A dark grey coloured primordial beast dots the vast landscape lavishly spread in front of us. The great swamps which the Brahmaputra leaves behind in the wake of its annual spate now teem with an i..
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A dark grey coloured primordial beast dots the vast landscape lavishly spread in front of us. The great swamps which the Brahmaputra leaves behind in the wake of its annual spate now teem with an incredible density of animals, small, large and gigantic! For us, this is a place which the giants of the flood plains romance, for this unique landscape houses the Big 3 - Elephant, Indian Rhino and the wild Water Buffalo! A few days in this most epochal of habitats is sure to leave you mesmerized.

What to expect?

Kaziranga's perennial swamps are an intense affair. Being a thriving ecosystem in themselves, most of Kaziranga's many animals live and die in these dark and wet marshes. While you shall experience first-hand India's largest concentration of the Rhino and learn about their ways and demeanor, the gentle giants 'elephants' would make their presence felt in the vast landscape. The fierce-looking but generally docile Wild Water Buffalos abound the marshes in Kaziranga and seeing them wallow in the mud is an absorbing adventure.

This 4-day north-eastern sojourn in the endearing and intimate Kaziranga habitat is the perfect solution to all your stresses and worries for this faraway land nestled in the wake of the Brahmaputra should take you back in the age, where the world was kinder and the people were warmer. 

While we enjoy this grand artistry of nature in form of this glittering jewel of the north-east and while the giant of the flood plains enthralls us with their size and antics, the elusive Tiger would never be off our minds. A fresh paw mark impression, a hog deer alarm, a few alert swamp deer and we would be up on the tiger's trail..who knows?!

The fascinating bird life in Kaziranga includes the Pallas's Fish Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle, Osprey, Bengal Florican, Scarlet Minivet, Great Hornbill, Blue Throated Barbet and hundreds of others!

The pleasant company of the Hog Deer and the Swamp Deer that abound the great grasslands around the swamps should make the proverbial 'Paradise' come true!

High up in the Spitian Himalayas, away from all civilization and modern-world fancies, sits a pretty little village called Kibber. At an imposing 14,200 feet from the mean sea level, Kibber is prob..
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High up in the Spitian Himalayas, away from all civilization and modern-world fancies, sits a pretty little village called Kibber. At an imposing 14,200 feet from the mean sea level, Kibber is probably the highest perennially inhabited village in India. It is here, in the high and lofty mountains surrounding Kibber that a lot of wild snow leopards have made their home. Braving ice and snow, the high altitudes and the immense cold, we step out into the giant freezer to catch a glimpse of the world's most elusive, and inarguably, the most sought-after Big Cat. The snow leopard, at most places it lives, is almost a myth, seldom seen but always talked about. Akin to a spirit, the locals revere it, worship it, love it! But, in the mountains around Kibber, as the winter and the great snow makes an impact, the snow leopards descend to lower altitudes and are seen quite frequently. Here in Kibber, it is no longer a myth, but instead a fascinating animal which, when tracked efficiently, is seen and photographed much to our delight! 

While staying at deluxe homestays which are heated, we hike every single day of our stay here in search of the snow leopard. Using the locally available information, making use of radio communication to keep in touch with other spotters and employing our knowledge of the snow leopards' behavior to good use, we give it our all to spot this gorgeous creature! 

The snow-clad ranges and hostile slopes of the Himalayas have mesmerized man for centuries. Few have tried to conquer the heights, even fewer have succeeded and most of the areas of these enthralling mountains remain unexplored. Even more mystifying are the treasures of the living world that these mountains house. The strikingly beautiful Snow Leopard is one of the most mysterious cats in the world, seldom glimpsed in the wild. These endangered species are one of the rarest living cats, and are as beautiful as they are enigmatic. With their thick coats and furry tails and paws, these tough cliff-dwelling predators have withstood a struggle against the changing environment. We set off on a quest to find this elusive creature in its own world, a world few humans have dared to visit. On our quest, we hike through the Kibber valley, discovering the stark beauty of Spiti. The scarce sub-alpine vegetation also houses the Asiatic Ibex, the Lynx, the Tibetan wolf, and the Bharal that we hope to spot. With captivating locations and the possibility of spotting the almost mythical creature, the ‘ghost of the mountains’, the Snow Leopard Quest is an experience beyond words, BEYOND WILD!

The experience is as fulfilling as it is tough, but you shall go home a content person. Kibber will leave you enthralled! 

Important: Being a demanding expedition, both physically and mentally, basic physical fitness and a full body checkup before the expedition is essential. 

(Fun fact: We have sighted at least 1 snow leopard on all 21 of our previous Snow Leopard expeditions, making the success rate 100%!)

Massive salt marshes and dry, parched lands that stretch all the way to the horizon and beyond seem lifeless at first sight! Which animal would live here, in these vast and desolate plains, most pe..
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Massive salt marshes and dry, parched lands that stretch all the way to the horizon and beyond seem lifeless at first sight! Which animal would live here, in these vast and desolate plains, most people would think!

Well, the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK) does surprise the visitor with its incredible bird and animal life specially adapted to live in these bleak salt marshes in India's westernmost state of Gujarat! It is famous as the last refuge on the planet for the Indian Wild Ass, those beautiful and hardy specimens which light up the bare and barren landscape. Out local experts coupled with our naturalist on camp would scan for signs of these gorgeous animals, and ensure you make some stunning images! The hyena, Desert Fox and the elusive Indian Gray Wolf are some of the other mammals LRK is known for. But, LRK's is the most fascinating place when it comes to its rich fauna. A great number of eagles like the Imperial, Steppe, Owls like the Short Eared, other raptors which include the Peregrine Falcon and the Merlin are just some of the incredible birds found here! We shall track them in golden light and try and make beautiful images. The experience of staying in the Rann, with endless salt flats for a company and a starry, starry night above you shall stay with you for ages to come. Amitabh's famous Gujarat advertisements would come alive and you shall, indeed, breathe in a bit of magnificent Gujarat!

The bright red and yellow flowers of the Candy Corn plant dazzle in the first rays of the morning, the colours livening up the entire atmosphere. Nearby, on an Entada creeper adorned with pods many..
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The bright red and yellow flowers of the Candy Corn plant dazzle in the first rays of the morning, the colours livening up the entire atmosphere. Nearby, on an Entada creeper adorned with pods many feet long, plays a juvenile Malabar Flying Squirrel, its bushy tail helping it balance on the great heights where it enjoys its arboreal existence. A pair of beautiful Malabar Trogons flit through the bushes while a Brown Fish Owl's haunting calls echo across the never-ending woods of Dandeli. We sit next to a perennial stream, flowing from behind our camp, a stream that has been providing joy and life across the millennia. A hundred different birds sing in glory while the gentle waters of the stream flow ever so merrily! The raw and pristine beauty of Dandeli would have bewitched by you now and why not? It has bewitched and enthralled us for decades!

Dandeli is indeed a paradise for all nature lovers and birdwatching enthusiasts. This place holds one of the finest forests, which provides home to many endemic species of birds and mammals! Lush green meadows, verdant mountains full of lovely vegetation, the forest of Dandeli awaits you! Join us as our naturalists take you on a 4-day tour to this mesmerizing forest!

Going to Ladakh for the snow leopard expedition involves flying to Leh, acclimatizing for a couple of days and then driving the breathtakingly beautiful road to the Hemis National Park. The Hemis N..
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Going to Ladakh for the snow leopard expedition involves flying to Leh, acclimatizing for a couple of days and then driving the breathtakingly beautiful road to the Hemis National Park. The Hemis NP is this humongous smorgasbord of gargantuan peaks, deep valleys, vast ravines carved by millennia of glacial melt-off, sparkling streams and icy glaciers! It is an idyll, magnificent and immense. As we enter this fabled land, the scenes are dramatic. As we walk through the gorges carpeted by frozen rivers, through mighty mountains and into the heart of the snow Leopard's kingdom, we are in the real wild. 

One of the best places to see a wild snow leopard, the Hemis NP has a few local Ladakhi spotters who follow the trail of these most elusive of cats and track them. These locals are as good a climber that you would ever come across. They are India's answer to the Nepali Sherpa. Off they bound over steep ravines and jagged cliffs for that wishful better view in their eternal quest to find the Phantom of the mountains. And, over the last few years, we have developed a wonderful team comprising of these local spotters, trackers and trekkers!

We pitch camp in the heart of the mountains and undertake daily treks in search of the Snow Leopard! Along the hikes and daily excursions, a great variety of high altitude Himalayan fauna would keep us enthralled as the Bharal, Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf, Golden Eagle, Lammergeier are some of the 'star' attractions here! 

The snow leopards are difficult to find, for where they live is almost impossible to access and their camouflage is almost perfect! Yet, Nature always leaves behind signs! We make use of these, our past experience and great spotting scopes to find these big cats! On mountain ridges and in warm crannies is where we look, for that is where they are!

We might also visit Ulley, depending on the snow leopard's movements, for there is superb activity of a female with two cubs that side!

Over the course of these twelve days, we shall be experiencing extremely tough conditions, physically as well as mentally but in return complete one of the most fabled and cherished wildlife expeditions on the planet! This is an experience that will make you richer and happier, and a story that you can narrate to your starstruck grandchildren!

Valley of Flowers was hidden from the world until 1931. Legend has it that the local inhabitants of the Bhyundar valley avoided the Valley of Flowers, believing it to be the celestial playground of..
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Valley of Flowers was hidden from the world until 1931. Legend has it that the local inhabitants of the Bhyundar valley avoided the Valley of Flowers, believing it to be the celestial playground of the Gods, nymphs and fairies! Such is its astounding beauty that travelers have been known to lapse into fits of ecstasy! They claim to have attained ultimate peace of mind in this charming valley, for the setting is as dramatic as it can possibly be and the views are simply breathtaking! The Valley of Flowers National Park, when in full bloom would have made even Wordsworth settle here! Waves after waves of the most beautiful flowers adorn the Valley for a very brief period during late summer, after which it goes back to oblivion, only to be seen next summer!

When in flower, the Valley is not to be missed! And in that captivating, mist-covered valley bounded by the mighty Himalayan mountains on all sides, roam some of the most elusive creatures found in India. The Snow Leopard, the Himalayan Black Bear, Serow, the Himalayan Golden Eagle are all found in and around the valley! It could well get lucky for you! We also visit the enchanting and very revered Hemkund sahib and the sacred Badrinath shrine. Come with us on this authentic Himalayan camp of ours which is well and truly, Beyond Wild!

Over the last decade, under the guidance and brilliant leadership of Dr. Parag Mahajan, a leading naturalist/botanist and our founding director, we have led the way to professional and path-breaking tours to the Valley! Efficiently organized with a holistic approach on environment and ecology learning, these tours are indeed an eye-opener! We welcome you with open arms on our tours to the Valley of Flowers to revel in the epitome of experiential travel!

Bhutan is a land like no other. This tiny, landlocked country, nestled high up in the eastern Himalaya, is Nature's ultimate gift to us. Mighty mountains covered by magnificent Rhododendrons and Pi..
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Bhutan is a land like no other. This tiny, landlocked country, nestled high up in the eastern Himalaya, is Nature's ultimate gift to us. Mighty mountains covered by magnificent Rhododendrons and Pines, beautiful rivers and streams flowing merrily, calm and peace-loving people without a care in the world and finally, the magic of the brilliant Buddhist architecture and the greatest testimony to it, the imposing and intricately decorated Dzongs, is what Bhutan is all about.

The quaint roads leading to one beautiful place after another, the distant chanting of the monks reverberating through the rarified air at the monasteries and the awe-inspiring display of natural beauty are all enough reasons to transport you into another world. Bhutan is a wonder, a timeless masterpiece of beauty, charm and mysticism. 

On this fabled journey of ours, covering 8 days and the whole of Bhutan, we go off the beaten track and explore some of Bhutan's lesser-known monasteries, go on village walks through dense jungles of Rhododendron and get to know the culture and the people! We will, of course, visit the bustling Bhutanese capital, Thimphu, famous for its dainty buildings and the gigantic Tashichho Dzong and the small yet pretty region around Punakha. The Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's most spectacular building is next on our list. From there on, we will move into relatively unchartered territory and visit the beautiful valleys of central Bhutan. Pristine, surreal and heavenly, these places would seem like a fairy tale to you. Unwillingly, after a few short days, we will retrace our way back to Thimphu and then towards Paro. The world famous Tiger's Nest monastery, situated atop a gigantic cliff, is the stuff of local legend. Mythical and dreamy, this place is sure to make a place in your hearts forever. Across the Paro valley and up towards the eternally snow-clad mountains is a remote place called Haa, known for its astounding vistas and utter peace. Haa is an idyll, we will live it, cherish it, love it.

And then, after 8 fascinating days, we will fly back from Paro, which is an experience in itself. Sitting in the plane and marveling at the breathtaking panorama of the Himalaya all around, you will know that this is the ultimate Shangri-la. You will bid a teary-eyed farewell to that magical kingdom under the clouds, smiling gladly in the knowledge that you have experienced the 'Last Shangri-la'. 

The 'Land of the Thunder Dragon', the ageless miracle of Nature shaped by the artistry and spirituality of Man, would beckon you once again. For the time being, you will sit relaxed and content.

From the misty morning, rises a shape. Stretching languorously, he slowly descends from the tree. Dark as night, with piercing green eyes, he leaves you transfixed! The black panther, they call him..
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From the misty morning, rises a shape. Stretching languorously, he slowly descends from the tree. Dark as night, with piercing green eyes, he leaves you transfixed! The black panther, they call him. From the iconic forests of South India, comes a tale as old as time! Home to one of the most mysterious creatures on the planet, this forest will surely leave you enthralled.

A beautiful mix of moist and dry deciduous forests, along with patches of sub-montane woods, Kabini is one of the most verdant forests of India. Nestled in the foothills of the Western Ghats, it is home to nature’s finest. Having such a varied mix of vegetation, Kabini can be one of the most mystically enchanting places! Known for sights so beautiful, it is reputed for bringing out the inner poet in many a man. Being one of the only places in India to see the black panther in all its glory, Kabini also offers stunning photo opportunities of this beautiful feline. With us, get a chance to spot the famous black panther, leopard and the tiger, along with superb sightings of wild elephants and other mammals like the sloth bear, and wild dogs. The park is also known for numerous bird species and rich flora

Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India is a famous avifauna sanctuary that hosts thousands of birds, es..
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Keoladeo National Park or Keoladeo Ghana National Park formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India is a famous avifauna sanctuary that hosts thousands of birds, especially during the winter season. Over 230 species of birds are known to be residents here.

With the star attraction being the stately Sarus Crane, one of India’s most enchanting and hallowed bird, Bharatpur also boasts a myriad of other birds. In the winters, as the chill sets in, thousands of migratory birds flock the ancient wetlands of Bharatpur to create a display so magical that many a birdwatcher have bowed down in sheer respect! The glory of these birds, at dusk and dawn, when the slant rays of the sun creates beautiful shapes and ethereal hues, Bharatpur truly becomes a wonderland! With quaint old jungle paths crisscrossing across the massive wetlands, Bharatpur is probably the most iconic birding destination in India!

Beyond Wild has a fabulous team of local birding guides and our in-house naturalists who would take you on a fascinating tour through India’s birding heaven!

Known as the land of dragons, temples, art, cuisine and culture, Vietnam and Cambodia are two of the most unique countries in the world.

Ethnically rich, Vietnam still holds onto its old worl..
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Known as the land of dragons, temples, art, cuisine and culture, Vietnam and Cambodia are two of the most unique countries in the world.

Ethnically rich, Vietnam still holds onto its old world charm. We will be exploring the famous cities of Hanoi, Halong and Ho Chi Minh on this 9 day tour. Learn more about the glorious history and culture of Vietnam as we visit places like Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Museum of Ethnology. Vietnam also has some of the most astonishing natural sights in the world like thousands of limestone islets rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin and limestone caves having stalactites and stalagmites!

In Cambodia, we will be visiting the largest religious monument in the world - Angkor Wat. A World Heritage site, it stands glorious for many a millennia now. It is truly an enriching experience to visit this iconic site and learn more about Cambodia’s rich history! There's a magic about this charming yet confounding kingdom that casts a spell on visitors. In Cambodia, ancient and modern worlds collide to create an authentic adventure which you find nowhere else in the world!

The Western Ghats have always been a birder’s paradise. Nestled in these ghats, in God’s own country- Kerala, Thattekad and Munnar will surely leave you in awe!

Being Kerala’s first ever bird..
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The Western Ghats have always been a birder’s paradise. Nestled in these ghats, in God’s own country- Kerala, Thattekad and Munnar will surely leave you in awe!

Being Kerala’s first ever bird sanctuary, Thattekad was described by the legend, Dr. Salim Ali as the richest bird habitat on peninsular India. An evergreen low-land forest, it is situated between the branches of the Periyar river. Thattekad is home to numerous bird species like Jerdon’s nightjar, the large-billed leaf warbler, Ceylon frogmouth, yellow-browed bulbul and many more. Known as “Cuckoo Paradise”, it houses the Indian cuckoo, drongo cuckoo, Indian hawk cuckoo and the large hawk cuckoo.

Famed for its tea plantations, Munnar is also prime bird habitat. Fragmentation of habitat has greatly affected the native flora and fauna. In spite of these challenging circumstances, it boasts of some beautiful endemic biodiversity like the Nilgiri wood pigeon, Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, grizzled giant squirrel and others. The rare shrub “neelakurinji” is also found here, which flowers only once every twelve years!

Indeed, Thattekad and Munnar are not to be missed!