DELHI - RANTHAMBORE - BHARATPUR - AGRA - BANDHAVGARH - KANHA

Day 1: London - Delhi

Depart for Delhi flying direct with British Airways (daily departures).

DAY 2: DELHI

Arrive Delhi. Met on arrival at the visitor's lounge and transferred to your Hotel Oberoi Maidens/Taj Palace for over-night stay.

The Oberoi Maidens is centrally air-conditioned hotel. Each air-conditioned bedroom has a telephone, television, tea/coffee maker and attached private facilities. Other amenities include a swimming pool, tennis court, a bar and multi-cuisine restaurant.

Location: Airport - 24 kilometers : Railway Station - 4 kilometers : City Centre - 8 kilometers.

Government grading:Four-star hotel
Our comments: First class period hotel - a unit of prestigious Oberoi group of Hotels

Taj Palace is centrally air-conditioned hotel. Each air-conditioned room has the facility of telephone, television, mini bar and attached private facilities. Other amenities include a health club, swimming pool, tennis and golf course, discotheque, bar and three multi-cuisine restaurants.

Location: Airport - 14 kilometers : Railway Station - 12 kilometers.

Government grading:Five-star hotel
Our comments: Five-star deluxe hotel - a unit of prestigious Taj Group of Hotels
After freshening up we will proceed to look for some semi-urban bird watching to Old Fort and Delhi Zoo to get acquainted with the commoner birds like the Indian Pond Heron, Yellow Footed Green Pigeon, Indian Grey Hornbill, White Ibis, Laughing Dove, Greater Coucal, Brown Headed Barbet and Alexandrine Parakeet. You will also see some waders and water birds at Yamuna.

DAY 3: DELHI - RANTHAMBORE

Morning met and transferred to the railway station in time to board your train Golden Temple Mail, air condition sleeper class (0800:1312) to Sawaimadhopur. Met on arrival and transferred by road to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve where we will check-in to the Sher Bagh for two nights.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

Ranthambore National Park is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger's conservation efforts in Rajasthan. The Park sprawls over an estimated area of 400 sq kms. Steep crags embrace a network of lakes and rivers, and a top one of these hills, is the impressive Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century. The terrain fluctuates between impregnable forests and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with dhok, being the most prominent tree. The entry point to the For a relatively small area, the park has a rich diversity of fauna and flora - species list includes 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, 272 birds, 12 reptiles (including the marsh crocodile) & amphibians and 30 mammals including the tiger, leopard sloth bear, caracal, sambar, nilgai, wild boar.

Sher-bagh

Owned and often frequented by Valmik Thapa of 'Land of the Tiger' fame, Sher Bagh is situated at the edge of Ranthambore National Park along its Northern periphery. The camp, which is run by Valmik's nephew, consists of 10 luxurious bedroom tents in a style originally designed for HH the Marharaja of Jodhpur at the turn of the century. Such tents were used on hunting expeditions and also catered for an overspill of guests at the palace, Viceregal and during Royal Visits. Each tent has attached verandah and bathroom with hot and cold running water and 24hr electricity.

Meals are served in the dining tent consisting of English breakfasts, continental lunches and traditional Rajasthani dinners. Much of the produce is organically grown on their own farm.

Safaris are by jeep only in Ranthambore and you will be accompanied by one of the camps trackers, always from local families who have known the jungle and it's animals for generations and has the necessary sharp eyes and ears. 10% of all proceeds are donated to organisations working to save Ranthambore.

Afternoon we will go for the first safari to the core area of the Ranthambore National Park.

DAY 4: RANTHAMBORE

Morning and afternoon we will go for safaris to the core area of the Ranthambore National Park in open-topped jeeps. Overnight at the resort.

DAY 5: RANTHAMBORE-BHARATPUR

Early morning enjoy a safari to the core area of Ranthambore National Park. Afternoon we will proceed to the Sawaimadhopur railway station in time to connect to our train Golden Temple Mail, air condition sleeper class (1255:1530) to Bharatpur. On arrival met and transferred to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary for an afternoon session of birdwatching.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park at Bharatpur is arguably the finest bird sanctuary in the world. Formerly a shooting preserve of the Rajput Maharajahs of Bharatpur, it is just 29 square kilometres but holds a remarkable diversity of habitats. The wetlands - marshes and flooded 'jheels' - are contained within acacia-lined 'bunds', or embankments, and irrigated by a system of canals and sluices. Around them lies semi-arid grass and scrubland and some excellent broad-leaved Kadam woodland. Over 350 species of birds have been recorded in the park. Amongst these are an unequalled array of wetland species, a great variety of vultures, eagles, falcons and owls, plus numerous small landbirds. Notable species amongst the throngs of nesting Painted Storks, White Ibises, darters and spoonbills are specialities such as the threatened Siberian Crane, Pallas's Sea Eagle, Black-necked Stork, Comb Duck and the elusive Spotted Creeper.

As well as birds, the park has an excellent variety of wild animals. Nilgai (blue bull), Sambar and Spotted Deer, Blackbuck, Jungle Cat, Wild Boar, Asiatic Jackal and Mongoose are all common, and this is one of the few places in India where the rare Fishing Cat may be seen.
Later we will check-in to Laxmi Vilas Palace/Bharatpur Forest Lodge for two nights.
.

Laxmi Vilas Palace
The palace is an interesting combination of traditional Rajput and Mughal style architecture as was prevalent during those times. The sunny courtyards and enchanting cupolas enthral the visitors. Spacious, airy rooms which open into an inner courtyard are adorned with colourful frescoes, period furniture and several antiques and objects d'art which remind one of the magnificent lifestyle of a bygone era.

DAY 6: Bharatpur

Morning enjoy a session in the Bird Sanctuary to view the various species of birds. Later depart by surface to Bund Baretha to see some more birds like the Indian Skimmer, Great Crested Grebe, Comb Duck, Orange-headed and Tickell's Thrush, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Greater Painted Snipe, Dusky Crag Martin and the rarer Crag Martin, Sulpher-bellied Warbler and some other species. On our way back we will try for Booted and Brooke's Leaf Warbler, Desert Wheatear and Spanish Sparrow.

Day 7: Bharatpur - Agra

Morning we will go for the final session of birdwatching to the Bird Sanctuary. Later we will proceed to Agra visiting the Fatehpur Sikri enroute. Upon arrival check into your Hotel Howard Park Plaza/Mughal Sheraton for over-night stay. Overnight at the hotel.
Fatehpur Sikri
Visit the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after fifteen years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, the Tomb of Salim Chishti, the Panch Mahal & the other palaces.

Howard Park Plaza
Approved as a first class hotel, it is situated 1.5 kms from the Taj. The hotel has the facility of a swimming pool, health club with sauna and jacuzzi, bar overlooking the pool, coffee shop and a restaurant. Each air-conditioned bedroom has a private bathroom with bath and/or shower and toilet and telephone and a mini bar.

Mughal Sheraton
A Government approved five star deluxe property is 12 kms. from the airport, 5 kms. from the Railway Station and 4 kms. from the downtown area. Facilities offered include Health Centre, Swimmimg Pool, Mini Golf Course, Yoga Centre, Archery and Royal Horse Carriage. Each air-conditioned bedroom has a private bathroom with bath and/or shower and toilet and telephone.

DAY 8: AGRA - BANDHAVGARH

Morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city including the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal truly is one of the wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal is a monument of love built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. For twenty-two years 20,000 men laboured day and night to build this masterpiece, which has held the world awe, struck ever since. Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son in the magnificent fort at Agra. Here you'll see the art and crafting of the white marble that has made the area so famous, the Pearl Mosque, the halls of Public and Private Audience, and finally the tomb of Itmad-ud-daula built by the Empress Noorjehan in the memory of her father.
Afternoon we will depart for the railway station in time to board our train Kalinga Utkal Express (1550:0627), air condition sleeper class for Umaria. Overnight on the train.

DAY 9: ARRIVE UMARIA-BANDHAVGARH

Morning we will arrive Umaria station. Met on arrival and transferred by road to our lodge Churat Kothi in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve for two nights.
Churhat Kothi is a camp set in twenty-four acres of dense forest. There are 12 spacious safari tents, each with a luxurious bathroom. The tents are raised on a concrete platform and are custom made. The attached bathrooms are permanent with running hot and cold water. There is electricity at the camp, which is confined to public areas only. The tents are provided with kerosene lanterns. The camp has a dining room serving Indian food, besides a sitting lounge and a good collection of books on wildlife. A bonfire is organized every evening in the winters at the "Golghar" - a covered circular sitting area among the trees.
Afternoon enjoy the first safari to the core area of Bandhavgarh National Park in open-topped jeeps. Overnight at the hotel.

Set amidst the Vindhyan ranges and the eastern flank of Satpura hill range Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the best places to see and enjoy wildlife in India. The Reserve is named after the highest hill Bandhavgarh (807 m.) in the centre of the Reserve. A chain of smaller hills, 32 in all, surrounds this hill, forming a number of valleys and spurs in between. Much of the park is covered in Sal forest, replaced by mixed forests in the higher elevations of the hills. Generally the forests have less undergrowth here, thus offering better sightings of wildlife, notably mammals, including the daylight sightings of Tigers in the grassy 'maidans'. More than 25 Tigers are estimated for the park. Other mammals include the Leopard, Gaur, Sambar, Barking Deer, Chausinga and Wild boar. The area is also good for birding from the car.

DAY 10: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Enjoy morning and afternoon safaris to the core area of the Bandhavgarh National Park. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11: Bandhavgarh - Kanha Tiger Reserve

Morning we will go for the final short safari to Bandhavgarh National Park. Later we will proceed to Kanha National Park. On arrival we will check-in to the Tuli Tiger Resort for three nights. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at the resort.

Tuli Tiger Resort is a Jungle resort with standard facilities. The resort has air-conditioned cottage type of accommodation and a multi cuisine restaurant serving Indian, Continental and Chinese. Other facilities include swimming pool, Park Safaris, folk dances and campfires. Each air-conditioned room has private bathroom with bath and/or shower and toilet.

Kanha National Park
Kanha is Kipling country and the nearby forests were the setting for the "Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling. It's an outstanding national park and wildlife reserve of Central India, noted for its last remaining population of the hard-ground race of the Swamp Deer (approximately 450). Spotting wild animals is always a matter of luck, but Kanha National Park is so rich in wildlife that the odds are tilted in your favour. There are a healthy numbers of the Tiger found over here, which may be seen during the day, and is one of the best places left to see them. Other mammals include the three-striped palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, chital or spotted deer, barasingha or swamp deer and blackbuck. Less commonly seen are the tiger, Indian hare, dhole or Indian wild dog and bison or gaur, Rarely sighted are the Indian fox, sloth bear, striped hyena, panther, mouse deer etc. There are over 200 species of birds, which can be seen from the car.

DAY 12: Kanha

Enjoy morning and afternoon safaris to the core area of the Kanha Tiger Reserve in open-topped jeeps.

DAY 13: Kanha

Enjoy morning and afternoon safaris to the core area of the Kanha Tiger Reserve in open-topped jeeps.

DAY 14: Kanha - Delhi

Morning we will proceed from Kanha to Jabalpur railway station in time to board our train Mahakoshal Express (1435:1040), air condition sleeper class for Delhi. Overnight on the train.

DAY 15: Delhi

Morning arrive Delhi. Met upon arrival and transferred to your Hotel Oberoi Maidens /Taj Palace for one night. (Optional tour of New Delhi in the afternoon). Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 16: Delhi - London

Met and transferred to the airport in time to connect your International flight for your onward destination.