The Taj, Tigers, & Beyond Explore India's Royal Heritage & Rich Culture

Arrive Delhi. On arrival, you will be greeted and assisted by our representative and transferred to the hotel.

DELHI - It is a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling Havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings. Delhi has been the seat of power for several rulers and many empires for about a millennium. Many times the city was built, destroyed and then rebuilt here. Interestingly, several of Delhi's rulers played a dual role, first as destroyers and then as creators.

After breakfast, visit Red Fort (from Outside) – the 17th century imposing fortress, the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India’s largest mosque where more than 20,000 people can kneel in prayer and Raj Ghat –Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial. In the afternoon, explore New Delhi. You will drive past President’s Palace and India Gate (42m high), built to commemorate the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. Later, visit Humayun’s Tomb, and the Qutub Minar, the highest sands stone minaret in the world (73 meters).

After breakfast, drive to Ranthambhore.

RANTHAMBORE - One of the largest and most popular national parks in North India, Ranthambore National Park is named after the historic Ranthambore fortress that is located within the park’s premises. With the Banas River to its north and Chambal River to its south, Ranthambore lies at the edge of a plateau and covers an area of 392 square kilometers.

On arrival in Ranthambore, transfer to hotel.

Early morning, enjoy a shared safari in the Ranthambore national park.

Game ride in Ranthambore National Park is a rewarding experience for wildlife enthusiasts and also for the nature lovers. The national park is surrounded by Aravali hills and is home to several fascinating wildlife species. One can spot leopards, striped hyenas, chitals, chinkaras, sambars, langurs, civets, and sloth bears in the park. The park’s pride, however, lies in the number of tigers that can be found prowling in their natural habitat.

After safari return to hotel for breakfast.

Later in the afternoon enjoy another Shared Safari in the park.

After breakfast, drive to Bharatpur.

Bharatpur is home to one of the world's best-known bird watching destinations, Keoladeo Ghana National Park. 250 years ago, the then ruler built embankments that allowed flooding of this land, turning it into a marsh.Set up in 1956, the 29-kilometer marshland, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site sheltering over 360 species of birds, of which 117 are native to the land. Once a part of the private shooting reserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur, today the sanctuary boast of 80 species of ducks and several other species such as storks, Chinese coots, kingfishers, spoonbills, sarus cranes and several birds of prey, including the falcon, marsh harrier, and eagle. The site is popular among avid birders and ornithologists, who flock to the park to observe and study the feathered beauties.

On arrival in Bharatpur, transfer to hotel.

Today enjoy the visit of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary by Rickshaw

Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary - also known as Keoladeo National Park, was established in 1956. This 29 sq km marshland is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world. It has over 360 species of birds, out of which 117 are local birds. Now, a UNESCO World Heritage site, it used to be the part of private shooting reserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur.Among many bird species to be seen here are storks, ducks, Chinese coots, kingfishers, spoonbills, sarus cranes and several birds of prey, including a falcon, marsh harrier, and eagle. Around 80 species of ducks alone can be spotted here.Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the Bird Sanctuary, where you can watch birds in their nests.

Later drive to Agra

Arrive Agra and transfer to the Hotel.

Taj Mahal - Muted but Soulful, Taj Mahal popularly known as Crown of Palaces is a white marble mausoleum and a UNESCO world heritage site. As a testament to his love, the magnificent structure was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in the loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Situated in the Mughal city of Agra, Taj Mahal looks exactly the same from all the four sides and endorsed as "The Jewel of Muslim art in India". Commissioned in 1632, it took approximately 22 years in the making of this marvellous structure and an estimated 20,000 workers to build this masterpiece that reflects different colours under the canopy of sun. Purely ecstatic and iconic, it attracts (7 to 8) million annual visitors every year. (It remains closed on Fridays). Note: Taj Mahal is a World Heritage Site and hence requires some maintenance and restoration work routinely.

Agra Fort - A UNESCO World Heritage site, Agra Fort was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638, before the capital was shifted to Delhi from Agra. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise as it comprises of a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid - a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl; Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khaas – the audience halls, Musamman Burj - where Shahjahan died in 1666 A.D., Jahangir's Palace; Khas Mahal and Sheesh Mahal. The massive Agra fort is considered as the predecessor of the Red fort in Delhi.

After breakfast transfer to the railway station to board the train to Khajuraho.

KHAJURAHO - One of the most frequented tourist spots in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India, Khajuraho is popular for its temples that were built by the Chandela dynasty rulers. Built over a span of 200 years, only 25 of the original 80 Hindu temples remain today. The structures are scattered over an area of about 20 square kilometres and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive Khajuraho and transfer to the Hotel.

Later enjoy visit of Eastern and Western Groups of Temple.

Visit Eastern Group of temples mainly dedicated to the Jain teachers-tirthankaras. The Parsvanatha Temple, the Adinatha Temple and the Santinatha Temple. The temples are ornately carved on the outside with beautiful figures of Hindu gods, goddesses. Also visit the Western Group of temples, which consist of a group of artistic (erotic) temples built in sandstone. The sculptures of Hindu deities, dancers and musicians appear to be so natural as if they would come alive any time.

After breakfast drive to Bandhavgarh.

BANDHAVGARH - Declared as national park in 1968 and included in the famous Project Tiger in 1993, Bandhavgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, is one of the most scenic tiger reserves in India. It is in the lush surroundings of the Vindhya and Satpura hill ranges, in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Known for its tiger population whose numbers are now between 45 and 50, the sanctuary also shelters other wildlife species such as leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, rhesus macaques, and four-horned antelopes besides a sizeable population of birds and reptiles.

On arrival in Bandhavgarh, transfer to the hotel.

Early morning, enjoy a jeep safari in the Bandhavgarh national park.

Return to the lodge for a late breakfast.

Afternoon Enjoy jeep safari in the National Park. One of the most enthralling experiences is Jungle safari at Bandhavgarh National Park, to spot various wildlife in their natural habitat. Catching sight of the various exotic species of birds also lends a charm to the ride on the wheels.

Note: Park remains closed for Afternoon Safari on Wednesday

After breakfast visit a Local school (subject to open). This experience offers a unique insight into our educational system and the daily lives of students in our community.

Later drive to Kanha.

KANHA NATIONAL PARK - Stretching 940 square kilometers across two districts—Mandla and Balaghat—in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is one of the finest tiger reserves of the country. Exceptionally beautiful with a diverse range of flora and fauna, This place inspired author Rudyard Kipling to pen his classic, The Jungle Book. The park has a significant population of the Royal Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, the sloth bear, barasinghas or swamp deer and Indian wild dog.

Early morning, enjoy jeep safari in the Kanha national park.

Tailor-made jeep safari, breathtaking landscapes, and the best wildlife experience can be found in Kanha National Park. The conservation efforts not only to protect the tigers but also to manage the habitat and maintain the delicate balance between flora and fauna is what Kanha is known for.

Return to the lodge for a late breakfast. After breakfast rest of the morning is at leisure. Afternoon enjoy another Jeep Safari in the Tiger Reserve

Note: Park remains closed for Afternoon Safari on Wednesday

After breakfast drive to Pench.

Pench National Park - Pench Located on the southern boundary of the state of Madhya Pradesh in India, Pench National Park spreads 758 square kilometers across the densely-forested districts of Seoni and Chhindwara. The park derives its name from the Pench River that flows through it from the north to the south and is nestled in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura range. Set up in 1965 and declared a tiger reserve in 1992, Pench National Park is home to the Royal Bengal tiger and other species of wild animals such as jackals, wild dogs, wild boars, sloth bears, Indian leopards, and striped hyenas. The forest area in the park has a mixed vegetation of teak, saja, amaltas, dhaora, bijiayasal, and salai trees that provide cover to the thriving bird life here.

On arrival in Pench, transfer to hotel.

Early morning, enjoy a jeep safari in the Pench national park.

Return to the lodge for a late breakfast. After breakfast rest of the morning is at leisure. Afternoon enjoy another Jeep Safari in the Tiger Reserve

Note: Park remains closed for Afternoon Safari on Wednesday

After breakfast, drive to Nagpur Airport to board the flight to Delhi.

On arrival, you will be greeted and assisted by our representative and transfer to the hotel.

In time transfer to Airport to board the flight for back home / onward destination.