Ultimate India

The Ultimate Wildlife and Cultural Luxury Indian Getaway - From £5,310 per person sharing, Excluding International Flights

Day 1
On arrival into Delhi International Airport you will be met by our local representatives who will present you with all onward travel documentation including hotel vouchers and all internal flight details. You will then be transferred to the Imperial Hotel where you will be able to relax after your long flight.
Overnight: The Imperial – Grand Heritage Room – Set within tranquil gardens, The Imperial Hotel offers luxurious accommodation and a wide range of facilities. The hotel bar overlooks stunning lawns and the hotel features a range of on-site restaurants, offering a choice of international cuisines. All rooms are en-suite and overlook the gardens at the hotel.

Day 2
You will be met at your hotel this morning by your private driver and guide and will be taken for a private tour of Old and New Delhi.

Pulsing with energy and colour, Old Delhi is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between the tall, leaning buildings. You will witness and feel part of the hustle and bustle of thronged bazaars where you will experience the full sights, sounds and aromas indicative of the Indian sub continent. In Old Delhi you will visit the famous Red Fort surrounded by shops and bazaars, the Jama Masjid with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes as well as the Chandni Chowk. Here you will also have the opportunity to experience a rickshaw ride – something not to be missed!

As a complete contrast, New Delhi stands in formal splendour. It is a city of wide boulevards that offers ever changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is also a city known for its formal parks, magnificent Parliament Building, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official residence of the President) and the India Gate. Here you will also be taken to visit the Qutab Minar, the 72.5 meter high tower dating back to the 13th century as well as the Humayun’s Tomb, built in the 16th century and architecturally considered the forerunner of the Taj Mahal.
Overnight: The Imperial – Grand Heritage Room (B)

Day 3
This morning you will be escorted to the airport in time for your flight to Jabalpur (departing Delhi at 0610hrs and arriving into Jabalpur at 0820hrs). You will be met upon arrival and driven to Kanha National Park (approximately four hours drive).

Kanha is one the largest and most beautiful Central India Park, extending over 1945 sq. km. of undulating country, which includes a core area of 940 sq km. Kanha has some 22 species of mammals; the most commonly spotted being the langur, jackal, wild boar, spotted deer, swamp deer and sambhar deer, all of which let you know as soon as a tiger is about. Driving through the jungle listening out for their warning calls is extremely exciting! Less commonly seen are the tiger, Indian wild dog, sloth bear, jungle cat, panther and wolf. As well as the mammals, Kanha has some 200 species of birds including the peafowl, crested serpent eagle, hawk eagle and the grey hornbill.

Situated on the banks of the Banjaar River, Banjaar Tola overlooks Kanha National Park and is uniquely designed and split between two camps, maintaining an intimate and private feel. This well-appointed camp serves excellent food and the facilities include a library and several viewing decks. The lodge boasts two elegant camps of nine suites, each with its own intimate tented sitting area. Banjaar Tola has a unique identity, celebrating the Bastar and Dogra art that hails from nearby Chattisgarh.
Overnight: Banjaar Tola – Tents – The contemporary tents are set on a raised platform alongside the Banjaar River, blending seamlessly with their surroundings. Each stylish tent features pressed bamboo wall panels and gorgeous bamboo floors. Inside, timber furniture is hand crafted locally from exotic Indian trees and driftwood, and textiles are woven from Madhya Pradesh cottons and silks, giving a light organic feel. Wide, glass doors open onto private decks which overlook the river, offering panoramic views of the wilderness beyond. The dining and sitting area features a small interpretive library, crammed full of fascinating information on the region and its wildlife. The spacious dining decks look out over the river or into the heart of the sal forest and it is here that they serve their delicious food (B/L/D)

Days 4, 5
Enjoy two full days in and around Kanha National Park. The mornings will start with a wake-up call and tea. You will then head off for your morning game drive in the National Park. Make sure you wrap up warm as it can be quite cold first thing in the morning! Kanha is a fantastic park and the tigers here are doing exceptionally well. As well as the tigers, there is a whole host of wildlife which you could spot. 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 your morning safari before heading back to the camp around lunch time. The afternoon is yours to relax before heading out on your second game drive around 3pm. Spending so much of your day in the park means you will come across a huge diversity of wildlife.
Overnight: Banjaar Tola – Cottage (B/L/D)

Day 6
Following your final morning safari and breakfast you will be met and driven to Bandhavgarh National Park (approximately six hours drive).

One of the smaller National Parks in Central India, Bandhavgarh is set amidst the Vindhyanchal ranges and covers an area of 437 sq km. The forest is tropical moist and mixed deciduous forest with bamboo at higher areas and grasslands and streams at lower areas. Because of the terrain and the fact that the parks roads cut across the forests, your chances of spotting the tigers here are increased. As well as the tigers, you may be lucky enough to spot sambhar deer, wild boar, barking deer Asiatic jackal and leopard.

As well as the park, the Bandhavgarh Fort is a must see. This beautiful fort sits right in the centre of the park and spending the afternoon here with a picnic, overlooking the park is something not to be missed.
Overnight: Mahua Kothi – Cottage – Mahua Kothi is a fantastic luxury lodge providing access to tiger tracking and wildlife safaris in Bandhavgarh National Park. Spread over 40 acres, Mahua Kothi consists of 12 en-suite guest suites that are built in the Madhya Pradesh style. An open kitchen encourages you to explore the flavours of India whilst the refreshing pool is the ideal place to cool off after your safari. The Lodge consists of charming individual kutiyas (little houses) built in traditional Madhya Pradesh style with private courtyards, mud floors, wooden shutters, open rafters and handmade pottery roof tiles. All kutiyas have en-suite bathrooms with twin sinks mounted on a wooden log, indoor showers, baths and separate toilets, complete with house gowns made in traditional local cloth (B/L/D)

Days 7, 8
Spend four full days exploring Bandhavgarh National Park. The guides and naturalists are very knowledgeable about the tiger movements and therefore, having a few days here means you can track and follow the tigers for a couple of days 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. As well as your morning and afternoon game drives, I would really recommend a trip up to the Fort! (Please note the Bandhavgarh Fort Trip is not included)
Overnight: Mahua Kothi – Cottage (B/L/D)

Day 9
After a leisurely breakfast you will be met and driven to Khajuraho (approximately five hours drive). Upon arrival you will check in at the hotel and will have time to relax before heading setting out on a cultural tour of Khajuraho.

Later on in the afternoon you will be taken to see the sights of Khajuraho. The famous Chandela Dynasty Temples of Khajuraho built between 950 and 1050 AD immortalised in stone is a wealth of sensuous and erotic sculptures, are an exquisite depiction of human life and emotions, equating passion with spiritual union. The sculptures are considered to be the most perfect figures achieved in stone which depicts Gods and Goddesses and amorous couples.
Overnight: The Lalit – Deluxe Temple View Room – Located near the famous Khajuraho temples, The Lalit is the perfect base from which to explore the city. Each room is very spacious and affords fantastic views of the Khajuraho temples. Each bedrooms is en-suite and has air-conditioning (B)

Day 10           
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Varanasi (departing Khajuraho at 1325hrs and arriving into Varanasi at 1415hrs). Upon arrival into Varanasi you will be met and taken to your hotel. Later in evening you will be taken to the Ganges river to witness evening Aarti (prayers) on the Ghats.
Overnight: Nadessar Palace – Palace Room – Beautifully designed en-suite bedrooms. The hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens and has a fantastic pool perfect for relaxing by during the day (B)

Day 11 
You will head out early this morning to see Varanasi. The Holy City of Varanasi, the Religious Capital of Hinduism, crowded with temples and a labyrinth of streets with their throngs of people, is a city to be experienced. As a place of devotion and worship, Varanasi attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. The city represents the best thoughts of Vedic religion and culture.

The Kashi Vishvanath Temple (or the Golden Temple) is a gold spiralled temple rebuilt in the 18th century, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The spire is covered with tones of gold plating donated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab. Only Hindus are allowed inside this temple. The new Vishvanath Temple, built in 1966 is one of the tallest in India, and is located at the Benaras Hindu University. The University itself is the largest residential university in Asia and is considered a great seat of learning of the ancient script of Sanskrit. The marble Shiva temple modelled on the old Vishwanath temple is open to all.

Later in the afternoon you will be taken to Sarnath. At a distance of 12km from Varanasi lies Sarnath where Lord Buddha is believed to have preached his first sermon after enlightenment. Here he revealed the eight-fold path, the Buddhist Doctrine.
Overnight: Nadessar Palace – Palace Room (B)

Day 12
You will head out before first light on a boat ride up the Ganges. The hundred and more Ghats on the Ganges are the main attraction for visitors to Varanasi. A boat ride before the first light at sunrise, when Hindu pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred river, is a wonderful experience. Following the boat ride you will set off on foot around the lanes of the old part of Varanasi. There is no better way to explore Varanasi than on foot. Walking around the crowded lanes, full of people and their livestock is an eye opening experience. The vast amount of small temples fills the lanes in-between homes, shops and cattle lanes.

Later you will be met and assisted to airport to board your flight to Delhi (departing Varanasi at 1440hrs and arriving into Delhi at 1620hr). On arrival you will be met by our local representative who will transfer you to the hotel where you will be able to relax before your flight home the following day.
Overnight: Trident – Superior Garden View Room – Comfortable, en-suite bedrooms located close to the International Airport (B)

Day 13
Today you will be met and transferred to international airport to board your international flight back home (B)