THE WILDLIFE TOUR OF INDIA

DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI
DAY 2: DELHI
DAY 3: DELHI / JAIPUR
DAY 4: JAIPUR
DAY 5: JAIPUR / KALAKHO
DAY 6: KALAKHO / BHARATPUR / AGRA
DAY 7: AGRA
DAY 8: AGRA / JHANSI / KHAJURAHO
DAY 9: KHAJURAHO
DAY 10: KHAJURAHO / BANDHAVGARH
DAY 11: BANDHAVGARH
DAY 12: BANDHAVGARH
DAY 13: BANDHAVGARH / KANHA
DAY 14: KANHA
DAY 15: KANHA / KAWARDHA
DAY 16: KAWARDHA / RAIPUR / MUMBAI
DAY 17: MUMBAI
DAY 18: DEPARTURE

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

After clearing immigration and customs, our representative will meet you at the receiving area and escort you to your hotel. Thereafter, arrive at the hotel and check-in.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 2: Delhi

After breakfast, experience the combined charms of  Old and New Delhi.

The day begins with the sightseeing of Old Delhi and a visit to the Raj Ghat. Drive past the Red Fort on the way to Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. A tour through the bazaars of Chandni Chowk is followed by a drive past the historical India Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Parliament House. The day is concluded by a visit to the capital’s most striking monument; the 70 meter high Qutab Minar.

Overnight at the hotel (B)

Day 3: Delhi / Jaipur (Approx 145 miles / 232 kms / 5hrs)

After breakfast, set forth for Jaipur and check-in to the hotel. The evening will be spent in exploring the colorful markets of Jaipur only to end the day with a memorable dinner with a noble family at Sankotra Haveli. ‘Experiencing the living cultures of India.’

Overnight at the hotel (B, D)

Day 4: Jaipur

After breakfast, embark on a half-day excursion trip which will lead you to Amber Fort. En route make a photo stop at the palace of winds, the Hawa Mahal. A visit to the City Palace in the afternoon which now houses the Royal residence and museums with a collection of textiles and costumes, armory, manuscripts, paintings followed by a stopover at Jantar Mantar would wrap up the day.

Overnight at hotel (B)

Day 5: Jaipur / Kalakho (Approx 56 miles / 90 kms / 3 hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Kalakho where you will be greeted at the Dera Village Retreat which has been specially created to explore the Living Cultures of India. In the evening, camels will take you to a nearby village which belongs to the colorful Meena tribes. Finally, enjoy a traditional folk dance at the Retreat.

Overnight at the Retreat (B, L, D)

Day 6: Kalakho / Bharatpur / Agra (Approx 69 miles 111kms / 3hrs drive)

Advance to Bharatpur after breakfast to appreciate the splendid bird life on an exciting cycle rickshaw ride through one of the world’s finest bird parks, the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo Ghana National Park). Drive to Agra and en-route explore Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful sandstone city. Arrive Agra  andl check-in to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel (B)

Day 7: Agra

Early in the morning, behold the glorious sight of the sun casting its mellow rays on the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world and surely the greatest symbol of love and devotion. (The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays). Return to the hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon, pay a visit to the Agra Fort which over the years has acquired all the elegance and lavishness of an imperial palace.

Overnight at the hotel (B)

Day 8: Agra / Jhansi (Train: Bhopal Shtb ETD: 0817 ETA: 1043) / Khajuraho (Approx 110 miles / 175kms / 4hrs).

Leave for the railway station after an early breakfast to board the Shatabdi Express to Jhansi. A stop will be made at Orchha a small charming town, on your way from Jhansi to Khajuraho. The Ram Raja Temple with its soaring spires and palatial architecture is sure to leave you spell bound. The magic will only grow stronger as you explore the Laxminarayan Temple, the interiors of which cover the most exquisite of Orchha’s wall paintings. From there on, you will continue your journey to Khajuraho and check-in to the hotel on arrival.

Overnight at the hotel (B)

Day 9: Khajuraho

After an early morning breakfast, visit the famous Khajuraho temples (World Heritage site).These temples, which completed a thousand years of their existence in 1999 come to life with voluptuous sculptures that deceive one into believing that they are celestial and alive.

Rest of the day explore this heritage city.

Overnight at the hotel (B)

Day 10: Khajuraho / Bandhavgarh (Approx 131 miles / 210 Kms / 04½ Hrs)

After breakfast, proceed to Bandhavgarh. Highly proclaimed, the Bandhavgarh National Park was the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa and is presently a famous natural hub for tigers. At Bandhavgarh you will check-in to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)

Day 11: Bandhavgarh

The morning and afternoon will be spent on an intriguing jungle game drive in the National Park as you discover the mysteries of the wildlife. In the evening enjoy a Wildlife presentation in your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)

Day 12: Bandhavgarh

Another afternoon to explore the depths of the woods on a jungle safari will surely do justice to its vastness.

Also, enjoy a Village visit to the nearby tribal belt and listen to their interesting stories about the tigers.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)

Day 13: Bandhavgarh / Kanha (Approx 156 miles / 250 Kms / 06 hrs)

An early morning jungle safari would bid farewell to Bandhavgarh and you will move on to drive to Kanha. One of India’s finest wildlife reserves, Kanha National Park safeguards a large number of spotted deer, sloth bears, languor monkeys and the unusual guar. Lunch at the resort is sure to boost you for more wildlife viewing at the park this afternoon.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)

Day 14: Kanha

A morning and afternoon jungle safari will reveal to you the distinguished features of the jungles of Kanha.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)

Day 15: Kanha / Kawardha (Approx 63 miles / 100 km / 2 hours).

Watch the jungle greet a new day with an early morning jungle safari at the national park. From there on, drive to Kuwardha after breakfast which is an  less explored destination, 100kms from Kanha. The lush green fields and forests in this region are rich in birdlife and provide a home for the gentle Baiga tribe, the beauty is further enhanced by the surrounding Maikal range. This region is known for its Bhoremdeo temples which are parallel to the Khajuraho temples. The remaining time would be spent in leisurely exploring the nearby tribal villages.

Overnight at the hotel (B, L, D)

Day 16: Kawardha / Raipur (Approx 79 miles / 127 km /3 hours) / Mumbai (Flight IC-269 ETD: 1235 ETA: 1615)

After breakfast, leave for the Raipur airport to board a flight to Mumbai. In Mumbai, you shall be escorted  and checked-in to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel (B)

Day 17: Mumbai

Spend the day on a "living cultures" tour of Mumbai visiting the Dubbawalla (hot-lunch delivery system for Mumbai office workers) & the Dhobi-ghat (manual laundry system)

The famous Dubbawallas which supply home cooked box lunches to millions of working class people of Mumbai. Late morning, the lunch box is picked up from the houses by the courier men, delivered to the respective office and returned home before you reach there.  The system is an almost fool proof system without errors and done by locals of Mumbai.

Later enjoy the historical sites like the Gateway of India and the Mani Bhawan and the drive past the Victoria Terminus.  Also make an excursion to the scenic Malabar Hill area of Mumbai, where you will explore the lovely Hanging Gardens, which offer stunning views overlooking Mumbai and the Arabian Sea.

Explore the Crawford market later in the evening.

Overnight at the hotel (B)

Day 18: Departure

You will be escorted to the International airport to board your outbound flight.

Price Chart – Wildlife Tour of India

A: Luxury Modern Resorts and combination

B: First Class Hotels and combination

C: Budget Class Hotels and combination

Hotels included with the Meal Plan

*DVR – Dera Village Retreat, Kalakho

Land Prices Validity as indicated below except from the peak period of 20th December to 10th January (For which supplement will be advised later)

All prices in INR per person on twin share basis

WINTER SEASON

Prices (valid from 1st October to 16th April )

(Except from 15 – 30th Nov , 20th Dec – 10th Jan & 1st – 28th Feb)

*** Above airfare is presently applicable airfare and is subject to change at the time of issuance

OUR QUOTE INCLUDES: –

• Accommodation on twin sharing basis as per hotels mentioned above OR similar on the base category of room.
• Daily breakfast.
• All meals included at FH DVR Kalakho, Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Kwardha.
• 5 Jungle Safaris in Bandhavgarh and 3 Jungle Safaris in Kanha with Naturalist.
• All transfers and sightseeing tours as per itinerary will be by air-conditioned transportation.
• 1-2 Pax – 1 AC Indigo Car
• 3 Pax – 1 AC Innova Car
• 4-6 Pax – 1 AC Tempo Traveler
• 7-14 Pax – 1 AC Mini Coach
• The jungle safari would by Non air-conditioned transportation at Bandhavgarh & Kanha.
• Entrance fees at all monuments as per itinerary, road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges, interstate taxes, and porterage at all hotels & airports.
• Services of English speaking local guide for sightseeing only.
• Train fare for the sector Agra-Jhansi in an air-conditioned chair car.
• Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers.
• All currently applicable taxes.

THE ABOVE COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: –

• Expense of personal nature like laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax etc.
• Any Insurance
• Christmas & New Year Eve dinner supplement.
• Air fares.
• Any other services not mentioned in the inclusions.

SPECIAL NOTES:-

• Hotel Check-In time 1400 hrs. and Check-Out time 1200 NOON
• Prices are subject to change with any increase in the cost.
• Rates include only those items specified in your itinerary.
• In case on any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we will intimate you of the supplement price.

*** Important Notes/Disclaimer:

Additional services, if any, during the trip have to be paid for by the clients. Kindly note that names of hotels mentioned above only indicate that our rates have been based on usage of these hotels, and it is not to be construed that accommodation is confirmed at these hotels until and unless we convey such confirmation to you. In the event of any of the above-mentioned hotels not becoming available, we shall book alternate accommodation at a similar or next best available hotel and shall pass on the difference of rates (supplement/reduction whatever applicable) to you.