Jawai: Leopards of the Aravalli - Classic Tour
Five days that pair Udaipur's lake-city elegance with two nights in Jawai's leopard country. The journey opens with a soft Udaipur arrival and a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, then drives into Jawai for morning and evening leopard drives across the Aravalli granite landscape. Jawai is not a national park — it is an open landscape where leopards, wolves, marsh crocodiles, and migratory birds move freely among the boulders and the Rabari herding communities that have coexisted with them for centuries. The circuit returns to Udaipur for a City Palace heritage layer before departure. Operates October to March.
Trip highlights.
The journey, day by day.
Arrive into Udaipur with a light first day and a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Road transfer into Jawai granite country, lodge check-in, and an evening leopard drive.
Morning and evening drives across the Jawai granite landscape with specialist naturalists.
Drive back to Udaipur with City Palace heritage and a lakeside afternoon.
Private transfer to Udaipur airport for onward or international departure.
What's included.
Questions about this trip.
Can I start from a listed trip and keep it exactly as shown?
Yes. Listed trips can be run exactly as published or customized based on your preferences.
Do you take bookings and payments directly on the website?
Bookings are confirmed after proposal approval. Payments are collected via payment links rather than instant checkout.
What is typically not included?
International flights, visas, travel insurance, personal expenses, optional activities, and anything not explicitly listed.
Are domestic flights included?
Domestic flights are included only when explicitly stated in the itinerary.
What is a Farbound tour director?
A tour director is a Farbound-appointed lead who are local experts, licensed by the ministry of tourism India, & responsible for coordination and issue resolution, either end-to-end or city-by-city.
Is 24/7 support available?
Yes. On-trip support is available for coordination and issue escalation.
Can I request a guide in a specific language?
Language-specific guides can be requested, subject to availability and routing.
Can I upgrade or downgrade hotels?
Yes, subject to availability and repricing.
How do leopard drives work in Jawai?
Drive timing and routes follow local operating norms and conditions. Sightings are not guaranteed.
Are Jawai drives inside a national park?
Jawai is a landscape safari context with controlled operating practices rather than a single formal park model. Your itinerary will specify what is included and how it is operated.
Can you add temples, villages, or craft layers around Jawai?
Yes. Add-ons can be layered in based on interest, routing, and time available.
Do I need an e-Visa for India?
Most nationalities can apply for an Indian e-Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in - it is typically approved within 72 hours and valid for 30 or 365 days depending on the type. We advise applying at least 2 weeks before travel. Some nationalities require a sticker visa from an Indian consulate.
What is the best time to visit India?
India is vast and each region has its own season. The Himalayan north (Ladakh, Himachal) is best May-September. Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle are ideal October-March. Kerala and the south are good November-February. The northeast is spectacular March-May. We'll advise based on your chosen region.
Is India safe to travel to?
India is safe for the vast majority of travellers when you take sensible precautions. Solo female travellers should exercise extra caution in certain areas, and we always advise on destination-specific safety. Our partners and guides are vetted, and we brief guests on local customs and areas to avoid.
What vaccinations do I need for India?
Recommended vaccinations include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus. Depending on your itinerary, your GP may suggest Hepatitis B, Rabies, or Japanese Encephalitis. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for some rural and jungle regions. Consult a travel health clinic 6-8 weeks before departure.
Is the food safe in India?
Indian food is wonderful but your stomach needs time to adjust. Stick to cooked food, avoid tap water and ice from unknown sources, and opt for bottled or filtered water throughout. High-end restaurants and hotels are generally very safe. We include a food safety briefing in every pre-departure pack.
Is India good for vegetarians?
India is arguably the most vegetarian-friendly country in the world. Virtually every restaurant offers extensive vegetarian menus, and many are entirely meat-free. Vegan options are increasingly available in cities and tourist areas. Please let us know your dietary requirements and we'll ensure every meal is taken care of.
When is the best time to see wildlife in India?
For tiger sightings in central India (Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Ranthambore), February to May is peak season - dry conditions force wildlife to waterholes and visibility through the forest is better. Parks close during monsoon (July-September). We can advise on the best park for your travel dates.
What is NOT included in the price?
International flights, visa fees, travel insurance, personal spending, tips for guides and drivers, and meals not listed in the itinerary. A clear inclusions and exclusions list is in every quote we send.
Should I bring local currency or can I use cards?
A mix of both is ideal. Cards are accepted at most hotels and large restaurants, but local markets, tuk-tuks, tips, and smaller guesthouses are cash-only. We recommend having USD as an emergency backup - it's accepted or exchangeable almost everywhere we operate.
Do you arrange flights?
We can arrange flights as part of a full package or advise on the best routing and airlines for your trip. Many clients prefer to book flights independently for flexibility with points and upgrades - we're happy to work either way and will give you the ideal arrival and departure airport for your itinerary.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking at least 3-6 months ahead for peak season travel (October-March for South Asia). Bhutan during festival season can need 6-12 months lead time. That said we've pulled together excellent last-minute trips - if your dates are flexible get in touch and we'll see what's possible.
Can I customise my itinerary?
Absolutely - customisation is what we do. Every Farbound itinerary is built around your interests, pace, travel style, and budget. Whether you want to add a cooking class in Kerala, a yoga retreat in Rishikesh, or an extra night at a tea estate, just tell us and we'll design it for you.
What is included in the price?
Our packages typically include accommodation, all meals as specified, private transfers, a local guide, entrance fees, and internal transport. International flights are usually separate unless stated. The exact inclusions are listed on every itinerary and quoted in writing before you confirm.
How do I pay and what are the payment terms?
We typically require a deposit of 20-30% at booking to secure your itinerary and accommodation, with the balance due 60 days before departure. For last-minute bookings full payment is taken upfront. We accept bank transfer and major credit cards. Full payment terms are in your booking confirmation.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations made more than 60 days before departure receive a full refund minus the deposit. Between 30-60 days we retain 50% of the total cost. Within 30 days the full amount is non-refundable. We always recommend travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations. Full terms are in your booking agreement.
Is there a single room supplement?
Yes, single travellers occupy a private room and a supplement applies as hotels charge on a per-room basis. The exact supplement varies by property and destination. We always quote this clearly upfront and work to minimise it where possible - some boutique properties have more affordable single rates.
Do you run group tours or private only?
Farbound specialises in private, bespoke journeys. You won't be sharing a vehicle or guide with strangers. For travellers who prefer a social group setting, we can occasionally match solo travellers or small groups - get in touch to discuss.
What happens if something goes wrong on my trip?
We have a 24/7 emergency contact for all guests travelling with Farbound. Our local partners are experienced in handling medical issues, itinerary changes, and unexpected situations. We also ensure all guests have comprehensive travel insurance before they travel.
Do you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes - vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, and severe allergy requirements are all manageable with advance notice. South Asia is exceptionally accommodating for vegetarian and vegan diets in particular. Please tell us at the time of enquiry so we can brief every restaurant and property on your itinerary.
Can I drink the water?
Tap water is not safe to drink in Sri Lanka, India, or Bhutan. All reputable hotels provide filtered or bottled water. We advise carrying a reusable bottle with a built-in filter (e.g. LifeStraw or GRAYL) to reduce plastic waste - Bhutan in particular encourages this as part of its sustainability ethos.
Should I take out travel insurance before booking?
Yes - and we ask that you do so before final payment. A good policy covers medical emergencies, evacuation, trip cancellation, curtailment, and lost luggage. Adventure activities (trekking, rafting, safaris) must be explicitly covered. We're happy to recommend providers if you need a starting point.