Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel
Overnight at the hotel
Day 2
In Mumbai
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning excursion to Elephanta by motor launch (Caves closed on Mondays)- The island of Elephanta is just an hour away from Mumbai by motor launch. The cave temples here, excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, are famous for their magnificently sculpted panels. The best known is one that depicts the Maheshmurti-a three-headed image of Lord Shiva. This island was so named by the Portuguese after the large stone elephant near the landing place and which now stands at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the mainland. The caves are reached by a stairway up the hillside from the ferry landing.
Afternoon visit the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s principal landmark. This arch of yellow basalt was erected on the waterfront in 1924 to commemorate King George V’s visit to this colony in 1911. Afghan Church built in memory of those who fell in the First Afghan War. Drive past the Bombay High Court built in Gothic style and the Old secretariat. The ornamental university building with its 280 ft. high Rajabhai Clock Tower, the ornate Victoria Terminus, the colourful Crawford Market, the Flora Fountain in the large bustling square at the heart of the city, the Prince of Wales Museum (Closed on Mondays) which houses a varied collection of China-ware, miniature paintings and sculpture. Drive along the Marine Drive which is known as the Queen’s Necklace. View the memorial to Haji Ali, a Muslim Saint. This unusual shrine stands on an island 500m out at sea and is linked by a causeway to the mainland. Stop at the Jain Temple and also visit Mani Bhavan where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visits to Mumbai.
Morning in time transfer to the airport to connect flight for Nagpur
Arrival at Nagpur, meeting and assistance and proceed for Pench National Park-approximate distance 110 kms and a drive of around 2 hours.
Arrival in Pench and transfer to the Jungle Resort. - Pench is a national park divided into two states, one belongs to Madhya Pradesh and the other to Maharashtra. The total territory of the reserve is 1000 sqm. Pench became a sanctuary in 1977, a national park in 1983 and came under project tiger in 1992. The national park takes its name from the Pench river which flows from north to south and forms the boundary between southern Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Pench lies at the foot of the Satpura range and varies between undulating terrain with small hills, grassy meadows and dense forests, mainly teak. The park has been of increasing interest due to the growing tiger population supported by a healthy gain in ungulate numbers following increased habitat protection. There are many other animals including Sloth Bear, Gaur, Nilgai, Wild Dogs, Chausingha, Leopards and Lesser Cats, Jackals, Rhesus Macaque and Flying Squirrels. Pench National Park has wildlife known through the centuries for its rich flora and fauna. Many writers like Captain Forsyth, Brander, Strendale was immortalized by Rudyard Kipling in the Jungle Book Pench is also a Bird watchers paradise. Three hundred fascinating and beautiful species fill the skies with their calls.
Breakfast at the resort
Rest of the morning at leisure (Rooms shall be provided subject to availability)
Lunch at the Jungle resort
Afternoon Jungle Safari.
Dinner and accommodation.
Day 4
Pench/ Kanha (230 kms/ 5 hours)
Early morning Jeep safari for the visit (Usually completed by 0900-0930 hours)
On return breakfast at the resort
After breakfast proceed for Kanha and on arrival check in at the Jungle resort
The lush salt and bamboo forests, meadows and ravines of Kanha provided inspiration to Rudyard Kipling, for his famous novel "Jungle Book". Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh was created in 1955 and constitutes the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, then launched in 1974 by Project Tiger. The achievement of the Park is historical in the preservation of the few Deer, saving it from extinction. Strict talk programs for comprehensive protection of the park's fauna and flora, makes Kanha one of the most well-maintained parks in Asia. Kanha is also home to one of the largest populations of tigers in the country. Some of the other larger animal species found in the park are the Sloth Bear, Leopard, Striped Hyena, White Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Jungle Cat, Jackal and a wide variety of monkeys. More than 200 species of birds have been observed in the park.
Lunch / Dinner and overnight at the Jungle Resort.
Day 5
In Kanha
Early morning Jeep safari for the visit (Usually completed by 0900-0930 hours)
On return breakfast at Jungle resort.
Afternoon Safari in the park. (Usually starts by 1400-1430 and completed by 1700-1730 hours)
Lunch/ dinner and overnight at the Jungle Resort.
Day 6
Kanha/ Bandhavgarh (300 kms/ 6-6½ Hours)
Early morning Jeep safari for the visit (Usually completed by 0900-0930 hours)
On return breakfast at the resort
Later proceed for Bandhavgarh and on arrival check in at the Jungle Resort.
Located in the stunningly beautiful Vindhya range. Bandhavgarh National Park is an ancient fortress, Tropical forests and forests, steep rocky hills and valleys, grasslands, a reclining statue of Lord Vishnu and dense Sal Jungle–making it one of the most spectacular landscapes in the country. Bandhavgarh boasts an astonishing variety of trees and plants, with almost half of the park area covered with trees. The tops of the hills are covered in mixed forests, while beautiful stretches of bamboo and grasslands spread to the north. Bandavgarh is known worldwide for its high population density of big cats. But there is much more to see besides tigers and leopards. Chital (deer), Sambar Deer, Dhole, Nilgai, Wild Boar, Chinkara, Sloth Bear, Rhesus Macaque, Black-fronted Langur, Jungle Cat, Hyenas, Porcupine, Jackals, Foxes and Wild Dogs also inhabit these forests. The park also has wonderful ancient caves and rock shelters, with historical sanctuaries and inscriptions.
Lunch/ dinner and overnight at the Jungle Resort.
Day 7
In Bandhavgarh
Early morning Jeep safari for the visit (Usually completed by 0900-0930 hours)
On return breakfast at Jungle resort.
Afternoon Safari in the park. (Usually starts by 1400-1430 and completed by 1700-1730 hours)
Early morning Jeep safari for the visit (Usually completed by 0900-0930 hours)
Breakfast at the resort
Later proceed for Jabalpur to connect flight for Delhi.
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer hotel
Overnight at the hotel in Delhi
Day 9
Delhi/ Agra (220 Kms/ 3 Hours)
0700: Breakfast at the hotel
0730: Morning visit of Old Delhi-the 300-year-old walled city built by Emperor Shah Jehan in 1648 as his capital and named after him. Drive past the Red Fort built of red sandstone. Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. Cycle rickshaw ride through the Kinaree Bazaar and Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948
1000: After the visit proceed for Agra and on arrival check in at the hotel
Afternoon visit of Taj Mahal (Taj Mahal closed on Friday) which is among the wonders of world and was built by Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal by the banks of river Yamuna After her untimely death, Shahajahan had her mortal remains buried in this mausoleum. And after his own demise he was placed to rest next to his beloved queen in the same mausoleum The Taj has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love. The great monument took almost 22 years to build and was completed in 1653. Around 20,000 workers from all over the country and central Asia were recruited to translate this dream into a reality.
Later visit of Agra Fort-the foundation of the fort was laid by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and continued till the time of Shahjahan. The high red stone monument stretches for around 2.5 Kms, dominating a bend in the river Yamuna northwest of the Taj Mahal. The palace is a notable for its smooth blending of Hindu and central Asian architectural styles. The Diwan-i-Am (the hall of public audiences), the Diwan-i-Khas (the Hall of Private Audience), the Khas Palace (the private palace was used by emperor as a sleeping chamber), the Sheesh Mahal (palace of Mirrors), the Shah Jahani Mahal (Shahjahan’s Palace), Jahangiri Mahal (Jahangir’s Palace) and the Akbari Mahal (Akbar’s palace) are the fascinating palaces inside the fort. From the rear of Diwan-i-Khas a door leads to Mussaman Burj, a two storey pavilion, where Shahjahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in his old age.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10
Agra/ Jaipur (237 Kms/ 4 Hours)
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning proceed by surface for Jaipur and on arrival check in at the hotel
Afternoon city tour-Jaipur is the city which has the “tone of the autumn sunset” Visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) an elaborate building encrusted with delicate honeycomb screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could view the world outside. Jai Singh’s Observatory built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur who, besides being a prince was also soldier, astronomer and builder. City Palace now a museum contains fine Rajput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armory
Overnight at hotel
Day 11
Jaipur/ Delhi (256/ 4 Hours)
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning visit of Amber Fort-just 7 miles north of Jaipur is Amber with it’s a honey-coloured fortress-palace in the Aravalli Hills which can be mounted by elephant. It has been described as “the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan”. The sombre exterior belies the richness of the royal apartments which open on to striking views of the gorge. It also possesses a Chamber of Mirrors. The Hall of Victory presents a galaxy of decorative art-panels of alabaster with fine inlay work of the tenderest hues
Rooms foreseen till 12 Noon on this day
Afternoon proceed by surface for Delhi and direct transfer to the airport to connect flight for onward journey. Flight check in starts three hours before the scheduled departure time
