A private safari holiday in Uttar Pradesh
Enter the wild heart of Chambal, where deep river ravines and quiet woodlands offer rare, off-the-beaten-track experiences.
Drift along the river at sunrise, explore centuries-old villages, historic forts and riverside temples steeped in devotion. When your trip coincides with the Bateshwar Religious Fair, ghats come alive with pilgrims, traders, and sadhus – a rare and unforgettable glimpse of India’s living spiritual and rural traditions.
Wildlife safaris in Chambal
Across five days, you explore the region’s river wildlife and dramatic landscapes, visit Fort Ater and the historic village of Holipura, take sunrise safaris, and (if travelling in late October or early November) immerse yourself in the Bateshwar Religious Fair. This journey blends cultural insight, ecological discovery, and restorative slow travel, allowing you to move at your own pace during a deeply personal experience.
"Drift along the river at sunrise in search of gharials, wander centuries-old villages where traditional artisans still practice their crafts, or witness the spectacular Bateshwar Religious Fair along the ghats of a thousand-year-old temple complex.”
Riverside rituals & Chambal river safaris
Begin with private sunrise boat journeys led by an in-house naturalist, giving you uninterrupted access to gharials (if you’re lucky), river dolphins, marsh crocodiles and birdlife. The ravines of Chambal remain largely untouched, offering a sense of isolation and purity rarely found on India’s traditional circuits. Whether drifting on the river or observing from the lodge’s vantage points, each moment deepens your connection to this fragile ecosystem.
Heritage encounters at Fort Ater & Holipura village
Explore Fort Ater, towering high above the Chambal ravines, where centuries of history unfold across its ramparts and courtyards.
A personal meeting with the former ruler – who shares vivid stories from the Great Indian Mutiny – adds a layer of living memory rarely accessible to travellers. Wander through Holipura village in the late afternoon, where traditional homes and artisan workshops stand as reminders of enduring cultural heritage.
Where you’ll stay on your holiday to Chambal: Mela Kothi
Stay at Mela Kothi – The Chambal Safari Lodge, a family-run luxury heritage retreat set near the Chambal River, where ravines meet protected wilderness and centuries of cultural history converge.
Here, experience eco-farming, heritage conservation, and sustainable tourism initiatives firsthand, connecting you directly to the preservation of Chambal’s natural and cultural landscapes. Walk the trails that link river ravines to restored farmland, observe native birdlife from the lodge grounds, and learn how local heritage and ecology are being safeguarded for future generations.
Why travel with Explorations Company
Our long-standing relationship with the lodge’s custodians gives you deeper access to their conservation work and community initiatives. Through us, experience Chambal not as an observer, but through the eyes of those dedicating their lives to protecting its heritage and ecosystems.
Every element of your journey will also be tailored to your interests – birdwatching, river ecology, artisan heritage, temple architecture, or simply the restorative pace of slow travel. If wildlife is your priority, we can deepen your time on the river and in the ravines; or if culture calls, we can expand your village visits, heritage interactions and artisanal encounters.
When to go: the best time to visit Chambal and Uttar Pradesh
The best time to take a holiday to the Chambal region is between October and March, when wildlife activity is high, and migratory birds populate the river corridors. Planning a visit in late October or early November allows alignment with the annual Bateshwar Religious Fair, a key cultural highlight of the season.
Extend your India holiday
Mela Kothi lies just an hour from Agra, making it easy to combine your Chambal journey with other cultural highlights of northern India, from the pink city of Jaipur and the palaces and shrines of Lucknow to the spiritual banks of Varanasi. For wildlife enthusiasts, a stay at Jaagir Manor offers private access to four protected reserves, including the rich biodiversity of Dudhwa National Park.
Extending your itinerary allows you to experience northern India’s heritage, landscapes, and wildlife at a more immersive pace, while building on the encounters you enjoy in Chambal. Our India wildilfe journey “Big Cat Strut” could also be tailored to include a stay in Chambal.
