The journey
Five icons. Four wildernesses. One India.
India nurtures diverse wildernesses that in turn nurture vast worlds of wildlife species. This Journey takes you across contrasting habitats – from the lush floodplains of the Northeast to the ancient forests and dry plains of the West, offering you a glimpse into some of India’s most compelling wildlife in one sweeping expedition.
Explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can seek India’s Big Five, and explore the potential to encounter rarities such as the almost mythic golden tiger, returning each evening to handpicked lodges and wilderness retreats, chosen for your privacy and unwinding.
Thoughtfully customisable by our experts, this Journey combines exceptional wildlife encounters with seamless travel, cultural depth and the option of private aviation aboard our company-owned business jets, whenever you desire.
What defines this journey
A route designed for depth, not haste.
Travel through four distinct wilderness regions — following the trails of India’s Big Five — through some of India’s most exquisite national parks, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site shaped by centuries of natural evolution. Explore the potential to encounter rarities such as the almost mythic golden tiger, which is an added, exceptional dimension to Kaziranga, while more than 400 bird species bring each landscape vividly to life. Fully curated and all-inclusive, with optional private jet travel and cultural extensions available, this Journey is defined by privileged access, unhurried days and an effortless level of comfort.
- In focus
- One-horned rhino · Asian elephant · Bengal tiger · Asiatic lion · Indian leopard
Private brief
Everything is considered before anything is confirmed.
- Ideal for
- Private travellers, families and small groups seeking a wildlife-led route shaped around their interests, pace and comfort.
- Transfers
- Private transfers and air routing are planned around the final itinerary, with appropriate buffers for terrain, permits and seasonal conditions.
- Lodges and comfort
- Handpicked wilderness lodges and characterful stays selected for privacy, access, naturalist quality, good food and restorative time between field sessions.
- Wildlife expectation
- Sightings are never guaranteed. The route is designed to increase meaningful time in the right habitat, with honest guidance before departure.
- Photography
- Vehicle position, guide pairing, light, lens needs and patient field behaviour are considered before the itinerary is confirmed.
- Journey style
- Customisable private journey
- Pace
- Unhurried, with the final rhythm shaped around field conditions and guest comfort.
The worlds within
Each landscape changes the story.
Travel through four distinct wilderness regions as you follow the trails of India’s Big Five across celebrated national parks, including a UNESCO World Heritage Site shaped by centuries of natural evolution. Rare but much sought-after animals such as the golden tiger lend this Journey its singular allure, while more than 400 rich bird species animate each landscape.
Day by day
Day 1Delhi
Arrive in India’s dynamic capital, where ancient Mughal grandeur mingles with today’s modern life. Settle into your hotel and ease into the journey ahead, or spend the day exploring Delhi’s manifold heritage, vibrant markets and celebrated culinary scene at your own pace.
Day 2Fly to Guwahati · Drive to Kaziranga
This morning, take a domestic flight to Guwahati, followed by a private road transfer to Kaziranga. Settle into your lodge and, time permitting, venture out on your first afternoon safari.
Days 3-4Safaris in Kaziranga
Enter the verdant wilderness of Assam and explore Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of India’s great strongholds for the magnificent one-horned rhino. Dawn- and dusk-safaris unfold across vast floodplains, where elephants, water buffalo and deer move through tall grasslands alive with birdlife. At times, the elephant grass can part and open up something magically rare: the golden tiger, a striking colour morph that has captivated wildlife enthusiasts in recent years. The massivity of the Brahmaputra frames this immense wilderness, lending stunning scale, atmosphere and constantly changing light to the experience.
Day 5Last Safari · Drive to Guwahati · Fly to Jaipur
Begin with one final safari in Kaziranga before your private transfer back to Guwahati. Board an evening flight to Jaipur, where you will settle in for a comfortable overnight stay before continuing the journey south-west.
Day 6Transfer to Ranthambhore
After a leisurely breakfast, check out and drive to Ranthambhore, a journey of approximately three hours. Arrive at your lodge, settle into your surroundings and enjoy lunch before heading out for your first safari in this remarkable landscape.
Days 7-10Ranthambhore National Park
Ranthambhore brings together wilderness, human history and the unmistakable atmosphere of Rajasthan enveloping its wilderness. Safaris take you through dry forest, lakes and open country, with ancient temples and the imposing thousand-year-old fort providing a dramatic backdrop to encounters with royal Bengal tigers. Leopards, sloth bears, jackals and an exceptional diversity of birdlife add depth to the experience. Days here are deliberately unhurried, balancing time in the field with the attentive hospitality, privacy and comfort of your lodge.
Day 11Transfer to Gir
Depart Ranthambhore early and drive to Delhi Airport for your flight to Rajkot. On arrival, continue by private road transfer to Gir and check into your lodge, marking the beginning of the final wildlife chapter of the journey.
Days 12-14Safaris in Gir National Park
The final chapter is planned in the dry forests of western Gujarat – the only place on Earth where Asiatic lions continue to roam in the wild. Encountering them here is more than a remarkable wildlife experience; it offers an intimate perspective on a species whose story is one of extraordinary survival and conservation. Alongside the lions, Gir is home to leopards, hyenas and diverse herbivores moving through teak and acacia woodland. These final safaris complete a journey through four very different wildernesses, bringing together India’s great cats in a way few journeys can.
Day 15Travel to Mumbai · Departure
After breakfast, travel to Mumbai for your onward journey, bringing this extraordinary passage through India’s great wildlife landscapes to a close.
Inclusions
- All accommodations and meals as per the itinerary
- Safari and wildlife activities listed above
- Domestic flights between locations
- Comfortable road transfers
Exclusions
- International flights
- Indian visa
- Excess baggage on domestic flights
- Tips, gratuities
- Laundry
- Alcohol, soft drinks
- Any extra nights before or after the trip or during the trip
- 5% GST on the total cost of the tour
- Anything else not mentioned under inclusions
Gallery
Private journey questions
Before we refine the route
Is this a fixed itinerary?
No. This is something akin to a blueprint. Dates, pacing, lodge character, transfers and field priorities are refined around you and your preferences before confirmation.
Can the journey be shortened?
Yes. The full route is designed as an immersive experience, but individual sections can be adapted depending on your priorities.
Can we add India’s cultural landmarks?
Absolutely! Any city/town in and around the regions/states part of this itinerary can be incorporated before, after or between the wildlife chapters.
Are the Big Five wildlife sightings guaranteed?
No. And we would never suggest otherwise. Wildlife is wild. Our job is to put you in the right landscape, at the right time, with the right people – and give the experience enough time to happen to you.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. Because the journey is private, its pace can be adapted to different ages, interests and energy levels.
Journey information reviewed September 2026.