I feel the Tiger aspect of Indian safaris is overdone and too much emphasis is laid on Ranthambhore/Bandhavgarh/Kanha/Corbett. My personal experience with Sundarbans amd Kaziranga was MUCH better. Kaziranga also has the Indian Rhino.

Rocco
If you haven't done that "golden triangle" of Northern Indian sights I'd definitely recommend it! There are some truly superb sights to see and you certainly won't forget the experience! And some absolutely gorgeous accommodations too!
But I am surprised you're not aiming to slip in a single wildlife experience into the mix!
We were only in BA for a single night following our three week Antarctica trip and we were so exhausted (lots of late nights and early mornings to maximise that experience) that we couldn't do BA justice. But it struck me as a wonderful destination and one I'd definitely like to get back to.

Emphasis is placed on those parks because they are more easily accessible for many visitors, have better tourist infrastructures in terms of travel and accommodation and, in the case of places like Bandhavgarh, almost guarantee good tiger sightings!
I visited Kaziranga last month and whilst I really enjoyed the rhino viewing experiences there were many aspects of the visit that were frustrating, not least the journey there and some aspects of the accommodation.
That said, I was so thrilled to see the Asian one horned rhino in proximity that it was well worth it for me.
Sunderbans is on my list since a documentary I saw last year but will have to wait for another trip!

All I can say about Sunderbans is that its immensly frustating going in with the state run 'tour operators' (essentially a bunch of work shy commies). The Sunderbans however is simply stunning.

Rocco,

I suggest sticking to your India plans!!! Long over-due, and you MUST visit me down here in South India. Far different from the north. More laid back and culturally diverse. MUST DO KERALA!!! Delhi? is really over-rated.

Amolkarnik,

No i have not visited the CCA camps as yet. They only have their Bandhavgarh lodge open. The rest of the camps open gradually over the course of next yr. I hope to chk it out sometime next year.

You folks have never been to our Southern Indian Parks? It is not regimented like Ranthambore.....i have not been to Kanha or Bandhavgarh, but, Kabini/nagarahole/Bandipur range are FANTASTIC locations. You maynot see a Tiger. I have only ONCE, but, i get away from all the tourist trap areas. My friends know people in the forests dept and so, i get to areas of the parks where visits can be made with permits (research teams, photographers etc etc.,)

Kavey,

Bandhavgarh is awfully hard to get to!!! I can be at Kwando in quicker time from my home in Coimbatore, Tamil nadu.

With India....you either love it or Hate it....that's part of travels to ANYWHERE....you adjust to what you got. Today, with a rapid development in infrastructure, communication etc etc., India is real easy to handle.

Rocco, Delhi in my opinion is a could miss.....rest of Rajasthan is fantastic....Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur (this would be more in your style)

Hari

Rocco - I'll back Hari on that. S India is way more interesting and cultured than N India (I come from W India so you could call that an unbaised opinion). Kerala is absolutely stunning at the right time of the year.

Hari - If you can get us sorted for one of those parks in S India, I'm on my way. I have some contacts for Dandeli (near Goa).

Amol,

Anytime.....i am going on a camping trek(end Jan/early Feb)to a place called Sathyamangalam with some elephant researchers, while they are doing the ele census at the ele migration corridor. I dont know if i can handle it.....but, will keep you posted of how it goes.

Hari

Amol,

Where do you live? Bombay?

Hari

Oh, before the MODERATORS get edgy and pull the thread....just want to let everyone know...i am not a TA. No harm in me putting in a favorable word for SOUTH INDIA....

Hari

Hari

I'm in London but from Bombay. If this thread gets pulled, please email me. ID's on the name tag.

I;ve heard of Sathyamangalam. Used to be dense tiger country right?

Sathy...no...the odd tigers maybe. It's on the periphery of vast farmlands and coconut groves. Leopards and sloth bears, perhaps. Doubt if it is tiger country.....lots of elephants, gaur and other grazing animals for sure....

Last year, we drove there to see a trapped leopard that was killing livestock and the parks dept were taking him to be released elsewhere.

Hari

Rocco,

You dont have to fly into just Delhi (unless you want to visit there). Chk options for Mumbai, chennai or Bangalore. These days, there are many buy 1 get 1 free business class fares from many airlines flights from/to chennai or bangalore. Delta, i think flies directly from JFK to Mumbai (but, i wouldn't think anyone would like to fly them for such a LONG flight)

Hari

If one is willing to entertain a long train journey Bandhavgarh is very easy to get to since there is a DIRECT train from Delhi to Umaria which is only 40 minutes drive from most accommodations by the park. Whilst the journey is quite long it is much easier than the normal flights (with inherent time wasted for security, checking in etc.) and the following 3-5 hours drive afterwards!

Exactly!!! Like i said....takes forever!!!

We have gotten a bit far afield haven't we?

Well, let me put in another plug for India. You HAVE to go, Rocco.

It was also a first for us last year when I wanted to visit my daughter who was working with the tea farmers in Darjeeling in the foothills of the Himalayas.

As for Delhi and getting around: We were lucky to stumble onto a small Indian travel agency which supplied car and driver/tour guides for much of the trip, including the Delhi/Agra Jaipur loop. And, while I wouldn't spend too much time in Delhi, it really was worth a full day. Jaipur and Agra were also great. And, thank goodness for our car and driver. Do not even think about doing it on your own.

I had always thought, "big deal" about the Taj Majal. Just an over-hyped tourist trap. But, oh my, no. I now think it is an absolute must for anyone who loves beauty and to travel The most stunning man made structure on which I have ever laid my eyes. Made all the better because we toured it first thing after it opened, Ruth, our guide, and me, rather than in a big group.

We flew Cathay Pacific from SFO by way of Hong Kong where we laid over for 2 nights--great airline and great fun. Even had a custom suit made for me. As for long intra-India travel, my daughter recommended Air Deccan instead of Air India. It's a new, low fare airline with brand new airplanes, much cheaper, and I am told, much better than Air India. Worked out great. As for game viewing, just went to a small park, Jaldapara and rode elephants. Very enjoyable, but not nearly the game concentrations as Africa.

Yes, we found India to be chaotic and bureaucratic. Some might be put off. Not us. What an amazing, diverse country! We have only barely scratched the surface (Hari has us intrigued about the south) and I will definitely return. Oh, and the shopping. Some of the most exquisite jewelry, inlaid marble, fabrics and rugs much cheaper for better quality than you will find in the US (something else I thought I'd never do. Buy Indian rugs but, my, they are so beautiful).

I have some pretty neat pictures of the trip, and when we went, I did not know about the Fodor forum. So, I shall try to post a few over on the India site. However, not before I keep my promise to finish "Zambia--what an amazing journey!" and our time in South Luangwa National Park.

JIm

Jim,

Yep...i must put in a good word about KERALA!!! go there next time.....beautiful country, relaxed and charming. I'm sure you've seen all the commercials promoting tourism on tv. "God's own country" etc etc.,

Cochin is obviously the major city there........a great place to stay is "Malabar House" or Brunton boatyard (Spelling?). Do a google search, you may find it. Awesome seafood.....shopping-wise, they have a great antique market at Fort Cochin, which is a must-do during any visit there....

Hari

P.S: Air India only flies international (dont bother with them- they stink!!! Govt airline. Friendly staff i think, but they have a reputation of never being on time)

Domestic scheduled airlines: Jet Airways, Kingfisher airlines, Indian airlines besides a whole bunch of new budget carriers like Air Deccan and Go-Air. Jet airways, also currently flies to London and the Far East. They are fantastic!!! Kingfisher is moulded more like a Virgin atlantic- style....i havent tried them yet.

Hari