DESTINATIONS

JHALANA LEOPARD RESERVE

Jhalana Leopard Reserve, established in 2017, is India’s first leopard reserve. Located on the outskirts of Jaipur, the reserve features a hilly landscape largely defined by the mountain range surrounding the park. It is estimated that there are more than 40 leopards here. Other animals found in the reserve include spotted hyenas, jungle cats, desert foxes, and various species of deer. The chances of seeing a leopard in Jhalana are very high.

AGRA

The city of Agra is a must-visit when traveling to India, primarily because of its many magnificent buildings from the Mughal era, especially the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is a mausoleum that Emperor Shah Jahan built out of love for his wife. Constructed from marble, it took over 22 years to complete, resulting in a building that, even 400 years later, is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Besides its stunning design and perfect symmetry, the Taj Mahal is also known for its elegant domes. Agra Fort is a historical monument built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. It is known as the “Red Fort” because it is constructed from a type of red sandstone.

SATPURA NATIONAL PARK

Satpura National Park, located in the Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh, is relatively unknown among tourists. The park’s untouched jungle has retained the magical charm of nature and offers a diverse landscape ranging from dense jungle to open vistas, deep ravines, and beautiful waterfalls. Satpura is home to 52 different mammal species, including tigers, leopards, and wild dogs. It is also the best place in the world to see sloth bears. The park provides a habitat for arboreal mammals like the flying squirrel and the Indian giant squirrel. Additionally, Satpura hosts 31 species of reptiles and other amphibians, as well as over 300 species of birds.

PENCH NATIONAL PARK

“Pench National Park is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh and is named after the Pench River that flows through the park from north to south. Its terrain, with a mix of open areas and cliffs, provides a perfect environment for many animals, particularly leopards. However, the park’s main attraction, just like other national parks in central India, is the Bengal tiger. The park is also home to jungle cats, wild dogs, wild boars, sloth bears, numerous monkeys, Indian bison, various deer species, and over 210 different bird species. In the park, 1,200 plant species have been registered, including several rare and endangered plants as well as plants of ethnobotanical significance.”

ITINERARY

IF YOU WOULD LIKTE TO ARRIVE A DAY BEFORE 

We recommend that you arrive a day earlier (April 25th) in Delhi in case of any flight delays and so that you can relax a bit after the long journey. Therefore, we have put together the following program:

Arrival in Delhi during the day. Transfer to and check-in at the five-star Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity. In the afternoon, a city tour of Delhi will be arranged. During the tour, you will discover both New Delhi with India Gate, the Parliament House, and the Presidential Palace, as well as Old Delhi. In Old Delhi, we will explore the bustling market area of Chandni Chowk by rickshaw (cycle taxi) and the narrow alleys where it feels like you are driving right through the shops. The tour ends with a walk through the spice market with its vibrant crowd. This is a city tour where photo opportunities are endless.

The price for this additional day can be found further down in the pricing section and can be booked at the same time as your flight.

ITINERARY APRIL 26 – MAY 7, 2025

DAY 1 (April 26th) – ARRIVAL
In the morning, we will meet at Delhi International Airport, or at the hotel if you arrive the day before. There, you will be greeted by Tom Svensson and a host from Zoom Photo Tours. From the airport, a transfer of about five hours awaits us before we reach Jaipur, also known as the Pink City.

Upon arrival, we will check in at the first-class Ramada by Wyndham Hotel and enjoy a late lunch before setting out to experience Jaipur, famous for its pink buildings and bustling local markets. Walking through Jaipur’s vibrant streets with elephants passing by suddenly makes for an exciting and interesting start to our journey from a photographic perspective.

Back at the hotel, we will have a welcome dinner together and discuss everything from our first safari to the photo adventure ahead. (L, D)

DAYS 2-3 (April 27th-28th) – SAFARI AT JHALANA
Located on the outskirts of Jaipur, Jhalana Leopard Safari Reserve is unique because leopards are the apex predators here, making them easier to spot and more frequently seen than in other parts of India. During these days, we will explore the surroundings of Jhalana and embark on safaris both in the morning and evening, the times when animals are most active.

Filled with anticipation, we will venture into the park in our open jeeps. Despite being not far from the city’s hustle and bustle, it feels like entering another world. Suddenly surrounded by the scents of nature, sounds, and countless photo opportunities, the first safari is always thrilling, with new scenes awaiting us around every corner. The landscape is hilly, surrounded by the Aravali Hills, India’s oldest mountain range. Jhalana is India’s first reserve for leopards, estimated to host over 40 leopards. Apart from leopards, the reserve is home to populations of spotted hyenas, jungle cats, desert foxes, and deer species. Tom, rotating between jeeps, will share his knowledge of both photography and the nature we explore together.

One of the days, we will also visit Amber Fort, beautifully situated on the hills on the outskirts of Jaipur. The fort was started by Maharaja Man Singh in 1592 and served as the capital of Kachhawaha until Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II decided in 1727 to move his city to what would become today’s Jaipur. Situated on a hill surrounded by walls and a lake, it provides a picturesque setting for photography. (B, L, D)

DAY 4 (April 29th) – JAIPUR TO AGRA
After a concluding safari followed by breakfast and check-out, we will head towards Agra, approximately four hours away. In Agra, we will check in at the first-class Hotel Grand Mercure. After a late lunch, we will set out to experience the legendary Agra Fort before the highlight of the day, one of the world’s most beautiful buildings, the Taj Mahal. In the beautiful evening light, we will have the opportunity to photograph and experience this magnificent monument up close. As the sun slowly sets on the horizon, the marble covering the building changes colors, creating memories for a lifetime. (B, L, D)

DAY 5 (April 30th) – AGRA TO SATPURA
After an early breakfast, we will proceed to the station in Agra to board the Shatabdi Express train for a journey through the Indian countryside to Bhopal. We have reserved seats in the best category, Executive Chair Car. Upon arrival in Bhopal, a four-hour drive awaits us before reaching Satpura National Park, where we will check in at the first-class Denwa Backwaters Escape. After dinner, we will work on post-processing the leopard images from Jhalana. (B, L, D)

DAYS 6-7 (May 1st-2nd) – SAFARI IN SATPURA
Two full days in Satpura National Park with safaris in the morning and evening. Now you have the opportunity to photograph not only tigers, wild dogs, leopards, deer, and many other animals but also arboreal mammals such as flying squirrels and Indian giant squirrels.

However, it is the park’s beauty and its sloth bears that have made it famous. Satpura is the place in the world where there is the greatest chance to see and photograph sloth bears, which will be our focus during our days in the park. Satpura also allows evening safaris, so we can stay in the park until after sunset, greatly enhancing the chances of capturing sunset wildlife shots. Satpura also offers boat safaris on the Denwa River. In addition to normal jeep safaris during our days in the park, we will also do both a night safari and a boat safari. (B, L, D)

DAY 8 (May 3rd) – SATPURA TO PENCH
After a final safari in Satpura followed by breakfast and check-out, we will travel by car to Pench National Park, where we will arrive late in the afternoon. During the car journey, we will make several photo stops whenever something interesting appears—be it a local market, a religious procession, a farmer herding sheep, or anything else along the way.

Upon arrival at Pench National Park, we will check in at the first-class Tuli Tiger Corridor hotel, where we will stay for the next few days. After check-in, we will gather with our laptops to work through the journey’s harvest of images from the first part of the trip. Tom will provide tips and advice as he demonstrates how we can further enhance our images in Lightroom. After a tasty dinner, we will retire to the sounds of the jungle surrounding us. (B, L, D)

DAYS 9-11 (May 4th-6th) – SAFARI IN PENCH
In the fresh morning air, we will enter through the gates of Pench National Park, one of India’s most tiger-dense national parks. Together with Tom and our knowledgeable drivers, we will look for fresh paw prints on the road and other signs that bring us closer to our first encounter with the park’s tigers. There are photo opportunities wherever you turn the camera. Perhaps we will stop to photograph a troop of langurs leaping from branch to branch, shaking the foliage. Our action-packed photography may be suddenly interrupted by an alarm call louder than the jungle’s hum and bird chirping. Then we start the jeeps and follow the alarm call slowly moving among the trees. It may be alarm calls from a sambar deer, indicating with great probability that a tiger is moving in the vicinity. After a while of scanning, we stop and wait with excitement. With luck on our side, we may see a tigress emerge onto the road in front of us. Previous tiger encounters testify to how the tigress surveys her surroundings before slowly approaching the jeeps, a photographic moment every photographer will never forget.

In the afternoons, we will do the day’s second safari. Together with Tom, we will develop our photography skills and knowledge of the threatened ecosystem we find ourselves in. For those interested in birds, our local guide will share his knowledge of the park’s rich birdlife. Just as we see the sun setting, we leave the park and return to the lodge where dinner, image editing, and analysis of the day’s harvest await. After some fantastic days in Pench, Tom will announce “The Journey’s Image” on the last evening, which automatically advances to the final in our “Image of the Year 2025” competition. (B, L, D)

DAY 12 (May 7th) – DEPARTURE
After a relaxing morning, we will head to Nagpur Airport for our onward flight to Delhi. Upon landing, we will have a final group dinner before taking our flights home independently. (B, L, D)

PHOTOGRAPHER

Tom Svennson – Wildlife photographer

Tom Svensson is a world known conservation photographer. Toms major driving force in life is conservation, and he travels regularly around the world to document endangered species, anti-poaching and illegal trading of animals. His skill as a photographer is to take pictures that touch people and makes a difference, here is seen as one of the best in the world. Tom is the only Swede elected into the IEPA, the International Environment Photographers Association. He is also a global Manfrotto ambassador and he is also in the Canon Nordic photographers program.

Read more about Tom here

JAIPUR:

RAMADA BY WYNDHAM*****

PENCH:

TIGER CORRIDOR****

SATPURA:

DENWA BACKWATERS****

PRICE, FACTS & BOOKING 

Price per person: £ 3 900 or USD 4 950

• All car/bus transfers as per the program.
• Train journey in Executive Chair Car class.
• Domestic flights.
• Accommodation on a shared basis in double rooms.
• Meals as per the program (F= Breakfast, L= Lunch, M= Dinner).
• Activities as per the program.
• 14 jeep safaris as per the program.
• One night safari.
• One boat safari.
• Entry fees to Agra Fort and Taj Mahal.
• Participation of Tom Svensson throughout the trip.
• A local nature guide throughout the trip.
• Local rangers in the parks.
• Tips, except for the local nature guide.
• Hotel, flight, and other taxes.

Price does not include:

• Flights to India. Single room supplement: £ 675 or USD 850
• Personal expenses such as meal drinks, telephone, etc.
• Tips for the local nature guide, approximately USD 10 per day. Cancellation protection and travel insurance.
• Please visit our website under “Miscellaneous”.

Price for the additional night/day.

Price per person: £ 225 or USD 280

Single room surcharge: £ 100 or USD 125

Price includes:

• Meet & greet at the airport.

  Transfer from the airport to the hotel.

  One night at Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity***** on a shared basis in a twin rooms

  Breakfast at the hotel. City tour of Delhi with a local guide. Entrance fees and rickshaw ride.

  Tips for the local guide.

  Hotel and other local taxes and fees.

FLIGHTS

You should arrive in Delhi no later than 07:00 on April 26th, and you should not plan your departure before 22:00 on May 7th.

If you need assistance with flights or booking additional nights, please specify this when making your reservation on the booking page, or contact us by phone at +46-470-466 40 or email us at info@zoomfotoresor.se.

FACTS

Target audience: Photographers interested in developing their skills in wildlife and nature photography.

Min/max number: 8/12 participants.

Other: For more information about Zoom Fotoresor, terms of delivery, etc., please visit our website under “Other”.

EQUPIMENT

• Your digital camera.
• Telephoto lens preferably up to 500 mm.
• 70-200 mm lens. Wide-angle lens, for example, 24-70 mm.
• A monopod.
• A computer with Photoshop or Lightroom.
• Extra batteries, charger, etc.
• Cleaning equipment.


BOOKING 

You can book the trip by clicking the button below. You are also welcome to call us at +46 470-466 40 or email us at info@zoomphototours.com.