04/03/2026
From Philip Mitchell whose page shows the wonderful birds captured on a month long photography tour of Assam,Garhwal,Uttrakhand and Kerala along with Agra, Bharatpur and New Delhi
Dear Inder Jit,
Thank you again for organizing such a wonderful trip for us. It was great meeting you and your charming wife. I wrote a short summary below that you are welcome to use on your website or for prospective travelers if you wish. Also please feel free to use any of my photos.
Best regards,
Philip
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A Month Exploring India with Tiger Paw Journeys
When we began planning a one-month journey through India, we hoped to experience more than the usual tourist highlights. As two retired travelers in our seventies, we wanted to see a broad cross-section of the country—its wildlife, landscapes, culture, and history—while traveling comfortably and safely.
We engaged Tiger Paw Journeys, owned and operated by Inder Jit, to organize all travel, accommodation, transportation, and guiding for the trip. The itinerary they designed was thoughtful, well balanced, and carefully paced. Throughout the month everything ran smoothly, allowing us to focus on enjoying the experience rather than worrying about logistics.
One of the most memorable portions of the trip was our journey through Assam in northeast India. The landscapes were beautiful—tea plantations, rivers, forests, and small villages. At the same time we could see signs of rapid economic change. New highways were being built, and many traditional homes made from mud and natural materials were gradually being replaced with brick and cinder-block houses.
Wildlife and birding were an important part of our trip, and Tiger Paw arranged excellent local bird guides. They knew exactly where to go, often getting us into position early in the morning when bird activity was highest. Their local knowledge made a tremendous difference for both observation and photography.
Among the many highlights were visits to reserves including Nameri National Park and Kaziranga National Park. In these areas we encountered an impressive range of bird life. Some of the memorable species we saw included the spectacular Great Hornbill, the elegant Red-billed Blue Magpie with its brilliant blue plumage and long tail, and many other forest and riverine birds typical of northeast India. The guides were skilled at finding birds and positioning us so we could observe and photograph them without disturbance.
The accommodations arranged for us were consistently comfortable and welcoming. All of the hotels were clean, well run, and provided excellent meals. One particularly memorable stay was in a charming old tea plantation house filled with historical photographs that told stories about the region and its past. Another highlight was a lodge overlooking the sacred Ganges River, where we stayed in a private cottage surrounded by trees alive with colorful birds.
There were also special experiences along the way that added to the richness of the journey. One evening included a gentle yoga session tailored to our abilities, followed by a delicious Indian dinner, a fireside gathering, and live music from a local guitarist who played many familiar songs.
Later in the trip we traveled to Agra to visit the magnificent Taj Mahal along with other important historical sites.
In summary, our month in India was an extraordinary experience. Traveling in a country that was new to me with languages I did not speak—could easily have been challenging. Thanks to Tiger Paw Journeys and the careful planning of Inder Jit, everything worked seamlessly. The trip provided exactly what we had hoped for: a rich introduction to India’s landscapes, wildlife, culture, and history.
