Tigers and Temples of India Safari
Tigers and Temples of India Safari - An 11 Day Tiger Tracking Holiday - From £2,400 per person sharing excluding international flights
Day 1
Met upon arrival by your private vehicle and driver and guide. Transfer to your hotel for a short safari briefing and a chance to relax.
Overnight: The Claridges – Deluxe rooms (B)
Day 2
After breakfast you will be taken around the sights of Old and New Delhi. This morning visit Old Delhi, it pulses with the energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of thronged bazaars and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the Indian sub-continent. You will see the famous Red Fort surrounded by shops, and bazaars, the Jama Masjid with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes and the Chandni Chowk. In Old Delhi you will also have an opportunity to enjoy rickshaw ride.
In the afternoon you will be taken on a tour of New Delhi. It is a city of wide boulevards which offers ever changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a city known for its formal parks, magnificent Parliament
Building, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President of India designed by Sir Edwin Lutyen) and India Gate. In New Delhi you will also visit Qutab Minar, the 72.5 m high tower dating back to 13th century and Humayun's Tomb (built in the 16th century and architecturally the fore runner of the Taj Mahal).
Overnight: The Claridges – Deluxe rooms (B)
Day 3
Today morning you will be driven to Agra. Upon arrival you will be met and taken to your hotel.
Today afternoon you will enjoy guided tour of Agra city – visiting Agra Fort and Itmad –Ud-Daula and the magnificent Taj Mahal at sunset. (Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays). Near the gardens of the Taj Mahal stands the important 16th-century Mughal monument known as the Red Fort of Agra. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques. Later visit the tomb of Itmad-Ud-Daula also called “Baby Taj”. The Taj Mahal truly is one of the wonders of the world, and you’ll see it at its best - at sunset - just when the light, playing on the marble of the tomb and the reflections in the stillness of the waters, presents this incredible building in all its beauty, majesty and splendor. The Taj Mahal is a monument of love built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. For twenty-two years, 20,000 men labored day and night to build this masterpiece that has held the world awe struck ever since.
Overnight: Taj View- Superior Taj Facing Room (B)
Day 4
Today morning you will be drive to Agra Railway station to board your train Shatbadi Express. Departing at 0830 hrs, arriving Agra at 1040 hrs. Upon arrival you will be met and driven to Khajuraho (approx 4 hours) - en-route visit the ruins at Orchha. On arrival you will check in at your hotel. You will be taken for a tour of the temples of Khajuraho. The famous Chandela Dynasty temples, built between 950 and 1050 AD, immortalised in stone a wealth of sensuous and erotic sculptures, an exquisite depiction of human life and emotions, equating passion with spiritual union. The sculptures, considered as the most perfect figures achieved in stone, depict Gods and Goddesses and amorous couples.
Overnight: Taj Chandela –Superior Garden View Rooms (B)
Day 5
This morning you will be driven to Bandhavgarh National Park (approximately 5 hours 30 minutes driving distance). 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. 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. Reptilian fauna include Cobra, Krait, Viper, Rat snake, Python, Turtle and a number of lizard species.
Overnight: Tree House Hideaway – Tree House (B/L/D)
Day 6
Early this morning you will take a game drive in Bandhavgarh National Park; midday is free for walks or relax and in the afternoon you can enjoy your second game drive of the day in the hope of spotting the renowned Bengal tiger….
Overnight: Tree House Hideaway – Tree House (B/L/D)
Day 7
Early this morning you will take a game drive in Bandhavgarh National Park; midday is free for walks or relax and in the afternoon you can enjoy your second game drive of the day….
Overnight: Tree House Hideaway – Tree House (B/L/D)
Day 8
Morning enjoy a game drive in the National Park. After breakfast drive to Kanha National Park (approximately 6 hours driving distance).
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.
Overnight: Shergarh Tented Camp - Tents (B/L/D)
Day 9
Mornings enjoy a game drive in Kanha National Park; midday is free for walks in and around the lodge; afternoon enjoy your second game drive of the day…
Overnight: Shergarh Tented Camp - Tents (B/L/D)
Day 10
Mornings 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: Shergarh Tented Camp - Tents (B/L/D)
Day 11
Morning enjoy game drive in the Park. Later, you will be driven to Nagpur (approx 02 hours drive) for your flight to Delhi (9W 367 Departure Nagpur 1955 hrs Arrival Delhi 2120 hrs). On arrival in Delhi, you will be transferred to a hotel near the airport for using lobby level facilities and later transferred to the International Airport for your flight back home.
Notes:
- this safari combines perfectly with a beach extension to Kerala or Goa
