1

Arrival in Delhi. Welcome at the airport and transfer to hotel. Later, start your exploration of India with a city tour of Old Delhi which includes visits to Jama Masjid, built in 1650 A.D. and the amazing Red Fort, which was the seat of the Mughal Empire for over 250 years. Also, enjoy local rickshaw rides along the alleys of the ancient bazaars of Chandni Chowk. Then drive past India Gate, Parliament Buildings and the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House), and return to the hotel for overnight stay.

2

In the morning, we leave for Jaipur. Upon arrival, we check-in at the hotel. Founded by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1727, Jaipur is a magnificent planned city and is also known as the “Pink City”. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the local bazaar. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

3

We start with a morning excursion to the Amer Fort. You will ascend the fort atop painted elephants and pass by its huge gateways and pillared pavilions. The fort houses a marble palace, Temple of Victory and Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors). In the afternoon, we take a city tour and visit City Palace and Museum. Next, we visit the ornate Hawa Mahal (Palace of winds) which is five stories high and is decorated with delicate screens carved from stone, followed by a visit to Jantar Mantar, an observatory which is still equipped with immense brick and mortar instruments. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

4

We leave for Ranthambore in the morning. On arrival, we check-in at the hotel. We head over to the Fort of Ranthambore, which has been abandoned to nature in the national park, where the Royal Bengal Tiger rules the jungle. One of the finest tiger reserves in the country, its topography of low hills and large lakes makes for a scenic landscape. Overnight stay in Ranthambore.

5

Covering an area of 410 sq. km., Ranthambore was the private hunting ground of the Royal family of Jaipur. In 1972, it was declared a Sanctuary and brought under the Project Tiger Conservation platform. Dry deciduous forest covers open valleys around the lakes in this park. The varied flora supports a large number of animals including a variety of deer, the sloth beer, the shy caracal, leopards and, of course, the tiger. Enjoy wildlife safaris in the morning and evening. Overnight stay in Ranthambore.

6

In the morning, we leave for Bharatpur. On arrival, we check-in at the hotel. In the afternoon, we visit Keoladeo Ghana National park. The freshwater marsh of Bharatpur attracts resident and migratory aquatic birds in thousands since times immemorial. Return for an overnight stay at the hotel.

7

We leave early morning for Agra. En-route, we visit Fatehpur Sikri, undoubtedly the best-preserved Mughal Palace city of all. Built by Akbar the Great around 1570, Fatehpur Sikri has the highest quality of craftsmanship. The emperor constructed the city only to abandon it some fourteen years later when it is said that the water system failed. We then proceed to Agra, which was once the capital of Mughal India and centre of great power and glory. Visit one of the eight wonders of the world – the “Taj Mahal”, the monument of love immortalized in marble, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his Queen Mumtaj. We then visit the Agra Fort and Sikandara. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

8

In the morning, we transfer to the railway station to catch the train for Jhansi. Upon arrival, we undertake a short drive to Orccha, a rich legacy of Bundela rulers, who built the beautiful temple and palaces here in the 16th century. We proceed to visit Rai Praveen Mahal and Raja Temple, and then move to Khajuraho. After arrival, we check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

9

We start the morning by visiting the temples famous for erotic sculptures, architecture and bold artistic statement. We then drive to Bandhavgarh, which is situated in the Shahdol district among the outlying hills of the Vindhya range. Bandhavgarh houses the highest density of the tiger population in India. Upon arrival, we check-in at the resort. For an overnight stay.

10

Early in the morning, we set out for the adventurous trail on the Jeep Safari to spot tigers in the national park. You can expect to witness over 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. Common Langurs and Rhesus Macaque represent the primate group. Carnivores include the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Gray Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard and Tiger. The frequently sighted artiodactyls are Wild Pigs, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Chausingha, Nilgai, Chinkara and Gaur. Mammals such as Dhole, the small Indian Civet, Palm Squirrel and Lesser Bandicoot Rat are also spotted occasionally. Undertake a second ride in the afternoon. Return for overnight stay at resort. (CLOSED EVERY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR SAFARIS).

11

We start with a morning drive to Kanha National park. On arrival, we check-in at the resort. Kanha is divided into two sanctuaries, Hallon and Banjar, of 250 and 300 sq km respectively. Though one of these was subsequently disbanded, the area remained protected until 1947. Depletion of the tiger population in the following years led to the area being made an absolute sanctuary in 1952. Overnight stay in Kanha.

12

We will take morning and afternoon jeep safaris in the forest. You can expect to spot the Cattle Egret, Pond Heron, Black Ibis, Common Peafowl, Crested Serpent, Racket-Tailed Drongo, Hawk Eagle, Woodpecker, Pigeon, Dove, Parakeet, Babbler and Mynah, Indian Roller, White-Breasted Kingfisher and Gray Hornbill apart from the Tiger. Overnight stay in Kanha .(CLOSED EVERY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR SAFARIS).

13

After breakfast, we drive to the Raipur airport to catch our flight for Kolkata. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in Kolkata, and check-in for an overnight stay.

14

After breakfast, we transfer to the Kolkata airport to catch the flight for Guwahati. Upon arrival at the Guwahati airport, we immediately drive to the Kaziranga National Park. After breakfast at Nameri, we drive to Kaziranga National Park. Kaziranga lies in the heart of Assam, covering an area of 430 sq-kms. It is home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, along with many mammals, such as tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds. In 1985, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its unique natural environment. Upon arrival, we check-in at the resort for overnight stay.

15

After an early start to the day, you will be taken to the riding point in the Central Range (Kohoro) for an Elephant Ride. After the ride, we return to the lodge for breakfast at 7 a.m. We then drive to the Central Range (Kohora) of the park for a jeep safari. After lunch at 2.15, embark on another Jeep safari in the Western Range (Baguri) of the park. Evening is at leisure. Overnight stay at resort.

16

After an early breakfast, we go for a Jeep safari in the Eastern Range (Agaratuli) of the park. The area is excellent for bird watching and includes nesting of the globally threatened Pallas’s Fish Eagle and a colony of the Spot-billed Pelicans. Migrant waterfowl may be observed at Sohola Beel. Various woodland birds can also be seen along the drive through the very scenic Dillenia Swamp Forest. Elephants, along with Water Buffalo and Swamp Deer may be encountered. We return to the lodge for lunch, and then drive to the Central Range for another Jeep Safari. Overnight stay at resort.

17

After breakfast, we drive to the Guwahti airport to catch flight for onwards destination.