will lead us to a Tiger padding along a dusty track or sprawled out in the dappled sunlight of a bamboo thicket. Looking into the amber eyes of this, the largest of all the cats, undoubtedly ranks as one of the world’s ultimate wildlife experiences.

If we are exceptionally lucky, we may even be able to see (and photograph!) a Tiger on the famous Fort at Ranthambore!

Besides the main target of obtaining an unforgettable Tiger experience, Ranthambhore hosts an exciting cast of supporting mammals. The Leopard population is healthy and although they can be harder to find than Tiger, we hope to be able to view these beauties. Striped Hyaena prefer the park outskirts and areas nearer to our lodge and we will make an effort to find them. Sloth Bears roam the park in small numbers, and we may be fortunate to encounter these versatile creatures. Other predators include Indian Wolf (rare), Golden Jackal, Indian Fox, Jungle Cat, Ruddy, Indian Grey and Small Indian mongoose.

The default herbivores are the elegant Spotted Deer or Chital, and much larger Sambar. Less common are Indian Gazelle or Chinkara, and Nilgai. Sounders of Wild Boar are frequently encountered as are the dainty Indian Palm Squirrel and troops of often tame Southern Plains Grey Langur, and we can dream of spotting an Indian Pangolin.

Photographic opportunities in Ranthambhore National Park abound and range from spectacular scenery, impressive Banyan trees, ancient forts and ruins, Tigers and other wildlife, to birds that are often comically tame!

Today, our wonderful photographic tour sadly comes to an end. After a final morning’s photography and breakfast we will fly back to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi as we will where this photo tour concludes.