TIGERS, TEMPLES &THE TAJ

This trip is fine blend of both modern and ancient India where we showcase our country’s exceptional wilderness and then introduce you to its historic Mughal legacy, allowing you to enjoy its vibrant artistic and architectural riches. Focussing primarily on India’s diverse wildlife, you will explore some of Central India’s most visited national parks including Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh, which together make up one of the largest habitats for India’s pride, the “Royal Bengal Tiger”. Imagine the thrill as you spend time in these parks enjoying close encounters with wild animals as well as seeing some amazing birds. In comparison you’ll also experience the excitement of exhilarating Mumbai, before marvelling at the architectural wonders of Khajuraho’s 10th Century temples. Be awe-struck as you gaze on the jewel that is Agra’s Taj Mahal and come to know the contrasting lives of Old and New Delhi, where history and modernization rub shoulders in a most fascinating way.

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Day 1

ARRIVE MUMBAI

Arriving at Mumbai’s Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, you are greeted by our staff who will transfer you to your hotel. Lying on the west coast of India by Arabian Sea, Mumbai is capital of Maharashtra. It is also the commercial and entertainment capital of India. The balance of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: At your selected hotel – 2 nights

Day2

MUMBAI

This morning we will take a ferry boat to visit Elephanta Caves, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The cave has exemplary Hindu and Buddhist rock cut-stone sculptures. This afternoon, our tour of Mumbai city includes visits to the Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, Dhobi Ghat (an open air ”Laundromat”) and Crawford market.
Day 3

MUMBAI -NAGPUR -PENCH

Early thismorning, we transfer you to the airport for a short flight to Nagpur. On arrival you are met and taken to your lodge in Pench. After checking in, enjoy an afternoon jeep safari exploring the diverse flora and fauna of Pench National Park and looking for Royal Bengal tigers, because this exciting park is known as one of the best places to see them in the wild.
Accommodation: At your selected hotel – 2 nights

Day 4

PENCH

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives through the park. Besides being a tiger reserve, this park has a great variety of wildlife species and its terrain, coupled with flat land and rocks, providesa perfect habitat for leopards and many other animals such as jackal, jungle cat, wild boar, sloth bears, gaur, spotted deer and Sambhar deer as well as reptiles. Of course, the highlight of the game safari would be to spot the prized Royal Bengal Tiger! It is also a birdwatchers paradise with over 200 species of birds.

Day 5

PENCH -KANHA

Following yet another safari this morning, we drive to Kanha National Park (225 km/4-4½ hrs), which is arguably one of the best parks of India. With a stunning landscape of vast meadows and dense forest dominated by Sal trees, this park offers the perfect habitat for pristine wilderness. Upon arrival, check in to the lodge and the balance of the day is free to relax and enjoy the tranquillity of your surroundings.
Accommodation: At your selected hotel – 3 nights

Day 6 & 7

KANHA

Over the next 2 days, enjoy morning and afternoon game drives through the park. Besides having a healthy population of tigers, Kanha also has many other species of mammals such as the Common Langur, Rhesus Macaque, leopard, sloth bears, wild dogs, Chowsingha, Indian Gaur(bison), spotted deer, Sambhar deer, barking deer and the endangered Barasingha (swamp deer). With a core area covering approximately 940 sq km, the park also has over 300 species of birds.

Day 8

KANHA -BANDHAVGARH

After another morning safari, we drive to Bandhavgarh National Park (300 km/5-6 hrs), our last park of this trip, which offers the best chance to see tigers in the wild. Upon arrival, check in to the lodge and the balance of the day is again at leisure to enjoy the occasional rutting and alarm calls of its many deer coming from the park. Accommodation: At your selected hotel – 3 nights
Day 9 & 10

BANDHAVGARH

During the next 2 days, enjoy morning and afternoon game drives through the park in specially designed 4×4 open Gypsy vehicle. Lying in the foothills of Vindhya hills, this picaresque park has a beautiful fort offering superb aerial views of lush green forest consisting of Sal & other mixed trees with large stretches of Bamboo and grassland and meadows. Besides offering the best opportunity to see a tiger, this park also has many species of other mammals, reptiles and birds found in India. An optional visit to the fort can be organized for you to see a 35-foot tall, reclining statue of Vishnu. Plus you could take an optional one-hour elephant ride allowing you to enter much closer into the realm of tigers, in Magadhi zone of the Park.

Day 11

BANDHAVGARH -KHAJURAHO

Enjoy a sleep in this morning and after a leisurely breakfast, we drive to Khajuraho (240 km/5 hrs), a tiny temple town. Built between 950 and 1050 AD by the Chandela kings, the Khajuraho temples is now a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the afternoon we startwith a tour of the Eastern and Western group of the Khajuraho temples, including its most notable ones such as the Kandariya Mahadeo and Chaunsath Yogini temples. Overnight at your selected hotel

Day 12

KHAJURAHO -ORCHHA -JHANSI -AGRA

After breakfast, we drive to Jhansi Railway Station and en route, visit Orchha to see its spectacular palace, and explore the fortcomplex built on the banks of Betwa River. Afterwards, we continue our drive to Jhansi railway station for the short train ride to Agra. Upon arrival at Agra Cantt Railway station, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at your selected hotel.

Day 13

AGRA -DELHI

Our early start this morning lets you appreciate the Taj Mahal’s unique beauty at sunrise followed by enough time to learn about and enjoy this spectacular building (the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays). After our tour, we return to the hotel for breakfast. Later we visit the fascinating Agra Fort followed by a short tour of the exquisite Itmad-Ud-Daulah , also called the ’Baby Taj’ before driving back to Delhi (205 km/3½ – 4 hrs), with the option of stopping to visit Akbar’s tomb, Sikandra, on the outskirts of Agra. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be transferred to your hotel with balance of the day free to relax.
Accommodation: At your selected hotel – 2 nights

Day 14

DELHI

After breakfast, we set off on a full day, guided tour of India’s capital city. In Old Delhi visit Jama Masjid then drive past the Red Fort before taking a short rickshaw ride through the bustling market of Chandni Chowk. You also visit Rajghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Following lunch we explore the British Raj architecture of Lutyen’s New Delhi, driving past the Rashtrapati Bhawan (President House) and the Parliament buildings with a photo stop at the India Gate. The tour finishes with a visit to the ancient minaret Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb.

Day 15

DELHI-ONWARD DESTINATION

Today we will transfer you to the airport for a flight home or, you may extend your stay, visiting more of India.

Explore your TRAVEL DESTINATION like never before.