Tiger Trail Tour

Day 01 : Arrive in Mumbai
Arrive in Mumbai by your international flight. Meeting & assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 : Flight to Nagpur, drive to Tadoba
After breakfast leave for Ahmedabad by flight leaving at 0830hrs and arriving at 1000hrs. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel. Upon arrival transfer to Tadoba by surface, a journey of about 3hrs. Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 : In Tadoba
Early Morning leave for Jeep Safari in Tadoba National Park. Upon return have breakfast. In the afternoon again leave for another round of Jeep Safari. Overnight at the hotel.

The seldom-visited Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, 150km south of Nagpur, is one of the best places to see tigers in India. Seeing fewer visitors than most other Indian forest reserves – it gets around 60% less visitors than neighbouring parks in Madhya Pradesh – this is a place where you can get up close to wildlife without having to jostle past truckloads of shutter-happy tourists. Rather than restrict access to certain zones of the park like other tiger parks in India, Tadoba-Andhari opted to limit the number of gypsy safaris per day instead (48) but give them free reign throughout the park. The results are excellent for wildlife sighting opportunities. The park also remains open throughout the year, unlike many in India.

Day 04 : Drive to Kanha
After breakfast leave for a walking safari in the buffer zone for bird watching. In the afternoon drive to Kanha by surface, a journey of about 7.5hrs. Arrive and check –in at the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.

Walking safaris in the buffer zone allow you to look for tracks, observe birds and insects at close quarters and catch the scents and sounds of wild India. Guides from the Gond tribe accompany you through the forest.

Madhya Pradesh is one of the kings of the Indian jungle when it comes to tiger parks, and Kanha is its most famous. The forests are vast, and while your chances of seeing a tiger are a bit slimmer than at nearby Bandhavgarh, this is still one of India's best parks for sightings. And here you can really go deep into the forest for a perhaps more complete safari experience than the rush-and-grab outings that some complain of at Bandhavgarh.

Day 05 : In Kanha
Early Morning leave for Jeep Safari in Kanha National Park. Upon return have breakfast. In the afternoon again leave for another round of Jeep Safari. Overnight at the hotel.

Spread across 940 sq.km, Kanha National Park is one of the largest parks in Madhya Pradesh where the majestic royal Bengal tigers are found in good numbers. The Park is respected globally for saving the Barasingha from near extinction. No doubt, it is one of the best managed parks in Asia and a part of Project Tiger. National Geographic's award winning 'Land of the Tigers' was shot here, but the park is home to leopards, wild dogs and Barasingha as well.

Note: Afternoon Jeep Safari is closed on all Wednesdays

Day 06: Drive to Bandhavgarh
Early Morning leave for Jeep Safari in Kanha National Park. Upon return have breakfast. In the afternoon drive to Bandhavgarh by surface, a journey of about 5hrs. Arrive and check –in at the hotel. Overnight in the hotel.

If your sole reason for visiting an Indian tiger reserve is to see a tiger, look no further. Two or three days at Bandhavgarh should get you a tiger sighting. India's 2014 tiger census counted 68 tigers here, the great majority of them in the relatively small (453 sq km) territory of Bandhavgarh National Park, which forms part of the reserve's core zone. Neck and neck with Rajasthan’s Ranthambhore for sightings, this is one of India’s top tiger playgrounds. There are also more than 40 rarely seen leopards and more commonly sighted animals such as deer, wild boar and langurs.

Day 07: A day in Bandhavgarh
Early Morning leave for Jeep Safari in Bandhavgarh National Park. Upon return have breakfast. In the afternoon again leave for another round of Jeep Safari. Overnight at the hotel.

Bandhavgarh is a place of mythological and legendary significance. The ancient Bandhavgarh Fort is of great importance as it is believed to have been gifted by Lord Rama to his younger brother Lakshmana. 'Bandhav' in English means brother and ‘Garh’ means fort. Hence the name, Bandhavgarh. Bandhavgarh dates back to 2000 years ago and you will find several man made caves with inscriptions and rock paintings. Bandhavgarh is also the land of tigers. This is the place to visit if you want to spot the big cat. India’s top dwelling for tigers, Bandhavgarh National Park has the highest density of Royal Bengal tigers in the world.

Note: Afternoon Jeep Safari is closed on all Wednesdays

Day 08: Drive to Khajuraho
Early Morning leave for Jeep Safari in Bandhavgarh National Park. Upon return have breakfast. In the afternoon leave for Khajuraho by surface, a journey of about 5hrs. Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
 
Situated in the heart of Central India, Khajuraho is a fascinating village with a quaint rural ambiance and a rich cultural heritage. The fascinating temples of Khajuraho, India's unique gift of love to the world, represent the expression of a highly matured civilization.

Day 09 : Drive to Orchha
Morning visit Khajuraho, western, eastern and southern temples. After visits leave for Orchha Orchha, a journey of about 4hrs. Arrive and check-in at the hotel. In the evening attend a aarti ceremony in Ram Raja Temple. Overnight at the hotel.

Khajuraho temples were constructed between 950 and 1050 A.D. during the reign of Chandel Empire. Khajuraho derives its name from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree) which can be found in abundance in the area. These temples are considered the "high point" of Indian architectural genius in the Medieval period.

Originally there were 85 temples, of which only 22 still exist. The amazingly short span of 100 years, from 950 AD - 1050 AD, saw the completion of all the temples, in an inspired burst of creativity. With the wane of the Chandela empire, these magnificent temples lay neglected, and vulnerable to the ravages of Nature. It was only in this century, that they were rediscovered, restored and granted the recognition that they justly deserve. The murals depict the life and times of the Chandelas, and celebrate the erotic state of being.

Western group is certainly the best known, because it is to this group that the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple belongs : the Kandariya Mahadev. Perfectly symmetrical, it soars 31 km high. This is the largest, and most typical Khajuraho temple. There are about 900 statues. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it soars 31 m high.

The sanctum enshrines a lingam, while the main shrine is ornately carved and depicts various gods, goddesses, apsaras (heavenly maidens) in elaborate detail. The entrance arch, the massive pillars and ceilings are adorned with exquisite carvings, that leave the visitor spellbound. Beyond the archway of the Kandariya Mahadev, lie the six interior compartments; the portico, main hall, transept, vestibule, sanctum and ambulatory. The ceilings are particularly noteworthy and the pillars supporting them have intricately carved capitals. The transept's outer walls have three horizontal panels showing deities of the Hindu pantheon, and groups of lovers, a pageant of sensuousness, vibrantly alive.

Day 10 :Drive to Jhansi, train to Agra
After breakfast at the hotel.  Morning  visit the Jehangir Mahal, , Laxmi Narayan Temple, the chhatris overlooking the Betwa river. After visits leave for Jhansi Railway Station, leave for Agra at 1810hrs. Arrive at 2043hrs, meet and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Orchha is the erstwhile capital city of the Bundela rulers. The town is steeped in history and is famous for its palaces and temples built in the 16th and 17th centuries. The architectural splendor of the monuments in Orchha reflects the glory of its rulers. The Betwa River, on whose banks Orchha lies, and the forests around it attract tourist to this place.

Located on the banks of River Betwa, Jahangir Mahal is a three-storied storied structure that is a blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. This beautiful palace consists of numerous large courtyards, more than 100 rooms, balconies, 8 elegant domes, terraces and porches.

There is a fascinating tale behind the history of the Ram Raja Temple. This temple was at one point of time, a palace of the then ruler Madhukar Shah. Legend says that once Lord Rama appeared in his dreams due to which Madhukar Shah brought the idol of Lord Rama into the palace before installing it inside the temple. But for some reason the idol could not be moved from its original place in the palace. The ruler then remembered the bit of his dream where it was said that the idol would stay at the place it would be kept initially. It was then that the king turned the palace into a temple.

The Chhatris or the cenotaphs in orchha are another of the many historical tourist attractions in Orchha. These are memorials of the rulers of the Bundels and are laid down in a row of 14 along the beautiful banks of the Betwa River. It reflects a wonderful sight though to some it looks uncanny. The Chhatris of Orchha are the most melancholy ruins of the city in Madhya Pradesh.

Known to exist since prehistoric times, Agra came into full flower during the 16th and 17th centuries as one of the four capitals of Mughal dynasty. It was in Agra that the artistic excellence of the Mughals reached its zenith at a time that coincided with the political high water mark of their vast and expanding empire.

Day 11: A day in Agra
After breakfast visit the Taj Mahal, Agra fort, Itmad Ud Daulah and end your day with visit to Moonlit Garden. Overnight at the hotel.

The Taj Mahal is an enormous mausoleum complex commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the remains of his beloved wife. Constructed over a 20-year period on the southern bank of the Yamuna River in Agra, the famed complex is one of the most outstanding examples of Mughal architecture, which combined Indian, Persian and Islamic influences.

Agra Fort was begun by Akbar between 1565 and 1573. It is situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River, about 2km upstream from the Taj Mahal.  Akbar built the fort of sandstone; his grandson Shah Jahan, the builder of the Taj Mahal, constructed palaces of white marble within the fort itself.

Do you know that the Taj Mahal was not the first or only monument in marble in Agra? Baby Taj or Itimad-ud-Daulah is a tomb that was built by mother of Shah Jahan. It has a very delicate architectural beauty. The marble lattice structures in this monument are the highlight. You can find exotic Persian styled gardens around the tomb.

The Mehtab Bagh or the moonlight garden, was the last of the eleven Mughal-built gardens along the Yamuna river opposite to the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. Built during the period 1631- 1635 A.D., Mehtab Bagh literally means “a moonlit pleasure garden”.

Day 12: Drive to Delhi Airport
After breakfast we check –out from the hotel and drive to Delhi International Airport to catch flight back home, a drive of about 4 hours.