Wildlife of India

 

 

DAY 1: DEPART USA

DAY 2: ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi late tonight and transfer to your city center hotel, a drive of about 40 minutes .
O/N The Park - Deluxe Room

DAY 3: DELHI
The morning is at leisure to relax after the long flight. In the afternoon explore India’s historic capital, beginning with a drive past the India Gate war memorial, North & South Block secretariat, the Presidential Palace and Parliament, before visiting Qutb Minar, a 12th century “victory tower” that is a Delhi landmark, and the wonderfully restored 15th century Humayun’s Tomb, considered to be the forerunner of the Taj Mahal.
O/N The Park - Deluxe Room (B)

DAY 4: KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
You are transferred to the airport after breakfast for Jet Airways flight to Guwahati. Arrive Guwahati 12:55PM where you are met and transferred to Kaziranga National Park (150 miles/5 hours), driving along the wonderfully green Brahmaputra Valley before arriving at your destination in the early evening.
O/N Wild Grass Lodge - Standard Room (BLD)

DAYS 5-6: KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
Set on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga’s 166 square mile area is primarily tall savannah grassland, oxbow lakes and dense stands of tropical evergreen forest. It stands at the crossroads of the Indo-Oriental realm and the flora and fauna are quite diverse from anything elsewhere in the country. Of the numerous animal and bird species known here, Kaziranga is the last stronghold of the Indian one horned rhinoceros, whose numbers exceed a thousand individuals, that are easily approached on elephant back safaris. Other impressive sights and the enormous water buffalo, and herds of elephants that commute between the park and the southern hills. One morning, a walking excursion will be made into these hills in search of the elusive hoolock gibbon, the only ape found in India and another specialty, the Malayan giant squirrel.
O/N Wild Grass Lodge - Standard Room (BLD)

DAY 7: DELHI/ NAGPUR
After an early breakfast, drive back to Guwahati to connect Jet Airways departing at 1:30PM. Arrive Delhi 4:15PM where you are met and assisted for the connecting flight to Nagpur (daily except Saturdays) departing 6:00PM. Arrive Nagpur at 8:15PM and transfer to your hotel.
O/N Pride Hotel - Deluxe Room (BL)

DAY 8: KANHA NATIONAL PARK
Getting an early start, drive northeast to Kanha National Park (175 miles/5-6 hours), traveling across the flat landscape interspersed with villages and small market towns. Along the way is Seoni, site of the tales of Kipling’s wolf packs. Late this afternoon, a game drive provides your first experience of Kanha.
O/N Shergarh - Deluxe Tent with private facilities, or Kipling Camp - Standard Room (BLD)

DAYS 9-10: KANHA NATIONAL PARK
Kanha is considered by many to be India’s foremost wildlife preserve. Approximately 500 square miles in size, its landscape is characterized by deciduous hardwood forests, rolling meadows and numerous streams. Specialities in Kanha are the spectacular gaur, largest of the world’s wild oxen, and occasional packs of dhole, or wild dog. Kanha is one of the crown jewels of Project Tiger, arguably one of the world’s most successful conservation projects. Early morning and afternoon game drives cover considerable swathes of park territory, and elephant rides are provided when tigers are sighted in the vicinity of the camp.
O/N Shergarh - Deluxe Tent with private facilities, or Kipling Camp - Standard Room (BLD)

DAY 11: BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
Another early start is made for the drive north to Bandhavgarh National Park (231 miles/ 6-7 hours), traveling through undulating countryside in the heart of India. Arrive Bandhavgarh mid afternoon, with time to freshen up before the game drive. 
O/N Mewar Ketkiya Camp - Deluxe Room (BLD)

DAYS 12-13: BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
Among the smallest and perhaps the most photogenic of the country’s wildlife preserves, Bandhavgarh’s compactness may be the reason for the relatively higher levels of tiger sightings than most anywhere else. Its landscape is dominated by an ancient and gigantic hilltop fortress Early morning and afternoon game drives, and short elephant back safaris when tigers are sighted in the vicinity of the camp, show great numbers of the ubiquitous chital and sambar, grazing herds of gaur, wild boar and nilgai, a large and ungainly antelope.
O/N Mewar Camp - Deluxe Room (BLD)

DAY 14: KATNI/ OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO AGRA
After a morning game drive and leisure time you are transferred west to Katni (77 miles/3 hours), to board the overnight Gondwana Express departing at 5:00PM. A packed dinner is provided. O/N Train - air-conditioned first class sleeper (BLD)

DAY 15: ARRIVE AGRA
Arrive Agra at 4:00AM to be met and transferred to your hotel where accommodation is held for immediate occupancy, with the remainder of the morning at leisure. In the afternoon, visit the Agra Fort, strategically situated along a bend on the Yamuna River. Built by three generations of Mughal emperors from the mid 16th century onwards, it harmonizes stern military fortifications with delicate interior detail. Then visit the Taj Mahal (closed Fridays): a sublime tribute from a grieving emperor to his departed wife, it was 22 years in the making.
O/N Trident Hilton - Deluxe Pool View Room (B)

DAY 16: FATEHPUR SIKRI/ KEOLADEO GHANA NATIONAL PARK
Should you wish, and weather conditions permitting, optional arrangements will be made to view the Taj Mahal at sunrise. After breakfast, drive west to Bharatpur (37 miles), stopping enroute to visit the deserted medieval Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by the great Emperor Akbar around mid 16th century, it is a superb synthesis of Hindu, Mughal and Persian architectural styles. Spend this afternoon and the next day exploring Bharatpur’s Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a tiny patch of wetland that is internationally renowned as a rookery for resident bird species and a haven for winter migrants from Eurasia and Siberia. Traversing the area on foot and by cycle rickshaw, and occasionally by boat should water levels permit, it is often possible to record about 150-200 species of the approximately 400 species recorded in the course of two days. Prominent are several species of waterbirds, waders, wildfowl, storks, raptors, owls, woodpeckers, chats, babblers, warblers and numerous woodland species.
O/N Laxmi Vilas Palace – Deluxe Room (B)

DAY 17: KEOLADEO GHANA NATIONAL PARK
You will spend most of the day at Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a mile away from the hotel.
O/N Laxmi Vilas Palace – Deluxe Room (B)

DAY 18: KEOLADEO GHANA NATIONAL PARK/ DELHI
After breakfast, you are transferred the short distance to Bharatpur Railway Station for the Jan Shatabdi Express train to Delhi departing at 9:35AM (air-conditioned chair car). Arrive Delhi 12:35PM where you are met and transferred to your hotel where a day room is provided until the late night transfer to the airport.
O/N The Park - Deluxe Room (B)

DAY 19: DEPART DELHI
After clearing Customs and Immigration formalities, board your international flight for home.