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Accompanied by
experienced local guides
and naturalists, the
Chambal Safari helps
visitors explore the
Chambal Valley at their
own pace; on boats,
camels, jeeps or on
foot.
The
calm and gentle Chambal
of the winter is a
raging beast in the
monsoon months. The
monsoon waters recede to
expose the most dazzling
white sands. The
Chambal Safari Base Camp
is set up every season
on one of these
beautiful river beaches.
The Chambal Safari
motorboats are
stationed at the base
camp, from where the
river safaris commence.
The base camp is also
the starting point for
the nature walks, camel
and jeep safaris. |
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THE
RIVER
SAFARI
The calm
and
gentle
waters
of the
Chambal
River
are best
explored
on boats
and the
River
Safari
provides
spectacular
opportunities
to view
the
wildlife.
The
Chambal
Safari
boatmen
are
exceptionally
skilled
at
cutting
the boat
engines,
and
manoeuvring
as close
to the
birds
and
animals
as
possible
without
disturbing
them.
Trained
naturalists
accompany
visitors
and
provide
expert
information
on the
Chambal
wildlife.
The
River
Safari
is a
most
relaxing,
enjoyable
and
special
experience. |
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NATURE WALKS
The
Chambal Safari
organises
special Nature
Walks along the
river banks,
around the
ravines and in
the fields
surrounding the
National Chambal
Sanctuary.
Morning and
afternoon and
late evening
rambles are also
organised in and
around the
Chambal Safari
Lodge grounds
and surrounding
farmland. |
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VILLAGE WALKS
The Villages
around the
Chambal
Safari Lodge
provide an
interested
insight into
rural India. One
can still find a
potter at his
wheel making
earthen ware
kullars (cups),
a cobbler using
the simplest
implements to
fashion and
repair a most
interesting
variety of
leather items,
and shops
selling all
manner of goods
from jaggery
blocks to
hand-woven
quilts. The
Chambal Safari
organises short
Village Walks
allowing access
to all this and
more. |
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THE CAMEL
SAFARI
Camels remain an
important mode
of transport for
man and goods
alike. They are
also an ideal
means for
exploring the
ravines of the
NCS and
searching for
the wildlife
that have made
these ravines
their home. Be
transported back
in time as you
amble along long
forgotten trails
and pathways on
these haughty
beasts, with
their snootily
upturned noses
and disdainfully
curled lips. One
may take a Camel
Safari along the
river banks,
into the
ravines, through
villages and up
to Fort Ater.
(Find out more
about Fort Ater)
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JEEP SAFARI
The Chambal
Safari also
organises jeep
safaris into
remote and
inaccessible
parts of the
Chambal Valley.
These Jeep
Safaris are
particularly
productive in
the months of
October,
November, late
February and
March, when
large herds of
Blackbuck can be
seen. |
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VISIT TO
BATESHWAR
TEMPLES
The ancient
temple complex
at Bateshwar on
the river
Yamuna, 10 km
from the Chambal
Safari Lodge,
consists of more
than a hundred
temples
dedicated to the
Hindu God Shiva.
Referred to as
Surajpur in
ancient texts,
Bateshwar
derives its
current name
from its
reigning deity
Lord Bateshwar
Mahadev (another
name for Shiva).
The ravines
surrounding the
temples and
river are home
to a number of
Naga sadhus
(snake
worshiping
ascetics) who
have carved out
little caves and
temples within
the mud walls. |
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In early November, the
open areas around the
temple complex play host
to an annual animal
fair, the origins of
which stretch into
antiquity. The fair
coincides with the most
auspicious period for
praying at Bateshwar and
is an important fixture
for saints, sadhus,
tradesmen and villagers.
Witness a colourful
pageant of rural India
that is as unchanging as
it is timeless.
(See more pictures of
Bateshwar) |
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VISIT TO FORT
ATER
Located on the
periphery of the
National Chambal
Sanctuary, 2 km
from the Chambal
Safari base
camp, lies Fort
Ater. Once a
valued
stronghold and
at the forefront
of numerous
battles between
the Rajputs, the
Mughals and the
Marathas, the
crumbling ruins
bring alive the
romantic glory
of a bygone age.
The ramparts of
the fort afford
some
breathtaking
views of the
Chambal valley.
One may visit
this magnificent
ruin riding a
Jeep or riding a
Camel. |
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VISIT TO
SARUS CRANE
CONSERVATION
AREA
The Sarus Crane
Conservation
Reserve starts
around 30 kms
from the Chambal
Safari Lodge,
extending to
about 100 kms.
It is a
widespread
wetland area,
interspersed by
cultivated
fields, where
large numbers of
the Sarus Cranes
breed. Although
not a protected
area, since 1999
the Supreme
Court of India,
recognising its
importance as a
habitat has
designated the
area a reserve
with
restrictions on
development.
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VISIT TO
PATNA BIRD
SANCTUARY
The Patna Bird
Sanctuary,
designated in
1990, covers a
wetland habitat
of one sq. km.
that includes
marsh, khajur
forest and a
lake full of
weeds. It is
home to over 200
bird species in
the winter
months. During
this period more
than 300,000
birds can be
found in this
area,
transforming the
small lake into
a riot of
colours and
sounds. Patna
Bird Sanctuary
lies 80 km
northwest of the
Chambal Safari
Lodge, and is a
good place to
see large flocks
of birds such as
Cranes, Geese,
Ducks, Waders,
Cormorants and
Spoonbills. |
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