13 Day Stalking Tiger Tour

13 days/12 nights
Price £1690pp based on 2 sharing, includes transfers
Board Basis: Full Board (except Delhi & Agra)
Valid:11 Jan – 30 Apr 09

India, Stalking Tiger Tour India Tours, Bird Sanctuary India Tours India Tours, Taj Mahal

Day 1: LONDON / DELHI

Arrive Delhi. Upon arrival, meet our representative and transfer to Hotel . Delhi is one of the most historic capitals in the world and two of its monuments namely Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb make it a place worth visiting. Besides these, it has got Red Fort and Jama Masjid ( The Great Mosque of India ) which gives an impression that this city had been in the hands of great architectures - The Muslim rulers, collectively called 'The Great Mughals'. It offers a multitude of interesting places and attractions to the visitor, so much so that it becomes difficult to decide from where to begin exploring the city. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2: DELHI

After breakfast an orientation tour this morning around the many fascinating sights of Delhi with its teeming bazaars, fort and mosques. Notable attractions in New Delhi include the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the one-time imperial residence of the British Viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan and subsequent wars; Qutab Minar, built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and Humayun's Tomb. In Old Delhi, attractions like mosques, forts, and other monuments that depict India's Muslim history. The important places in Old Delhi includes the majestic Red Fort, the historical Chandni Chowk, besides Raj Ghat. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 3: DELHI/RANTHAMBORE

In time meet our representative and transfer to railway station to board train for Sawai Madopur (Ranthambore) Upon arrival, meet our representative and transfer to hotel. Ranthambore National park is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The tigers can be easily spotted even during the day. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 4: RANTHAMBORE

Early morning : proceed for jungle safari in Ranthambore National Park Breakfast at the Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Evening :Proceed for another jungle safari. Ranthambore National Park is situated in India's northwestern state of Rajasthan, near the town of Sawai Madhopur, midway between Bharatpur and Kota townships. Ranthambore National 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 bushland. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with dhok, being the most prominent tree. The entry point to the Ranthambore National Park, goes straight to the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 5: RANTHAMBORE- BHARATPUR

In time transfer to railway station to board train for Bharatpur. The Keoladeo Ghana National Park or Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary lies between two of India's most historic cities, Agra and Jaipur. This Park hosts a variety of bird species(Siberian crane etc) from across the globe. Close to 380 species of birds are found in this 29 sq km stretch, approximately 10 sq km of which comprises of marshes and bogs. Overnight at Hotel

Day 6: BHARATPUR / FATEHPUR SIKRI- AGRA

Go out into the park on cycle rikshaws in the morning, then drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route. Fatehpur Siki - built in great style by the Emperor Akbar in 1563 as his capital, it was later abandoned due to scarcity of water. Agra is the one of the prominent destinations of the World Tourism map with heritage monuments -The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. It is more just a dacadent city of graveyards and stones, but it is a vibrant center of Culture, Art and Religious philosophies that have enriched mankind and shaped human thought over centuries. Agra is famous for handicrafts products such as Inlay work on Marvel, Leatherwork, Footwear, and Brass wear, Carpets, Jewelers, Zari and Embroidery work. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 7: AGRA- UMARIA

Morning : proceed to visit amazing Taj Mahal and Agra fort. Here you see one of the wonders of the world in all its breathtaking beauty. Inside are the marble tombs of Shah Jahan, the great Muslim 'builder' ruler and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, for whom the Taj was built. Visit to massive fort, built on the bank of Yamuna river. Later in time transfer to railway station to board the overnight train, Kaling Utkal Express to Umaria. (1610/ 0540 hours). Overnight on train.

Day 8: UMARIA- BANDHAVGARH ( 30 Km/ 45 min )

Arrive Umaria at 0540 hours. Upon arrival meet our driver and drive to Bandhavgarh by surface and check in at hotel. Bandhavgarh lies in the heart of Madhya Pradesh- traditional tiger country. This is where Rudyard Kipling found inspiration for his famous Jungle Book (remember Mowgli?), and this is where the tiger still roams- although now protected by dozens of laws, some effective, some not. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 9: BADHAVGARH

Morning & evening game safaris into the National Park. Once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Rewa, where an alarming number of tigers were hunted down in pre-independence India, Bandhavgarh was mercifully declared a National Park in 1968. Today, the Bandhavgarh National Park is a compact reserve (448 sq. km) of sal trees, bamboo thickets and grasslands, teeming with birds and animals and the highest population of tigers anywhere in India. The park is now home to 22 species of wildlife, including the regal 'gaur', umpteen varieties of deer, and carnivores such as the striped hyena, jungle cat and sloth bear and over 250 species of birds. Within the park itself is the Bandhavgarh Fort, now in ruins and largely overrun by the surrounding forest. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: BADHAVGARH- KANHA (250 km/ 06 hrs )

In morning start driving for Kanha . On arrival, check in at hotel. Kanha's sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq km in dramatic natural splendour which form the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974 under Project Tiger. The park is the only habitat of the rare hardground Barasingha (Cervus Duvaceli Branderi). Overnight at Hotel

Day 11: KANHA

Morning & evening game safaris into the National Park. Kahna is 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 380). Spotting wild animals is always a matter of luck, but Kanha is so rich in wildlife that the odds are titled in your favour. Most people are keener to meet Kanha's most famous citizen: the Tiger. Thereare 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. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: KANHA- RAIPUR (255 km/ 06 hrs ) - DELHI

Breakfast at the Hotel. Rest of the day free. Later drive to Raipur Airport (06 hours ) to board flight for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi , meet our representative and transferred to Hotel . Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: ARRIVE DELHI

Day free for own activity or last minute shopping. Later in time , get transferred to airport to board on flight for onward journey.