India Tiger Safari

Depart London.
**

Day 2

Those who are on the group flights will land in Nagpur very early in the
morning on day 1 and be transferred to the start hotel in Nagpur for
overnight stay.  The group will meet up later on day 1 for the transfer to
Pench National Park.  Those not on the group flights will need to make their
way to the start hotel in Nagpur (which is shown on your joining
instructions) by 1.30pm in order to meet the rest of the group prior to the
onward transfer.  The drive to Pench National Park where your safari
adventures begin will take approximately 3 hours. 
*Hotel Pride or similar in Nagpur*

*Pench Jungle Camp or similar in Pench*

Day 3-4

Pench National Park, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the Satpuda
hills is named after Pench River, meandering through the park from north to
south. The undulating terrain of Pench is covered with small hills and well
stocked Teak (Tectona Grandis) forest. Pench is one of the tiger reserves
included in Project Tiger. Besides tiger, there is a huge array of other
wildlife such as leopard, monkey, deer, nillgai and bird life. Together with
the scenery, the game drives will make for a fascinating and exciting days.
During our time in Pench we include 4 game drives in the itinerary. 
*Pench Jungle Camp or similar*

Day 5

We depart in the morning and drive to Kanha National Park. Although the
distance is not far, the journey usually takes approximately 4 hours. On
arrival there is time to relax by the pool and share wildlife stories with
your fellow travellers. 
*Celebration Van Vilas or similiar*

Day 6-8

Created in 1974 and often described as India's greatest wildlife reserve,
Kanha is vast. Covering approximately 1,945 sq. km of undulating terrain, the
elevation ranges from 450m to 900m with expansive grasslands, plateaus and
dramatic rocky escarpments providing a home to literally hundreds of species
of wildlife. The tiger population has been affected by poaching in recent
years but the huge abundance of animals make the game drives a memorable
experience. Kanha is an Indian wildlife park of the imagination whose
atmosphere and apparently endless landscape can rightly be described as
Kiplingesque. The park signifies the start of India's attempt to protect the
tiger and was the site of the first ever scientific study by the zoologist
George Shaller. Nowadays the park is seen throughout India as a model for
excellent wildlife management. During our time in Kanha we include 5 game
drives in the itinerary.
*Celebration Van Vilas or similar*

Day 9

We leave Kanha National Park after breakfast and drive to Bandhavgarh,
stopping en route for refreshments. This journey will take approximately 6 -
7 hours. On arrival there is free time to settle in. 
*Nature Heritage Resort or similar*

Day 10-12

At only 437 sq. km. Bandhavgarh is one of the smaller National Parks and
enjoys an impressive setting with a stunning cliff-top fort overlooking
grasslands, birch forests and bamboo that provide cover for the plentiful
indigenous wildlife. In common with many other parks, Bandhavgarh is home to
a wide variety of game including leopard, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, chital,
jungle cat, wild pig and of course tiger. The healthy population of
approximately 60-70 animals means that this park has the highest tiger
density of any of India's reserves. Aside from the game and the tigers, the
park also plays host to up to 150 species of birds including many on the
migratory trail, such as the Steepe eagle. During our stay in this beautiful
rugged national park the itinerary includes 6 games drives. 
*Nature Heritage Resort or similar*

Day 13

This morning we drive to Katni Railway Station; this drive is approximately 3
hours. We will stop for refreshments, conveniences and any photo
opportunities along the way. This evening we will catch the overnight train
to Agra.

*Overnight Sleeper Train*

Day 14

Arriving in Agra in the morning we transfer to our hotel. Of course, no stay
in Agra would be complete without a visit to the beautiful white marble Taj
Mahal, built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife,
Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails
to amaze a first time visitor; the white marble exterior changes colour
according to the position of the sun during the day and is matched by the
rich interior detail. Within striking distance is the imposing Red Fort of
Akbar, third of the Moghul Emperors, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the
beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and
fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It is here
that the latter spent his last years, imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb. 
*Howard Plaza The Fern or similar*

Day 15

After breakfast we will leave for Delhi. En route we will stop for lunch, and
we will arrive at our hotel in the afternoon. You are then free to relax or
explore the sites of New and Old Delhi.  Your Tour Leader can organise an
optional sightseeing trip if you prefer.  (From time to time trains can be
delayed and so this option will depend on whether time allows)*
*

Day 16

Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for London this morning for
the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will finish after
check-out from the hotel.
**