Taj, Temples & Tigers

Mumbai - Nagpur - Pench

Early morning today, you will be transferred to the airport to connect to your flight departing Mumbai for Nagpur. On arrival at Nagpur airport, an Eastbound representative holding a sign with your name, will meet you in the arrivals area upon exiting baggage claim, you will be transferred to Pench (92 Kms / 2Hrs) for check in. Pench National Park, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura hills is named after Pench River which flows from north to south through the Pench National Park. It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh. Recently in 1992, Pench has been included under the umbrella of 'Project Tiger' as the 19th Project Tiger Reserve. A total of 758 Sq. kms of this Southern Indian tropical moist deciduous forest has its extent mingling with the tropical dry deciduous teak. The area is crisscrossed by a number of streams and 'nallahs' most of which are seasonal. Though the Pench River dries up in April end, a number of water pools locally known as 'dohs' are found which serve as water holes for the wild animals. The Pench Reservoir at the center of the park is the only major water source during the pinch period. As a prey concentration is high along the Pench River, tigers usually frequent this belt. Leopards though generally operate in the peripheral areas but are occasionally seen in the deep forest also. Jungle cats are commonly seen. Leopard cats, small Indian civets and palm civets are common but seen rarely. Afternoon enjoy a game drive in Pench National Park. Overnight at the hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Pench - Kanha

This morning enjoy a game drive to Pench National Park, return to hotel for breakfast, then you will drive to Kanha (220 kms; 5 hrs). On arrival, check-in at hotel. Enjoy lunch at the hotel and prepare for your visit to an Indian park in the afternoon. This could be your first meeting with those magnificent stripes. Situated in central India in the Satpura Hill ranges, Kanha Tiger Reserve offers without a doubt, India's finest Tiger viewing. Spread over 1945 square kilometres with a core area of just 940 square kilometres, the grasslands and deciduous forests also support other mammals such as Barasingha, Chital, Muntjac (Swamp, Spotted and Barking Deer), Sambar, Common Langur and Rhesus Monkeys, Wild Boar, Asiatic Jackal, three of India's four lowland antelopes, Nilgai, Four-horned Antelope (Chowsingha) and Blackbuck, and occasionally Leopard, Gaur (Indian Bison), Sloth Bear, Wolf and Dhole (Wild Dog). In fact Kanha is noted for the last remaining population of hard-ground Barasingha, which exceeds 350. Birdlife present includes the Painted Partridge, Shaheen Falcon, Golden Oriole and the omnipresent Red Jungle Fowl. You will be accompanied by a driver and/or park guide, assigned by the National Park authorities. Overnight at the hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kanha - Bandhavgarh

This morning enjoy game drive to Kanha National Park, return to hotel for breakfast, later drive to Bandhavgarh (300 Kms; 7 hrs). On arrival, check-in at hotel. After lunch at resort, get ready to see the beautiful park. Bandhavgarh National Park, named after Bandhavgarh Fort, is situated in Central India and was formerly a Royal hunting reserve of the princely state of Rewe where the first White Tiger in the wild was ever found. The Park is situated in 450 square kilometres of mixed forest. The core area of the park is fairly small with a fragile ecology but it supports such wildlife as the Chital (Spotted Deer), Sambar, Muntjak (Barking Deer), Nilgai, Chinkara, Chowsingha (Four-horned Antelope), Wild Boar, Leopard, Dhole (Wild Dog) and of course Tiger. Bird life also abounds with over 275 species of bird such as hornbills, orioles, parakeets, peacocks, and eagles. Overnight at the hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho

This morning enjoy a game drive to Bandhavgarh National Park, return to the hotel for breakfast, later drive to Khajuraho, in six hours you will arrive in the tranquil town of ancient temples. Upon arrival in Khajuraho, check in at the hotel. Khajuraho oozes with passion, eroticism, dance and music and other finesses of creative arts depicted in sculpture and images of the temples. The 9th to 12th century temples of Khajuraho is the evidences of the architectural geniuses during the times of Chandela dynasty. Situated in Madhya Pradesh, India. The 85 temples were built in North Indian 'Nagara' style of architecture, though only 20 of them have survived the rough weather conditions over long years of time. The two richer distinctive groups of temples are the Western and Eastern group of temples. Overnight at the hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Agra

This morning you will be escorted to the Taj Mahal. The Seventh Wonder of the World, built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal by the banks of 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 in the name of love. The great monument took almost 22 years to build and was completed in 1653. Around 20,000 workers from all over the country and central Asia were recruited to translate this dream into a reality. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. Later in afternoon visit the Agra Fort begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565. The high red stone monument stretches for around one and a half miles. The palace is notable for its smooth blending of Hindu and central Asian architectural styles. See the Diwan-i-Am (hall of public audiences), Diwan-i-Khas (hall of private audiences), the Khas Palace, the Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors), the Shah Jahani Mahal (Shahjahan’s Palace), Jahangiri Mahal (Jahangir’s Palace) and the Akbari Mahal (Akbar’s palace) inside the fort. Rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Jaipur

After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing of Amber Fort which is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace, with its rugged, time-ravaged walls and fascinating palaces inside. Enjoy a ride on elephant back to climb up the hill to enter the fort (subject to availability, if Elephant ride is unavailable then a jeep ride will be used as a replacement). Visit the enchanting palaces and gardens inside the fort palace to complete your tour. On your way back, stop at Hawa Mahal - Palace of Winds in the heart of Jaipur’s shopping district to hunt for souvenirs. This afternoon is set for sightseeing of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace, the former residence of the royal family, a part of which is converted into a museum. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the old city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the Armory Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. The observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition. Later explore the 'pink city'. Jaipur’s traditional markets, streets and lanes are loaded with one noticeable feature: color! You will be amazed to see the fusion and variety of hues all around… in clothing, houses, painted carts and vehicles, painted elephants, and tattooed camels. Overnight at the hotel.

INCLUDES : Breakfast

Delhi departure

Today, you will be transferred to the airport to be connected with your return or onward flight.

INCLUDES : Breakfast