DAYS 1-2 DELHI

On your arrival at the airport in Delhi you will be met and transferred to your hotel, then it’s up to you, spend the rest of your day exploring or relaxing before devoting day 2 to soaking up the fascinating sights and sounds of Delhi on our full day tour.

Delhi’s mix of old and new is sure to awaken the senses. Emerge yourself in Old Delhi and find the energy and colour of this walled city pulsating with the hustle and bustle of bazaars and narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall, leaning houses. Contrast old with new as you enter cosmopolitan New Delhi, Luyten’s landscaped city. It is known for its formal parks, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India designed by Sir Edwin Lutyen) and the India Gate. Visit the Qutab Minar, the 72.5 m high tower dating back to 13th century and Humayun’s Tomb, built in the 16th century and architecturally the fore runner of the Taj Mahal.

Delhi Highlights
• Full day tour of Old & New Delhi
• Jama Masjid
• Qutab Minar
• Humayun’s Tomb

Accommodation & Meals
2 nights at The Claridges (Deluxe Room) or similar. (B)

DAY 3-4 KHAJURAHO & PANNA TIGER RESERVE

After breakfast you’ll take a flight to the UNECSO world heritage site of Khajuraho where you will have a guided walking tour of the magnificent Jain and Hindu temples. Known as the erotic temples, the intricate craftsmanship exhibits images of gods and goddesses, celestial maidens and dancers, animals and musicians, all frozen in stone, many in the act of courtship. The Eastern group of temples include the Parasvanath Temple – the only Jain temple surviving at Khajuraho, the Javeri Temple dedicated to Vishnu, and other temples dedicated to Brahma, the Goddess Kali, the Visha Temple of Shiva, and the Bharatji Temple with a beautiful image of 11 headed Vishnu.

Then it’s onwards to Sarai at Toria. This luxurious hotel prides itself on the positive role it plays in the economic and social development of the local area as well as being a centre for conservation activities and wildlife and climate change research. Our host, Dr Raghu Chundawat, is a conservation biologist immortalized in the BBC documentary “Tigers of the Emerald Forest”, while his wife Joanna Van Gruisen is an accomplished photographer, writer, and conservationist. If they are on site they will join you for dinner and will be happy to discuss their conservation work with you.

On day 4 we’ll do the first of our jungle safaris searching for the fabulous Bengal tiger as well as the other diverse wildlife of Panna Tiger Reserve

Accommodation & Meals
2 nights at Sarai at Toria. (B, L, D except L on day 3)

DAYS 5-7 BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
Today you’ll make the drive to Bandhavgarh, home to the one of the highest densities of tiger on the Subcontinent.

Bandhavgarh Highlights
• Tigers
• Sloth bears
• Langur monkeys
• Bandhavargh Fort (optional extra)

Bandharvargh National Park was once a Shikargah, or game preserve, of the Maharaja but became a national park in 1968. It’s also the site where the famous white tigers of Rewa were discovered. Unfortunately in the last 100 years the white tiger has only been seen wild in India a handful of times. In contrast Bandhavargh boasts one of the highest densities of Bengal Tigers. There are in the region of 50 tigers here and the chances of finding one are good.

Set amongst The Vindhya Hills in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh is one of India’s smallest National Parks but it’s teaming with wildlife. There are at least 150 species of birds in the park, along with other mammals such as sloth bear, langur monkeys, wild boar, mongoose and chital, sambar and barking deer.
Wildlife isn’t the only draw to this park, the Bandhavgarh Fort, offers breath taking views, a 35 ft reclining statue of Lord Vishnu and the 10th century rock images of the incarnation of the Lord Vishnu. Legend has it that this fort was made by Lord Rama for his younger brother Laxman.

Each day enjoy misty mornings and the sound of birds as you get ready for your dawn jungle safari and a picnic breakfast amongst the wildlife. Later in the day, you’ll get the chance for another jungle safari before returning to the lodge for tea and an evening of stargazing in the clear skies.

In the winter months morning safaris require warm clothes. We provide blankets and sometimes even a hot water bottle to help keep the wind chill at bay.
An optional tour to the fort is available.

Accommodation & Meals
3 nights at Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge or similar (B, L, D)

DAYS 8-10 KANHA NATIONAL PARK

After a morning safari in Bandhavgarh we’ll take a drive through rural countryside and colourful towns and villages on our way to Kanha National Park. On the way we’ll make a stop at a city sacred to the Gond tribes, the sleepy Mandla where the Narmada river, second only in holiness to the Ganges, is the centre of activity.

Kanha Highlights
• Tigers & Barasingha
• Village walk
• Cooking demonstration

Kanha National Park is considered one of the finest protected wildlife areas in the world, designed to save two endangered species, tiger and barasingha, but don’t let that take away from the other 40+ species of mammals found in the park that will make this an unforgettable experience. Expect to see leopard and wild dogs alongside tigers, gaur and chital, porcupine and mongoose and let’s not forget the scavengers like hyena and jackal. With all this fantastic wildlife to see you’ll never want to leave.

As with Bandhavgarh you’ll get the chance to do a morning and afternoon jungle safari. In between spend time relaxing at the lodge, taking a nature walk, visiting a nearby village/school or getting in cooking demonstration on fabulous local food.

Accommodation & Meals
3 nights at Kanha Jungle Lodge or similar (B, L, D)

DAYS 11-13 PENCH NATIONAL PARK

Transfer by road to Pench where the BBC filmed David Attenborough’s documentary, “Tiger: Spy in the Jungle”

Pench Highlights
• 4×4 open jeep game drives
• Leopards
• Dhole
• Sambar

Pench National Park was the backdrop to Kipling’s classic novel “The Jungle Book” It is located in the Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and is the 19th Project Tiger Reserve established in 1992. It’s one of the best-kept secrets among wildlife enthusiasts who have long been acquainted with and bedazzled by its variety of flora and fauna. The area is dominated by open canopies of mixed forest, predominantly teak and open grassy patches. No wonder it boasts the highest density of herbivores in any Indian park including chital (spotted deer) and sambar, prey of the mighty tiger.

You can also expect to see a large diversity of other wildlife, including leopard, tiger, jungle cat, dhole (wild dog), sloth Bear, wild boar, mongoose, and gaur.

Accommodation & Meals
2 nights at Jamtara Wilderness Camp or similar (B, L, D)

DAYS 14-15 DELHI
After breakfast we’ll transfer you to Nagpur airport to board your flight to Delhi and onwards to your hotel.

On day 16 we bid you a fond farewell and transfer you to the airport to board the flight for your onward journey.

Accommodation & Meals
Classic Tour – 1 night at Radisson Blu Plaza or similar (B on day 14 only)

PENCH, KANHA AND BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARKS ARE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS.

* Key to Accommodation
B = Bed & Breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner

Subject to availability we use the following hotels for our guests

B = Bed & Breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner

What’s included:

• Accommodation on twin sharing basis at hotels mentioned or of a similar category. Rooms will be their standard ones unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to substitute accommodation of an equivalent standard if the accommodation shown is not available during your travel dates
• Meals as specified in the detailed itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch & D=Dinner).
• Wildlife lodges at Bandhavgarh, Kanha & Pench are on full board jungle plan basis
• One hour Elephant safari in Kanha (Elephant safari is subject to availability) on sharing basis.
• Services of air conditioned Toyota Innova for airport transfers, sightseeing and drives.
• In Pench, Kanha and Satpura National Parks, jeep safaris are exclusive and inclusive of park entry fees and naturalist services.
• Services of English speaking local guide in Delhi & resident naturalist and park guides in national parks.
• Entrance fees including ASI monuments and national parks.
• Mineral water during all transfers, drives, sightseeing, and also during the entire stay at Pench., Kanha and Bandhavgarh.
• Meeting / assistance at the time of arrival and departure at airport and during check in/out at hotels in major cities.
• 3.09% govt. service tax on total bill.

What’s not included:

• International flights. We are happy to help you book these or you can arrange your own.
• Domestic flights.
• Insurance
• India visa fee
• Meals or drinks except those specified in the detailed itinerary
• Any services of accompanied escort (supplement advised, if required).
• Tips and gratuities
• Purchases of a personal nature
• Still/video camera fee if any*.
• Any expenses incurred due to any unforeseen situation or any other reason beyond our control including acts of god, change in government tax policy etc.

*Currently there is no camera fee either still or video for amateur photography at Satpura, Pench, Kanha & Bandhavgargh National Parks.