India has remained the land of mysteries, challenges, cultural exuberance and composite tradition, to say the least! Her geography allowed mother-nature bestow her with bounty of blessings… tropical rain forests, mighty rivers, different seasons making her choicest habitat of awesome and rare variety of flora & fauna.
Nevertheless, this truth is fully manifested in her National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries earmarked under conservation programmes by the Indian government like the prestigious Project Tiger.
Pench, Kanha & Bandhavgarh National Parks in the heart of India are exemplary in success of the Project Tiger.
Your India tour offers memorable experience of your trysts with her wildlife along with a beautiful introduction to carefully preserved and inherited history & traditions of the medieval India co-existing with her promising new face.
So, train your cameras to treasure the wildlife, the history & chivalry of the Fort & Palaces of Maharajas of Jaipur, the cultural contrasts of Old & New Delhi and the famous of all – the tell-tale of love, the Taj Mahal in Agra.
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Meet & greet on arrival followed by transfer to hotel.
DELHI: The capital city of modern India has behind it centuries of history, which has enriched its culture. Nowhere has tradition blended with modernity on a scale as evident in Delhi – age-old monuments stand check by jowl with ultra modern hi-rise buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for centuries. Today old and new city combine to present a harmonious whole offering the traveler, elegant shops, broad laburnum lined avenues, sun warmed elegant forts and mosques that were once stronghold of Mughal powers and colorful bazaars.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: In Delhi
Morning: Combined sightseeing tour of New Delhi & Old Delhi.
Visit the 12th century Qutub Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years. Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun’s Tomb -a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture and the imposing modern Lakshminarayan temple. Drive past the India Gate (the war memorial dedicated to the martyr’s of World War I), the President’s Palace -formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings -an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture.
Lunch break at the hotel or a local restaurant Basil & Thyme at Santhusthi shopping complex (on direct payment).
Visit of Old Delhi….
Visit to Jama Masjid -the largest mosque in India. Visit the magnificent Red Fort -a marvel in red sandstone, built on the banks of river Yamuna by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Drive past Chandni Chowk, once an imperial avenue of Mughal Royalty which today is the busiest commercial area of the city. Visit Raj Ghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi).
Return to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi / Nagpur (By Flight) / Pench (100 km, 2.5 hr)
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning: Transfer to Airport for early flight to Nagpur.
On arrival at Nagpur, meet & greet on arrival followed by transfer to Pench Tiger Reserve in a private chauffeured vehicle.
PENCH TIGER RESERVE -nestling in lower southern reaches of the Satpura hills, the park is named after Pench River which flows from north to south through the park. The park was included under the umbrella of “Project Tiger” as 19th Project Tiger Reserve in 1992.
With a total of 758 sq. km, crisscrossed by a number of seasonal streams, dotted with water pools, a reservoir, Pench Tiger Reserve is rich in flora & fauna.
A number of endangered species have made it as habitat. There are 39 species of mammals… tigers, leopards, Cheetal, Sambar, Jackals, nilgai, Langoors; 13 species of reptiles; 3 species of amphibians and over 210 varieties of birds….. Peafowl, Red jungle fowl, Crow pheasant, Crimson breasted barbet, Redvented bulbul, Racket tailed drongo, Magpie robin and lesser whistling teal.
The flora is tropical dry deciduous teak and its associates Moyan, Mahua, Mokha, Tendu with species of shrubs and climbers. Teak, khair, palas. Bamboo occurs sparsely, restricted to some valley.
Upon arrival at Pench, check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon & Evening: at leisure to relax and experience the resort facilities.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: In Pench
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning: Jeep / Canter safari into Pench National Park.
Return to hotel for lunch.
Afternoon: Jeep / Canter safari into Pench National Park.
Evening: at leisure to enjoy the resort facilities and share stories of the day.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Pench / Kanha (200 km, 4 hr)
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning: Tiger show on the back of the elephant (subject to forest officials organising one on that day else, we will take our chance in Kanha and Bandhavgarh).
Post lunch, drive to Kanha National Park in a private chauffeured vehicle.
KANHA NATIONAL PARK -the most picturesque park in Asia known for being the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s unforgettable classic “Jungle Book”, stretches over 940 sq km, with the famous Banjar valley & Halon valley forming its western and eastern halves. The valleys had been famous for deer and tiger population.
In 1955, the area was marked Kanha National Park. The most striking feature of the region are open grassy meadows, where sighting the black buck, swamp deer, sambhar and chital is common. The park is sole habitat of the rare hardground barasingha (12 horned deer).
The park boasts of 22 species of mammals…. Gaur –the largest of the world’s cattle; the Sambar –the largest Indian deer, the Chausingha –the only four horned antelope in the world.
Some 200 species of birds inhabit the park that include cattle egret, black ibis, hawk eagle and the red-wattled lapwing.
On arrival at Kanha, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: In Kanha
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning: Jeep/canter Safari into the Kanha National Park
Lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon: Jeep / canter safari into the National Park
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Kanha / Bandhavgarh (250 km, 6 hrs)
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning: Jeep / canter safari into the Kanha National Park
Post lunch, drive to Bandhavgarh National Park in a private chauffeured vehicle.
BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK: small, compact, yet full of game! The park has highest known density of the Tiger population in India.
Prior to becoming a National park, the forest of Bandhavgarh had long been maintained as a Shikargah or a game preserve, of the Maharajahs of Rewa. Hunting was carried out by the Maharajahs and their guests – otherwise the wildlife was relatively well-protected. It was considered a good omen for a Maharajah of Rewa to shoot 109 Tigers.
In 1968, the Maharaja of Rewa handed over the area to the government. At this time, the entire park covered an area of 106 square kilometers whereas it presently consists of an area of 448 square kilometers. These much required extensions, to the northern and southern areas, of the park were done in 1982. These areas consisted primarily of Sal forests, which is the main tree-cover found in the entire park along with Bamboo. It was finally declared a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1993
Bandhavgarh is blessed with a large variety of residents -both in terms of animals and birds In the category of animals, it is possible to sight tigers, chital (spotted deer), Sambar deer, nilgais, wild boars, chinkaras, sloth bears, rhesus macaques, black faced langurs, jungle cats, hyenas, porcupines, jackals, foxes, wild dogs, chausinghas and ratels, among others
On arrival at Bandhavgarh, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: In Bandhavgarh
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning: Jeep / canter safari into Bandhavgarh National Park
Lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon: Jeep / canter safari into Bandhavgarh National Park
Overnight at hotel.
Day 09: Bandhavgarh (by Overnight Train) Agra
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning: Game safari into Bandhavgarh National Park
Lunch at the hotel.
1900 Hrs Evening, transfer to Umaria Railway station to board train Utkal Express to Agra (departure at 2046 hr).
OVERNIGHT: ON BOARD THE TRAIN
Day 10: Arrive Agra (at 1045 hr)
On arrival at 1045 hr, at Agra Railway station a, meet & greet followed transfer to hotel.
NOTE: Standard check-in time at hotel is 1400 hr. We would request the hotel for early check-in. Breakfast at the hotel (on direct payment)
AGRA: On the right bank of the river Yamuna, Agra reigns over a glorious past created by warriors as skilled in art and architecture as they were on the battlefield. The city’s historical origins before the Mughal conquest are dim and it was prac tically founded by the Mughal Emperor, Babur. To the lover of art and to the traveler seeking the wonders of India, Agra is the goal of a pilgrimage, its shrines being the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
1400 hrs: visit Taj Mahal -the seventh wonder of world, built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal by the banks river Yamuna. After her untimely death, Shah Jahan had her mortal remains buried in this mausoleum. And after his own demise he was placed to rest next to his beloved queen in the same mausoleum The Taj has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love. The great monument took almost 22 years to build and was completed in 1653.
Also visit the Agra Fort -the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. Foundation of the fort was laid by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and continued with successive generations.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Agra / Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (235 km, 4 ½ hrs)
Breakfast at hotel.
Depart for Jaipur in your private chauffeured vehicle.
En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri -an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition even after more than 400 yrs. Built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, it remained the capital of the Mughal emperor between 1570 to 1586 but, abandoned soon due to scarcity of water. The sprawling structure is made of red sandstone and combines both Hindu and Muslim architecture. The main entrance to this walled city is through the 175 feet Buland Darwaza.
Continue drive to Jaipur. On arrival at Jaipur, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: In Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
JAIPUR: the Capital of Rajasthan and built by Sawai Jai Singh, the city of Jaipur is amongst the first of India’s planned cities. The ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy tale palaces; rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues. Jaipur has a timeless appeal in its colourful bazaars that delights for its Rajasthan handlooms and trinkets. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvellous heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharajas, make the visit a memorable one.
visit of Amber Fort. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the fort visit the Jag Mandir –the famed room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. En-route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal – the Palace of Winds.
City tour of Jaipur which begins with a visit to the Maharaja’s City Palace, a modern 18th century Palace built by the ruler of Amber state in the style of a fortified campus, is still the residence of the Royal family of Jaipur. Part of the palace is converted into the Sawai Man Singh II museum.
Enjoy a memorable experience of fine dining at the Palace Café (on direct payment) – situated in premises of the Sawai Man Singh II museum, it creates a matchless Royal ambience in an air-conditioned buffet Restaurant, and is an exquisite courtyard for alfresco dining.
Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted Observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the City Palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.
Evening: Enjoy the local market with Rickshaw ride.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Jaipur / Delhi (260 km, 6 hr)
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive Jaipur to Delhi. On arrival, check-in at hotel for wash-n-change.
Later transfer to the International Airport to connect flight for onwards destinations.
Day 14: Depart / Delhi
Departure transfer from Delhi.
