Wild India: The Land of the Tiger

On arrival in Delhi you will be met at the airport by a representative and transferred to your hotel right in the heart of New Delhi. 

This afternoon you’ll have free time to explore the sights of Connaught Place, including the bazaars and stalls, the vintage cinemas, Art Today, the Dhoomimal Art Centre, the Hanuman Temple, Jantar Mantar, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.

Today you will have the opportunity to see the contrasts of Old and New Delhi with an English speaking guide. In the morning you’ll visit one of the largest mosques in India, Jama Masjid, followed by a rickshaw cycle tour of Old Delhi where you can explore the winding alleys of the famous Chandni Chowk Bazaar area.

Later in the afternoon you’ll explore New Delhi, including Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar and Lutyens' Delhi, an area named after the British architect Edwin Lutyens who was responsible for much of the architectural design and building when India was part of the British Empire in the 1920s and 1930s.

This morning you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport to board your flight to Nagpur. Nagpur. On arrival in Nagpur you will be driven (5 hours) to Kanha.

Kanha is one the largest national parks in India extending over 1945 sq. km. of undulating country, which includes a core area of 940 sq. km. Elevations range from 450 to 900 meters. The setting of Kipling's 'Jungle Book', it is a beautiful area of forest and lightly wooded grassland with many rivers and streams, and it supports an excellent variety of wildlife. Kanha Tiger Reserve was created in the core area of the park under the Project Tiger programme in 1974.

Today you will head out into the jungle early in the morning and again in the evening for game drives. Kanha has some 22 species of mammals. The most easily spotted are the stripped palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig, chital or spotted deer, barasingha or swamp deer, sambhar and black buck. Less commonly seen species are Tiger, Indian hare, dhole or Indian wild dog, barking deer and Indian bison or gaur. Other animals found in the park are Indian fox, sloth bear, striped hyena, jungle cat, panther, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, porcupine and wolf.

Today you will head out into the jungle early in the morning and again in the evening for game drives. Kanha is also home to 200 species of birds. Bird-watchers should station themselves in the hills where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour many species. Water birds can be seen near the park's many rivulets. Early mornings and late afternoons are best for bird-watching. The commonly seen species of birds include cattle egret, pond heron, black ibis, common peafowl, crested serpent eagle, racket-tailed drongo, and hawk eagle, various species of fly-catchers, woodpecker, pigeon, dove, parakeet, babbler, mynah, Indian roller, white-breasted kingfisher and grey hornbill.

After your morning game drive you will be collected and driven to Bandhavgarh National Park. On arrival in Bandhavgarh you will check into your hotel and the rest of the day may be spent in leisure.

Prior to becoming a national park, the forests around Bandhavgarh were maintained as the game preserve of the royal family of Rewa and hunting was carried out by the Maharajas and their guests. It was as late as 1968 that special conservation measures were taken and Bandhavgarh was declared a National Park. Set amidst the Vindhyanchal ranges, the park covers an area of 437 sq. km. and has a series of ridges running through it. About half of the Park is covered with fine stands of Sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands are found throughout. The main view area is still in the core of the park with its 32 picturesque wooded hills.

Today you’ll have another day to explore the park with morning and evening game drives. There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. Common langurs and rhesus macaque represent the primate group. Carnivores include the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Grey Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard and Tiger. The artiodactyls frequently sighted are Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Nilgai, Chinkara and Gaur. Among the herbivores, Gaur is the only coarse feeder.

The vegetation along streams and marshes is rich in bird-life. The common ones are little Grebe, Egret, Lesser Adjutant, Sarus Crane, Black Ibis, Lesser Whistling Teal, White-eyed Buzzard, Black Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Common Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Dove, Parakeet, Kingfisher and Indian Roller.

Reptiles include Cobra, Krait, Viper, Rat snake, Python, Turtle and a number of lizard species.

Today you’ll have another day to explore the park with morning and evening game drives. There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. Common langurs and rhesus macaque represent the primate group. Carnivores include the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Grey Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard and Tiger. The artiodactyls frequently sighted are Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Nilgai, Chinkara and Gaur. Among the herbivores, Gaur is the only coarse feeder.

The vegetation along streams and marshes is rich in bird-life. The common ones are little Grebe, Egret, Lesser Adjutant, Sarus Crane, Black Ibis, Lesser Whistling Teal, White-eyed Buzzard, Black Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Common Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Dove, Parakeet, Kingfisher and Indian Roller.

Reptiles include Cobra, Krait, Viper, Rat snake, Python, Turtle and a number of lizard species.

After breakfast this morning you’ll be driven to Panna National Park.

Lying along the river Ken, Panna National Park contains large areas of un-spoilt forest and a variety of wildlife spread over almost 543 sq. km. The tiger can be glimpsed here, though rarely, with other rare species such as the leopard, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, wolf and gharial. Herds of bluebells, chinkara and sambhar are a common sight.

After breakfast this morning you’ll driven to the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, 40km west of Agra.

This city was the short-lived capital of the Mughal Empire between 1572 and 1585, during the reign of Emperor Akbar. Earlier, Akbar had visited the village of Sikri to consult the Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chishti, who predicted the birth of an heir to the Mughal throne. When the prophecy came true, Akbar built his new capital here, including a stunning mosque, still in use today, and three palaces, one for each of his favourite wives – one a Hindu, one a Muslim and one a Christian. The city was an Indo-Islamic masterpiece, but it was built in an area that suffered from water shortages so it was abandoned shortly after Akbar’s death.

After exploring Fatehpur Sikri you’ll continue on to the colourful city of Jaipur. On arrival you’ll immediately understand the reasoning behind the name - every building within the walled centre is painted a terracotta ‘pink’ colour and there are few exceptions to this colour scheme.

After your morning game drive you will be driven to Khajuraho for a tour of the UNESCO protected temples, known for their erotic carvings.

Khajuraho was once the capital of great Chandela rulers, but it is now a quiet village with only few thousand residents. In these temples, the sculptures have shown many aspects of Indian life 1000 years ago - gods and goddesses, warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals.

Today you’ll have a private guided tour of Agra's impressive sights, including the spectacular Agra Fort, a fortress, palace and prison built of red sandstone by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and partially converted into a palace during the time of Shah Jahan.

Just before sunset you’ll visit India’s most famous building, the iconic Taj Mahal. Best known as a monument to love and loss, the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his second wife.

After breakfast this morning you’ll driven to the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, 40km west of Agra.

This city was the short-lived capital of the Mughal Empire between 1572 and 1585, during the reign of Emperor Akbar. Earlier, Akbar had visited the village of Sikri to consult the Sufi saint Shaikh Salim Chishti, who predicted the birth of an heir to the Mughal throne. When the prophecy came true, Akbar built his new capital here, including a stunning mosque, still in use today, and three palaces, one for each of his favourite wives – one a Hindu, one a Muslim and one a Christian. The city was an Indo-Islamic masterpiece, but it was built in an area that suffered from water shortages so it was abandoned shortly after Akbar’s death.

After exploring Fatehpur Sikri you’ll continue on to the colourful city of Jaipur. On arrival you’ll immediately understand the reasoning behind the name - every building within the walled centre is painted a terracotta ‘pink’ colour and there are few exceptions to this colour scheme.

Today you’ll have an opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Jaipur.

This morning we recommend a walking tour through the busy, bustling streets which are packed with cars, camels, rickshaws and bicycles. You can explore the city's crowded bazaars where locals sell beautiful handcrafted textiles, folk art, and semi-precious stones. Expect to see Rajput men wearing traditional colourful turbans and sporting magnificent moustaches!

You’ll also have a chance to visit the Hawa Mahal or 'Palace of the Winds', plus you can visit one of India’s finest palaces, Jaipur's Royal City Palace, or the fascinating Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the collection of astronomical instrument sculptures.

This afternoon you may have time to visit the ‘Jewel of Jaipur’ Amber Fort, which is located on the hills of the Aravalli, 11 km outside the city. This magnificent fortress, built in the 16th century, comprises of hundreds of now empty dungeons, chambers, servants quarters, halls of private and public audience, and lovely enclosed gardens with charming water features. A maze of passages connects the different sections of the palaces, leading you through glittering halls of mirrors.

Today you will be collected form your hotel and driven to Delhi International Airpot in time to board your international flight home.