Clive s Introduction. A Celebration of Indian Wildlife & Bhutanese Culture. 16 th 26 th March Clive B Thomas, Organiser & Host

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1 A Celebration of Indian Wildlife & Bhutanese Culture 16 th 26 th March 2016 A fabulous opportunity to enjoy Delhi from a rickshaw (!) a few days in the foothills of the Himalayas - following tiger trails and amazing birds - at the beautiful Corbett National Park, followed by a truly amazing and spiritual visit to the rarely visited mountain kingdom of Bhutan Clive s Introduction We once again find ourselves in that heady state of excitement as we contemplate what promises to be another spectacular safari. The sights and sounds of India, marveling at the rich mix of emotions that the subcontinent arouses. The colours and the history, the people and the wildlife, the tigers and temples, and the best luxury hotels at each stop. Then on to Bhutan, this enigmatic and unspoilt, exotic and timeless, this mountain kingdom is one of the most extraordinary places on Earth, both geographically and culturally, and during our time you will experience and enjoy spectacular Himalayan scenery, a colourful festival, historic monasteries clinging to mountainsides and a population who are less concerned about GDP and more bothered about Gross Domestic Happiness! The people of Bhutan are warm, charming and will gladly welcome us as we discover their deeply Buddhist and traditional way of life. To begin with we ll be recovering from our flights in a beautiful Oberoi hotel in Delhi, then enjoying the sights sounds and smells of Old Delhi (mainly of spices and open air cooking) from the back of our rickshaw. Having enjoyed the unique experience of an Indian railway journey, in First Class of course, the BBC s Giles Clark will be sharing his knowledge and passion for big cats. We ll be searching for tigers in Corbett National Park at the foothills of The Himalayas, whilst dining well and having time to relax and enjoy some winter heat! We shall then fly on in Business Class to marvel at Bhutan a country fixed in time, with our cameras in hand always looking for the unusual. Or perhaps you aren t keen on photography and like to avoid the distractions of f stops and shutter speeds, preferring to be in the moment preserving your memories in your mind. India or Bhutan individually offers the photographer and storyteller in all of us an infinite number of possibilities. The combination of the two in our unique Celebration of Wildlife & Culture adventure should ensure that this is truly one of your magical trips of a lifetime. After all my years of travelling, I still have a sense of wonder and excitement about these places, and I hope to be sharing it with you in March Clive B Thomas, Organiser & Host

2 Wildlife Host Giles Clark The tiger is for me the most awe inspiring, magnificent creature that has ever walked the planet, so says our host for this unique trip, the BBC s Giles Clark, who has devoted the last 20 years to working with the tiger, one of nature s ultimate icons. As a 16 year-old he volunteered at our friend Peter Sampson s Wildlife Park and got his first close-up encounter with a fully grown Bengal tiger, Bruno. That was it, I was hooked, and it ultimately led to what I do now, which is a dream come true". Until now, Giles main role has been to run the Big Cat department at Queensland Zoo, Australia, where he looks after 9 of the world s most endangered big cats, including Sumatran tigers. Giles and his team of 8 handlers have a unique approach to animal husbandry; they have a hands-on relationship with their tigers which has been built up over many years. Getting up close and personal to one of nature's greatest predators isn t about thrill-seeking. Giles believes this close contact improves the tigers quality of life, and they enrich the cats' lives through daily walks and play. Giles lives with his family near the zoo, so he can be on hand if his cats need him. I think he was born with stripes" jokes his wife of ten years Kerri. "Living with the 'Tigerman' is a bit different." This was never more true than when the family welcomed newborn Sumatran cubs Spot and Stripe to live with them in their house for their first four months. Their lives (and home) were turned upside down! The BBC filmed the experience for a 3 part series Tigers about the House, and follow up Tigers about the House, What Happened Next? Giles proved to be both knowledgeable and an extremely engaging presenter, and having lived for two years in India working with tigers, he was well qualified for the role. So now the BBC has signed him up for a new Natural History series to be aired on BBC 1 next year, but not before he has shared his passion for tigers with us next March in one of the best places on Earth to see them in the wild. Will you join us??

3 Corbett National Park Established by the then legendry hunter and conservationist Sir Edward James Corbett, the Corbett National Park was finally declared a sanctuary in 1936 for tigers and other fauna. Spread over an area of sq km, the park s topography of hills, grasslands, rich flora and fauna, the Park is home to many species of birds, reptiles, mammals and plants - but its king is the Royal Bengal Tiger, and we have chosen Corbett for our third tiger safari as this is considered currently to be one of the best, yet least visited places in the world to see wild tigers close up. But Corbett is not just for big cat enthusiasts! It is also an ideal place for adventure and nature lovers, with Mahseer fishing, jeep safaris, bird watching, and elephant rides all being included in our unique package. The story of the park s founder is a fascinating one "Jim" Corbett (25 July April 1955) was a legendary British hunter and tracker, turned conservationist, author and naturalist, who was famous in his time for hunting a large number of man-eating tigers and leopards in India. Corbett held the rank of colonel in the British Indian Army and was frequently called upon by the government of the United Provinces to kill man-eating tigers and leopards that were preying on the inhabitants of nearby villages in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. His hunting successes earned him longstanding respect and fame in Kumaon some even claim the locals considered him a sadhu (holy man). Corbett was an avid photographer and after his retirement he wrote Man-Eaters of Kumaon, Jungle Lore, and other books recounting his hunts and experiences, which enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success. Later in life, Corbett spoke out for the need to protect India's wildlife from extermination and played a key role in creating a national reserve for the endangered Bengal tiger by using his influence to persuade the provincial government to establish it. In 1957 the national park was renamed Jim Corbett National Park in his honour.

4 He bought his first camera in the late 1920s and, inspired by his friend Frederick Champion, started to record tigers on cine film. Although he had an intimate knowledge of the jungle, it was a demanding task to obtain good pictures, as the animals were exceedingly shy. Corbett became deeply concerned about the tigers' habitat and fate; he didn't kill a tiger without confirmation of its killing people and took to lecturing groups of schoolchildren about their natural heritage and the need to conserve forests and their wildlife. He promoted the foundation of the Association for the Preservation of Game in the United Provinces and the All-India Conference for the Preservation of Wildlife. Corbett was a humanist and deeply empathized with the poor, innocent locals living in and around the Corbett village or Kaladhoongi in the United Province (now Uttrakhand). As a railway contractor he employed scores of Indians at Mokameh Ghat. While dedicating his book My India to "...my friends, the poor of India", he writes "It is of these people, who are admittedly poor, and who are often described as 'India s starving millions', among whom I have lived and whom I love, that I shall endeavor to tell in the pages of this book, which I humbly dedicate to my friends, the poor of India." Jim Corbett resided in the Gurney House along with his sister Maggie Corbett. They sold the house to Mrs. Kalavati Varma, before leaving for Kenya in November The house has been transformed into a museum and is known as the Jim Corbett Museum, which we shall visit. After 1947, Corbett and his sister Maggie retired to Nyeri, where he continued to write and sound the alarm about declining numbers of wild cats and other wildlife. Corbett was in the Masai Mara at Tree Tops, a lodge built on the branches of a giant ficus tree, when Princess Elizabeth stayed there on 5 6 February 1952, at the time of the death of her father, King George VI. Corbett wrote in the hotel's visitors' register: For the first time in the history of the world, a young girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess, and after having what she described as her most thrilling experience, she climbed down from the tree the next day a Queen God bless her. Corbett died of a heart attack a few days after he finished his sixth book, Tree Tops, and was buried at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Nyeri. His memories were kept intact in the form of the meeting place Moti House, which Corbett had built for his friend Moti Singh, and the Corbett Wall, a long wall (approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km)) built around the village to protect crops from wild animals.

5 Bhutan Enigmatic and unspoilt, exotic and timeless, this Buddhist mountain kingdom is extraordinary both geographically and culturally and it offers a unique and extremely rewarding experience to visitors from the West like us. The country is a truly amazing place with spectacular Himalayan scenery, colourful festivals, historic monasteries and a population who are more concerned with Gross Domestic Happiness than Gross Domestic Product! The people of Bhutan are warm, charming and will gladly welcome us as we discover their deeply Buddhist and traditional way of life. Long sheltered from foreign influences, Bhutan has a mystical beauty and wonderful unspoilt landscapes. It s unique way of life and timeless traditions are remarkably untouched by the influences of the 21st century. Sacred mountains soar above rural villages and fortified monasteries cling to cliff tops in this extraordinary country. Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, is at an altitude of 2,350m and lies in a beautiful wooded valley surrounded by mountains, on the bank of the Thimphu Chhu River. The only world capital without traffic lights, despite recent development, Thimphu retains its charming, medieval feel thanks to its brightly painted and elaborately decorated facades. One of the most beautiful regions in Bhutan, the Paro Valley area was once an important part of the trade routes into Tibet. Here we shall explore one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, Kyichu Lhakhang, dating back to the 7th century. The country s rich and unique cultural heritage has largely remained intact because of its isolation from the rest of the world until the early 1960s. Bhutanese tradition is deeply steeped in its Buddhist heritage. Because of its largely unspoiled natural environment and cultural heritage, Bhutan has been referred to as The Last Shangrila. Bhutanese architecture remains distinctively traditional, employing rammed earth and wattle and daub construction methods, stone masonry, and intricate woodwork around windows and roofs. Traditional architecture uses no nails or iron bars in construction. Characteristic of the region is a type of castle fortress known as the

6 dzong. Since ancient times, the dzongs have served as the religious and secular administration centres for their respective districts. Masked dances and dance dramas are common traditional features at festivals, usually accompanied by traditional music. Energetic dancers, wearing colourful wooden or composition face masks and stylized costumes, depict heroes, demons, animals, gods, and caricatures of common people. The dancers enjoy royal patronage, and preserve ancient folk and religious customs, perpetuating the ancient lore and art of mask-making. The music of Bhutan can generally be divided into traditional and modern varieties; traditional music comprises religious and folk genres, the latter including zhungdra and boedra. The modern rigsar is played on a mix of traditional instruments and electronic keyboards, and dates back to the early 1990s; it shows the influence of Indian popular music, a hybrid form of traditional and Western popular influences. During our journey through Bhutan through villages, deep valleys, and high mountain passes, we shall see and touch all these things and will be creating for ourselves an experience whose memories will linger on for many years to come.

7 The Itinerary Day 1 On arrival at Delhi airport you will be met by our representative and driven to one of the most comfortable hotels in the city the luxurious five star Oberoi Gurgaon where you will greeted with a traditional welcome of garlands and Aarti, will enjoy dinner if you are in time, and will spend your first night in India in great comfort. Day 2 The adventure begins when our hosts join in with a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets and spice stalls of Old Delhi and a short sightseeing tour of the most famous sites. Lunch will be enjoyed at a renowned restaurant in New Delhi before a little more sightseeing prior to returning to the hotel. Dinner this evening will away from the hotel at a Mediterranean themed restaurant which is set within a pebbled courtyard, having an openair wood fire oven which adds to its rustic appeal. Humayan's Tomb Olive Bar & Restaurant

8 Day 3 An early check out of the hotel before transferring by coach to the station to board the Shatabdi train to Kathgodam. We have executive class reservations on the air-conditioned part of the train so you can sit back in comfort and enjoy the changing scenery as our journey progresses. On arrival in Kathgodam we will be driven to Corbett where our home for the next five nights will be the best accommodation in the Park - Jim s Jungle Retreat - an eco-conscious wildlife speciality lodge located on the southern periphery of India s showcase wildlife park Corbett Tiger Reserve. Nestled between the Himalayan foothills in the north and the ancient Shivaliks in the south, Corbett Tiger Reserve extends over 1300 square kilometers of scrub, grassland, sal forests, rivers and a lake, varying between meters above sea level. Through the year, the riverbed and the surrounding forests host herds of grazing deer, rootdigging wild boar, noisy jackals and most importantly tiger and leopard. During their seasonal migration, elephant herds trumpet their arrival and are sighted often on jungle walks. The dining area, inspired architecturally by a Gujjar thatch and mud hall, is open to the forested surroundings and offers a unique mix of cuisines from the days of the Raj and local Kumaoni delicacies. An Indian barbeque by a bonfire, start of safari chai by the forest, snacks served by the pool are part of the gastronomical experience on offer tonight.

9 Days 4-7 During your stay at Jim s Jungle Retreat you will go on two game drives each day one in the early morning and the other after lunch as the air starts to cool in mid afternoon. There will be talks given by our guest wildlife and tiger experts, and by Giles each day, either before the afternoon game drive or over pre dinner drinks in the evening. The drives are early morning and mid afternoon giving you time to relax by the pool or in other shady places in the heat of the day. The menus offer choices each day, the themes of the evening dinners vary and there is enough to satisfy the appetite of a lion! The landscape at Corbett varies as much as the food. There are different routes around the park, each with something special to offer, and you will experience them all. There are currently 14 cubs in the park at varying stages of development, so there will be a good chance of seeing young tigers in small family groups during our visit. Everyone wants to see cubs, so from a very young age tigers are used to vehicles coming close! They don t run away and hide the Mums are used to vehicles being part of their environment, and Mum s ok with us being close, then so are the cubs.

10 Optional activities while we are at Corbett v Elephant rides up to 4 people can ride one elephant. This can be booked either in the morning or afternoon. v Rather than do the game drive in the afternoon, you could visit a nearby river camp for some fishing. This will include Brunch and high tea at the river camp. v Walk the Jungle with a trained naturalist you will experience the sights, sounds and smells of the surrounding forests. The walk is of 1½ to 2hrs duration and covers 3 10 Kms It can be arranged after the morning safari. v Guests can go for a cycling tour through the buffer zone where you will enjoy bird watching and other Jungle experiences all in the company of a trained Naturalist. The ride takes 1 to 3 hrs and covers approx Kms v Excursion to Nainital to visit Jim Corbett s Summer house. This house is known as Gurney House. It is located approximately 80 Kms (2 ½ Hrs drive) from Corbett National Park. It is a private property now and owned by a family who visits this house occasionally. Corbett lovers are allowed to make informal visits of the property between 9 am to 5 pm. It has some old furniture and crockery etc. used during his stay. v Excursion to Kaladhungi to visit the Corbett Museum. This winter house was converted into the Heritage museum long ago. It is located at Kaladhungi which is approximately 50 Kms (1-1 ½ Hrs drive) from Corbett National Park and displays belongings such as paintings, gun, cap, fishing net etc. A visit to the museum with a local Naturalist, combined with lunch, is a pleasant alternative to a morning drive. v Sitabani Forest Reserve is an hour s drive from the hotel. There is a small ancient temple which is under Archaeological survey of India and offers a good sighting of wildlife. Also famous for bird watching it can be incorporated with a visit to Corbett museum.

11 Day 7 After an early morning game drive and buffet lunch at the hotel, we pack up and take our leave of the retreat before returning to Kathgodam station for the return trip on the Shatabdi train to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi we will be driven to the Oberoi Gurgaon for a delicious dinner and an overnight stay. Day 8 Breakfast at the hotel is followed by transfer to the airport for the 2hr flight to Paro. On arrival in Paro we will be driven through the city to see the decorations and beauty of the city during the PARO TSHECHU or as we would say The Paro Festival. Tsehchu means an annual religious Bhutanese festival and is held every spring. This is one of the most colourful and significant events in Paro Dzongkhag (district). The Tsehchu is considered a major attraction and people travel from neighboring districts to participate in the festivity. Early in the morning on the last day of the celebration the monks display a gigantic thangkha (embroidered painting), the Guru Throngdel, inside the dzong. Thongdrols are especially impressive examples of Buddhist art and never fail to amaze viewers. They are considered so sacred that simply seeing a Thongdrol is said to cleanse the viewer of sin. Well, I see that as a great result I couldn t possibly comment about you!! We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to Thimphu to visit the colourful Flag Ceremony at Tashichho Dzong. Our overnight accommodation is at the amazing Taj Tashi. Set in the heart of the Thimphu Valley, the Taj Tashi, is a gateway to a land steeped in mythology and magic. The mountain kingdom of Bhutan remains one of the old world s last few strongholds, as yet unspoilt by civilization. In the charmed isolation of the Himalayan heights, Bhutan s ancient and alluring ways of Mahayana Buddhism continue richly intact to this day, and permeate every aspect of Bhutanese life and art.

12 Taj Tashi Day 9 Breakfast at the hotel and check out. We then drive to the Dochu-la pass where you will see the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If the skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass: Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. Prior to lunch there will be a chance to visit the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi. The Park was established in 2004 in order to preserve the rich natural biodiversity within the Sinchula- Dochula-Helela zone under Thimphu and Punakha district. The park serves as a biological corridor connecting the Jigme Dorji National Park and the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park. After lunch near Chorten we will move on to Paro. Our overnight stay tonight is at another wonderful hotel, the Uma Paro, an intimate resort featuring the most exclusive private villas in Bhutan and enjoying an enviable location in the Paro Valley.

13 Day 10 After breakfast at the hotel there will be an opportunity to hike to the Monastery Taksang. Perched on a cliff-top, Bhutan's Taktsang monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest, is one of the most breathtaking temples in the world. This Buddhist place of worship is built on a rock around 3,000m (10,000ft) above sea level. The views are, as you would imagine, spectacular! The main temple complex was built in 1692 and is considered to be one of the holiest for the Bhutanese people. Clive has done this walk, albeit at a slow pace, so it should be within most people s capability! We will break our downhill hike with a stop for lunch before proceeding back to the hotel. Dinner is at the hotel. Day 11 Breakfast at the hotel and check out. We will then be driven to the airport for the flight to Delhi and your onward international flight back home. We shall have a couple of day rooms at the Oberoi in Delhi on that last day which can be shared and used for baggage storage, showering and quiet space if you need it for phone calls. In summary All will be done to the very highest standards as you have come to expect from our Celebration of Wildlife events. You will be escorted at all times and we are there to ensure that if something isn t right for you, then we put it right without delay. Meticulous pre planning, a planning trip and a focus on the details, combined with booking the best guides, the best accommodation; finding the most delicious food and the most comfortable transport, means that you will be enjoying another trip of a lifetime with Prestige.

14 Your Celebration of Indian Wildlife & Bhutanese Culture package is priced at 7,348 per person and includes: For INDIA: Hosting from the BBC s Giles Clark, and organiser Clive Thomas. Support and local knowledge from English speaking guides, and the office of our local agent in each destination. Accommodation on a double/twin sharing basis at the hotels as mentioned above or similar. Full board dining as per itinerary featuring special last night Gala dinner. (includes breakfast from day 02 till dinner on day 07). All transportation using 01 large air conditioned Volvo coach for all the sightseeing, visits and excursions as per the itinerary. Entrance fee to the monuments. Rail travel on air-conditioned Executive chair car for the sector - Delhi / Kathgodam / Delhi. 07 Safaris by jeep in Corbett National Park. Jungle activities nature walk and cycling in the buffer zone, visit to local village. Talks and picture presentations from our hosts Mineral water & wet tissue in the vehicles at all times. Government taxes. Extensive pre departure information, tips and advice on both destination. For BHUTAN: Hosting from the BBC s Giles Clark, and organiser Clive Thomas. Support and local knowledge from English speaking guides, and the office of our local agent in each destination. Air travel Delhi/Parp/Delhi (Business Class). Accommodation on double sharing basis at the hotels as mentioned above or similar. Full board dining as per itinerary featuring special last night Gala dinner (including lunch from day 08 till breakfast on day 11). All transportation using air conditioned 01 deluxe mini coach or 2 small deluxe SUVs for all the sightseeing, visits and excursions as per the itinerary. Talks from our host and local personalities. Entrance fee to the monuments. Mineral water & wet tissue in the vehicles at all times. Government taxes. OUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: International flights to Delhi. Your Visas for India & Bhutan. Single room supplement. Tipping for coach driver & accompanying guide, porters, waiting staff etc. We suggest $30 (about 19) to cover all, which we can collect and distribute for you. Any optional services or supplements. Expenses of personal nature like drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc. Insurance cover. Any increase in costs beyond our control such as fuel and airfare increase, additional government taxes etc. To reserve you places, and be one of the first 5 bookers to receive a car from your home to the airport, on us: ring Clive or Sue on or e mail sue@prestige-promotions.co.uk.