Big Cats of India

Big Cats of India - 20 Days

Journey across four extraordinary habitats on a four-week expedition through India’s most iconic wilderness regions. Track Snow Leopards in the Himalayas, photograph Tigers in ancient forests, observe Leopards among dramatic granite landscapes, and encounter the world’s last remaining Asiatic Lions. Guided by expert naturalists, this all-inclusive adventure combines seamless logistics with accommodations ranging from boutique lodges to luxury retreats. Enjoy exceptional wildlife photography opportunities, sightings of over 400 bird species, and breathtaking landscapes across India. The itinerary can be customized and extended with cultural destinations such as Jaipur, Agra, and Varanasi, plus optional company-owned jet transfers between locations.

Highlights

  • Explore four distinct habitats on a four-week journey tracking Snow Leopards, Bengal Tigers, Asiatic Lions, and Indian Leopards.
  • Encounter rich mammalian diversity alongside the big cats, including Sloth Bears, Jungle Cats, Rusty-spotted Cats, Golden Jackals, Red Foxes, Himalayan Blue Sheep, and a wide variety of herbivore species.
  • Witness over 400 species of birds and spectacular landscapes across each habitat.
  • Stay in carefully chosen accommodations ranging from boutique lodges to luxury retreats.
  • Travel efficiently between destinations with optional company-owned business jet transfers.
  • Add additional days to combine culturally rich cities such as Jaipur, Agra, and Varanasi for a complete wildlife and heritage experience.
  • Fully inclusive and customizable itinerary, designed to incorporate other destinations of interest.

Itinerary

Arrive in India's bustling capital, where ancient heritage blends with contemporary life. Settle into your hotel, meet your expedition team, and prepare for an unforgettable multi-habitat wildlife journey across India.

Fly into the stark, high-altitude landscapes of Ladakh, the Himalayan kingdom where Snow Leopards reign across rocky ridgelines and frozen valleys. Stay in comfortable mountain lodges and venture out each day with seasoned trackers scanning rugged cliffs for signs of the Grey Ghost. Along the way, encounter Himalayan Blue Sheep, Red Foxes, soaring eagles, and the raw silence of the trans-Himalayan wilderness.

Leave the mountains behind for the warm forests of Ranthambhore, one of the world's premier destinations for Tiger photography. Here, tigers stride past ancient temples and fort walls rising from lakes and forests. Morning and evening safaris carry you through diverse landscapes where sambar graze, crocodiles bask, and birdlife thrives in golden light.

Continue overland to Jawai, a dramatic landscape shaped by volcanic granite where Leopards coexist peacefully with local shepherds. The region's open terrain and unique rock formations create exceptional photographic conditions. Tranquil mornings offer the sight of leopards emerging from cave dwellings, while evenings glow with pink and amber desert light.

Arrive in Gir, the final refuge of the Asiatic Lion — a species that once ranged from India to Europe and now survives only here. Safari through teak forests and open scrublands where these majestic cats roam freely, offering rare and unforgettable encounters. Your journey concludes with a flight back to Delhi.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Delhi

Arrive in India's bustling capital, where ancient heritage blends with contemporary life. Settle into your hotel, meet your expedition team, and prepare for an unforgettable multi-habitat wildlife journey across India.

Days 2–8 - Ladakh: Land of the Snow Leopard

Fly into the stark, high-altitude landscapes of Ladakh, the Himalayan kingdom where Snow Leopards reign across rocky ridgelines and frozen valleys. Stay in comfortable mountain lodges and venture out each day with seasoned trackers scanning rugged cliffs for signs of the Grey Ghost. Along the way, encounter Himalayan Blue Sheep, Red Foxes, soaring eagles, and the raw silence of the trans-Himalayan wilderness.

Days 10–14 - Ranthambhore: Tiger Territory

Leave the mountains behind for the warm forests of Ranthambhore, one of the world's premier destinations for Tiger photography. Here, tigers stride past ancient temples and fort walls rising from lakes and forests. Morning and evening safaris carry you through diverse landscapes where sambar graze, crocodiles bask, and birdlife thrives in golden light.

Days 14–17 - Jawai: India's Leopard Hills

Continue overland to Jawai, a dramatic landscape shaped by volcanic granite where Leopards coexist peacefully with local shepherds. The region's open terrain and unique rock formations create exceptional photographic conditions. Tranquil mornings offer the sight of leopards emerging from cave dwellings, while evenings glow with pink and amber desert light.

Days 17–20 - Gir: Last Home of the Asiatic Lion

Arrive in Gir, the final refuge of the Asiatic Lion — a species that once ranged from India to Europe and now survives only here. Safari through teak forests and open scrublands where these majestic cats roam freely, offering rare and unforgettable encounters. Your journey concludes with a flight back to Delhi.

Trip Narrative

India shelters 15 of the world’s 39 cat species, and this signature itinerary offers the rare privilege of encountering four of its most iconic big cats in a single journey. The expedition begins in Delhi before flying into the rugged Himalayan heights of Ladakh, where expert trackers guide you through remote valleys in search of the ethereal Snow Leopard. From the mountains, the journey descends to Ranthambhore — one of the world’s finest landscapes to photograph Bengal Tigers among ancient fortifications and shimmering lakes.

The route continues overland to Jawai, a realm of sculpted granite where Leopards thrive in harmony with the pastoral Rabari community, offering uniquely intimate wildlife encounters found nowhere else in India. The expedition concludes in Gir, the last refuge of the Asiatic Lion — a species of ancient lineage, once mentioned in the Bible, that recovered from the brink of extinction to a population of over 800 cats today, now confined to this single pocket of western India.

Throughout the journey, seamless logistics, carefully chosen lodges, and optional private jet transfers allow you to maximize time in each habitat. Travelers may extend the adventure to include the Taj Mahal in Agra, Jaipur’s royal palaces, or the timeless spiritual energy of Varanasi, creating a complete exploration of India’s wildlife, culture, and history.

Solo & Group Safaris, and Culture Trails

Experience India’s Wonders with Us, From Australia to Wild Stories of India.

RAP Safaris curated a bespoke three week itinerary for me that included 17 safaris across five national parks, as well as visits to key attractions in Delhi, the Taj Mahal in Agra and Jaipur. Rakesh and his team organised everything for me including all ground transportation, accommodation and most importantly, my park permits and gypsies/drivers/guides. I had wonderful first visit to India and will definitely work with RAP Safaris when organising my next visit.

What I appreciated most about RAP Safaris was their conservation-first approach. The workshop wasn’t just about taking pictures; it was about understanding the ecosystem, respecting wildlife, and documenting nature responsibly. I well remember seeing an elephant with its calf, and Rakesh’s concern as one from our group was getting overwhelmed and expressing it in words. For photographers or nature lovers travelling from Australia to India, a safari tour with RAPS is an unforgettable way to experience one of Asia’s most remarkable wildlife landscapes. I found it incredible and I recommend it.

I had a good experience with Rakesh. His guidance during the safaris and photography sessions was exceptional. To witness those big cats in Jawaharlal Nehru National Park was a wow experience - a majestic tiger emerged silently from the forest and walk across the track just meters away was a moment I will never forget. Tadoba was equally exciting, with several tiger movements, I got good opportunities to photograph these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. My group size was small, the forest guides were knowledgeable, and RAP Safaris' overall organization was smooth and professional. I had an overall good experience.

I had a good experience with Rakesh. His guidance during the safaris and photography sessions was exceptional. I have carried those memories with me ever since. it was about understanding the ecosystem, respecting wildlife, and documenting nature responsibly. I felt incredibly blessed to sight a Tigre a breathtaking moment that I enjoyed without having to compromise on luxury. The place we stayed was also beautiful. It had that proper safari feel comfortable beds, great setup, and just the right vibe to relax and enjoy the experience. Thank you RAPSafaris for a flawless wildlife tour in India. I highly recommend this experience to Australian wildlife lovers, especially those who enjoy expertly guided tours. He really made sure everything was smooth and that we had the best time.

"I've always loved India's rich culture, but I was truly amazed by its incredible conservation success! The Asiatic lion population is back up to over 800. My wildlife tour made unforgettable memories—the luxurious, eco-friendly lodging and amazing home-style food were "wow." Our guide, Rakesh, was a natural storyteller, making the lions' journey from near extinction feel incredibly real. As an Australian of Indian origin, he totally understood how to connect me back to my roots." Would highly recommend RAPS safari for wildlife exposure

While nature fascinates me, I have always had a personal rule: I do not like to step outside of my luxury and comfort zone. Today, I am sharing a fantastic memory from my recent trip to Pench Wildlife Safari. I felt incredibly blessed to sight a tigress and her cubs together—a breathtaking moment that I enjoyed without having to compromise on luxury. Every detail, from the surface transfers to the quality of the food, was handled seamlessly by the team. This allowed me to simply focus on the meaningful, adventurous safaris while maintaining my primary requirement for comfort. For anyone who wants to experience the wild without giving up the finer things in life, I highly recommend Rakesh-ji’s wildlife safaris.