One of KE’s Adventure Travel Consultants Dace, had an unforgettable journey when she joined our Heritage Trails of Rajasthan holiday. She and her group explored the magnificent forts and palaces of the Maharaja, experienced sunrise at the Taj Mahal, trekked through local communities and capped off their adventure with a heart-pounding game drive in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. She tells us about the day in the reserve.

The day began at 5 am. I barely slept the night before, brimming with excitement for the adventure ahead. The Jeeps always leave the hotel at 5:30 am, so we quickly grabbed a coffee and set off!

There are 10 zones in Ranthambore and we were heading to zone 7. After a 30-minute drive and passport check, we began our quest for tigers and other wildlife. Our driver was exceptional and the guide was incredibly knowledgeable, assessing every clue that nature had to offer to help us spot a tiger.

The first two hours of our three-hour safari flew by; we spotted deer, antelopes, monkeys and various birds, but no tiger. There was still time.

We took a short break to stretch our legs and photograph the beautiful landscapes. Suddenly, our guide yelled, "Tiger! Tiger!" We scrambled back to the jeeps as quick as we could and in moments, a magnificent 17-18 year old female slowly emerged from the bushes, just 30m away from us. Unfazed by our presence, she slowly strolled across the road, pausing for a moment to glance at us before continuing her patrol. We were able to follow her for about 30 minutes as she marked her territory along the road before vanishing into the bushes.

It was the most magical experience I have ever had. While Ranthambore is renowned for its tiger safaris, spotting one is never guaranteed. I feel incredibly fortunate to have witnessed such a breathtaking moment.

Major conservation efforts in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve were started in 1973 with the commencement of Project Tiger with an aim to protect the tigers of the country, many of whom had fallen prey to either hunting or poaching. The National Park is one of the prominent wildlife sanctuaries which works on conserving tigers and in the few years has increased its population from 66 tigers to 88. For more information on this project visit ranthamborenationalpark.com.

Enhance your trip in India with a four day extension to Dharamsala? Nestled in the stunning Dhaula Dhar mountain range, Dharamsala is the tranquil home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile. This is a wonderful and unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Tibetan culture, visiting the serene Dalai Lama’s temple complex, the Norbulingka Institute and the inspiring Tibetan Children’s Village.