India Wildlife, Temples and Palaces Safari

India Wildlife, Temples and Palaces Safari - A Luxury India Safari From £4,100 per person sharing excluding international flights

Day 1

A room will be ready for you upon arrival.

Overnight: Trident– Superior garden facing room

Day 2

Met Upon arrival at the International Airport where you will be received and taken to your hotel where room is available for immediate occupancy. Later you will be met and transferred to airport to board flight (9W 723 departing Delhi  at 1040 hrs’ arrival Khajuraho at 1300 hrs). Upon arrival you will transferred to the hotel.

Overnight: The Grand Temple View – Temple View room (B)

Day 3

Today you will be taken for a tour of Khajuraho – visiting Western and Eastern Group of Temples. The famous Chandela Dynasty Temples of Khajuraho built between 950 and 1050 AD immortalised in stone is a wealth of sensuous and erotic sculptures, an exquisite depiction of human life and emotions, equating passion with spiritual union. The sculptures considered most perfect figures achieved in stone, depicts Gods and Goddesses and amorous couples.

Overnight: The Grand Temple View – Temple View room (B)

Day 4

After breakfast, drive to Bandhavgarh National Park (approx 5hours). 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 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. 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 of course the most famous of all the Royal Bengal Tiger. The other animals spotted in the park are Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Nilgai, Chinkara and Gaur. The vegetation along streams and marshes is rich in bird-life. Upon arrival in Bandhavgarh, check into Mahua Kothi for 2 nights.

Rest of the day is at leisure.

Mahua Kothi is the first Wilderness Lodge of the joint venture between the Taj Hotels and CC Africa.  It opened on 1^st November 2007 and it is an exciting addition to the wildlife circuit of India.  Its 12 cottages, or kutiyas as they are called locally, are stylishly designed, with a feel of rustic chic – comfortable and spacious.

Overnight: Mahua Kothi (B/D)

Day 5

Today you can enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in the park.  There is also the chance to do short elephant safaris, if they have been successful with sighting tiger.  There are lovely bird and nature walks in the area as well. 

Overnight: Mahua Kothi (B/D)

Day 6

Today enjoy the morning game drive. Later your will be driven to Kanha National Park (approximately 6 hours drive). Kanha is one the largest national parks in India extending over 1945 sq. km. of undulating country, which includes a core area of 940 sqkm. 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. Kanha has some 200 species of birds. The commonly seen species of birds include cattle egret, pond heron, black ibis, common peafowl, crested serpent eagle, racket-tailed drongo, hawk eagle, various species of fly-catcher, woodpecker, pigeon, dove, parakeet, babbler, mynah, Indian roller, white-breasted kingfisher and grey hornbill.

If time permits, enjoy evening game drive in the park.

Overnight: Banjar Tola - the latest addition to the CC Africa nad Taj group. Luxury tented accommodation with cosy communla areas and excellent service (B/L/D)

Day 7

Morning enjoy a game drive in the National Park; midday is free for walks in and around the lodge; afternoon enjoy your second game drive of the day….

Overnight: Banjar Tola (B/L/D)

Day 8

Today morning after you final game drive in the park. In the late afternoon, you will be driven to Nagpur (Approx 02 hours drive) for your flight to Calcutta (S2 6752 Departing Nagpur at 1910 hrs Arriving Calcutta at 2100hrs). On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel.

Overnight: The Oberoi Grand - Deluxe room (B)

Day 9

This morning you will be taken for a full day sightseeing tour of Calcutta. After breakfast, you will be taken to visit the flower markets by the Hooghly River, enjoy boat cruise and continue on to the Botanical gardens. Later you will visit Kumartuli, where you will see the craftsmen at work carving beautiful clay idols of the Hindu god and goddesses.   In the afternoon, you be taken to visit Indian Museum and Victoria Memorial. (Room will be available till 1200 hrs.)

After sightseeing you can use the facilities at lobby level and at late evening you will be assisted to board your flight back home. (B)

Notes:

• This holiday can be combined with some excellent luxury beach breaks down to areas such as Kerala or Goa