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About us
India Nature is a specialised travel company with a simple aim - to offer exceptional birding, wildlife watching, and natural history tours that provide an insightful exploration of India's natural heritage while contributing in a tangible way to the preservation of wild areas and their inhabitants.
§ In contrast to many tour operators around today India Nature is a small company, and we aim to remain so in order that we may continue to promise a degree of personal involvement in the planning and operating of our tours that is hard to match. From the moment you first contact us you will be corresponding with someone who understands your needs and enquiries, and is capable of advising you accordingly. When you book a tour with us you will receive comprehensive tour information, checklists, and logistical support customized to you. Read our FAQ’s below to find out more about how we work.
§ India Nature is built around our own passion for the natural world. Without exception each and every one of our tours is thoroughly researched and meticulously planned using our first-hand experience and knowledge of travel, services, and wildlife watching opportunities in the Indian wilds, our own ongoing inputs from the field continually refining our itineraries. As a result these are smoothly executed, creating tours that are both productive and memorable. In addition to presenting exceptional wildlife experiences our tours take equal account of comfort, hygiene, food, and logistics, with accommodation wherever possible in lodges and camps that follow an eco-friendly approach, and that highlight the natural character inherent in their location without compromising your comfort. Visit our reports & testimonials page to read some comments from past tour participants.
§ Based in a country that is home to over a billion people, one sixth of the entire human population, on only 2.2% of the earth’s total landmass, we are constantly reminded of the overwhelming pressures of maintaining natural habitats and species diversity in this circumstance. At India Nature we believe that wildlife travel should be ecologically sensitive and can be a great tool for conservation, which is why we operate with a responsibility towards the long-term future of India’s natural heritage, and dedicate some of our proceeds to the conservation of biodiversity and habitats. Visit our eco-responsible travel page for more details of our environmental commitments and for ways in which you can help.
FAQ’s
Who can participate in your tours?
Our small group tours are suitable for both experts and beginners. Since your tour leader will be on hand to assist your enthusiasm for the natural world is more important than your knowledge, although a small amount of study in preparation of your tour will certainly enhance your own enjoyment. Any wildlife watching by necessity involves early morning starts to ensure we see as many species as possible however we always try to set aside some time to relax providing this does not conflict with the itinerary of the tour.
Most of our tours do not have specific health requirements and unless indicated in individual tour itineraries there is no need to worry about your fitness as long as you are reasonably healthy and take simple precautions befitting of a visit to rural India. No long treks are involved in any tour, and although we will be birding mostly on foot any walks will be of maximum half-day duration and at a relaxed birding pace, often with our vehicle(s) following the group. Due to the potential dangers of mammals at some localities much of our birding in these places will by necessity be from open jeeps or canter.
If you opt for an anytime or tailored itinerary then, depending on your own preferences based on your own knowledge, travel experience, and expectations, you may choose to be escorted by a local guide, or to travel alone, while the pace with which you follow your outline itinerary is entirely up to you.
What is the focus of your small group tours?
Our small group birding tours are primarily focused on birds, in particular on the endemics and specialities of the tour region, creating a good balance between a good number of sightings and good views of all species. Although these itineraries are specifically designed for birding they often provide us with the opportunity to view a host of other forms of wildlife and we will always make time as far as possible to incorporate these without compromising our main pursuit. Similarly our butterfly and mammal tours have a primary focus which is supplemented by additional aspects of natural history and you should choose your tour according to your principal interest.
What are the minimum and maximum group sizes of your small group tours?
Our tours are designed to be as non-intrusive as possible and to this end group sizes are kept small; a by-product of which is that participation is simply more enjoyable. All tours operate with a maximum of 10 participants, excluding leaders, however where the last vacant place on a tour is booked by a couple we reserve the right to include both of them in the tour group. The minimum group size at the stated tour price is 6 participants, and the operation of any tour at this price is dependant on reaching this number. We will operate a tour with a group size of 4 providing every participant agrees to pay an additional small group surcharge (10% of the per person cost) covering the costs that running a tour for such a small group entails.
Can you incorporate additional interests into a tour?
We can to some extent incorporate additional interests into our small group tours providing that they do not interfere with the progression of the tour itinerary. If you would like to dedicate more time to your other interests you may like to consider an anytime itinerary or a tailored itinerary formulated accordingly – as a small company we have the inherent flexibility to accommodate individual interests, photography, research projects, and film-making.
What about photography?
We encourage photography as a tool to raise awareness of India’s biodiversity, and its associated critical conservation issues, on a global scale. There is excellent scope for photography on most of our small group birding tours and although these are not dedicated photography tours we can usually allow some time for this, providing it does not interfere with the progression of the itinerary. If you choose an anytime or tailored itinerary then of course you can incorporate additional time dedicated to photography into the itinerary, and once on tour you have the flexibility to follow the daily outline at a pace that suits you and allows adequate time for the photographic opportunities you discover.
Do you guarantee bird and/or wildlife sightings?
No. All wildlife sightings should be treated as a privilege and not a right in recognition of the inherent wildness of India’s wilderness areas. We do not race around with the sole intention of providing you with a vast list of the species you have seen but little recollection of them once you return home. This does not mean that we do not make every effort to locate the species we are expecting to see, in particular regional specialities, and inform all of our tour participants of the likelihood of sightings of all potential species based on previous records and our long experience to encourage realistic expectations of the tour and its outcomes.
When is the best time to visit?
This depends to some extent on the tour region and is indicated in individual tour itineraries, however in general the best time for a bird or wildlife focused visit to India is between October and May during the dry season. Many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are closed for the duration of the monsoon (July to September), and more remote regions may become difficult to access at this time. All small group tours are scheduled at the most favorable time of year in terms of species movement, ease of sightings, and climatic conditions.
Are any special travel permissions necessary for a visit to India?
Yes. Almost all foreign nationals require a visa to enter India, which you must obtain from your nearest Indian embassy in advance of the tour. Some regions require an additional permit, which we will usually secure on your behalf. All tour participants are supplied with information regarding this matter in advance of the tour, to help with the visa application process and inform of any additional requirements for the regional permit.
What standard of accommodation/transport do you use?
All hotels, wildlife and birding lodges and camps we use have been chosen for their service, location, comfort, and character. As far as possible they are small, privately and locally owned and operated, and have some degree of environmental awareness built into their operations. Meals are usually served as a buffet, and special dietary requirements can be easily accommodated given prior intimation. All ground transport is in modern and comfortable jeeps or minibuses as group size or local conditions dictate, with 4WD and/or air-conditioning where appropriate. More tour-specific information is given in individual tour dossiers and/or pre-tour information.
What do your small group tour prices include?
Our small group tours are inclusive of:
Accommodation as per the itinerary (based on 2 people sharing a room)
All transport as per the itinerary, including domestic flights and airport transfers
All meals
Bottled drinking water
Wildlife safaris and all birding activities as per the itinerary
Sanctuary and monument entry fees
The cost of any additional permit applicable to the tour region
Accompaniment throughout the tour by a professional tour leader
Comprehensive pre-departure information and species checklist
A contribution to help offset the carbon emissions created throughout the chosen tour
In other words almost all of the expenses you will incur throughout the tour, with the exception of:
International airfare and applicable departure taxes
Passport and Indian visa fees
Drinks other than water, snacks
Sanctuary and monument camera fees, where applicable
Laundry, telephone bills, tips, and any other expenses of a personal nature
Charges incurred while making the payment – bank transfer / cheque processing fees
We do not penalize the single traveler - our single supplements are quoted at cost price.
Our tour prices are calculated in Indian Rupees and we will charge the equivalent rate in your local currency at the time of booking using the prevailing exchange rate. Any tour prices given in other currencies are to serve only as a more convenient indication of the tour fee.
What arrangements are included in the cost of a tailored itinerary?
The cost of tailored itineraries can be formulated to include as much or as little as you like, while some components, such as accommodation, can be adapted to suit your individual budget. We will not usually include the cost of daily expenses such as meals, unless included in accommodation tariffs, as this bestows a greater degree of flexibility than is possible as part of a larger group.
Can you accommodate families with children?
We are especially delighted to accommodate families with children of any age in an anytime or tailored itinerary, and will formulate your itinerary with your children in mind. We are also open to including children in our small group tours providing parents consider that the itinerary is not overtly tiring and that their participation would not compromise the itinerary or the cohesion of the tour group as a whole.
How do I book and pay for a tour, and how far in advance should I book?
It is preferable to book your place(s) on a tour or finalize your tailored itinerary as far in advance as possible so that all arrangements can be confirmed - for some tours this is imperative as a result of the time required for the application process of the required permits. We can usually accommodate late bookings providing it is possible to make all required arrangements in good time.
If you wish to book a place on a small group tour we advise that you first enquire with us regarding the status of your chosen tour, since we will not ask for any deposit until operation of the tour is confirmed, i.e. the minimum number of tour participants has been reached. Once it is certain that your tour will run, we will email you a booking form for completion and return, and your deposit amount will be payable at this time.
For an anytime or tailored itinerary we prefer to discuss your tour with you before you book to ensure that your holiday meets all of your expectations - as you will be traveling alone or as a group of family or friends you have every opportunity to customize your tour as you wish. It is for this reason that you will not find any booking or payment form on this website – just email us with your ideas. Once your itinerary is finalized we will email you a booking form for completion and return, and your deposit amount will be payable at this time.
Both deposit and balance payments can be made by bank transfer, for which we provide full instructions, or by cheque or cash. Balance payments must be made 10 weeks before the tour.
Visit our booking page for further details.
What information will I receive in advance of the tour?
All tour participants, whether taking part in a small group tour, anytime itinerary, or tailored itinerary, will receive comprehensive pre-departure information in advance of the tour. This will outline the tour itinerary with further detailed information on the tour region, the sites to be visited, climatic conditions, and accommodation, and will provide complete information on important points such as visa requirements, health considerations, travel insurance, what to bring on the tour, and our suggestions for reference guides. Participants will also be provided with a blank daily checklist applicable to the tour region to record their sightings. These are usually sent by email, but can be sent by post on request.
Who leads your tours?
Our tour leaders are professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and competent, and are above all birders and wildlife enthusiasts themselves who spend most of their time in the field and whose enthusiasm for and awareness of the natural world means that you will not miss the smaller treasures of the Indian wilds while focusing on the major attractions. Our small group tours are accompanied by a tour leader who may be joined for part or all of the tour by a local guide, in recognition of the importance of local knowledge and continued reconnaissance to follow wildlife movement within a particular area.
Why choose India Nature over other tour operators?
We focus exclusively on birdwatching and wildlife travel with a limited ecological footprint throughout India and selected parts of the wider subcontinent. By focusing on our own area of interest, in our own region, we have an unquestionable advantage, our detailed knowledge allowing us to create finely-tuned itineraries that progress to meticulously organised tours thanks to our considerable experience.
Being a small company allows us a degree of personal involvement in the planning and operating of our tours that is hard to match. Our own enthusiasm for the natural world means that we understand your needs and enquiries, while our experience makes us capable of advising you accordingly. We are available 24 hours a day to answer all of your enquiries in advance of and during your tour. Sometimes we may be out in the field preventing us from answering emails or calls, but we will always get back to you as soon as possible.
Every one of our tours - small group, anytime, and tailored - has been thoroughly researched and follows an itinerary that enhances the opportunity to see as much of the avifauna and/or wildlife of the tour region as possible in the time available. We plan our tours personally and meticulously, and although it is impossible for anyone to entirely pre-empt all logistical hiccups that may be encountered along the way we will do our best to iron out any difficulties, preferably before they arise. Our tour leaders and local guides will give you a unique insight into India and her wildlife, and furthermore will be able to explain things that may otherwise go unnoticed – no one can know a country and its birds so well, or lead a tour so smoothly, as someone who lives in that country and has a personal interest in the tour focus.
What will a foreign operator give me that India Nature won’t?
Depending on the operator you may receive your international flights within the tour cost, and a tour leader of your nationality who will accompany the group from the time you depart your home country (although this is not always the case). Our tours include land-only arrangements, and although we are not able to book international flights on your behalf, we will advise you on the most convenient international flights. Our tour leader will meet you upon arrival in India and accompany you/the group until your departure.
Is there anything that you don’t do?
We do not over-price our tours – part of our belief that a holiday that does not ‘cost the earth’ should also not burn a hole in your pocket. The fact that we are a small company contributes to the affordability of the prices we pass on to you. We do not produce huge amounts of printed literature or full-colour brochures or advertise regularly to promote ourselves, costs of which we would otherwise need to recover by raising our tour prices. We are sure that you will find our tours competitively priced, however this does not mean a compromise in the quality of your experience and in return for your support we offer the highest standards of service, guiding, and expertise, and exceptional wildlife encounters as you gain an insight into the world you are helping us to help preserve.
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