Bharatpur, Agra & Chambal Resorts & Holidays - Camel River Safari, Bird Watching and Taj Mahal

You have 4 to 14 Days

EXPLORE: AGRA, BHARATPUR AND CHAMBAL

The River Safari is a most relaxing, and special experience at Chambal, just one hour drive from Agra. Enjoy nature walks along the river banks, around the ravines surrounding the National Chambal Sanctuary for some spectacular opportunities to view the wildlife. Or choose a unique Camel safari along the river banks, into the ravines, through villages and up to Fort Ater. Stay in comfortable kothis and safari lodges while you spot rare wildlife like the gharials and the sarus cranes in this exclusive nature’s world.

Trip Itinerary in brief
Day 1, 2 & 3: Chambal
Day 4 & 5: Bharatpur
Day 6 & 7: Agra

Accompanied by experienced local guides and naturalists, the Chambal Safari helps visitors explore the Chambal Valley at their own pace; on boats, camels, jeeps or on foot. The calm and gentle Chambal of the winter is a raging beast in the monsoon months. The monsoon waters recede to expose the most dazzling white sands. The Chambal Safari Base Camp is set up every season on one of these beautiful river beaches. The Chambal Safari motorboats are stationed at the base camp, which is the starting point for the river safaris, camel safaris and nature walks.

THE RIVER SAFARI The calm and gentle waters of theChambal Riverare best explored on boats and the River Safari provides spectacular opportunities to view the wildlife. The Chambal Safari boatmen are exceptionally skilled at cutting the boat engines, and manoeuvring as close to the birds and animals as possible without disturbing them. Trained naturalists accompany visitors and provide expert information on the Chambal wildlife. The River Safari is a most relaxing, enjoyable and special experience.

NATURE WALKS The Chambal Safariorganises special Nature Walks along the river banks, around the ravines and in the fields surrounding the National Chambal Sanctuary. Morning and afternoon and late evening rambles are also organised in and around the Chambal Safari Lodge grounds and surrounding farmland.

VILLAGE WALKS The Villages around the Chambal Safari Lodge provide an interesting insight into rural India. One can still find a potter at his wheel making earthen ware kullars (cups), a cobbler using the simplest implements to fashion and repair a most interesting variety of leather items, and shops selling all manner of goods from jaggery blocks to hand-woven quilts. The Chambal Safari organises short Village Walks allowing access to all this and more.

THE CAMEL SAFARI Camels remain an important mode of transport for man and goods alike. They are also an ideal means for exploring the ravines of the NCS and searching for the wildlife that have made these ravines their home. Be transported back in time as you amble along long forgotten trails and pathways on these haughty beasts, with their snootily upturned noses and disdainfully curled lips. One may take a Camel Safari along the river banks, into the ravines, through villages and up to Fort Ater.

JEEP SAFARI The Chambal Safari arranges jeep safaris through remote hamlets and habitations hidden within the folds of the Chambal and Yamuna ravines, presenting a fascinating journey through a world that is strangely as far removed as it appears connected to modern India.

VISIT TO BATESHWAR TEMPLES The ancient temple complex at Bateshwar on the river Yamuna, 10 km from the Chambal Safari Lodge, consists of more than a hundred temples dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Referred to as Surajpur in ancient texts, Bateshwar derives its current name from its reigning deity Lord Bateshwar Mahadev (another name for Shiva). The ravines surrounding the temples and river are home to a number of Naga sadhus (snake worshiping ascetics) who have carved out little caves and temples within the mud walls.

In early November, the open areas around the temple complex play host to an annual animal fair, the origins of which stretch into antiquity. The fair coincides with the most auspicious period for praying at Bateshwar and is an important fixture for saints, sadhus, tradesmen and villagers. Witness a colourful pageant of rural India that is as unchanging as it is timeless.

VISIT TO FORT ATER Located on the periphery of the National Chambal Sanctuary, 2 km from the Chambal Safari base camp, lies Fort Ater. Once a valued stronghold and at the forefront of numerous battles between the Rajputs, the Mughals and the Marathas, the crumbling ruins bring alive the romantic glory of a bygone age. The ramparts of the fort afford some breathtaking views of the Chambal valley. One may visit this magnificent ruin riding a Camel or on foot.

VISIT TO SARUS CRANE CONSERVATION AREA The Sarus Crane Conservation Reserve starts around 30 kms from the Chambal Safari Lodge, extending to about 100 kms. It is a widespread wetland area, interspersed by cultivated fields, where large numbers of the Sarus Cranes breed. Although not a protected area, since 1999 the Supreme Court of India, recognising its importance as a habitat has designated the area a reserve with restrictions on development.

VISIT TO PATNA BIRD SANCTUARY The Patna Bird Sanctuary, designated in 1990, covers a wetland habitat of one sq. km. that includes marsh, khajur forest and a lake full of weeds. It is home to over 200 bird species in the winter months. During this period more than 300,000 birds can be found in this area, transforming the small lake into a riot of colours and sounds. Patna Bird Sanctuary lies 80 km northwest of the Chambal Safari Lodge, and is a good place to see large flocks of birds such as Cranes, Geese, Ducks, Waders, Cormorants and Spoonbills.

STAY EXPERIENCES: HERITAGE ECO RESORTS, HOMESTAYS & PALACE HOTELS

You will love to stay in ethnic cottages built by local craftsman using traditional architecture technologies and primarily natural local material that are sustainable, eco friendly, naturally breathable and well ventilated, non toxic and very healthy to live in. Very often these eco lodges have age old and highly effective waste management systems, and usually naturally cool and warm and not requiring energy intensive heating or air conditioning.

In this trip you will love to stay in some of the most incredible accommodations inside forest and in villages

PRIVATE CUSTOM TOURS

NOTE                       
1. Tariff mentioned above is per couple for 4 Days and 3 Nights and is applicable from 1st Nov 2009 to 31st May 2010 and includes all stay, all meals, all airport transfers, all internal sea transfers and permits, all local excursions as indicated by chauffeur driven private transport, all adventure activities including Jungle Jeep Safari and Trekking, and all government taxes. Please call us for revised rates in summer.           
2. All prices quoted are per cottage / room on twin sharing basis. Calculate Prorata for additional pax in the same room. Only 1 additional traveller is accommodated per cottage and mattress is provided in the evening.           
3. 20% Discount on the above tariff for solo travellers                       
4. Only 1 Child less than 5 years of age is complimentary per couple. Add 25% of the tariff for the second child. 25% of the tariff for children between the age of 5 to 12 years of age.                    
5. We accept payment by American Express (Amex) Credit and Charge Cards. Ecomantra will be accepting other cards from January 1st 2010.
6. 6, 8 and 10 Days onward package that covers Chambal, Agra and Bharatpur in depth and at a leisurely pace are also available.
7. Birding in Bharatpur, an iconic bird watching experience, we request you to write an email to us at bharatpur@ecomantra.com with your enquiry and contact details and we will call you or email you the requisite information
8. To know more about this eco holiday, we request you to write an email to us at chambal@ecomantra.com with your enquiry and contact details and we will call you or email you the requisite information.
9. To book this holiday, please call us at 91.22.42155222 between 09:30 AM to 06:30 PM, Monday to Friday.

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