FAQ By Nature & Adventure Travellers Visiting India

A Guide to Explore India for Nature Travellers

Everyone knows that India is a land of incredible diversity. The same virtue is also reflected in its bio-diversity.

From lush forests to majestic western ghats mountains to the great Kumaon hills of the Himalayas, India offers many opportunities to see exotic wildlife and abundant avian life. This blog reveals the best destinations you should explore in India for observing and photographing wildlife. Also, it suggests the ideal accommodations in each location, which may play a significant role in making your journey productive and memorable. We at stayclopedia.com promote “local experience travel” and “digital detoxing travel” and always request our readers to use the services of local guides and stay at local accommodations. Wildlife and trekking destinations can only survive with the support and blessing of the local community. By hiring them, you indirectly contribute to the conservation of the place and help the local economy function. If you are a nature lover and preparing to explore India, this blog can help you to make a better quality itinerary. This blog’s author has been exploring Indian wildlife for more than a decade and has visited all the destinations mentioned in the blog as part of his work.

Indian Forests and Their Types

Many refer to India as a sub-continent. It is the right title for this massive country. Though the pressure on land is high due to its agrarian economy and large population, it is commendable that India still keeps about 25% of its land area as forests. It converts to 81 million square kilometres. Pretty impressive. Isn’t it?

Naturally, such a land mass will have a variety of forest types. For example, in India, You can see all kinds of forests, such as rainforests, deciduous forests, pine forests, coniferous forests, etc. There are many beautiful and varied landscapes to be found in each type of forest. The Western Ghats, the Eastern Himalayas, and the Indo-Gangetic Plains are three regions that are particularly rich in forests and wildlife.
Let’s now examine them closely.

Wildlife of India – From Big Cats to Primates

India has about 500 mammal species found in its forests. Wildlife photographers will find it fascinating that they can observe a total of fifteen wildcat species in this location. It is the only place in the world where you can photograph both big cats, tigers, and lions in one country. You can also target leopards, clouded leopards, snow leopards, marble cats, golden cats etc., in India. We want to remind you that once abundant, later extinct cheetahs have recently been re-introduced in Inda.
India is also blessed with rich and diverse primate life. India has Twenty-four species of primates, some of which are on the UN red list. Wildlife photographers often seek out primates such as the Hoolock Gibbon, Lion-tailed Macaque, Phayre’s Leaf Monkey, Gee’s Golden Langur, Bengal Slow Loris, and Sleder Loris for their photography.

A Short Video on the Amazing Wildlife of India

Bird Life of India

Bird life in India is also awe-inspiring; there are three prime birding zones in India: the Himalayan Range, Andaman Archepegieo and the Western Ghats. India has 1376 recorded bird species, with 81 of them being exclusive to the country.
India is one of the most frequently visited birding destinations by bird watchers and bird photographers. Over the past few decades, the birding industry has experienced significant growth, with birding and bird photography becoming the fastest-growing outdoor activities in India.

Top Five Wildlife-Watching Destinations in India

Choosing the top five wildlife locations in India can be challenging, but we have selected the following based on their accessibility, infrastructure, the density of wildlife, and especially the big attractions.

1. Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand: Famous for its Royal Bengal Tigers and diverse birdlife, it offers thrilling jungle safaris.
2. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan: Known for its tiger population and magnificent ruins of Ranthambore Fort, it combines history with wildlife.
3. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh: A haven for tigers and leopards, it boasts lush forests and ancient caves.
4. Kaziranga National Park, Assam: Home to two-thirds of the world’s Indian Rhinoceros population and various bird species, it offers an unparalleled wildlife experience.
5. Bandipur, Karnataka: Known for Tigers, Elephants, Indian Gaur and Leopards ( Including black panthers).

Top Five Birding Destinations in India

We’ve produced a video highlighting India’s top birding spots. We’ve picked out five of the ten locations based on their abundant bird species, unique qualities, and convenient accessibility.
One of these five is the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary located in Rajasthan. The area is known for its diverse population of water and migratory birds, which gather there during winter. Additionally, the location is conveniently close to Agra, allowing visitors to easily include a trip to the Taj Mahal in their plans.
Sattal and Pangot are two places in Uttarakhand, close to Nainital, that are home to high-altitude birds. In addition, these areas are famous for housing many species of Himalayan endemics.
Kaziranga National Park, Assam: While the single-horned rhino is the main attraction, the park is renowned for its diverse bird population. Approximately 400 different bird species have been documented within the park’s boundaries.
Andaman Islands, Andaman Archipelago: Located in the Bay of Bengal, the cluster of islands is about 2.5 hours away by air from the mainland. The forests in this area are abundant with endemic species.
Thattekkad and Munnar in Kerala is probably the best place to see and photograph western ghats’ endemics and regional birds.

Please watch the video to learn more about India’s top 10 birding locations, the important birds to see in each area, the best time to visit, etc.

Why India is a Great Place for Wildlife Photography?

India’s diverse landscapes and rich wildlife make it a captivating destination for wildlife photography. The country offers a range of subjects, from a fantastic collection of fourteen types of cats to the vibrant birdlife and the stunning macro world of insects and reptiles. The abundance of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries provides ample opportunities to capture unique moments in their natural habitats while doing jeep or boat safaris. Whether it’s capturing the elusive tiger prowling through the undergrowth or freezing the graceful flight of a bird in your lens, India’s wildlife photography possibilities are endless.

Top Nine Nature Wonders of India

India is home to some important natural wonders worth seeing. Here are ten remarkable natural wonders worth exploring. We selected them based on their uniqueness.

1. The Great Rann of Kutch, Gujarat: A vast salt marsh that transforms into a surreal white desert during the dry season.
2. The Sunderbans, West Bengal: The largest mangrove forest in the world, home to the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger and diverse flora and fauna.
3. The Western Ghats: A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its lush forests, stunning waterfalls, and endemic species, including the Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Tahr.
4. The Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand: A vibrant and picturesque valley with a wide array of alpine flowers, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
5. The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya: Ancient bridges formed by intertwining the aerial roots of rubber trees, creating a unique example of bioengineering.
6. The Mysterious Magnetic Hill, Ladakh: A hill where vehicles seemingly defy gravity and move uphill.
7. The Marble Rocks, Madhya Pradesh: Towering marble cliffs on the banks of the Narmada River form a mesmerizing natural spectacle.
8. The Dudhsagar Falls, Goa: A majestic four-tiered waterfall cascading through the lush Western Ghats, creating a picturesque scene.
9. The Majuli River Island, Assam: The world’s largest river island on the Brahmaputra River.

Top 10 Trekking Routes in India

India offers many breathtaking trekking routes, allowing adventurers to immerse themselves in stunning landscapes and experience the thrill of the mountains. Here are the ten top trekking routes in India:

1. Roopkund Trek, Uttarakhand: A challenging trek leading to the mysterious Roopkund Lake, known as the Skeleton Lake, due to the human skeletons at its bottom.
2. Valley of Flowers Trek, Uttarakhand: A picturesque trail showcasing a mesmerizing display of alpine flowers and panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
3. Chadar Trek, Ladakh: A unique winter trek across the frozen Zanskar River, offering an otherworldly experience amidst the snow-clad landscapes.
4. Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh: A classic trek through the remote and rugged landscapes of Ladakh, passing through charming villages and ancient monasteries.
5. Hampta Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh: A moderate trek that takes you from the lush green valleys of Kullu to the arid landscapes of Spiti, crossing the Hampta Pass.
6. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, Sikkim: A challenging trek that rewards you with breathtaking views of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak.
7. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Jammu and Kashmir: A stunning trek that leads you through a series of high-altitude alpine lakes surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
8. Sandakphu-Phalut Trek, West Bengal: A popular trek that offers panoramic views of the world’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga. This one is our favourite too!. It would be best to reach the top before the sun rises to enjoy the fantastic views. Since some trekking routes to Sandakphu are via Nepal, you must check the travel documents required to do this trek in advance.
9. Tarsar Marsar Trek, Jammu and Kashmir: A beautiful trek that takes you to the pristine Tarsar and Marsar Lakes, nestled in the Kashmir Valley.
10. Nilgiri Trek, Tamil Nadu: A picturesque trek through the Nilgiri Hills, known for its tea estates, rolling hills, and stunning viewpoints.