A tour not only through some of the most important "tiger country"
but a superb blend of the Indian "pot-pourrie". You will have a
chance to see everything that is associated with India. We have the Taj, the
colourful bazaars of Jaipur, the mega city of Delhi, the mud fort of
Bharatpur, the marvels of Khajurao, the oldest city of India Varanasi.
Besides the wild life sanctuaries of Kanha, Ranthambhor, Bhandavgarh and the
best bird sanctuary at Bharatpur. This tour can be extended to include a
visit to the national parks in Nepal along with the Budhist centres.
Detailed ItineraryDay - 1 Delhi Arrival
Delhi in the morning. "Namaste" a warm welcome to India, a sincere
greeting with a bow and folded hands. Transfer to a 5-star hotel in New
Delhi. After a short break we embark on our first journey to discover India.
Our introduction to India will be by a " Rickshaw" ride a mode of
transport used in small towns and in Old Delhi.
We head for a guided
city tour to the most interesting sights of the city that is the Red Fort a
fort made of red sand stone which once housed the world famous PEACOCK
throne and the Jama Masjid mosque. Welcome Dinner at the old Hauz Khas
village complex overnight stay at the hotel.
Day - 2 Jaipur
We leave for the pink city of Jaipur arriving for lunch. After lunch day at
leisure to explore the streets and bazars of Jaipur. Overnight at hotel.
Day - 3 Amer We visit the city palace, the palace of
winds and then proceed to Amer fort the ancient capital of Jaipur built in
the 16th century by Raja Man Singh in red sandstone and marble. It has some
very intersting apartments like the Sheesh Mahal the glass canopy apartments
and Jai Mandir, Sukh Niwas Baodi etc.
The highlight of this trip is
the elephant ride up the ramparts of the fort just like the maharajas did.
After this we visit the Jaigarh fort the armoury of the erstwhile state
which houses the biggest cannon on wheels in the world. Overnight at hotel.
Day - 4 Ranthambhor Drive to Ranthambhor the finest
national park of India arriving in the hotel in afternoon. Evening visit the
old fort which overlooks the national park. Overnight hotel.
Day - 5 Ranthambhor Ranthambore Morning & Evening drives in
the park.
Day - 6 Bharatpur Ranthambore - Bharatpur
drive to Bharatpur the capital city of another racial community of India The
Jats. Afternoon visit Bharatpur fort which is different from other Rajasthan
forts as it has thick mud walls which the British army could not break
despite laying a seige for 4 months.
Day - 7 Keoladeo Ghana
National Bird Sanctuary Full day bird watching in possibly the
biggest bird sanctuary in the world Keoladeo Ghana National. To take in the
essence of the park you need to divide your trips into different times of
the day, Early morning take in spectacular sightings of large flocks of
water birds & their exquisite birdsongs. At dusk catch the elusive bird
(night herons ,bitterns & owls). Post lunch catch the python basking in
the sun.Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 8 - Agra Take the
road for Agra Enroute we visit the ancient city of Fathepur Sikri built by
Emperor Akbar as thanks giving for the saint who blessed him with a son. In
the afternoon check in to the hotel. After a short break leave for the Agra
Fort. The fort where Emperor Shajahan the builder of Taj was held captive by
his son Emperor Aurangzeb, who had usurped the throne of India. One can see
the magnificant Taj from the quarters in which the emperor was jailed.
Before sunset visit the Taj a monument of Love and romance. Overnight at the
hotel.
Day - 9 Orcha Take an executive class
airconditioned train to Jhansi drive to Orcha the old capital of the
Bundhela Kings who were the contempories of the Mughal Emperors. Check into
the hotel on the banks of the river. Go exploring the marvels of
Bundhelkhand. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
- 10 Bhandavgarh National Park Some more exploring later in the day
take the train to Katni / Umaria. Disembark for Bhandavgarh National Park.
Afternoon take the first drive into the park if luck favours us we will
sight the Tiger. As the concentration of tiger population is highest in this
park hence our chances of sighting. Overnight at hotel / camp.
Day - 11 Bhandavgarh National Park Full day for the park. We
will take two trips into the park. Early morning on elephant back, post
lunch & evening in jeeps.
Day - 12 Khajuraho
Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho. Drive to Khajuraho the citadel of power of the
Chandela Kings in 10th &11th century. Khajurao has been declared a World
Heritage Site. Though famous for its Erotic temple sculpture Khajurao is
much more then just Kamasutra. The question which comes to mind is how could
any society approve of such eroticism in a place of worship. To answer this
question only a visit to khajurao can do. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 13 Varanasi Walk the streets of Khajurao leave for the
airport around 11:30 A.M. to catch the flight for Varanasi the oldest living
city in India and one of the worlds most ancient previously known as Kashi
in the times of Puranas and Vedas. Its also the second most important
religious city on the Ganges. After check in and a short break visit the
bazar of Benaras which is an experience of a life time even for the Indians
living in other cities. Varanasi is a city which can not be described it can
only be experienced. Around sunset take a visit to the ghats (Banks of river
ganga) and a boat ride in the Ganges to see the AARTI (culmination of the
days prayers with lamps) which are offered to the mother Ganga and left to
float in the river. It's a spectacle seen nowhere else in the world. It
seems that stars are floating in the river.
Day - 14 Kashi
Early morning again visit the ghats before sunrise to see people praying to
the Sun god another experience of its kind. After breakfast visit Kashi
Vishwanath temple the most important temple of Lord Shiva in India Saranath
where lord Budha preached his first Sermon. It was here he revealed the
eight fold path of Nirvana.
Day - 15 Delhi Varanasi
- Delhi In the morning take another river cruise on the Ganges. In the
evening, fly to Delhi to catch your international flight.