Itinerary
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 and 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'.
Kanha and 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 and traditions of the medieval India co-existing with her promising new face.
So, train your cameras to treasure the nature and wildlife and the Taj!
Day 1 – Depart London
Day 2 – Arrive Delhi
Meet and greet by our representative and 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 traveller, elegant shops, broad laburnum lined avenues, sun warmed elegant forts and mosques that were once stronghold of Mughal powers and colourful bazaars.
Check-into the hotel.
Afternoon: Take an orientation tour of Delhi on the way to hotel. Visit New Delhi -drive through the majestic boulevards of New Delhi. The Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) is where the Viceroy once lived and now is the official residence of the President of India. It is an imposing structure with 340 rooms, constructed high up on Raisina Hill. View India Gate, a war memorial arch built in honor of 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I.
Time permitting, visit Humayun’s Tomb, the first great example of Mughal architecture in India, it developed to become the hallmark of the Mughal Dynasty. The squat building of white marble and red sandstone, with a dome and high arched entrances, surrounded by formal gardens, is generally regarded as a prototype of the famed Taj Mahal of Agra. Huyamun’s wife is buried in the red-and-white sandstone, black-and yellow marble tomb.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL THE CLARIDGES (Club room) – DELHI
Day 3 – Drive Delhi to Agra (220 km, 4 hr)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning, drive to Agra stopping in your private chauffeured driven vehicle with refreshment stops en route.
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 practically founded by the Mughal Emperor, Babur. To the lover of art and to the traveller seeking the wonders of India, Agra is the goal of a pilgrimage, its shrines being the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
Meet and greet by our representative at the hotel. Check-into the hotel.
Sunset visit to the Taj Mahal –a 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.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL THE TAJ GATEWAY (Executive Taj Facing room) – AGRA
Day 4 – Overnight train Agra / Katni (Gondwana Express 1850 / 0515 hrs +1)
Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal –witness the mystical and myriad hues of the Taj with the rising sun!
Return to hotel for breakfast
After breakfast, visit 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
Rest of the day at leisure at the hotel or explore the bazaars on your own.
Evening, transfer to railway station to board overnight train to Katni.
Train departs at 1850 hrs. You will be booked in Air-conditioned First Class (Sleeper). The representative would make you comfortable in your seat and would offer comfort kit for overnight journey (muffins, juices, mineral water bottles, seasonal fruits).
Standard check-out time at the hotel 1200 hrs, we would try to extend it however, it is subject to availability and at hotel’s discretion.
We suggest carry packed dinner from the hotel (payable directly at the hotel)
OVERNIGHT: ON BOARD THE TRAIN
Day 5 – Arrive Katni
Drive Katni – Bandhavgarh (100 km 2.5 Hrs)
0515 hrs: arrive Katni railway station; you will be received byour representative who would transfer you to hotel at Bandhavgarh.
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 199.3
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, check-into the hotel. Standard check-in time at the hotel is 1200 hrs, we would try for an early check-in however, it is subject to availability and at hotel’s discretion.
Afternoon: Game safari into Bandhavgarh National Park
LUNCH, DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL MONSOON FOREST (Safari Tent) – BANDHAVGARH
Days 6 - At Bandhavgarh
Breakfast at hotel.
Mornings: Game safari into the Bandhavgarh National Park in shared jeep with an English speaking naturalist.
Lunch at the hotel.
Afternoons: Game safari into the Bandhavgarh National Park in shared jeep with an English speaking naturalist.
Surrounded by forest with a breathtaking view of the Bandhavgarh Fort, Monsoon Forest is just a few minutes drive from the Bandhavgarh Tiger reserve, Tala zone. With the highest density of tigers in the wild Bandhavgarh is not only the best Wildlife reserve to view this magnificent cat but also to enjoy the beauty of jungles of Central India.
Only six safari tents, each set under the shade of Mahua trees gives you the privacy and space to enjoy the wilderness and experience the warmth of Indian hospitality.
Monsoon Forest is also known for its 10 acre reforestation project that has taken on a piece of barren land, devastated by overgrazing and logging. They are a work in progress that is determined not only to bring back the forest but to make it a sanctuary for the rare and fast disappearing indigenous trees and plants of the jungles of central India, one of the last remaining homes of tigers in the wild.
One can enjoy a walk through the botanical sanctuary, reforestation-project and small farm. It will bring alive the many myths and legends surrounding the diverse flora and fauna of Central India and a chance for direct contact with the local community who are integral to all aspects of the project
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL MONSOON FOREST (Safari Tent)– BANDHAVGARH
Day 7 – Drive Bandhavgarh to Kanha (300 km, 6 hrs)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning: Game safari into Bandhavgarh National Park
Lunch at the hotel (on direct payment).
Later leisurely drive to your resort at Kanha National Park in your 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 hard ground 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 includes cattle egret, black ibis, hawk eagle and the red-wattled lapwing.
On arrival, check-into Singinawa Jungle Lodge.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: SINGINAWA JUNGLE LODGE (Cottage) – KANHA
Day 8 – At Kanha
Singinawa is a Sherpa word which means ‘Protectors of the Sacred Forest’ and is the philosophy which guides the owners.. Located on 55 acres of land, in the tiger heartland of the world, Singinawa Jungle Lodge offers a unique experience of the jungles of central India with all the comforts of a world class lodge. The lodge offers the chance to not only learn about the tiger and its habitat but to also experience ecologically responsible tourism and see conservation at work benefitting local communities and the Tiger Reserve.
Breakfast at lodge.
Morning: Game safari into the Kanha National Park in shared jeep with an English speaking naturalist.
Lunch at the lodge.
Afternoon: Game safari into the Kanha National Park in shared jeep with an English speaking naturalist.
In case forest officials successfully track a tiger (or a family having their lunch!), they organise viewing it at close quarters on the elephant back. This is called Tiger Show in official parlance. Your naturalist will help book & pay for it locally.
DINNER & OVERNIGHTS: SINGINAWA JUNGLE LODGE (Cottage) – KANHA
Day 9 – Drive Kanha to Nagpur (285 km,5 hr)
Fly Nagpur to Mumbai
Breakfast at lodge.
Morning: Game safari into the Kanha National Park in shared jeep with an English speaking naturalist.
Lunch at the hotel.
Later drive to Nagpur in your private chauffeured vehicle followed by transfer to airport to board your flight to Mumbai .
Meet and greet on arrival by our representative and transfer to hotel Leela Kempinski.
Check-into the hotel.
MUMBAI, with a golden history of hundreds of years, Mumbai never fails to mesmerize its visitors amidst the heritage monuments.
Today, it can only be described with combination of adjectives, it is the biggest metropolis of India, a city that virtually never sleeps, the city of dreams where, life never appears dull or boring, especially due to the presence of its interminable chaos and action. To say the least, it is the commercial capital of India.
The city is home to over 15 million Mumbaikars, including the well-heeled industrialists, ravishing celebrities and eminent artists. Formerly called Bombay, the Island City is dotted with several beaches and natural harbour. Mumbai is also known as the city of Bollywood, and allures thousands of aspirant actors and artists from all over the country.
Rest of the day at leisure.
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL LEELA KEMPINSKI (Premiere City View) – MUMBAI
Day 10 Mumbai / London
Breakfast at hotel
Transfer to airport to board your flight to London
