Indian Big 5

Destination

Delhi – Rajaji – Corbett – Pilibhit – Dudhwa - Delhi

Duration

14 Days & 13 Nights

Stays

Jungle Lodges & Historic Inside-Forest Rest Houses

Tour overview

The Indian Big 5 is an elite, high-intent wildlife expedition charting the Terai Arc Landscape—one of the planet’s most biologically diverse and ecologically significant wilderness corridors. This masterfully curated journey deepens your exploration into five of Northern India’s premier national parks and sanctuaries. Our singular objective: tracking the true “Big 5” of the subcontinent—the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, Asian Elephant, Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, and the elusive Sloth Bear. Spanning the Shivalik foothills to the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains, this safari transitions from the rugged sal forests of Rajaji and the legendary riverbanks of Jim Corbett to the deep grasslands of Pilibhit and the rhino-rich marshes of Dudhwa. Concluding with an onward domestic flight out of the historic city of Lucknow, this expedition is tailor-made for serious naturalists, professional wildlife photographers, and discerning safari enthusiasts seeking India’s rawest, most untamed jungle experiences.

Trip Highlights

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    Detailed Itinerary

    Day - 01

    Arrive in New Delhi

    Upon arrival at New Delhi International Airport, you will be warmly received by our representative and escorted via private transfer to your hotel. Receive a seamless check-in and a personalized briefing regarding your park permits, travel documents, and safari schedule. 

    Overnight stay: Delhi

    Day - 02

    Delhi to Rajaji National Park (Approx. 240 km / 6 hours)

    Following an early breakfast, journey north to the Shivalik foothills where Rajaji National Park awaits. Check in to your lodge just in time for a fresh lunch, followed immediately by your inaugural afternoon jeep safari.

    The Ecosystem: Cradled by the Shivalik range, Rajaji represents an indispensable monsoon forest ecosystem. It serves as a vital northern corridor for migratory Asian Elephants and boasts a booming, healthy population of Bengal Tigers, Leopards, Sloth Bears, and striped hyenas. 

    Overnight stay: Rajaji National Park (All Meals Included)

    Day - 03 & 04

    Tracking the Foothills in Rajaji National Park

    Dedicate two full days to tracking Rajaji’s apex predators and massive elephant herds. With morning and afternoon private safaris, explore varied topographies ranging from dry riverbeds to dense broadleaf forests, maximizing encounters with both big game and rare sub-Himalayan avifauna. 

    Overnight stay: Rajaji National Park (All Meals Included)

    Day - 05

    Rajaji to Jim Corbett National Park (Approx. 260 km / 6–7 hours)

    After an early breakfast, traverse toward Jim Corbett National Park, India’s oldest and most legendary wildlife sanctuary. Upon arriving at the park gates, step into an open 4×4 safari vehicle and embark on a dramatic drive deep into the core wilderness to reach your historic Forest Rest House. 

    The Wilderness Stay: Corbett remains the only reserve in India permitting guests to stay overnight inside the core national park boundaries. Positioned along the Ramganga River, these rest houses offer unparalleled access to untamed nature. 

    Note: To protect the pristine ecology of the core zone, only authentic vegetarian meals are served, and alcohol and smoking are strictly prohibited. 

    Overnight stay: Forest Rest House, Corbett National Park (All Meals Included)

    Day - 06 & 07

    Exploring the Legendary Dhikala Zone (Corbett)

    Spend two full days operating straight from the heart of the Dhikala Zone. Famed for its sprawling *chaurs* (grasslands) and panoramic river valley views, Dhikala offers some of the finest opportunities on earth to witness wild elephant herds, hunting packs of dholes (wild dogs), marsh crocodiles, and the iconic royal Bengal tigers. 

    Overnight stay: Forest Rest House, Corbett National Park (All Meals Included)

    Day - 08

    Corbett to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (Approx. 160 km / 4 hours)

    Embark on a final early morning safari through Dhikala. After breakfast, track wildlife back toward the park boundaries—keep your long lenses ready, as game frequently crosses the exit tracks. 

    Continue onward by road to the emerald landscapes of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve. Check into your hotel for an evening of relaxation. 

    The Ecosystem: Spanning over 730 square kilometers, Pilibhit is a jewel of the Terai Arc, characterized by dense sal timber, marshy fens, and tall, whispering reeds that harbor a dense, highly protected population of Bengal tigers. 

    Overnight stay: Pilibhit (All Meals Included)

    Day - 09 & 10

    Safari Expeditions in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

    Engage in morning and afternoon private safaris across Pilibhit’s distinct zones. Focus your tracking on the edge ecosystems along the Sharda River and deep within the grasslands, seeking out tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and magnificent swamp deer, alongside critically endangered birds like the Sarus Crane and Bengal Florican.

    Overnight stay: Pilibhit (All Meals Included)

    Day - 11

    Pilibhit to Dudhwa National Park (Approx. 100 km / 3 hours)

    Set out for one final morning safari in Pilibhit. Returning for breakfast, check out and drive through scenic rural vistas to Dudhwa National Park, an pristine, under-the-radar wilderness paradise bordering Nepal. 

    Arrive at your luxury jungle lodge for lunch, enjoying an afternoon at total leisure. 

    The Ecosystem: Nestled in the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains, Dudhwa protects some of the finest, tallest stands of wet alluvial Sal forests remaining in the world. It is an wild oasis for the Bengal tiger, the rare Barasingha (swamp deer), and the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros. 

    Overnight stay:  Dudhwa National Park (All Meals Included)

    Day - 12 & 13

    Core Tracking in Dudhwa National Park

    Spend two comprehensive days charting Dudhwa’s iconic sectors including Sonaripur and Kishanpur. A major focus of these days will be exploring the dedicated Rhino Reclamation areas, where you can watch the prehistoric One-Horned Rhinoceros grazing amidst the marshes alongside massive herds of swamp deer.

    Overnight stay:  Dudhwa National Park (All Meals Included)

    Day - 14

    Dudhwa – Lucknow (Approx. 220 km / 5 hours) – Delhi & Departure

    Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the lodge before checking out. Your private chauffeur will drive you to the airport in Lucknow. Board your short domestic flight back to New Delhi International Airport, where you will easily connect to your onward international flight home.

    **End of our services**

    Note: Intercity driving times are estimates based on normal road conditions. Routes are carefully chosen, and travel durations will vary slightly depending on personalized comfort, photography, or refreshment stops along the highway.

    Trip Included/Exclude

    Explore . Experience . Embrace

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