Chambal River Safari with Kunal Jain
Overview
Most travelers visiting Agra go to the Taj and head back not knowing that there is so much more to do here. On your next visit to Agra, consider going on a river safari on the Chambal River with me - Kunal Jain, your naturalist and resident of Agra. The Chambal River Safari is no ordinary safari, you're going on a safari (motor boats with life jackets) on a river which was once in the badlands of India. The bandits are now gone leaving behind a pristine, wild and 'alive' river eco-system. During the safari you may spot Gharials (critically endangered), Marsh crocodiles, 8 species of turtles, migratory birds, hyena, jackal, jungle cat and if you're really lucky the Gangetic River Dolphin.
You will need to organize a taxi for this tour and I will ride with you. The price does not include transportation. It is 130Km roundtrip from Agra. Also minimum number of bookings for the tour is 2, if you are just one traveler, book for 2 people.
You will need to organize a taxi for this tour and I will ride with you. The price does not include transportation. It is 130Km roundtrip from Agra. Also minimum number of bookings for the tour is 2, if you are just one traveler, book for 2 people.
Inclusions
- Naturalist
- Park entry fee, 2 hour river safari
- Professional Wildlife photos taken during safari
- Entry/Admission - National Chambal Sanctuary NCS
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: National Chambal Sanctuary NCS, Nandgaon Ghat, Jaitpur, Tehsil Bah, District Agra, UP, Agra 283114 India
Most travelers visiting Agra go to the Taj Mahal and head back not knowing that there is so much more to do in and around this city than just that. On your next trip to Agra, consider going on a state government licensed and operated river safari on the Chambal River (01 hour drive from Agra). The Chambal River Safari is no ordinary safari, you're going on a safari (jet motor boats with government recognized trained naturalists, captain and life jackets) on a river which was once the bad-lands of bandits and dacoits (like the wild-wild American West). The bandits are now long gone leaving behind a pristine, wild and 'alive' river eco-system in this part of the country. During the safari you get to see on the river banks, gharials (the endangered fish eating crocodiles), Indian marsh crocodile, 7 species of turtles, several species of rare and migratory birds, hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, various reptiles and the prized one - Indian River Dolphin (if you're lucky).
Duration: 2 hours
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: National Chambal Sanctuary NCS, Nandgaon Ghat, Jaitpur, Tehsil Bah, District Agra, UP, Agra 283114 India
Most travelers visiting Agra go to the Taj Mahal and head back not knowing that there is so much more to do in and around this city than just that. On your next trip to Agra, consider going on a state government licensed and operated river safari on the Chambal River (01 hour drive from Agra). The Chambal River Safari is no ordinary safari, you're going on a safari (jet motor boats with government recognized trained naturalists, captain and life jackets) on a river which was once the bad-lands of bandits and dacoits (like the wild-wild American West). The bandits are now long gone leaving behind a pristine, wild and 'alive' river eco-system in this part of the country. During the safari you get to see on the river banks, gharials (the endangered fish eating crocodiles), Indian marsh crocodile, 7 species of turtles, several species of rare and migratory birds, hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, various reptiles and the prized one - Indian River Dolphin (if you're lucky).
Duration: 2 hours
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Tour may be canceled due to Covid Lockdown by the Government or bad weather
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 12 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
JaredChrislip
February 2023
Our trip on the river with Kunal, spotting and learning about the unique and vulnerable wildlife, made our trip to the Agra area so much more fascinating than just seeing the standard tourist sites. Kunal’s passion for conservation and sustainable, off-the-beaten-path tourism makes his approach t...
Our trip on the river with Kunal, spotting and learning about the unique and vulnerable wildlife, made our trip to the Agra area so much more fascinating than just seeing the standard tourist sites. Kunal’s passion for conservation and sustainable, off-the-beaten-path tourism makes his approach to visiting India really enjoyable and memorable. He made every detail of our multi-day Agra visit work seamlessly. We hope we’re back in India again to explore more with him.BackPacker404961
November 2021
Relatively close to Agra, about an hour's drive away, the cherished Shambal River flows, surprisingly enough, but with clean water, and full of living creatures. There is no industry near it, only a few villages in the distance. Around the river are high hills overgrown with bushes, dotted with l...
Relatively close to Agra, about an hour's drive away, the cherished Shambal River flows, surprisingly enough, but with clean water, and full of living creatures. There is no industry near it, only a few villages in the distance. Around the river are high hills overgrown with bushes, dotted with labyrinths of ravines. Until relatively recently, numerous gangs of gangsters who lived in symbiosis with villages hid in the ravines, in general, this is a very strange place, quite suitable for Conan Doyle's novels. Some time ago, the bandits were dispersed, and a Kunal enthusiast-naturalist appeared on the river, who began organizing river safaris. After the Taj Mahal, Agra and high culture, why don't you touch the wild? We decided to touch. In the river there are crocodiles, gavials, i.e., also crocodiles, only others, five species of turtles, unique river dolphins, and countless birds. Fish, of course, is also there. Since we arrived in the midst of the Dashehra festival, sometimes statues of goddesses Durga, Devi, Shakti, Parvati and other female characters from the numerous Hindu pantheon floated along the river, but there were fewer of them than crocodiles. We found the first crocodile five minutes after the start of the journey, he was basking on the ruins of a flooded temple. Pilgrims from nearby villages washed in the river nearby, and children and other careless bathers simply splashed in the shallow water. bathers were not at all embarrassed by the presence of huge reptiles in the river. The guide said that crocodiles devour someone from the locals every year, but this does not happen very often, the villagers treat it philosophically. Karma, samsara, this life will end, another one will begin, what's the difference? Well, now, don't go swimming or something? About two hours, almost before sunset, we swam along the river, watching crocodiles and birds. It's a very impressive journey. Thank you, Kunal. I recommend taking binoculars with you to view the animals in detail. I attach some photos from the walk.CityTravelers235
December 2020
Dear Kunal, My wife and I thank you for the lovely Chambal river safari which you arranged for us. We had been looking forward to this trip for a long time and finally we made it. We were highly satisfied and appreciate your personal involvement in the same .It was a splendid experience which has...
Dear Kunal, My wife and I thank you for the lovely Chambal river safari which you arranged for us. We had been looking forward to this trip for a long time and finally we made it. We were highly satisfied and appreciate your personal involvement in the same .It was a splendid experience which has been etched in our minds forever. Your knowledge and love of the wild life and the birds in the area is remarkable and especially the manner in which you explained each and every aspect is highly commendable. We wish you the very best and good luck in your endeavours. Thanks again! SahaeVikV123
December 2020
Great experience!! A hidden gem!! Seeing the crocs and ghariyal resting on the small island and riverside was awesome. And must say Kunal was a great guide!! Thanks Kunal for showing me and my 5yrs old daughter this bright side of Chambal!!
Great experience!! A hidden gem!! Seeing the crocs and ghariyal resting on the small island and riverside was awesome. And must say Kunal was a great guide!! Thanks Kunal for showing me and my 5yrs old daughter this bright side of Chambal!!Rahul_DV5081
December 2020
We had been waiting to do this safari for many years and finally we made it to the river. The stretch of water where most of the reptiles are visible is about 2 kms. It's amazing to see ghariyals and crocodiles in their natural habitat. Majestic animals just waiting to photographed. Rare turtles ...
We had been waiting to do this safari for many years and finally we made it to the river. The stretch of water where most of the reptiles are visible is about 2 kms. It's amazing to see ghariyals and crocodiles in their natural habitat. Majestic animals just waiting to photographed. Rare turtles and migratory birds make this a must do safari. It's a must do without any doubt. The icing on the cake is doing the safari with my (now) friend kunal. He is passionate and knowledge able about the area and absolutely makes the safari that much more exciting and fun. We were lucky to have him with us. Would recommend to all travelers you must have a good and professional naturalist with you to do this safari. And Kunal fits the bill. Also whatever we can contribute to the conservation of this river eco system through awareness and word of mouth would go a long way to preserve this stretch of fragile eco system before we lose it forever. Keep up the good work Kunal and team.eway2amit
November 2020
The trip that we had reminds me of a poem I read is school by Robert Frost… The Road Not Taken. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could… … Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one ...
The trip that we had reminds me of a poem I read is school by Robert Frost… The Road Not Taken. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could… … Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. Most tourist limit their Agra trips to the magnificent Taj Mahal and Agra Fort and miss out on lesser known other attractions like the Keetham Lake, Bharat Bird Century and the Chambal Safari. These places take the visitors closer to nature and provide them an experience that they would remember for a very long time. As always, I was in my hometown Agra for Diwali celebrations in November this year. As this year i had taken a longer leave than usual, so we planned for a day trip to visit the Chambal Safari in Bah. We were lucky to find Mr. Kunal Jain who not only guided us throughout the trip, but also provided the children an insight on the lives of the bandits who once occupied the area but also how much important it was to preserve the ecosystem around the Chambal river. The Chambal Safari is about an hour drive from Agra city. Kunal had made all arrangements on our behalf and we were on the motor boats without any delay. We were able to see Marsh crocodile, Gharial (male and female), Indian tent turtle, Indian Softshell turtle and various species of birds. The Chambal River unlike other rivers was relatively clean to support the wildlife and had plenty of fishes. We were not able to see the Dolphins but hope to see them next time. We left Agra for the trip around 11am and were back around 6pm. Kunal had also made arrangements for Lunch in a resort nearby. So next time, you plan for a visit to Agra, add a day and visit the Chambal Safari. You would not regret it. Also dont forget to engage with a guide who is as enthusiastic and knowledgeable like Mr. Kunal Jain. One last thing, Kunal is an exceptional wildlife photographer as well and captured the memories in his camera. Enjoy... Warm Regards, Amit Gupta