SAFARI

■

[ OVERVIEW ]

Ride on a motor vehicle, an animal or a hand-crafted boat: for the safari traveler, a trove of lost treasures, hidden beauties, unknown facts, surprise encounters and a drink at the end of it.

Contact Us

BIRD WATCHING SAFARI

Indian regions are rich in bird life with over 1200 species found here due to the diverse habitats and climate. Bird watching is a way of not only learning about birds, but a channel for study of the natural world. The immense variety of bird life in this region and the large size and colorful plumage of many species, makes it an exciting prospect. Requiring no special equipment except for binoculars, and a keen eye, bird watching makes for an exciting and learning holiday

It moved silently but surely, through quiet, banks, trees and bushes, hoping to be inconspicuous. At the edge of the forest clearing, or near a fruiting tree, sat the most delightful Hornbill. Dressed in subdued colors, walking slowly, the bird watchers captured some amazing sights.
The Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary near Agra boasts of being one of the finest heronries in the world with rich aquatic plant and animal life in the freshwater shallow marsh along with its resident and migratory birds. It is nominated by the United Nations as a World Heritage site.
IBEX uses trained ornithologists to guide you in spotting brilliant and unusual species in North India in the Himalayas, Rajasthan, and in the lakes and reservoirs in Karnataka in South India or even Orissa on the East coast of India.
Birding tours are tailor-made upon request and both geographical locations and time can be fitted to individual requirements. Naturally, nearby cities and cultural sights are woven in.
Salim Ali’s books have a wealth of knowledge of areas and species and work as a wonderful guide. ‘Indian Hill Birds’, by Salim Ali, `Birds of India’ by Martin Woodcock and `Birds of India’ by Bikram Grewal are worth consulting and using as pocket guides.
We are Members of the most respected ornithology club of India – Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

■

Inquiry Request

CAMEL SAFARI

■

A camel safari across the tawny sands of the Great Indian Thar Desert is a rare and rewarding experience. It takes travelers on Old Caravan routes, unfolding along the way the marvels of glorious Rajputana showing amazing frescoes, intricate paintings and fine Hindu architecture of forts and palaces.

You meet cameleers dressed in traditional desert garb, their camels mounted with tasseled saddles and hand-woven blankets. The gently undulating landscape is starkly beautiful, broken only by the simple villages of nomadic and pastoral tribes. You cover about 10 miles per day (you may ride, walk or even sit on a camel cart), camping each night under clear desert
skies. The atmosphere recreated is of the ancient caravan journeys with music, dance and food. The itineraries for riding the Thar on a camel can be woven around the colorful desert festivals.
Ibex Expeditions provides camels and all transport by bus/jeep accompanied by guides, cooks and kitchen and camp equipment. The cameleers also accompany you, occasionally strumming their locally made musical instruments.
Camel safaris can be done from the desert towns of Mandawa, Jodhpur, or the yellow sandstone town of Jaisalmer. The best time of the year for this adventure is in winter from November to March. During the safari, you stay in camps or in old Maharaja forts and havelis.

Inquiry Request

WILDLIFE SAFARI

■

Ibex gives you the ultimate wild life experience in India’s rich and diverse forests, national parks and sanctuaries. What sets Ibex apart is the hands on knowledge of the parks and accommodation, be it the charming hunting lodge, or the deluxe eco friendly resort or the luxurious safari camps. Days are spent with accompanying experienced naturalists on early morning and late afternoon game park rides on open jeeps, elephant back, forest walks, bamboo rafts and occasionally, a boat, sharing anecdotes and revealing insights of the natural biodiversity of India’s forests.

On many game parks, Ibex links in with NGOs like the Ranthambhore Foundation and the Corbett Foundation to support their cause of assisting local inhabitants with an alternative source of income by purchasing their handicrafts, paintings, and offering donations, thus eliminating a cause for poaching and instead to be the protectors of wild life in the true principles of wildlife eco tourism.

Ibex carefully selects the accommodation, the itinerary, the game park visits, to give you a memorable sighting from within India’s 1200 species of birds and 350 mammals within 59 National Parks and 372 sanctuaries. Lodges have their own significant character and one can choose from an array – The Hideaway in Corbett, Spice Village in Periyar, Sher Bagh, Khem Vilas, Dev Vilas at Ranthambhore, Chattrasagar in Nimaj, Singinawa in Kanha or the luxury camps of Aman I Khas or Vanya Vilas at Ranthambhore, and the & Beyond (Taj Safari) lodges such as Mahua Kothi in Bandhavgarh, Banjaar Tola in Kanha, Baghvan in Pench and Pashan Garh in Panna.
In Search of the elusive & endangered Snow Leopard
In the cold winter months of Ladakh, we provide you the unique and rare experience of finding the elusive and endangered Snow Leopard. Ladakh is a land like no other. With its team of Snow Leopard naturalist we will take you into one of the best Snow Leopard habitats in the hustling valley of the Hemis high altitude National Park. The park that extends 600 sq. km. Is named after the famous monastery, Hemis Gompa. It includes catchments of Markha, Sumdah and Rumbak and parts of the Zanskar Range. Hemis has in fact been identified as a snow leopard reserve under a project launched by the Central Government aimed at conserving the species, its pray base and its fragile mountainous home.
To The Heart of India
This unusual trip takes you to the heart of India – The central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. You visit one of India’s finest national parks – Satpura. Here game drives in jeeps or boats enthrall you as you view India’s rich natural legacy up-close. The park is the only one of its kind in Central India where you can traverse pristine tiger country on foot which we call “Satpura under the canvas”. Here you spend two days hiking through the forest while staying in an exclusive trekking campsite. You also visit Bhimbetka rock caves – a UNESCO world heritage site.
You swap the wilderness for the countryside via a night in the capital city of the state – Bhopal.
Next You visit Maheshwar which is steeped in and home to one of India’s finest handloom fabric traditions. Your base is the charming Ahilya fort, on the banks of the river Narmada. Here you glimpse untouched rural India where time has stopped still.

Inquiry Request

JEEP SAFARI

■

An overland journey carries the essence of a high adventure, over spectacular road journeys through remote and previously forbidden areas of the Himalaya. Some are old Caravan routes along beautiful valleys.

A range of interesting journeys by jeep/car/bus can be undertaken in the Indian subcontinent. The popular ones are from Delhi to Manali and on to Leh travelling jeep-safari style. There are other exciting routes via the relatively unknown regions of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh.

The IBEX back up team of cooks and staff with complete camp and kitchen gear follow, providing safety as well.

Biking in the Indian Himalaya can be an activity-based holiday combined with the opportunity of absorbing the natural spectacular views at a leisurely pace.
Your journey through interesting mountain villages and as you cycle through landscapes, you can witness mountain folk and their lifestyles, and feel the music of the mountains waft through.
With over 5000 kms of metaled and unmetalled mountain road ranging in altitude from 400 to 5000 meters, a vast number of biking opportunities exist. From short day trips in the foothills to extended tours over the highest road passes in the world there are tours to suit any biker.
For the mountain biker, the ultimate journey in India is on the Manali-Leh Highway.
Ibex can provide Indian mountain bikes or if you are serious amateurs or professionals, you can bring your own from overseas. The tour has an Ibex vehicle following with staff, camp, safety and repair equipment. Cycling nights are spent in camps punctuated with hotel nights.
Mountain Biking possibilities
14 days – Manali to Leh over 3 passes: Delhi – Manali – over Rohtang Pas – Keylong – Baralachala – Lachungla, Pang, Rumtse – Thiksey – Leh – New Delhi
21 days – Delhi to Kathmandu: Delhi – Kosi – Agra – Allahabad – Varanasi – Gorakhpur – Pokhara – Kathmandu
21 days – Kulu Spiti Kinnaur traverse – Delhi – Manali – Rohtang – Batal – Kaza – Tabo – Pooh – Kalpa – Sarahan – Simla – Nalagarh – Delhi.

Inquiry Request

HORSE RIDING & CAMEL SAFARI

■

Horse Ride – Riding High

Riding through tiny villages, open spans of sand and the colorful ethnic, rustic scenery of Rajasthan allowing an additional taste of history too. And, along the way, one can hear the faraway melodies of the typical folk music and witness their tribal dances and folklore that bring out the rich legacy and culture of the land.

The rich fertile belt at the foot of the Aravalli hills in the state of Rajasthan comprises several villages that were once ruled by the Rathore chieftains. The area is flanked at one end by the green hills and on the other has the higher peaks of Kumbhalgarh atop which is one of the great bastions, the Fort Kumbhalgarh.
On horseback, we travel through these wonderful foothills, now a wildlife sanctuary dotted with lakes, temples, and monuments, including the famous marble Jain temples of Ranakpur.
The horses are thoroughbreds from the stables of Mewar and are dresses in rich saddlery. Travelers on a horse safari would stay at heritage forts, castles and palaces and all meals are provided for. The journeys range from 4 to 7 days.