Estate of the Tiger & Temples

Day 1: Arrive Mumbai

On arrival at Mumbai airport assistance & transfer to hotel (check in/out time 12pm). Later city of Mumbai. Drive pass Marine Drive one of the most beautifully laid boulevards in the city, CST & Parliament House. Visit The Gateway of India an arch-monument built to commemorate the landing of King-Emperor George V & Queen-Empress Mary in December 1911 at Apollo Bunder. Dhobhi Ghat to see the city famous open air laundry in action. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay, a grade I Heritage Building of the city counted amongst one of the most prominent museums of India. The complex exhibits a myriad collection of ancient artefacts, artwork and sculptors of the country which give a unique insight into our past. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Mumbai - Nagpur/Tadoba (100km) (B,D)

Transfer to airport to board flight for Nagpur.

On arrival meet your driver and proceed to Tadoba Tiger Reserve check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Tadoba (B,L,D)

Morning and afternoon gypsy safari in the tiger reserve with naturalist. Tadoba National Park is adorned with thickets of teak & bamboo a magical landscape of rugged cliffs, marshlands and lakes which make it a happy home for a wide range of animals. Some of the famous and wildly seen flora of this park include, Teak, Ain, Bija, Dhauda, Hald, Salai, Semal, Tendu, Beheda, Hirda, Karaya gum, Mahua Madhuca, Arjun, Bamboo, Bheria, Black Plum, and many others. Apart from this the list of animals noted in this part include, Tigers, Indian leopards, Sloth bears, Gaur, Nilgai, Dhole, Striped Hyena, Small Indian Civet, Jungle Cats, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Chital, Marsh Crocodile, Indian Python, Indian Cobra, Grey - headed Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Peacock, Jewel Beetles, Wolf Spiders, etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Tadoba - Pench (210km) (B,L,D)

Morning gypsy safari in tiger reserve. Later drive to Pench check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Pench (B,L,D)

Morning and afternoon gypsy safari in the tiger reserve with naturalist. The Pench National Park like it did in the iconic `The Jungle Book`, still brings humans in close contact with wildlife. The major carnivores are Tiger, leopard, wild cat, wild dog, hyena, jackal, fox, wolf & weasel among the vegetarian species, Gaur, Nilgai, Sambar, Chital, Chasinga, Chinkara & Wild Pig are prominent. River Pench divide the park into nearly two equal parts. This magnificent expanse shelters over 325 resident and migratory birds. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Pench - Kanha (200km) (B,L,D)

Morning gypsy safari in tiger reserve. Later drive to Kanha check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Kanha (B,L,D)

Morning and afternoon gypsy safari in the tiger reserve with naturalist. Kanha best known for its evergreen Sal forests, is home to about 300 species of Birds, 43 species of Mammals, 26 species of Reptiles and more than 500 species of Insects. The Major species found are hard ground Barasingha, Tiger, Leopard, Dhole, wild dogs, Bear, Gaur, Bison and Indian Python etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Kanha - Bandhavgarh (280km) (B)

Morning gypsy safari in tiger reserve. Later drive to Bandhavgarh check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Bandhavgarh (B)

Morning and afternoon gypsy safari in the tiger reserve with naturalist. This area is unique from the point of biodiversity, as it comprises hills, valley, rivers, marshes and meadows. Apart from highest density of Royal Bengal tigers in the world, 34 species of Mammals, nearly 260 species of birds and 70 species of butterfly are found in park. The remains of 2000 years old ancient Bandhavgarh Fort provide glimpse into its intriguing history where you will find several man made caves with inscriptions and rock paintings. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho (230km) (B,L)

Morning gypsy safari in Tiger reserve. Later drive to Khajuraho check in & overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Khajuraho - Varanasi (B)

Visit well maintained UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring eastern, western & southern group of temples adorned by erotic and sensuous carvings. The architecture of these temples depict the erotic forms of love, the carvings on the walls display passion in the most sensuous yet aesthetic ways. Built between 950 to 1050 AD by Chandela dynasty the temples of Khajuraho are India`s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world`s great artistic wonders. Transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi.

On arrival transfer to hotel. Evening attend Holy Ganga Aarti, a magical ritual held every evening at sunset on the banks of the Holy Ganges. The entire Ghat gets illuminated with a divine light that can be felt strongly. The magnificent ritual involves huge brass lamps lit with oil and the priests chant the holy mantras that reverberate in the entire location. The entire Ghat gets illuminated with a divine light that can be felt strongly. The magnificent ritual involves huge brass lamps lit with oil and the priests chant the holy mantras that reverberate in the entire location. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Varanasi (B)

Early morning boat ride & Ghat visit along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water. City tour of Varanasi. Visit Banaras Hindu University, with 5.3 sq kms campus and 30,000 residing students it is the largest residential university in the continent. Bharat Mata Temple built in 1936 houses a relief map of undivided India carved out of marble. Tulsi Manas Mandir one of the most famous temples in Varanasi. The temple has beautiful images of Lord Rama, Mother Sita, Lakshman and Lord Hanuman. The walls of temple are adorned with verses from Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the epic Ramayana. Sarnath it was here Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining the Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Varanasi - Delhi (B)

Transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi.

On arrival transfer to hotel. Later city tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi visit the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday) the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.

In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun`s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-metres tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flower-like shape. Also drive pass President House, Parliament & India Gate etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Delhi - Departure (B)

Departure transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.