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
On arrival into Delhi International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel where a room will be available for immediate occupancy. Later you will be met and transferred to the airport to board your flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel.
Overnight: The Grand Temple View – Temple View room – Comfortable, en-suite bedrooms overlooking the temples of Khajuraho (B)

Day 3
Today you will be taken for a tour of Khajuraho where you will visit both Western and Eastern Groups 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. These sculptures are considered to be the most perfect figures achieved in stone and depict the Gods and Goddesses and amorous couples.
Overnight: The Grand Temple View – Temple View room (B)

Day 4
After breakfast you will be met and driven to Bandhavgarh National Park (approx five hours drive). Set amidst the Vindhyanchal ranges, the park covers an area of 437 sq. km. and has a series of ridges running through it. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands are found throughout. There are more than 250 species of birds and 22 species of mammals including the Royal Bengal Tiger. On arrival at Mahua Kothi you will have time to relax.
Overnight: Mahua Kothi – The lodge consists of 12 charming individual kutiyas (little houses) built in traditional Madhya Pradesh style with en-suite bathrooms, private courtyards, mud floors, wooden shutters, open rafters and handmade pottery roof tiles. (B/D)

Day 5
Spend a full day exploring Bandhavgarh National Park on game drives, walks and even elephant back (if a tiger has been spotted). The guides and naturalists are very knowledgeable about the tiger movements and therefore, having a couple days here means you can track and follow the tigers over the course of your stay if you are lucky enough to spot them! Being able to do this is fascinating as you may catch a glimpse of them playing, hunting, sleeping and drinking.
Overnight: Mahua Kothi (B/D)

Day 6
Following your final morning safari in Bandhavgarh you will be driven to Kanha National Park (approximately six 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 of which the stripped palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig, spotted deer, barasingha or swamp deer, sambhar and black buck are the easiest to spot. Those you will have to work a bit harder for are the tiger, the Indian wild dog, the leopard and the sloth bear. Kanha is fantastic for birders and has some 200 species including pond heron, black ibis, woodpecker, and grey hornbill.

Time permitting; you may get a chance to head out into the National Park for your first game drive.
Overnight: Banjar Tola – Large, luxury tents with en-suite bathrooms and verandas which are perfect for relaxing and listening to the sounds of the Indian jungle. The 18 contemporary tents are set on a raised platform alongside the Banjaar River, blending seamlessly with their surroundings. Wide, glass doors open onto private decks which overlook the river, offering panoramic views of the wilderness beyond (B/L/D)

Day 7
Spend the morning exploring Kanha National Park with your expert naturalist in search for the resident wildlife and of course the tiger. As well as the tigers, there is a whole host of wildlife which you could spot including jungle cat, leopard cat, striped hyenas, wild dog, sloth bear, and gaur are just some of the animals you may come across!

Breakfast will be taken in the park surrounded by the beautiful jungle. You will then continue with you morning safari before heading back to the camp around lunch time. The afternoon is yours to relax back at the lodge either back at your tent or around the beautiful swimming pool. Later in the afternoon you will set off into the park for your second game drive.
Overnight: Banjar Tola (B/L/D)

Day 8
Following your final morning game drive in the park you will return to the lodge for lunch. Later in the afternoon you will be met and driven to Nagpur (approx two hours drive) for your flight to Calcutta where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight: The Oberoi Grand - Deluxe room – Beautifully designed, luxurious bedrooms (B)

Day 9
After breakfast you will have time to check out before heading out with your guide to explore the sights and sounds of Calcutta. First you will be taken to visit the flower markets by the Hooghly River where you will be able to enjoy a boat cruise before continuing 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 the Indian Museum and Victoria Memorial.

Following your cultural tour of Calcutta you will return to the hotel where you will be able to use the lobby facilities to freshen up before being transferred to the international airport for your flight back home. (B)

Notes:

Why not add on some relaxing, luxury on the beaches such as Kerala or Goa?