2024 Travelers' Choice
About Backcountry Journeys
Why Choose Backcountry Journeys
If you're considering a photography tour, hear why Backcountry Journeys delivers the best experience in the industry.Frequently Asked Questions
If you're new to photography tours, or new to BCJ, you can find our common travel questions here.Fitness Levels
Our trips vary on physical intensity, and by reviewing our fitness levels, you can find out which trips may be more challenging, or aligned more closely with your comfort level.Meet The Crew
We've built an amazing team of experienced guides, and dedicated office staff that elevate your travel experience. Get to know their backgrounds, and hear their stories.Travel Desk
You can review our various payment, and travel policies here, along with resources regarding international travel.Gift Certificates
Give the gift of photo adventure! We offer gift certificates that can be applied to any of our upcoming tours.Loyalty Program
We reward our frequent photo adventurers with exclusive discounts on amazing photography tours.Contact Us
If you need to get in touch with our office staff, or have additional business inquiries, you can find our information here.Stay Up To Date On All Things
Backcountry Journeys
Backcountry Journeys
Our Photography Community
Our Webinars
Our regularly hosted webinars provide photography instruction from our own guides on a wide range of topics.Our Education Portal
Explore our library of articles that cover everything from common questions, to in-depth guides on how to achieve that perfect shot.Community Testimonials
We're proud to foster an amazing group of photo travelers, and here you can find their stories from their past adventures.Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
The Elusive Bengal Tiger
Published June 3, 2019
For more than 2 million years Tigers have roamed our planet.
These are the world’s largest cats, and throughout time have been a symbol of power and awe.
Indian mythology tells tales of tigers fighting dragons, bringing rain to drought-stricken areas, as well as having the ability to heal.
These are the world’s largest cats, and throughout time have been a symbol of power and awe.
Indian mythology tells tales of tigers fighting dragons, bringing rain to drought-stricken areas, as well as having the ability to heal.
Fewer than 4,000 Tigers still remain, down from the 100,000 cats that existed as recently as 1900. This decline of an astounding 96% is attributed mostly to deforestation, overpopulation of humans and poaching. They are hunted as trophies, as well as for their body parts that are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Certainly, this sounds grim, however, there is good news in that tiger populations are rebounding, especially with India’s Bengal Tiger.
The Bengal Tiger is the most numerous of the five remaining tiger subspecies, with more than 2,500 left in the wild. In fact, the Bengal tiger accounts for more than 50% of the total worldwide wild tiger population, most thriving inside the tiger preserves and National Parks of India. Because of this, India’s National Parks are the premier destination to photograph tigers in the world. Backcountry Journeys Tiger Safari: India is a brand new, safari-style wildlife photography tour that will take us to Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks, where tiger populations have not only stabilized since the 1970s but have begun to grow and are now the densest on earth. Yet they are still at a very high risk of becoming extinct, so they are still classified as endangered.
The Bengal Tiger is the most numerous of the five remaining tiger subspecies, with more than 2,500 left in the wild. In fact, the Bengal tiger accounts for more than 50% of the total worldwide wild tiger population, most thriving inside the tiger preserves and National Parks of India. Because of this, India’s National Parks are the premier destination to photograph tigers in the world. Backcountry Journeys Tiger Safari: India is a brand new, safari-style wildlife photography tour that will take us to Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks, where tiger populations have not only stabilized since the 1970s but have begun to grow and are now the densest on earth. Yet they are still at a very high risk of becoming extinct, so they are still classified as endangered.
Description
Bengal tigers grow head-to-body to an average of five to six feet with a two-foot to three-foot tail. weighing in at between 240-550 lbs. Their average lifespan in the wild is between eight and 10 years. And they are STRONG! Bengal tigers have a ton of muscles making them heavier than the world’s second largest cat and unofficial “King of the Jungle,” the Lion.
Unlike other cats, tigers enjoy swimming and have evolved to have webbed paws that help with their semi-aquatic lifestyle.
Bengal tigers grow head-to-body to an average of five to six feet with a two-foot to three-foot tail. weighing in at between 240-550 lbs. Their average lifespan in the wild is between eight and 10 years. And they are STRONG! Bengal tigers have a ton of muscles making them heavier than the world’s second largest cat and unofficial “King of the Jungle,” the Lion.
Unlike other cats, tigers enjoy swimming and have evolved to have webbed paws that help with their semi-aquatic lifestyle.
Their coats are unmistakable with their characteristic orange coat and black stripes, although some are born with a white coat and blue eyes. No two Bengal tigers have the same arrangement of stripes. In this way, their stripes are like fingerprints in humans.
Behavior
The Bengal Tiger is a carnivore and will dine on whatever meat is available in the area in which they live. They live alone and are night hunters who travel great distances in order to find buffalo, deer, wild pigs, and other large mammals. Lying in wait, camouflaged by their striped coats, they stalk their prey before attacking with a quick spring and fatal pounce! It is not uncommon for a tiger to eat as much as 60 pounds in a night.
Females give birth to litters of two to six cubs, which they raise on their own as the males will typically leave. Cubs aren’t able to hunt on their own until they are 18 months old, so they’ll remain with their mothers for two to three years before setting out on their own. Tigers do not live or hunt in packs.
Behavior
The Bengal Tiger is a carnivore and will dine on whatever meat is available in the area in which they live. They live alone and are night hunters who travel great distances in order to find buffalo, deer, wild pigs, and other large mammals. Lying in wait, camouflaged by their striped coats, they stalk their prey before attacking with a quick spring and fatal pounce! It is not uncommon for a tiger to eat as much as 60 pounds in a night.
Females give birth to litters of two to six cubs, which they raise on their own as the males will typically leave. Cubs aren’t able to hunt on their own until they are 18 months old, so they’ll remain with their mothers for two to three years before setting out on their own. Tigers do not live or hunt in packs.
Seeing a tiger in real life is an experience that inspires so many, and photographers lust after, as tigers are incredible photographic subjects. They are beautiful and a symbol of strength and wonderment. Working to not only find these beasts but then to create images that accurately portray their stories is what Backcountry Journeys India Safari is all about. So, join us this year in India, on one of the world’s most unique photo safaris, as we search for the elusive Bengal Tiger! Be sure to book your spot on our February 27 – March 9, 2020 tour!
We offer world-class travel photography
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
experiences around the world.
Each tour is bundled with lodging, meals, and transportation between workshops included, allowing you to focus on photography instead of the stress of traveling.
Get Our Trip Catalog
Receive a trip catalog that highlights all of our upcoming photo tours and workshops.Schedule a Trip Consultation
Meet with a photo experience coordinator, and experience a personal touch to your booking experience.Trip Calendar
View our trip calendar and filter upcoming departures by interest or seasonality.Webinars
Our regularly hosted webinars provide photography instruction from our own guides on a wide range of topics.Education Portal
Explore our library of articles that cover everything from common questions, to in-depth guides on how to achieve that perfect shot.BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2025
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations worldwide.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2025
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.