TIGERS AND TEMPLES

DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI

Arrive Delhi International Airport, after meet and greet by local tour manager, transfer to hotel.

Overnight: hotel in Delhi.

DAY 2: IN DELHI

After breakfast depart for full day city tour of Delhi. Begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the nation was cremated in 1948. Thereafter proceed to the magnificent Red Fort (closed on Mondays) built of red sandstone, dating from the very peak of the Mughal power. Then, Rickshaw Ride through Chandni Chowk. After that, visit to black and white onion domes and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. After Lunch, drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan (the Presidential Palace) and the Secretariat buildings - the centre of Government activity, down to the impressive Rajpath (the main avenue), to the World War I memorial arch, India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum, the Qutub Minar, a 72 metres high minaret and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque. Here, see Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD.

Overnight: hotel in Delhi.

DAY 3: DELHI- NAGPUR FLY

             NAGPUR-PENCH DRIVE (92KM)

Early  in the morning transfer to domestic airport for Nagpur bound flight. On arrival, drive to Pench National Park. Arrive and check –in at a jungle lodge. After lunch game drive.

 PM: Game Viewing.

Overnight: in lodge.

DAY 4: IN PENCH

Today, we plan two game drives, one in the morning and second in the late afternoon.

AM: Game Viewing.

PM: Game Viewing.

Overnight: in lodge.

DAY 5: PENCH-KANHA DRIVE (185KM)

After breakfast, drive to Kanha National Park. Kanha National Park is spread over an area of 940 sq km in dramatic natural splendor. The park was created in 1974 under Project Tiger. The main attractions are Tiger, Bison, and Leopard etc. Arrive Kanha and check-in at Lodge. Afternoon Game viewing.

PM: Game Viewing.

Overnight: in lodge.

DAY 6: IN KANHA

Today, we plan two game viewings, one in the morning and second in the late afternoon.

AM: Game Viewing.

PM: Game Viewing.

Overnight: in lodge.

DAY 7: KANHA – BHANDAVGARH DRIVE (265 KM)

After breakfast, we drive to Bhandavgarh. This is a small National Park; compact and full of game. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India. The sanctuary is equally rich in bird life, boasting over 200 species. Arrive Bhandavgarh in the late afternoon and check – in at Lodge.

Overnight: in lodge.

DAY 8: IN BHANDAVGARH

Today, we plan two game viewing, one in the morning and second in the late afternoon.

AM: Game Viewing.

PM: Game Viewing.

Overnight: in lodge.

DAY 9: IN BHANDAVGARH

Today, we plan two game viewing, one in the morning and second in the late afternoon.

AM: Game Viewing.

PM: Game Viewing.

Overnight: in lodge.

DAY 10: BHANDAVGARH-KHAJURAHO DRIVE (290KM)

After breakfast, we leave behind the wildlife and begin our journey to discover few cultural sites. We drive to Khajuraho. Arrive in the afternoon and check-in at hotel. Later explore the erotic temples.

Overnight: hotel in Khajuraho.

DAY 11: KHAJURAHO – ORCHHA DRIVE (178 KM)

In the morning we visit Panna National Park. Return to hotel. After breakfast drive to Orchha, founded in the 16th century by the Bundela King RudraPratap on the banks of the Betwa River, the town is dotted with fortress, temples and cenotaphs. The architecture is a fusion of traditional Hindu and Indo Saracenic styles. Visit fort and local village. Visit Jahangir Palace, built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Then visit Dinmana Hardaul Palace and Lakshmi Narayan Temple, where the style is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple moulds. The interiors contain the most exquisite of Orchha's wall paintings.

 Overnight: hotel in Orchha.

DAY 12: ORCHA – RANTHAMBORE DRIVE (320 KM)

Morning after breakfast drive to the Ranthambore National Park region, one of the largest and most renowned national parks in Northern India. It was the former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Time to enjoy the beautiful new surroundings.

Overnight: hotel in Ranthambore.

DAY 13: RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK SAFARI

An early morning drive to the wildlife sanctuary at Ranthambore National Park. A local naturalist-guide joins you in your park-assigned Jeep or Canter vehicle as you begin your search for elusive tigers as well as hyenas, jackals and foxes. The park is dotted with structures, including a huge hilltop fort that reminds you of a bygone era; it is a unique and wonderful mixed flavor of nature, history and wildlife. The park is truly a wildlife enthusiasts and photographer's dream. Enjoy lunch at the hotel, with time to relax before the evening safari that is sure to thrill you. Return to the lodge in time for dinner.

AM: Game Viewing.

PM: Game Viewing.

Overnight: hotel in Ranthambore.

DAY 14: RANTHAMBORE – AGRA DRIVE (270KM)

After breakfast depart and drive to Agra. En route visit Fateh-Pur-Sikri, an epic poem in red sandstone. It was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and deserted 14 years later due to lack of water. The main attraction are The Diwan-e- Khas and The Diwan-e-Am (a courtyard arranged like a gigantic game board, where the Emperor played chess using slave girls as pawns).

AM: Game Viewing.

Overnight: hotel in Agra.

DAY 15: AGRA –DELHI DRIVE (202 KM)

Early morning visit to Taj Mahal (at sunset) (closed to visitors on Fridays), the most extravagant monument ever built for love. On the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Moghul Emperor Shah Jehan built her this memorial over which 20,000 men labored for 22 years to create a masterpiece in white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones. After breakfast visit Agra Fort (lal Qila) where Shah Jehan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. The Peacock throne (now in Iran) was in this fort, before being moved to Delhi by Emperor Aurangzeb.

After lunch drive continued to Delhi. On arrival transfer to hotel.

Overnight: hotel in Delhi.

DAY 16: DEPARTURE

In the morning transfer to International airport for onward journey