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Wild Discovery -Land of the Tiger
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An expedition through central India's wilderness, including three
of the best National Parks (NP) in India and also visits to Taj
Mahal and Havelis of Jaipur
Duration : 16 days
Focus : Wildlife, Culture, Art and History
Route at a Glance: Mumbai - Nagpur - Pench N P - Kanha NP - Bandhavgarh
NP - Agra - Jaipur - Mumbai
Day 1: Leave UK
Day 2: Arrive Mumbai
Assistance on arrival and transfer to pre-booked hotel; morning
free to relax. In the afternoon a visit to Elephanta Caves by speedboat.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 3: Mumbai / Nagpur / Pench National Park
After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Nagpur. Arrive
at Nagpur and drive about 2hr / 95km to Pench National Park. Check-in
and after lunch game viewing in open jeep/s.
This scenic reserve covered in prime teak forest and grassland nestles
in the undulating terrain of the Satpura Range, drained by the Pench
and Wainganga rivers. The wildlife found here includes Gaur, Sambar,
Chital, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Chowsingha, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild
Dog, Wolf, Hyena, Sloth Bear, Jungle Cat, Leopard and the Royal
Bengal Tiger apart from exciting small mammals like Flying Squirrel,
Palm and Small Civet, Common and Ruddy mongoose and over 250 species
of birds that include Malabar Pied Hornbill, Painted Stork, Crested
Serpent Eagle, Oriental Honey Buzzard and White-eyed Buzzard to
name just a few.
Day 4: Pench National Park
Morning and evening jeep safari: day free to relax or walks to see
birds in buffer zone of the park. All meals and overnight in resort.
Day 5: Pench to Kanha National Park
After breakfast a lovely drive through dense forest, cultivated
fields and villages to Kanha National Park. Lunch en route, dinner
and overnight in resort.
Day 06 & 07: Explore Kanha National Park
Over the next two days we unravel the jungle mysteries of one of
the greatest wildlife havens on our planet, either in jeeps or on
elephants, and track game in the great forests of sal that have
given birth to many jungle adventures, especially the much loved
English classic by Rudyard Kipling - The Jungle Book. Kipling based
his tale on the wildlife of Kanha in the late 19th century and thus
Kanha is also known as 'Kipling Country'.
Romanticised by Kipling, Kanha National Park is among the most
spectacular, protected wildlife reserves of the world. The 1,945
sq. km National Park has been compared to N'Gorongoro National Park
of Tanzania. However like its African cousin, Kanha is not a volcanic
crater though the surrounding hills are a result of geographically
ancient volcanic activity. Above all Kanha is far greener and more
densely wooded than N'Gorongoro.
The grassy plateaux, wooded hills and valleys of Kanha are home
to the legendary Sher Khan the Tiger, the loveable Baloo the Bear,
the wise Bagheera the Panther and dreaded Kaa the Rock Python. An
important inhabitant of the Park is the Gaur, the largest wild ox
in the world (sometimes wrongly referred to as the bison, which
it is not). Besides them several great and small mammals, reptiles
and birds inhabit the Park.
The more-than-300-species birdlist offers profitable occupation
to keen birdwatchers. Black-shouldered Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle,
White-eyed Buzzard, Shikra, Painted Francolin, Indian Roller, Red-wattled
Lapwing, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Black-headed Oriole, and several
others such as mynas, bush chats, kingfishers, treepies, falcons,
owls, vultures etc. will provide unlimited hours of pleasure to
those who choose to seek them. Overnight in a jungle lodge.
Day 8: Delightful drive of about 7hrs to Bandhavgarh
Today we bid adieu to the wonderland called Kanha and set out towards
another green jewel of India - Bandhavgarh National Park.
Day 9 &10 Explore Bandhavgarh National Park
Over the next two days we shall explore the jungle in jeeps or on
elephants.
Bandhavgarh's claim to international fame is the discovery of white
tigers by the Maharaja of the princely state of Rewa, in 1951. Unfortunately
white tigers are not found in the wild state anymore and survive
only in the various zoos around the world. The progeny of the white
tigers captured by the Maharaja can be seen at the National Zoological
Garden in New Delhi.
The Park covers an area of around 437 sq. km and although it is
a relatively new National Park, it has a very long history. Historically
this area has been a centre of human activity and settlement for
over 2000 years. According to legend, Lord Rama (hero of the epic
Ramayana) stopped at Bandhavgarh on his way back to Ayodhya, his
homeland, after defeating the demon-king Ravana of Lanka. At one
time around 10th-14th century AD, this region was ruled by the Chandela
dynasty, which built the famous temples of Khajuraho.
The animal life in the Park is prolific: Nilgai, Chowsingha, Chinkara,
Wild Boar, Jackal, Fox, Porcupine, Ratel and three species of deer
are found in the Park along with the Leopard and the Tiger. The
best way to look out for game is on elephant-back.
Birds of Bandhavgarh include hornbills, leafbirds, woodshrikes,
drongos, fantails, bee-eaters, parakeets and pigeons, to name a
few. As the Park is relatively new a checklist of 150 species has
been drawn up, so there is ample scope for discovery and adding
more to the existing list. Some of the rare birds recorded here
are the White-bellied Drongo, White-browed Fantail, Steppe Eagle,
Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Blossom-headed Parakeet, Malabar Hornbill,
Racket-tailed Drongo and the Paradise Flycatcher.
One of the main attractions in the Park, besides the wildlife is
the Fort of Bandhavgarh, atop a plateau, overlooking the National
Park and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
Day 11: Drive to Umaria to board train to Agra
After morning safari we must pack our bags and get ready for journey
into history. In the afternoon after bidding good-bye to jungle
folk of Bandhavgarh we drive to Umaria to board overnight train
(Dep: 2025 Hours) to Agra.
Day 12: Arrive Agra
Arrive in Agra early in the morning at 0630hrs: assistance on arrival
and transfer to the hotel, morning free and afternoon visit to the
Taj Mahal. Described as the most extravagant monument ever built
in memory of love, the Taj Mahal is known the world over. Empress
Mumtaz's death, in 1629, left Shahjahan heartbroken. In memory of
his beloved Queen he began construction of a building, which according
to him was to be the most magnificent structure ever built. In 1631
construction of the tomb began, which took 22 years to complete
and its glory has fulfilled the wishes of the Mughal 'Shahenshah'
(emperor).
Situated on the banks of river Jamuna the Agra Fort is an awesome
reminder of the glory of Mughal dynasty. Emperor Akbar began construction
of the massive fort in 1565, and additions were made to the complex
until the time of his grandson, Shahjahan. There are many interesting
buildings within the impregnable walls, which stretch for 2½km,
circumscribed by a moat over 10 metres wide.
Breakfast and overnight in hotel.
Day 13: Agra to Jaipur
After breakfast drive through Rajasthani villages; the Journey brings
us first to the deserted sand stone building of Fatehpur Sikri and
the Sufi shrine of Salim Chishti. Late afternoon arrival in Jaipur:
built in 1727, Jaipur was the dream of the brilliant ruler Jai Singh.
It has retained its reputation as one of the foremost cities in
India planned and executed in a manner that draws accolades from
modern town planners. Jaipur is known as the pink city, because
many buildings are still washed pink, the traditional colour of
welcome, which was originally introduced to honour the visit of
the Prince Albert in 1856. Evening free; overnight in hotel.
Day 14: Jaipur
This morning we drive to nearby Amber, ascending the steep road
to the 16th century hilltop fortress on elephant back to see the
Palace and its richly decorated apartments. This fort-palace of
Amber, former capital of the Rajputs, was begun by Raja Man Singh
and used by the Rajputs as their stronghold until Sawai Jai Singh
II moved to the newly created Jaipur. You will visit the palace
and its many intricate chambers and hallways, which has breathtaking
views of the Jal Mahal (Water palace) below. In the afternoon we
visit City Palace, still occupied by Jai Singh's descendants, is
a superb fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture. A city within
a city, it includes the Govind Deo Temple, the Jantar Mantar (the
astronomical observatory) and the Maharaja's museum with his personal
collection of weaponry, miniature paintings, royal attire and jewellery.
On the periphery of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the Palace
of Winds, an elaborate pink sandstone façade behind which
the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings-on in the
street below. Breakfast & Overnight in Hotel.
Day 15: Jaipur - Mumbai (fly)
After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to Mumbai. Arrive
Mumbai and stay at airport hotel. Late night transfer to the airport
for return journey home.
Day 16: Flight home
Early morning fly back to your home.
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The best season to visit India is from October to April when
it is sunny and warm although temperatures can be low at night
during the winter. In the high mountains there is snow and
ice all year but a tropical climate prevails in the foothills.
Monsoon period is June until September.
Accommodation as specified on bed and breakfast basis and
twin /double share room
Local English speaking guide
Private vehicle with English speaking driver
Private transfers to and from airports
Other meals where indicated
Entrance fees to museums etc
Local agent support
Guide, porters, cook and camping equipment when trekking.
International flights. Meals other than breakfasts and those
indicated
Airport taxes payable locally
Travel insurance
Personal items such as laundry, drinks, tips
Optional trips and visits
Visas.
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