Wild Life & Culture Tour
This tour covers the prime tiger habitats in India, the Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks, the majestic Taj Mahal, the vibrant and colorful town of Jaipur, and the renowned temples of Khajuraho.
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Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Arrive Delhi. You will be met at the airport by our representative and taken to the hotel where you will be given a traditional Indian welcome – a garland, an "aarti" ceremony and a non-alcoholic welcome drink. Check into your rooms (check-in time 12 noon). Rest of the day will be at leisure.
Day 2: Delhi
Humayun’s Tomb
After breakfast explore India’s capital.
Delhi with its Old and New parts — each with its specific charm and glory — makes a very interesting city for its sustenance to medieval and modern cultures at the same time and space. While Old Delhi, built by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in the 17th century, still retains its medieval character to a great extent and almost indubitably reminds one of the crowded old towns of the Middle East, New Delhi is like any other modern city with tall buildings and massive shopping complex. Today you will be taken to visit - Red Fort, Jama Masjid and will also enjoy rickshaw ride in the by-lanes of Chandini Chowk. Later in the afternoon you will be taken to explore New Delhi – including Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and drive past Lutyen’s Delhi. Overnight: Delhi
Delhi with its Old and New parts — each with its specific charm and glory — makes a very interesting city for its sustenance to medieval and modern cultures at the same time and space. While Old Delhi, built by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in the 17th century, still retains its medieval character to a great extent and almost indubitably reminds one of the crowded old towns of the Middle East, New Delhi is like any other modern city with tall buildings and massive shopping complex. Today you will be taken to visit - Red Fort, Jama Masjid and will also enjoy rickshaw ride in the by-lanes of Chandini Chowk. Later in the afternoon you will be taken to explore New Delhi – including Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and drive past Lutyen’s Delhi. Overnight: Delhi
Day 3: Delhi - Samode
Rural Girl with Hand Tatoo
Today you will be driven to Samode (5 hrs). On arrival you will check in to your hotel and will be at leisure for the rest of the day.
Samode was once a noble state and its history goes back more than four and half centuries. Samode Palace with its stately grandeur and frescoed walls is one of the most impressive small palaces in whole of Rajasthan. Built 400 years ago, it is a refreshing retreat with spectacular landscapes and offers an elegant, quiet, and luxurious atmosphere. In the evening a colourful and lively cultural programme will be organised for you. The performance will be followed by a traditional Indian dinner. We will gift each guest a Saree and a set of bangles. Someone will also come and help you tie the Saree so that you can come for dinner in traditional Indian attire. Henna artists will also be available if you would like to try henna tattoos. Overnight: Samode
Samode was once a noble state and its history goes back more than four and half centuries. Samode Palace with its stately grandeur and frescoed walls is one of the most impressive small palaces in whole of Rajasthan. Built 400 years ago, it is a refreshing retreat with spectacular landscapes and offers an elegant, quiet, and luxurious atmosphere. In the evening a colourful and lively cultural programme will be organised for you. The performance will be followed by a traditional Indian dinner. We will gift each guest a Saree and a set of bangles. Someone will also come and help you tie the Saree so that you can come for dinner in traditional Indian attire. Henna artists will also be available if you would like to try henna tattoos. Overnight: Samode
Day 4: Samode – Jaipur - Samode
Amber Fort
Today after you will be driven to Jaipur (30 minutes) for a guided tour of the city.
In the morning you will visit Amber Fort. The Amber fort is one of the more fascinating of Indian forts. It was the ancient capital of the erstwhile Jaipur state. Its construction began under Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and was subsequently added on to by successive rulers.
After visiting Amber Fort you will see Hawa Mahal or the palace of winds, which is one of the landmarks of the Jaipur city. Later in the afternoon you will visit the Palace and Jantar Mantar. Overnight: Samode
In the morning you will visit Amber Fort. The Amber fort is one of the more fascinating of Indian forts. It was the ancient capital of the erstwhile Jaipur state. Its construction began under Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and was subsequently added on to by successive rulers.
After visiting Amber Fort you will see Hawa Mahal or the palace of winds, which is one of the landmarks of the Jaipur city. Later in the afternoon you will visit the Palace and Jantar Mantar. Overnight: Samode
Day 5: Jaipur - Ranthambore
Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)
Today you will be driven to Ranthambore National Park (6 hours drive). On arrival in Ranthambore you will check-in at your hotel and be at leisure for the rest of the day. There are numerous walking trails rich in birdlife where you may go for a short walk if you feel up to it.
Overnight: Ranthambore
Overnight: Ranthambore
Day 6: Ranthambore
Today you will explore Ranthambore National Park in morning and afternoon game drives.
Earlier the private hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur, Ranthambore was once the scene of royal hunting parties. Today, it is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. However, its royal heritage prevails and manifests itself in the picturesque ruins that dot the park. There are lake palaces, cenotaphs, old fortifications and a majestic thousand year old fort on a height overlooking the park. Besides tiger, Ranthambore has large number of sambhar, chital and nilgai. Sounders of boar and an occasional gazelle can be seen, as also the Indian hare, mongoose and monitor lizards. Among the other local fauna are the leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cats, sloth bear and marsh crocodile. The lakes and pools at the park are where the deer congregate and where it is easiest to see the animals.
Overnight: Ranthambore
Earlier the private hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Jaipur, Ranthambore was once the scene of royal hunting parties. Today, it is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. However, its royal heritage prevails and manifests itself in the picturesque ruins that dot the park. There are lake palaces, cenotaphs, old fortifications and a majestic thousand year old fort on a height overlooking the park. Besides tiger, Ranthambore has large number of sambhar, chital and nilgai. Sounders of boar and an occasional gazelle can be seen, as also the Indian hare, mongoose and monitor lizards. Among the other local fauna are the leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cats, sloth bear and marsh crocodile. The lakes and pools at the park are where the deer congregate and where it is easiest to see the animals.
Overnight: Ranthambore
Day 7: Ranthambore – Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
Fatehpur Sikri
Today you will be driven to Agra (6 hours drive) – en route visiting the deserted Mughal City of Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri was built by great Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. Although Akbar had many wives, he did not have a heir, which led him to many holy men and finally to the renowned Sufi Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti, who lived in an isolated cave near Sikri. The saint blessed Akbar and soon a son was born to him. The grateful emperor named his son Salim after the saint, erected the grand Jami Mosque near the saint's dwelling and vowed to build a great city on that place. Thus emerged the great city of Fatehpur Sikri, a citadel of grand courts, palaces, mosques and gardens that rivaled the splendours of Delhi and Agra. However, destiny had other things in store for the city. Shortage of water and un-rest in the north-west made Akbar abandon the city only 13 years later. Today, even after the passage of 400 years, the magnificence of this royal city has not faded and remains immaculately preserved.
After visiting Fatehpur Sikri you will continue to Agra where you arrive in the afternoon and would be at leisure for the rest of the day.
Overnight: Agra
After visiting Fatehpur Sikri you will continue to Agra where you arrive in the afternoon and would be at leisure for the rest of the day.
Overnight: Agra
Day 8: Agra
Taj Mahal at Sun Rise
After breakfast you will be taken to visit Agra – visiting Taj Mahal, Red Fort and the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah.
Red Fort was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565, additions continued to be made until the time of his grandson Shah Jehan. The magnificent palaces, towers, bastions, ramparts and gateways symbolise the power of the mighty Mughals. Made mostly of red sandstone it is strikingly similar to the Red Fort in Delhi. The craftsmanship of Itmad-ud-Daulah foreshadows that of the Taj Mahal. This marble tomb was created by Emperor Jehangir's queen Nur Jehan.
Rest of the day may be spent in leisure or you may explore Agra on your own.
Overnight: Agra
Red Fort was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565, additions continued to be made until the time of his grandson Shah Jehan. The magnificent palaces, towers, bastions, ramparts and gateways symbolise the power of the mighty Mughals. Made mostly of red sandstone it is strikingly similar to the Red Fort in Delhi. The craftsmanship of Itmad-ud-Daulah foreshadows that of the Taj Mahal. This marble tomb was created by Emperor Jehangir's queen Nur Jehan.
Rest of the day may be spent in leisure or you may explore Agra on your own.
Overnight: Agra
Day 9: Agra – Jhansi – Orchha - Khajurahao
Kamasutra Sculptures Khajuraho
This morning you will be taken to the railway station to board your train to Jhansi (Shatabdi Express, 0817 hrs / 1048 hrs). On arrival in Jhansi you will be collected and driven to Khajurahao visiting Orcha en-route. Orchha is a city frozen in time. It was founded by Bundela Chieftain, Raja Rudra Pratap in the 16th century, who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa river as an ideal site for his capital. He and the succeeding rulers of Orchha built many beautiful palaces and temples in the 16th and 17th century. On arrival in Khajurahao you will check in to hotel and may spend the rest of the day in leisure.Once the capital of great Chandela rulers, Khajuraho, today, is a quiet village of only few thousand people. In these temples, the sculptures have shown many aspects of Indian life 1000 years ago — gods and goddesses, warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals.
Overnight: Khajuraho
Overnight: Khajuraho
Day 10: Khajurahao
Khajuraho Temples
Today you will be taken to visit the world famous temples of Khajuraho. The temples can be divided into three groups: Western, Eastern and Southern. Of these, the Western Group is the most impressive.
Khajuraho's temples almost all date from one century-long burst of creative genius from 950-1050 AD. All temples follow a three-part layout. You enter the temple through a porch (Ardhamandapa). Behind this is the hall (Mahamandapa), supported with pillars and with a corridor around it. The inner sanctum (Garbhagriha) is where the image of the god, to which the temple is dedicated, is displayed.
Overnight: Khajuraho
Khajuraho's temples almost all date from one century-long burst of creative genius from 950-1050 AD. All temples follow a three-part layout. You enter the temple through a porch (Ardhamandapa). Behind this is the hall (Mahamandapa), supported with pillars and with a corridor around it. The inner sanctum (Garbhagriha) is where the image of the god, to which the temple is dedicated, is displayed.
Overnight: Khajuraho
Day 11: Khajurahao - Bandhavgarh
This morning you will be collected from your hotel and driven to Bandhavgarh (6 hours).
Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandhavgarh were maintained as the game preserve of the royal family of Rewa and hunting was carried out by the Maharajas and their guests. It was as late as 1968 that special conservation measures were taken and Bandhavgarh was declared a National Park. Set amidst the Vindhyanchal ranges, the park covers an area of 437 sq. km. and has a series of ridges running through it. There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds to be found here.
Overnight: Bandhavgarh
Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandhavgarh were maintained as the game preserve of the royal family of Rewa and hunting was carried out by the Maharajas and their guests. It was as late as 1968 that special conservation measures were taken and Bandhavgarh was declared a National Park. Set amidst the Vindhyanchal ranges, the park covers an area of 437 sq. km. and has a series of ridges running through it. There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds to be found here.
Overnight: Bandhavgarh
Day 12: Bandhavgarh
Today early in the morning and in the afternoon you will be taken inside the jungle for game drives.
Day 13: Bandhavgarh
The day at leisure or you may explore on your own. There are a lot of walking trails rich in birdlife where you may go for a walk.
Overnight: Bandhavgarh
Overnight: Bandhavgarh
Day 14: Bandhavgarh - Kanha
This morning you will be collected from your hotel and driven to Kanha National Park (6 hours).
Kanha is one the largest national parks in India extending over 1945 sq. km. of undulating country, which includes a core area of 940 sq. km. Elevations range from 450 to 900 meters. The setting of Kipling's 'Jungle Book', it is a beautiful area of forest and lightly wooded grassland with many rivers and streams, and it supports an excellent variety of wildlife. Kanha Tiger Reserve was created in the core area of the park under the Project Tiger programme in 1974. Kanha has some 22 species of mammals and 200 species of birds.
Overnight: Kanha
Kanha is one the largest national parks in India extending over 1945 sq. km. of undulating country, which includes a core area of 940 sq. km. Elevations range from 450 to 900 meters. The setting of Kipling's 'Jungle Book', it is a beautiful area of forest and lightly wooded grassland with many rivers and streams, and it supports an excellent variety of wildlife. Kanha Tiger Reserve was created in the core area of the park under the Project Tiger programme in 1974. Kanha has some 22 species of mammals and 200 species of birds.
Overnight: Kanha
Day 15: Kanha
Today early in the morning and in the afternoon you will be taken inside the jungle for game drives
Day 16: Kanha - Delhi
Today you will be driven to Nagpur airport (6 hours drive) to board your flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi you will be met and transferred to the international airport for your onward flight.
*****End of the Tour*****
*****End of the Tour*****
