Delhi & Kolkata Wildlife Tour - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi, Explore

Welcome to Delhi, the capital of India! Upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, you'll be met by a representative and transferred to your accommodation. If you're feeling energetic, you could visit Dilli Haat, an outdoor craft market bazaar selling handmade souvenirs from all 29 of India's states. The bazaar is also home to various food stalls selling tasty regional cuisine.

Think of Delhi as two distinct cities: Old Delhi, founded in the 17th century, and New Delhi, established in the early 20th century by the British. Old Delhi offers an exotic vibe with bustling streets and historical monuments spanning several kingdoms and empires, and sprawling New Delhi offers international hotels, wide tree-lined avenues, and foreign embassies. You'll get a taste of both during tomorrow's tour!

Day 2: Delhi City Tour

Your first stop is the walled city of Old Delhi, which is crowded, abuzz with activity, and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic and historic Red Fort. You'll see top sights like Jama Masjid, the largest 17th-century mosque in India, Chandni Chowk, a typical Indian market and memorable experience for the senses, and Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

Proceed to New Delhi, where you'll drive past the Presidential Palace, the Secretariat Buildings, India Gate, and other colonial buildings. Make sure to look for the early 20th-century work of Edwin Lutyens, a British architect featured prominently in the colonial districts.

Finish the tour with a visit to the famous Qutub Minar, a minaret that forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mehrauli area of Delhi. The 239-foot (73-m) tower contains a spiral staircase of 379 steps. You'll also see Humayun's Tomb, a marvelous example of Persian-inspired Mughal architecture.

Day 3: Fly to Guwahati, Transfer to Kaziranga National Park

This morning, you'll transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Guwahati, the capital of the northeast Indian state of Assam. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the protected area of Kaziranga National Park, your home base for the next four nights.

Spread across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, this UNESCO-listed park offers excellent opportunities to spot the iconic Indian Horned Rhinoceros (more than 75 percent of the world's population resides within its boundaries). Other wildlife is also plentiful in the park's forests, wetlands, and grasslands, like water buffalo, elephants, tigers, swamp deer, barking deer, hog deer, river dolphins, and over 400 species of birds.

Day 4: Rhinoceros Safari

You'll kick off your first full day in the park with two different game drives: one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Both opportunities will allow you to search for a large variety of wild animals and birdlife across the park's expansive 421-square-mile (1,090 sq km) area. 

The park is known not only for its animals but also for its wildlife conservation initiatives. Thanks to these efforts, the park has successfully managed to grow the population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros (an endangered species) to more than 2,200. Be on the lookout during today's game drives!

Day 5: Elephant Safari, Nature Walk & Bird Safari

Early this morning, you'll take a two-hour elephant safari in the central range of the park. In addition to rhinoceros, the park also boasts elephants, tigers, wild water buffaloes, and swamp deer—some of which you'll see today.

After lunch, you'll head out on another game drive into the park, but this time in search of birds. The park has been identified as an important bird area by the Birdlife International Society and is home to various species of migratory and domestic birds.

Day 6: Free Day in Kaziranga National Park

Today is your last day in the park and an opportunity for some self-guided exploration. Consider visiting the Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, an isolated area of protected forest and one of the few sanctuaries left for gibbons, a small and slender tree-dwelling ape with long powerful arms and loud hooting calls native to the forests of South Asia. Alternatively, join a tea tasting or plantation tour at the Addabarie Tea Estate, home to a region famous for black tea varieties. For something more active, explore and hike around the Kakochang Falls and stop to have a picnic.

Alternatively, you can opt to join an additional safari (or safaris) in the park to spot more birds and wildlife.

Day 7: Drive to Guwahati, Fly to Kolkata

This morning, you'll return to Guwahati Airport to board your flight to the city of Kolkata. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, Kolkata is the principal commercial, cultural, and educational center of East India. As a religiously and ethnically diverse center of culture in Bengal and India, Kolkata has established local traditions in drama, art, film, theatre, and literature. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel, and then feel free to rest or explore the area around your accommodation.

Day 8: Boat to Sundarbans National Park

Today, you'll transfer by car to a boat jetty, where you'll board a vessel headed to the Sundarbans National Park. The Sundarbans is a natural region in the Bengal region comprising Bangladesh and East India and is the world's largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest. The national park area has impressive statuses as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Tiger Reserve (specifically, the Bengal tiger), and a Biosphere Reserve. 

Day 9: Tiger Safari by Boat

Today is an entire day dedicated to looking for Bengal tigers. You and your guide will take a boat ride through green mangroves on the calm waters of the park in search of the Bengal tigers, which only live in India (hence the nickname Indian tiger). Over many centuries they have become an essential part of Indian tradition and lore.

Day 10: Return to Kolkata, City Tour

This morning, it's time to depart Sundarbans and return to Kolkata for a city tour. With a local guide, you'll visit the royal and grandiose Victoria Memorial. Dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria, the museum houses several rare and unique antiques and is the most iconic building in Kolkata.

In the afternoon, you'll visit the divine Kali Temple situated on the bank of the Ganges (Hooghly) River. Dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Kali, this ancient temple is Kolkata's holiest spot for Hindus. You can wander through the floral- and peacock-motif tiles that look more Victorian than Indian while pilgrims make their way into the main hall to toss hibiscus flowers at a crowned, three-eyed Kali image with a gold-plated tongue.

Following the tour, enjoy some free time to explore on your own. Consider sampling the city's international dining scene, which spans the culinary gamut from local fish curry to Cantonese, Thai, and Moroccan fare.

Day 11: Fly to Delhi, Depart

It's time to say goodbye to India. You'll be picked up and transferred to Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport for your flight back to Delhi and connected to your international flight. Safe travels!

More Great India Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to India? Check out these other India itineraries, explore different ways to spend 11 days in India, or discover the best time to visit India.