Trail of the Himalayan Firefox

Trail of the Himalayan Firefox - 11 Days

Set out on a remarkable journey through two of Northeast India’s most captivating wildlife regions, where cloud-draped Himalayan forests and lush floodplains reveal an extraordinary array of rare species. Begin along the Singalila Ridge, a landscape of rhododendron forests, dramatic ridgelines, and panoramic views of four of the world’s five tallest peaks, including Mt. Everest. Continue to Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its thriving population of Indian One-horned Rhinos, Elephants, and diverse birdlife. This well-curated adventure is complemented by a special visit to the Gibbon Sanctuary, home to India’s only apes — the agile Hoolock Gibbons. With expert naturalists, seamless logistics, and direct contributions to Red Panda conservation, this journey combines Himalayan wonder, iconic wildlife, and immersive natural beauty in one unforgettable experience.

Highlights

  • Explore two contrasting landscapes on one seamless safari — the high Himalayan forests of Singalila and the UNESCO-listed floodplains of Kaziranga
  • Opportunities to see and photograph Red Pandas and Indian One-horned Rhinos in their natural habitats
  • Marvel at magnificent views of four out of five of the world’s tallest peaks, including Mt. Everest, from the Singalila Ridge
  • Witness vibrant Himalayan birds and blooming Rhododendrons across the high-altitude forest trails
  • Visit the Gibbon Sanctuary for close encounters with India’s only apes, the Hoolock Gibbons
  • All-inclusive 12-day itinerary with seamless transfers and expert guides throughout
  • Directly contribute to the conservation of Red Pandas by participating in this tour

Itinerary

Arrive in India's vibrant capital and settle in before your journey into the Eastern Himalayas. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore Delhi's bustling markets or relax at your hotel.

Fly to Bagdogra and overnight in Siliguri, the gateway to the Himalayan foothills. Prepare for your ascent to the high-altitude forests of Singalila the following morning.

Travel up to the Singalila Ridge, famed for breathtaking views of the world's highest peaks and widely regarded as the best place on earth to see the elusive Red Panda. Spend your days trekking, scanning forest canopies, watching for colorful Himalayan birds, and exploring rhododendron-lined trails with your expert trackers.

Fly to Guwahati and continue to Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Indian One-horned Rhino population. Enjoy morning and afternoon jeep safaris through grasslands, wetlands, and woodland patches while seeking Elephants, Wild Buffalo, big cats, and diverse birdlife. A dedicated day visit to the Gibbon Sanctuary offers close encounters with Hoolock Gibbons — India's only apes — as they move gracefully through the treetops.

Return to Guwahati for your flight to Delhi, where your journey concludes. You may opt to extend your tour to India's tiger reserves for an enhanced wildlife experience.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Delhi

Arrive in India's vibrant capital and settle in before your journey into the Eastern Himalayas. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore Delhi's bustling markets or relax at your hotel.

Day 2 - Bagdogra

Fly to Bagdogra and overnight in Siliguri, the gateway to the Himalayan foothills. Prepare for your ascent to the high-altitude forests of Singalila the following morning.

Days 3–6 - Singalila

Travel up to the Singalila Ridge, famed for breathtaking views of the world's highest peaks and widely regarded as the best place on earth to see the elusive Red Panda. Spend your days trekking, scanning forest canopies, watching for colorful Himalayan birds, and exploring rhododendron-lined trails with your expert trackers.

Days 7–10 - Guwahati & Kaziranga

Fly to Guwahati and continue to Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Indian One-horned Rhino population. Enjoy morning and afternoon jeep safaris through grasslands, wetlands, and woodland patches while seeking Elephants, Wild Buffalo, big cats, and diverse birdlife. A dedicated day visit to the Gibbon Sanctuary offers close encounters with Hoolock Gibbons — India's only apes — as they move gracefully through the treetops.

Day 11 - Departure to Delhi

Return to Guwahati for your flight to Delhi, where your journey concludes. You may opt to extend your tour to India's tiger reserves for an enhanced wildlife experience.

Trip Narrative

Your adventure unfolds with a gentle transition from Delhi into the Himalayan foothills, where the air cools and the landscapes shift into deep forests and high ridgelines. Singalila welcomes you with swirling mists, bursts of rhododendron color, and sweeping views of four of the world’s five tallest peaks — a setting perfectly suited for patient days tracking the elusive Red Panda. Its rust-and-white form, glimpsed among mossy branches and rhododendron canopy, is one of the most quietly thrilling sightings in all of India.

After days of unhurried Himalayan immersion, the journey shifts dramatically as you descend into Assam’s lush floodplains. Kaziranga’s rich grasslands and wetlands teem with Indian One-horned Rhinos, Elephants, Wild Buffalo, and an abundance of birdlife, offering a vivid and energetic counterpoint to the quiet forests of Singalila. A visit to the Gibbon Sanctuary adds another rare dimension, as India’s only apes — the Hoolock Gibbons — swing effortlessly through the canopy in one of the subcontinent’s most intimate wildlife encounters.

This seamless combination of contrasting ecosystems, extraordinary species, and meaningful conservation work forms a journey that is both soulful and unforgettable. By joining this expedition, you contribute directly to the ongoing conservation of Red Pandas — ensuring that future travelers may one day follow the same trails through the mist.

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.