WHERE TIGERS PROWL

(13 NIGHTS/14 DAYS)
Mumbai – Pench – Kanha – Bandhavgarh – Khajuraho – Panna – Orchaa – Agra – Jaipur – Delhi

Day 1:  Arrive Mumbai
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. With an estimated population of thirteen million, it is the most populous city in India along with the neighbouring suburbs of Navi Mumbai and Thane; it forms, at nineteen-million, the world's fifth most populous metropolitan area. Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. Its port handles over half of India's seagoing passenger traffic and a large proportion of her maritime cargo. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 2:  Mumbai - Nagpur by flight
Nagpur - Pench by surface
(92 Kms/2 Hrs)
In time transfer to the airport to board your flight for Nagpur. Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive to Pench - located in the Seoni district of southern Madhya Pradesh, around 70 kms from Nagpur and lying on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, is Pench National Park well known for its varied flora and fauna. This is a tropical dry deciduous forest and it is home to the tiger, panther, gaur, sambar, chital, barking deer, blue bull, macaque, langoor, wild boar, bear, wild dogs and civet cat. Arrive and check-in at the lodge.  Overnight is at the lodge.

Day 3:  In Pench
Today you will proceed for morning / afternoon game drives into the National park searching the ever elusive Tiger.

Pench has an array of wildlife; the main herbivores found are the Gaur (Indian Bison), Cheetah, Sambar, Nilgai, Wild Dog and Wild Boar. The key predator is the Tiger followed by Leopard, Wild Dog and Wolf. Other animals include Sloth Bear, Chousingha, Chinkara, Barking Deer, Jackal, Fox, Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Jungle Cat, Hyena, Porcupine. There are also over 285 species of resident and migratory birds. Overnight is at the lodge.

Day 4:  Pench – Kanha
(260 Kms/7 hrs)
Today you will drive to Kanha National Park. Arrive and check-in at the lodge Overnight is at the lodge

Day 5:  In Kanha
Today you will proceed for morning / afternoon game drives into the National park searching the ever elusive Tiger.

Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh covers an area of 1945 square kilometres and is the area about which Kipling wrote so vividly in his Jungle Books. Originally the area was famed as a hunter's paradise but now the valley has been well developed as a National Park. Kanha has 22 species of mammals including Gaur, the largest of the world's cattle, Sambar, the largest of the Indian deer and Chausingha, the only four horned antelope in the world. Nilgai antelope (bluebull) are common and Sloth Bear are frequent visitors. Kanha also has a good population of Tigers living in the park. Over 200 species of birds have been seen in the park including Painted Partridge, Peregrine Falcon, and Golden Oriole. Overnight is at the lodge

Day 6:  Kanha – Bandhavgarh
(250 Kms/7 hrs)
Today you will drive to Bandhavgarh. Arrive and check-in at the lodge  Overnight is at the lodge

 Day 7:  In Bandhavgarh
Today you will proceed for morning / afternoon game drives into the National park searching the ever elusive Tiger.

Bandhavgarh National Park: Bandhavgarh National Park is spread at vindhya hills in Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh National Park consists of a core area of 105 sq km and a buffer area of approximately 400 sq km of topography varies between steep ridges, undulating, forest and open meadows. Bandhavgarh National Park is known for the Royal Bengal Tigers. The density of the Tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India. Bandhavgarh National Park was the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa and at present is a famous natural hub for White Tigers. White Tigers, now a major attraction around the world's zoos, were first discovered in Rewa, not far from here. National Park an unspoilt national habitat for a variety of wildlife peculiar to the area. These include gaur (Indian bison), sloth bear, leopard, porcupine, wild boar, sambhar and spotted deer, among others and of course, the tiger. Overnight is at the lodge

Day 8:  Bandhavgarh/Khajuraho
(250 Kms/7 hrs)
Today you will drive to Khajuraho.
Khajuraho, derived from the word 'khajur' meaning the date palm, was a quiet, unknown town till a chance discovery made it a popular tourist destination. Forgotten and unvisited until the mid-1960s, the place is now, after the Taj, India's biggest single tourist attraction. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval temples; each studded with countless sculptures of extraordinary grace and delicacy. The temples of Khajuraho, are indeed, celebrations of the stylized and refined courtly accomplishments of beauty, love and creative arts.  Arrive and check-in at the hotel.  Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 9: In Khajuraho
Today morning you will proceed for a visit of Panna National Park.
Situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh at a distance of around 57 km from Khajuraho is the Panna National Park. The region, which is famous for its diamonds, is also home to some of the best wildlife species in India and is one of the better Tiger Reserves in the country. The park is known worldwide for its wild cats, including tigers as well as deer and antelope.

In the late afternoon visit the world famous Khajuraho temples built by the Chandela Kings between 950 AD and 1050AD.The most important are the Chaunseth Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. The Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 heade Vishnu, Vishavanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshiminarayan Temple, and Visha Temple dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest and most typical of the temples.  Overnight is at the hotel

Day 10:  Khajuraho – Orccha - Jhansi by surface
(180 Kms/4 hrs) Jhansi - Agra by train
Today you will drive to Jhansi en route visiting Orchha. Set in medieval city teeming with Palaces, temples and cenotaphs dating back to the Bundela Dynasty. The former capital of this region is now just a village, but the old fort still stands and contains Bir Singh Deo's fine palace and another palace built for, but never used by, Jehangir. The fort is on an island in the Betwa river.

Later continue drive to Jhansi in time to board your train for Agra(Shatabdi Express). Meeting and assistance on arrival in Agra and transfer to the hotel. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 11: Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur
(260 Kms/5 – 6 Hrs)
Morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of the city visiting the world famous Taj Mahal- built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. (Friday closed), Agra fort containing the halls private and public audiences and other palaces.

After the visit drive straight to Jaipur en route visit Fatehpur Sikri-the now deserted city was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569. On arrival in Jaipur check-in at the hotel. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 12:  In Jaipur
Morning proceed for a visit of Amber Fort with elephant ride. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal - a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. En-route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds.

In the afternoon proceed for a city tour of Jaipur which begins with a visit to the Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 13:  Jaipur - Delhi
(263 kms / 5 – 6 Hrs)
Today you will drive to Delhi. On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight is at the hotel.

Day 14: Departure Delhi
Morning proceed for a full day sightseeing of New and Old Delhi. In New Delhi visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, the imposing modern Lakshmi Narayan temple. Drive past India Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House) and the Parliament House. Continue to Old Delhi and visit the Raj Ghat, - memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and a photo stop at Red Fort.

Later in time transfer to the airport for your flight for onwards destination.