Day 4, 5 and 6 – Drive to Bharatpur (about 2 hours). Stay at The Bagh.  Take  a pedi-cab (trishaw) ride into the bird sanctuary, explore the many trails on bike or foot, take a boat cruise on the lake

Eroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned city. The complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style, includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park, popularly known as Bharatpur, is India's best known bird  sanctuary. This 28 sq  km mixed wetland, woodland, grass and scrub is home to 400 plus species of birds. Keoladeo is both a Ramsar and World Heritage site.

If you are new to birding or you are visiting India for birding, Bharatpur should certainly be at the heart of your plans. With its paved walkways, trained cycle-rickshaw pulling guides, cycling-tracks and, best of all, an abundance of easy to approach birds,  Bharatpur is geared for birding like few places in the world. A day's birding can throw up 150 + species .

Keoladeo has been famous for the last visiting pair of the western race of the Siberian Crane.

But, the sanctuary is not only about Siberian Cranes. Any first  time visitor is bound to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of waterfowl and waders which congregate on the shallow marshy lakes of Bharatpur. Winter (Nov - Mar) is the best time to visit the sanctuary when Palearctic migrants join the residents. An average day can still throw up many rare and threatened species like the Solitary Lapwing, Indian Courser, Imperial, White-tailed, Greater and Indian Spotted Eagles, Darters, Black-necked, Painted and Asian Openbill Storks, Common, Sarus and Demoiselle Cranes, Dalmatian Pelicans, Black Bittern, Greater Painted Snipe, Large-tailed, Indian and Grey Nightjars, Dusky Eagle Owls, Marshall's Iora, Siberian Rubythroat and Brook's Leaf Warblers. The 20 species of ducks, innumerable waders and raptors, water-seeking birds and approachable passerines all add to make Keoladeo a true birder's paradise.

Day 7 and 8 – Drive to Jaipur (about 4 hours). Stay at Samode Haveli. Sightseeing including  Amber Fort (on an elephant), City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar

Experience a ‘Rickshaw’ (pedi-cab) ride in the exotic Bazaars in the walled city of Jaipur to get an insight into the textile wealth of Rajasthan. At sunset drive up to the Jaigarh Fort for a panoramic view of the Jaipur city.  

Note- as number of Elephants is limited, the Elephant ride to Amber Fort  cannot beguaranteed, and as an alternative a jeep will be provided.

Day 9 and 10 – Drive to Nimaj (about 4 hours).  Stay at Chhatra Sagar – luxury tented accommodation. En route visit Ajmer, see the mausoleum of the sufi saint – Khwaja Moimuddin Chisti.

 Chhatra Sagar, Surrounded by lush green fields  of wheat, mustard, cotton and chilies and vast grazing pastures, and a  hundred year old reservoir, with a periphery of about 10 kilometers, is an ideal destination for nature lovers and a perfect getaway from the chaotic city life.

The campsite, situated on the dam, offers breathtaking views of the sunrise, sunset and the Aravalli ranges on the horizon. Watch the birds, go for nature walks.  Experience the warm hospitality, and enjoy some truly delicious Indian and traditional Rajasthani meals cooked with farm fresh vegetables in the family kitchen. Explore the area with a guided nature walk, experience a jeep safari, visiting local people, homes and settlements, this is an experience, which often eludes the ordinary traveller.

Day 11 – Drive to Jodhpur (about 3 hours). Stay at Balsamand Lake Palace, sprawling on an area of 300 acres on the banks of Balsamand Lake, dotted by fruit groves.

Get a magnificent view of this Blue city from the ramparts of the Meherangarh Fort.

Also visit Jaswant Thada, the white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II built in 1899.  Later visit Mandore, former capital of Marwar, which houses the cenotaphs of the rulers of Jodhpur.

Relax on the banks of the beautiful Balsamand Lake, enjoy the sight of birds descending upon the lake that  stir up a pleasant cacophony. The species found here include the White Pelican, Large Egret, Gery Heron, Painted Stork, Glossy Ibis, Bar-headed Goose, Eurasian Spoonbill etc.

Day 12 – Drive to Ranakpur (about 5 hours). Stay at Rawla Narlai.  Visit Jain temples at Ranakpur and opportunity to visit Kumbalgarh  fort and sanctuary.

En route visit Rohet and  participate  in a ‘Village Safari’ -  experience first hand the authentic rural life of India .  See the pot maker, shoemaker in action. Visit a few homes and interact with the village people.   

You may see a few Bishnoi tribal villages – strict vegetarians – they have allowed herds of spotted deer to grow unharmed around their villages. Driving across this mystic horizon, one could encounter the agile black buck, wild camels and flights of rare birds. 

Note- during the safari, you will have an opportunity to participate in  the ‘ Opium Ceremony’.

Day 15 and 16 – Fly to Mumbai. Stay at hotel Taj Mahal overlooking the Gateway of India. Sightseeing including hanging gardens, Victoria terminus, dhobi ghats (see Mumbai sightseeing).

Take a cruise to the Elephanta caves. The island of Elephanta is known for its four rock- cut Hindu temples which were cut between 450 –750 A.D

Phoenicopterus minor - the Lesser Flamingo, pink and petite,  come to Mumbai in huge numbers in November, and stay until March.

The surroundings of Mumbai contain many birding hot-spots of which the best known is the forested 103 sq km Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivili. The city's long coastline is also home to many waders and water-birds and places like Thane Creek, Elephanta caves, Uran, and Madh/Manori creeks are great spots for birding. But none will take your breath away as much as Sewri Bay on a March afternoon. Blue skies, lit up by the pink glow of thousands of Lesser Flamingos as they wheel past you, is a sight etched in memory. Add the plethora of waders and gulls and you have arguably one of the best birding hot spots in India for variety, beauty, ease of access and viewing.

Sewri Bay is a short drive along the coast from downtown Mumbai and is opposite Elephanta Island. In winter thousands of Lesser Flamingos flock to the protection of the food rich mudflats and have been doing so since the early 90's. Mumbai Port authorities take great pride in providing a suitable wintering home for these near-threatened birds by actively maintaining the quality of the habitat and keeping an eye on their safety. 

Look out for -  Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Little Heron, Western Reef Egret, Black-headed Ibis, Grey Plover, Sand Plovers, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Terek Sandpiper, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper, Avocet, Heuglin's, Pallas's, Yellow-legged and the commoner Gulls and Terns.

The birds congregate on the mudflats when the tide recedes. The key to a successful visit is to go after an hour of high tide and watch the birds as they arrive to feed.