IN SEARCH OF THE TIGER
Duration: 16 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Agra - Bandhavgarh Kanha - Delhi
Arrive late night at the Indira Gandhi International Airport at New Delhi. Upon arrival, the guests will be met by our representative outside the customs gate and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
DAY 2 NEW DELHI
The capital of India has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties - the Rajputs, the Afghans, the Turks and the Mughals, who continued their imperial line until the British.
Morning, sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, which has some dramatic remnants of the Mughal Empire. Visit the Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, both built by Emperor Shah Jahan. Also visit Rajghat, the site of Mahatma Gandhi's cremation.
Afternoon, drive through the majestic boulevards of New Delhi designed by the British architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1920. Lutyens' Delhi includes the grand government buildings and parliament house, the India gate and "Rashtrapati Bhawan" - the presidential palace. Also visit the 234-foot high Qutab Minar and Humayun's tomb, built in the 16th century by the second Mughal emperor, and is an early example of Mughal architecture.
Overnight in Delhi
DAY 3 NEW DELHI - JAIPUR
Morning, drive to Jaipur covering a distance of 135 kms in approximately 3 hours.
Arrive Jaipur and check-in at hotel.
Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. It has long been established on tourist itineraries as the third corner of India's Golden Triangle, just 260 kilometers southwest of Delhi, and 200 kilometers west of Agra. The old city of Jaipur is partially encircled with seven gates - the major gates are Chandpol, Sanganeri, and Ajmeri. The 'pink city' label, applies specifically, to the old walled quarter of the Rajasthani capital, while in the northeast of the town, glorious palaces and temples, in an assortment of styles, spanning centuries, are scattered throughout the predominantly urban area. Jaipur is a tourist's delight. It is an extremely colorful city, and in the evening light, the pink and the orange buildings exude a magical glow, which is complemented by the vibrantly attired Rajasthanis. Camel drawn carts are characteristic of Jaipur's passing street scene.
This
afternoon’s sightseeing would include a visit to the City Palace.
In the heart of the old city is the former Royal residence built in a
blend of Rajasthani and Mughal style. Gray-white marble columns ornate support
the carved arches with floral motifs in gold and colored stones, while two
carved elephants in marble guard the entrance. The palace houses a Museum with
a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armory of Mughals and Rajputs
including swords of different shapes and sizes with ornamental handles, some
of them inlaid with enamel and embellished with jewels and encased in
magnificent scabbards. The palace also has an art gallery with an excellent
collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare
astronomical works. Adjacent to the City palace is Jantar Mantar,
the largest of Jai Singh’s five remarkable observatories. Its complex
instruments, whose setting and shapes are scientifically designed, represent
the high points of medieval Indian astronomy. The most striking of these are
the Ram Yantras used for gauging altitudes. Also visit the Hawa Mahal.
Built in 1799, the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds is one of the major
landmarks of Jaipur. This five-storey building, which looks out over the main
street of the old city, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry, with its
pink semi octagonal and delicately honeycombed sandstone windows. It was
originally built to enable ladies of the royal household, to watch the
everyday life and processions of the city.
Overnight in Jaipur
DAY 4 JAIPUR
This morning, excursion to Amber Fort situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur city. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families. Within the fort lies Jai “Mandir” (Temple) with its world renowned Sheesh Mahal, a hall full of mirrors. The walls and the ceiling of the Mahal are covered with a beautiful array of mirrors, which reflects any streak of light, so as to illuminate the entire room. The architecture shows distinct Mughal influence.
This afternoon, enjoy a rickshaw ride in the colorful bazaar of the old city.
Overnight in Jaipur
DAY 5 JAIPUR - RANTHAMBORE
This morning drive from Ranthambore, covering a distance of 175 kms in approximately 3½ hours. Arrive Ranthambore and check-in at hotel
Ranthambore
Wildlife Sanctuary
- The Park is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger's conservation
efforts in Rajasthan. It extends over an area of 392 sq kms of thick forests
and abounds in scenic beauty, requisite refuge for both the carnivore and
herbivore. The numerous valleys and flat hilltops form picturesque
surroundings of the 13th century historical Ranthambore Fort.
Ranthambore was one of the hunting preserves of the
former rulers of Jaipur and because of this the Maharajas ensured the
environment was preserved and the forest and their inhabitants well protected.
The park is home to the sambar deer, nilgai (Blue Bull), wild boar,
bear, panther, tiger and a variety of birds including the partridge, green
pigeon and red spur fowl.
Late afternoon, you will be escorted on a game viewing inside the sanctuary by open jeeps or canter. Go in search of the magnificent Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife.
Overnight in Ranthambore
DAY 6 RANTHAMBORE
Early
morning and late afternoon, game viewing in the sanctuary by jeeps. Overnight
at hotel.
After
breakfast, visit a nearby local village. Guests would get an opportunity to
see the rural life of an Indian village. Also visit the Ranthambore School of
Art.
Overnight in Ranthambore
DAY 7 RANTHAMBORE - BHARATPUR
In the morning enjoy another game drive.
At midday take a 3-hour train ride in air-conditioned class to Bharatpur. Arrive Bharatpur and transfer to hotel for 1 night.
Bharatpur is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world with over 300 species in season. The most common species here are the Siberian crane, cormorant, open-bill and painted stork, spoon- bill, quail, coot, heron, teal, tern, egret, pelican, ibis and snake bird.
DAY 8 BHARATPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA
Early morning is free to explore the national park. After breakfast drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route.
Fatehpur Sikri,
the abandoned, Red Sandstone City built in the 16th century by the Mughal
Emperor Akbar, one of India's greatest rulers. Remarkably broadminded for his
time, this Muslim king married a Rajput princess in order to win over his
Hindu subjects. The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri is a combination of Hindu
and Muslim styles, expressing Akbar's vision of synthesizing the cultures.
Mughal
Emperor Akbar made this a capital once but deserted it later due to paucity of
drinking water. This structure also houses Salim-Chishti's Dargah. This is a
white marble canopy set in the courtyard of the royal mosque to honour a Sufi
saint who reportedly blessed Akbar’s wife with a son.
Arrive in Agra and check-in at hotel.
Agra, is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture. In the Mughal period, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babar, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the river Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens, and Shahjahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. The crowning glory of the city is obviously the Taj, a monument of love and imagination that represents India to the world.
This afternoon visit the Agra Fort, situated two kilometers west of the Taj Mahal on the banks of the river Yamuna. It was built by the third Mughal Emperor, Akbar, and added to by his son Jehangir and grandson Shahjahan. Agra Fort is an imposing structure with walls of red sandstone, almost 3 kilometers (two miles) long. The eastern part of the fort (the only part open to visitors) contains palaces, audience halls and mosques built by all the three emperors. The fort presents a good sampling of their favored architectural styles. Akbar drew on Islamic and Hindu traditions and the result is eclectic. By Shahjahan time, the style had become so homogenized that it is impossible to separate the Hindu and Muslim strands. The Diwan-i-am (public audience hall) once housed the fabled peacock throne, which incorporated virtually all the important gems of the imperial treasury. The beautiful Diwan-i-khas (private audience hall) and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) are other attractions within the fort.
Later, visit the
Taj Mahal to watch the colours in the marble change as the sun sets.
With its incredible lacy white grandeur and loveliness is perhaps the most
perfect architectural monument in the world. Emperor Shahjahan constructed
this most famous and incomparable Moghul monument in memory of his beloved
wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is the most extravagant monument ever built for love.
The Taj Mahal is amazingly graceful from almost any angle and it is the close
up detail, 
which is really astounding.
Please note: The Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday.
Overnight in Agra
DAY 9 AGRA - BANDHAVGARH
This afternoon board an overnight train for Umaria, in air-conditioned sleeper class.
Overnight in Train
DAY 10 BANDHAVGARH
Arrive Umaria in the morning and transfer to the Bandhavgarh National Park. On arrival check-in at hotel for 2 nights.
The park is situated in the Vindhya hills with an undulating terrain and a series of ridges running through it. Spread across an area of 448 sq. km, the park is heaven to a variety of wild species including nilgai, wild boar, jackal, guar, sambar and porcupine. Bandhavgarh also holds a good population of tiger and is particularly noted for daylight sightings. In addition to this it also echoes with the chirping of a variety of feathered species. The rich and varied birdlife includes golden orioles, parakeets, hornbills and partridges.
Visit the park in the afternoon.
Overnight in Bandhavgarh
DAY 11 BANDHAVGARH
Enjoy full day of jungle activity.
Overnight in Bandhavgarh
DAY 12 BANDHAVGARH - KANHA
Morning drive to Kanha National Park, one of the largest and best-managed parks in the country. For a wildlife aficionado, Kanha National Park is a place to visit with some 22 species of mammals. With thick Sal forests, long bamboo, swaying grassland and meandering rivers it offers a perfect atmosphere to explore the thrill of wild life. Spread across an area of 1940 sq. km the park is a haven to countless wild species. Most commonly sighted are the chital or spotted deer, barasingha or swamp deer, blackbuck, common langur, jackal and three-striped palm squirrel. Less commonly seen are the tiger, Indian hare, dhole or Indian wild dog and bison or gaur. Rarely sighted are the Indian fox, sloth bear, striped hyena, panther, mouse deer, etc. Over 200 species of birds are found in the hills in the mixed forest and its bamboo breaks.
Arrive Kanha and stay at hotel for 2 nights
Overnight in Kanha
DAY 13 KANHA
Enjoy full day of jungle activity.
Overnight in Kanha
DAY 14 KANHA - DELHI
Morning transfer to Jabalpur station for the overnight train journey back to Delhi, in air-conditioned sleeper class.
Overnight in Train
DAY 15 ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi in the morning and transfer to the hotel where rooms would be provided till the final departure. Rest of the day free to relax.
Late night transfer to the international airport of New Delhi to board your flight in the early hours of day 16.
DAY 16 NEW DELHI - ABROAD
Flight back home