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DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
 On
arrival meet and assist at the airport and transfer to prebooked
hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Delhi
: India’s capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary
Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its
fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one
of the prime reasons why
successive
dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects
the legacy the British left behind . The division between New &
Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British
& the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he
will invariably confront the citys’ past.
DAY
02 : DELHI
After
breakfast, half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the
largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was
started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; drive past Red
Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was
built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation
site of Mahatma Gandhi.
Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in
mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture;
Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place.
The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple.
DAY 03 : DELHI - JAIPUR
(260 kms., approx. 05 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur : The capital city of the
state of Rajasthan also know as “Pink City” owes its name, its foundation
and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh
II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues. The city sits on a dry
lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren
hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls.
Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
 DAY
04 : JAIPUR
After
breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills
of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance
of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state.
Construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput
commander of Akbar's army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.
Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace which has
museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware
and weapons; Jantar Mantar - the observatoyr built my Maharaja Jai
Singh in 1728 and the façade of Hawa Mahal.
DAY 05 : JAIPUR
-
RANTHAMORE
NATIONAL
PARK
After
breakfast leave for
Ranthambore - Ranthambore
- Located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill range,
this is one of the finest places to view animals, especially as
they are used to being stared at here.The park covers an area of
Approximately 400 sq Km and if combined it with the area of
sawai
man singh sanctuary area,it
is around 500 Sq km. Ranthambore national park was declared a wildlife
sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection of
"Project
Tiger". It
got it's status of a National Park in 1981. Ranthambore National
Park is dotted with structures that remind you of bygone eras.
There are many water bodies located all over the park, which provide
perfect relief during the extremely hot summer months for the forest
inhabitants. A huge fort, after which the park is named, towers
over the park atop a hill. There are many ruins of bygone eras scattered
all over the jungle, which give it a unique, wonderful and mixed
flavour of nature, history and wildlife. Tigers at Ranthambore
National park have been known to even hunt in full view of human
visitors. These tigers are famous for being seen in the daytime
too, due to their lack of fear of human presence in vehicles. This
lack of fear of humans is excellent for tourists, as they get to
see the tigers often. This National park is a wildlife enthusiast
and photographer's dream. It offers excellent accommodation and
internal transportation facilities. The park remains open every
year from October to May.Famous for the exciting and frequent tiger
sightings captured dramatically in several bo oks,
this park is today affected by ecological pressures and poaching.
In Nutshell, Ranthambore National park is a wildlife enthusiast
and photographer's dream.
Arrive
Ranthambore and check in at prebooked hotel. Rest of
the day at leisure.
DAY 06 : RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL
PARK
Morning
and afternoon, Jungle Safari to witness the wild life. The
Park contains a huge variety of animals, birds and reptiles within
it. Primarily the population consists of... Animals :
Tigers, Leopards, Striped Hyenas, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Common
or Hanuman langurs, Macaques, Jackals, Jungle cats, Caracals, Sloth
bears, Black bucks, Rufoustailed Hare, Indian Wild Boar, Chinkara,
Common Palm Civets or Toddy cat, Coomon Yellow Bats, Desert Cats,
Fivestriped Palm Squirels, Indian False Vampires, Indian Flying
Foxes, Indian Foxes, Indian Gerbilles, Indian Mole Rats, Indian
Porcupines, Longeared Hedgehogs, Ratels, Small Indian Mongoose,
Small Indian Civets and Common mongoose. The
amphibian species
only consist of the Common India Toad and the Common Frog. The park
is most famous for it's diurnal
tigers.
The park also has a large number of marsh
crocs Reptiles:
Snub Nosed Marsh Crocodiles, Desert Monitor Lizards, Tortoise, Banded
Kraits, Cobras, Common Kraits, Ganga Soft Shelled Turtles, Indian
Pythons, North Indian Flap Shelled Turtles, Rat Snakes, Russel's
Vipers, Saw-scaled Vipers and the Indian Chamaeleon
DAY 07 : RANTHAMBORE - BHARATPUR (TRAIN)
- FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA
Early morning, transfer to the railway station to board Jan Shatabdi
Express scheduled to depart at 0710 hrs. for Bharatpur. (Train does
not operate on Sunday). Arrive Bharatpur at 0925 hrs. and visit
Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary or-as many people prefer to call it-the
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. It lies between two of India's most historic
cities, Agra and Jaipur. This north Indian sanctuary is situated
in the country's northwestern state of Rajasthan, about 190 km from
the national capital of Delhi. Bharatpur hosts a variety of bird
species from across the globe. Close to 380 species of birds are
found in this 29 sq km stretch, approximately 10 sq km of which
comprises of marshes and bogs. Rest of the area comprises of scrublands,
grasslands and more than 44,000 trees that are used for nesting
by birds each year. This rather intriguing blend of marshes, woodland
and flora found here represents and, at the same time, substantiates
the density and diversity of the region's forest cover.
Continue drive to Agra, enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city
of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old
capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to
scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama
Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which
are still preserved in its original glory, credit of which goes
to Lord Curzon. Upon arrival in Agra, check-in at your prebooked
Hotel
DAY 08 : AGRA
After
breakfast, city tour of Agra. Visit Red
fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions
were made up
until
the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public
and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; Itmad-ud-daulah,
which was contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very
similar to the tomb she constructed for
her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; the highlight of
the day - The Taj Mahal,
which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz
Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed
until 1653. Afternoon, free for individual activities.
Afternoon, free for individual activities.
DAY 09 : AGRA - JHANSI (TRAIN)
JHANSI - ORCHHA - KHAJURAHO
(178 Kms., 04-05 Hrs. Drive)
After breakfast, transfer to the railway station to board
Shatabdi Express, scheduled to depart for Jhansi at 0815 hrs. Arrive
Jhansi at 1025 hrs., transfer to Khajuraho, enroute visit
Orchha : Once the capital of Bundelas, Orchha is a village, set
amongst a complex of well preserved palaces and temples. Though
Orcha was founded in 1531, it's golden age was during the first
half of 17th century. When Jahangir visiting the city in 1606, a
special palace, the Jehangir Mahal was built for him. Visit the
Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal & Ram Raja temple which also dates
back to the 17th century.
Arrive Khajuraho and check-in at prebooked hotel.
DAY 10 : KHAJURAH0 - BANDHAVGARH
(270 Kms, 06 Hrs. drive)
After breakfast visit Khajuraho : Built by the warrior Chandela
dynasty that rose to power in Central India between 10th & 11th
centuries, the 25 odd surving temples display different facets of
life, including the sensual. These erotic carvings on some panels
have given rise to much speculation since Khajuraho’s re-discovery
by a British officer in 1838. To preserve it for posterity, Khajuraho
has been declared a World Heritage Site.
Visit the world famous Khajuraho temples built by the Chandela Kings
between 950 AD & 1050 AD. The most important are the Chaunset
Yogini temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev temple, Chitragupta
or Bharatji temple with lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishwanath
& Nandi temples, Lakshmana temple, Visha temple dedicated to
Shiva, which is the largest & most typical of temples.
Afternoon, drive to Bandhavgarh National Park is spread at vindhya
hills in Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh National Park consists of a
core area of 105 sq km and a buffer area of approximately 400 sq
km of topography varies between steep ridges, undulating, forest
and open meadows. Bandhavgarh National Park is known for the Royal
Bengal Tigers. The density of the Tiger population at Bandhavgarh
is the highest known in India.
Bandhavgarh National Park was the former hunting preserve of the
Maharaja of Rewa and at present is a famous natural hub for White
Tigers. White Tigers, now a major attraction around the world's
zoos, were first discovered in Rewa, not far from here. The terrain
is broken, with rocky hill ranges, running roughly east west, interspersed
with grassy swamps and forested valleys. Bandhavgarh National Park
is one of the finest national park in the India and has the distinction
of harboring the highest concentration of tigers per unit area of
forest. The Bandhavgarh National Park is spread over on area of
448 sq km with a cross area of 105 sq km. At the center of the park
is the bandhavgarh hill, rising 811 meters above sea level and surrounding
it are a sloping valleys, These valleys end in small, swampy meadows
locally known as "bohera".
Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968. Since then many
steps have been taken to retain Bandhavgarh National Park as an
unspoilt national habitat for a variety of wildlife peculiar to
the area. These includes gaur (Indian bison), sloth bear, leopard,
porcupine, wild boar, sambhar and spotted deer, among others and
of course, the tiger
DAY
11 : BANDHAVGARH
 Morning
and evening jeep/elephant safari to the national park for wildlife
viewing.
DAY
12 : BANDHAVGARH
Morning and evening jeep/elephant safari to the national park for
wildlife viewing
DAY 13 : BANDHAVGARH - KANHA
(265 Kms, 05-06 Hrs Drive)
Morning game drive to the national park, return to the resort for
breakfast.
After breakfast, leave for Kanha - Kanha's sal and bamboo forests,
rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq km
in dramatic natural splendor. This is original Kipling country,
of which he wrote so vividly in his Jungle Book. The same abundance
of wildlife species exists today in Kanha National Park, which forms
the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974 under Project
Tiger. The park is the only habitat of the rare hardground barasingha
(Cervus Duvaceli Branderi). In the 1930s, the Kanha area was divided
into two sanctuaries: Hallon and Banjar, of 250 sq km and 300 sq
km each. Though one of these was subsequently disbanded, the area
remained a protected one until 1947. Depletion of the tiger population
in the years that followed led to the area being made an absolute
sanctuary in 1952. By a special statute in 1955, Kanha National
Park came into being. Arrive Kanha and check in at prebooked
hotel.
DAY
14 : KANHA
Morning and evening jeep/elephant safari to the national
park for wildlife viewing
DAY 15 : KANHA - NAGPUR - DELHI
(FLIGHT)
Morning game drive to the national park, return to the resort
for breakfast
After breakfast, drive to Nagpur airport to board flight for Delhi
Arrive Delhi, transfer to prebooked Hotel
DAY 16 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home
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