The Wilder Side Of India

Overnight at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Mayur Vihar – Noida (Superior Room)
Day 02: Delhi / Nagpur (6E 135 – 1020 / 1155 Hrs) Nagpur / Kanha

Early morning, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Nagpur Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Nagpur and drive to Kanha On arrival, transfer across the countryside to your safari headquarters for a two-day exploration of this vast, unspoiled central Indian preserve.

Upon arrival in Kanha, check into Singinawa Jungle Lodge

Overnight at Singinawa Jungle Lodge (AC Cottage)
Day 03 - 04: Kanha Tiger Reserve

Morning and Afternoon, jungle excursions in jeep Kanha National Park, which is one of the most well known tiger reserves worldwide, is located among the Banjar and Halon valleys in the Mandla / Balaghat districts of the state of Madhya Pradesh. Its creation took place among, and after, a lot of turbulence and storm within concerned circles regarding rampant killing of wildlife in the area at the time. The central Kanha valley was declared a sanctuary way back in 1933 but got its status as a National Park in 1955. It covers a large area of 1,945 square kilometers, out of which 940 square kilometers form the main park. The altitude of the park ranges from 450 meters to 900 meters above sea level. The temperature, depending on the season, ranges from 0 degrees in the winters to 48 degrees in the summers. The park remains open from the 01st of November to the 30th of June. Sometimes, as with most parks of the country, it can be closed earlier if the monsoon season arrives sooner than expected. The park has a heavy monsoon season with an average annual rainfall of 1600mm. The basic infrastructure at the park is well developed and visits can "mostly" be expected to pass without any problems.

Kanha is also famous for it's animal conservation efforts made in collaboration and cooperation with the local resident communities. One of the famous success stories of the park is the survival of the Barasingha population in the park, which went down to as low as 66 animals in 1970 from the earlier 3000 and which through huge efforts have now revived to a respectable number of around 1000. Kanha boasts of many such success stories of which this is only an example.

Kanha National Park is world famous for it's tigers. Tiger sightings are not as rare as in most other parks of the country. The only other reserves in the country that can claim to have as many sightings as Kanha are Ranthambor and Kanha's own neighbour, Bandhavgarh.

Other than the tiger, some of the more frequently seen animals in the park consist of Leopards, Gaur, Chausinghas, Sloth Bears, Barking Deer, Swamp Deer (Barasingha), Blackuck, Langurs, Wild Boars, Porcupines, Mouse Deer, Hyenas, Jackals and Wild Dogs (Dholes).

The reptile residents of the park consist of Monitor Lizards, Pythons and a large variety of other snakes.

Overnight at Singinawa Jungle Lodge (AC Cottage)
Day 05: Kanha / Bandhavgarh

After breakfast, we will drive to Bandhavgarh Bandhavgarh National Park, situated amid the airy Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh, has established a reputation as one of the best places in India to observe Tigers. Although a relatively small reserve when first established in 1968, it was enlarged twenty years later to include adjacent tracts of Sal forest and this extension has proved very beneficial for the Tiger population. The 105 square kilometres of park area, open for tourists is estimated to have a population of 22 tigers, a density of one tiger for every 4.77 square kilometres.

Like many Tiger reserves in India, the area was formerly the hunting reserve of a Maharaja and contains much evidence of its royal associations, most spectacular being the ruins of a huge hilltop fort, which dominates the centre of the reserve. Bandhavgarh is somewhat isolated in the rural heart of India but the long overnight train journey from Delhi is well worth the effort and visitors are richly rewarded by a fine selection of wildlife and the real chance of never to be forgotten encounters with the greatest of the big cats.

Upon arrival in Bandhavgarh, check in to Tiger's Den Resort

Overnight at Tiger's Den Resort (Standard Room)
Day 06: Bandhavgarh

Morning and Afternoon, jungle excursions in jeep The pattern of early morning and afternoon excursions will be interspersed with periods of relaxation back at our accommodation during the heat of midday. Although Tigers are the star attraction at Bandhavgarh the supporting cast of mammals and birds is very impressive, the latter including such species as Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, Plum-headed Parakeet, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and Asian Paradise Flycatcher among a total of over 250 species recorded in the district. Tour members with an interest in ornithology will value the time between game drives as an opportunity to explore some of the habitats close to our base.

Tigers, and the more rarely seen Leopards, have no shortage of prey in the reserve. The Spotted Deer or Chital is a favourite item on the Tiger menu and several thousand of these delightful deer inhabit the park.

Other species found here in varying abundance include; Chinkara, Chowsinga, Wild Boar, Sambar, Muntjac and Nilgai. Herds of the Asian Bison, or Gaur, formerly Inhabited the Reserve but impressive beast has not been seen at Bandhavgarh since 1998 although a closely monitored programme for the reintroduction of the Gaur isPLANNED WITHIN couple of years. A hunting pack of wild dogs may also be seen on occasions. Mammal sightings always require a degree of luck, particularly when the species is essentially nocturnal or reclusive but each outing in the reserve will at least provide a chance to meet one of the rarer inhabitants such as Sloth Bear, Indian fox, Jackal, Wolf, Ratel, Striped Hyenas, Jungle Cat or Indian Pangolin. More predictable are the sounders of Wild Boar rooting among the vegetation, Indian Hares, the lively little Palm Squirrels that seem to be constantly in a state of agitation, and several members of the mongoose tribe. Common Langurs and Rhesus Macaques are also plentiful, the former enjoying an elevated view of the forest as they devour their favourite leaves and often the first creature to bark out a warning at the appearance of a Tiger below.

We are never short of wildlife to watch in this gem of a reserve.

Overnight at Tiger's Den Resort (Standard Room)
Day 07: Bandhavgarh / Katni / Agra (Mahakaushal Express – 1925 / 0810 Hrs)*

Morning is at leisure for your independent activities.

Evening transfer to the train station to board your overnight train to Agra

Overnight aboard First Class Air-Conditioned Sleeper Accommodation / Hotel Radisson (Superior Room)
Day 08: Arrival / Agra (Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays)

Meeting & assistance upon arrival in Agra & transfer to Hotel Radisson

Since check in time at hotels in India is 2 PM, your room has been blocked from 12 noon of the previous night, to ensure immediate occupancy.

After rest & relaxation, we ride to the massive Agra Fort. The elegant buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of the courtyards, mosques & private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire

Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, there is a degree of enigma about the Taj. Once you hear about a building so much and once you see so many pictures of a building your expectations are real high; and this is the enigma about the Taj Mahal. No matter how many pictures you have seen or no matter how high your expectations are the Taj never lets you down - the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses beyond all human imaginations. We visit the Taj Mahal to witness this spectacular monument built for love. Besides perfect symmetry in every aspect of its construction, the inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in pietra dura style is absolutely remarkable.

Overnight at Hotel Radisson (Superior Room)
Day 09: Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Ranthambore (270 Kms) (06 Hrs Drive)

After breakfast, we drive to Ranthambhore stopping at deserted Capital City of Fatehpur Sikri. This abandoned capital of the Mughals is a perfectly preserved city at the height of the empire’s splendour. The city divided into religious and secular parts has interesting well-sculpted buildings. From here we will continue our drive to Ranthambhore.

Upon arrival in Ranthambhore, check in to Ranthambhore

Overnight at Ranthambhore Regency (Standard Room)
Day 10 – Day 11: Ranthambhore

Morning & afternoon Jungle excursions in shared jeep / canter. Ranthambhore is known to have India's Friendliest tigers Assured of protection; these nocturnal creatures are seen often in the day. Sprawled on the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges of Rajasthan, Ranthambhore National Park encompasses an area of 410 Sq. km. in which lives a healthy population of about 40 tigers. A large number of deer inhabit the area and leopards are occasionally sighted. The Pandam Taloa lake, located adjacent to the Jogi Mahal hunting lodge, is the park's favorite water source. Smaller pools at Raj Bagh and Milak also attract a variety of wild life The best way to explore Ranthambore is in canter as the park is well connected by arterial roads and tracks. Some of the popular sighting areas are Nal Ghati , Lahpur , ,Bakuala , Anantpur and the Kachida valley. Mammals: Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Caracal, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Chinkara, Indian hare mongoose. Birds: Bonelli's eagle, crested serpent eagle, great Indian horned owl, grey partridge sandgrouse, quail, spurfowl, common peafowl, tree pie, paradise flycatcher, pheasant tailed jacana, painted stork, black stork, spoonbill, green pigeon, ducks.

Overnight at Ranthambhore Regency (Standard Room)
Day 12: Ranthambore / Delhi (Golden Temple – 1230 / 1835 Hrs)

Morning jungle excursion in shared jeep / canter
Later transfer to the train station to board your train to Delhi
Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Delhi and transfer to Hotel Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar

Overnight at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Mayur Vihar – Noida (Superior Room)
Day 13: Delhi / Guwahati (6E 221 – 0535 / 0745 Hrs) Guwahati / Kaziranga

Early morning, transfer to airport to board your flight for Guwahati Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Guwahati and drive to scenic landscape to Kaziranga

On the banks of Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga covers approximately 106,255 square acres, and includes swamps and tall thickets of elephant grass, making this ideal habitat for the Indian one-horned rhino. The park was declared a sanctuary in 1940 in an effort to protect rhinos from poaching. Indian rhino. A vast stretch of coarse, tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical forests, it has managed to survive the onslaught of poachers, urbanization and burgeoning human populations. Plans are already afoot to extend the park’s boundaries to include the Brahmaputra River to the north and a part of the Mikir hill ranges to the south.

Upon arrival we check into Infinity Resorts

Overnight at Infinity Resorts (Standard Room)
Day 14 – Day 15: Kaziranga

Morning and afternoon jungle excursion in jeeps / elephants Beside of course the great one horned Indian Rhino, the other major wild attractions include a large population of Indian Elephants, Indian Bison, Swamp Deer or Barasingha, Hog Deer, Sloth Bears, Tigers, Leopard Cats, Jungle Cats, Otters, Hog Badgers, Capped Langurs, Hoolock Gibbons, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Buffalo, Pythons, Monitor Lizards, etc.

Kaziranga National Park is a birding paradise; the grasslands are a raptor country that can be seen on safari makes a remarkable experience. These include the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, etc. Huge numbers of migratory birds descend on the parks lakes and marshy areas during winters, including Greylag Geese, Bar-Headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Falcated Duck, Red-Crested Pochard and Northern Shoveller.

The vast open country makes Kaziranga National Park very accessible and wildlife viewing fairly pleasurable. Here one can leave in the early hours of the dawn for an elephant-back-ride. Authorized and trained Mahouts who guide visitors through the park train the Elephants. One could see wild Elephant herds roaming around or Indian Rhinos browse past visitors unconcernedly. Since Kaziranga wildlife Sanctuary is easily accessible, its provides a chance to see animals in the wild at such close quarters, thus making a trip to this National Park a very rewarding experience.

Overnight at Infinity Resorts (Standard Room)
Day 16: Kaziranga / Guwahati / Delhi (6E 571 – 1520 / 1805 Hrs)

Morning, we will drive to Guwahati
Upon arrival in Guwahati, transfer to airport to board your flight to Delhi
Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Delhi and transfer to Hotel Justa

Overnight at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Mayur Vihar – Noida (Superior Room)
Day 17: Delhi / Departure

Transfer to International airport to board your onward flight

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