India: Taj Mahal and National Parks Safari

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Private road tour and guided safari.   This varied itinerary starts with cultural highlights of Delhi, then moves to Agra and the Taj Mahal before visiting three of the largest National Parks in Madhya Pradesh for tiger and game viewing. Country India Duration 11 nights Best Time to Visit Between October and March Accommodation Hotels and Safari Lodges & Camps Activities Sightseeing, cultural visits, game drives, bird watching, walking Places Visited Delhi, Agra and Bandhavgarh, Kanha & Pench National Parks Guide Price From £2,429 per person sharing, including flights

Day 1 
Fly from London Heathrow with British Airways in economy class to Delhi, departing at 1130.

Day 2
On arrival at 0125, you will be met and driven to the Imperial Hotel to spend the rest of the night.  Day at leisure (tours of Old and New Delhi can be pre-booked).  Night at hotel.
Terms: Bed & breakfast.


Day 3
Early departure for drive in private vehicle to Agra (about 4 hours).  Check in to Amar Vilas Oberoi Hotel to stay for 1 night in a deluxe room with view of Taj Mahal.  Rest of day at leisure.
Terms: Bed & breakfast.

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh  The Vindhyanchal Mountain Range cradles the Bandhavgarh National Park, which was created in 1968 and covers 437 sq.kms. of grassland and fine stands of Sal trees and bamboo thickets, with mixed forests in the higher reaches of the hills.  The Park holds the largest population of tigers anywhere in India and is also home to 22 species of mammal, including the regal "gaur", many varieties of deer and carnivores such as striped hyena, jungle cat and sloth bear, as well as over 250 species of birds.  Also on the Park and standing on the finest of Bandhavgarh's hills, is the 2000-year old Bandhavgarh Fort.  Although now in ruins and largely overrun by the surrounding forest, the fort and many nearby ancient carvings, including a massive reclining Lord Vishnu, are well worth a visit.

Day 6 
Morning and afternoon game drives.  Midday at leisure for forest walks or to the Fort.  Overnight at Churhat Kothi.

Days 7 & 8
Drive to Kanha National Park (6hrs).  At 1945 sq.kms., this is one of the largest national parks in India.  Evening game drive.  Stay at Sher Garh for 2 nights.  This is the land of the tiger, the leopard and the wolves that inhabit the pages of Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book.  In addition, porcupines, jackals, sloth bear, jungle cat, macaque, dhole (wild dogs) and a stunning spectrum of birds are present in the Park.  It is a thrilling experience, heightened by sightings of the tiger, "gaur", or even the tiny mouse deer (muntjac) or the rare hard-ground barasingha, found only in Kanha.  Go birdwatching in the mornings and you're likely to see beauties like the racquet tailed drongo, crimson breasted barbet, crested hawk eagle and golden oriole. 
Terms: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Day 9
This morning, take an elephant back game ride in the National Park (subject to availability).  Later you will be driven to Pench National Park (4hrs) to stay at Bagh Van for 2 nights.
Terms: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh Located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh and only 92kms north of Nagpur, Pench is a superb area of tiger habitat and one of the most accessible tiger reserves in the country.  This scenic reserve, covered in prime teak forest and grassland, nestles in the  undulating terrain of the Satpura Mountain Range and is drained by the Pench and Wainganga rivers.  The wildlife found here includes sambar, wolf, hyena, sloth bear, leopard and a number of endangered species including wild dog, wild pig, nilgai, chital, muntjac, gaur, the four-horned antelope, asian crocodiles and turtles, and, of course, tigers.  The tiger population is one of the largest - 55 in number.  Also present are smaller mammals like flying squirrels, palm and small civet, common and ruddy mongoose and over 250 species of birds that include malabar pied hornbills, painted storks, crested serpent eagles and oriental honey and white-eyed buzzards.  The rivers and streams that weave through the area are also the perfect habitat for the many water birds of the region.

Day 10
Morning and afternoon game drives in the National Park.  Midday at leisure or for walks around the lodge.  Overnight at Bagh Van.

Day 11
Morning game drive.  Midday at leisure or for walks around the lodge. In the evening you will be driven to Nagpur airport (1½hrs) to connect with a flight to Bombay (Mumbai) departing at 2105.  On arrival at 2225 you will be met and transferred to an airport hotel where a room has been booked until your departure.

Day 12
At 0015 you will be collected and transferred to the International Airport to check in for a British Airways flight in economy class at 0240 to London.  Arrive London Heathrow at 0705.

Suggested add-ons and combinations with this itinerary:

• Goa.
• Kerala waterways and beaches.
• Cultural tour of Rajasthan.
• Maldives.

This is a suggested itinerary only and is entirely flexible. Arrangements can be tailored to your exact requirements.

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