16 Days Madhya Pradesh Wildlife tour

Arrive Delhi by flight. Meet by our representative on arrival and transfer to Hotel.

Morning after breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi

In Old Delhi visit Jama Masjid, Chandini Chowk, Red Fort, Raj Ghat – Gandhi Memorial

Jama Masjid – Built by Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid was begun in 1650 and it took hard work of six years of more than 5000 workers to build the largest mosque in India. It was customary for the emperor and his courtiers to go to the mosque every Friday for attending ‘Jumme ki namaaz’, the congressional prayers.

Chandini Chowk – The living legacy of Delhi is Shahjahanabad. Created by Shahjahan, the builder of Taj Mahal, this city, with the Red Fort as the focal point and Jama Masjid as the praying center, has a fascinating market planned to shine under the light of the moon and thus is called Chandini Chowk.

Red Fort (Lal Quila) – One of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal Architecture is the Lal Quila or the Red Fort. Built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the Red Fort has walls extending up to 2 kms. in length with the height varying from 18 mts. on the river side to 33 mts. on the city side.

Raj Ghat – The Raj Ghat is the last resting place of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The place is not far away from the banks of River Yamuna. Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here on 31st January 1950 following his assassination on 30th January 1950 by Nathu Ram Godse. The memorial stone is a simple square platform made of black stone. The last words uttered by Mahatma “Hey Ram” are inscribed near the black platform. An eternal flame keeps burning in a copper urn in the Raj Ghat. Thus the first item on the agenda of a foreign dignitary on a state visit to India is to visit Raj Ghat. They the memorial is set in a garden with fountains and a variety of exotic trees. The Gandhi Memorial Museum is just across the road. It houses many belongings of Gandhi and photographs from his life.

In New Delhi visit Birla Temple, India Gate, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple and Jewish Synagogue

Birla Temple (Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir) a Hindu temple which came up alongside with New Delhi and has therefore been pegged with it. Popularly known as the Birla Mandir, it is the first of the temples built across the country by the industrial family of Birla. Located just off Connaught Place on Mandir Marg, it is dedicated to Vishnu, the second of the Hindu Trinity of creator-preserver-destroyer, and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.

India Gate is the pride of Delhi. An imposing structure, the gate was built in memory to the of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I. Situated at the at the end of Rajpath, the India Gate is 42 meters high

Photo stop at Presidential Palace and Indian Parliament House.

Baha’i Temple (Lotus Temples) in Delhi is often compared to the Sydney Opera House. Popularly known as the Lotus Temple, Baha’i Temple is a major feature of Delhi and is well known for its appearance. There is no doubt that in years to come the temple will prove to be a mecca for the visitors. Baha’ism is considered to be a syncretism of the nine great religions of the world and traces its genesis to its prophet Baha’u’llah, born in Persia in the twentieth century.

Qutab Minar, one of the most visited places in Delhi. The unique architectural structure of the monument attracts many visitors from all across the world. The construction of Qutab Minar began in the 12th century and it was completed in the 13th century. Beautiful calligraphy of the magnificent tower adorns the adjacent edifices. The Minar rises over 230 feet and can be ascended by a circular stairway for a breathtaking view.

Return to your hotel Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, in time transfer to airport to board flight for Nagpur

Arrive Nagpur and drive to Pench (168 km / 3 hrs drive).

Arrive and transfer to Hotel.

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. It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra, in the districts of Seoni and Chhindwara. Pench National Park, comprising of 758 sq Kms, out of which a core area of 299 sq km of Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park and the Mowgli Pench Sanctuary and remaining 464 sq km of Pench national park is the buffer area. In the summer of 2008, the Pench Tiger Reserve announced sightings of two Tigresses with seven healthy cubs. According to the Forest Minister, “Conditions congenial for wildlife have developed at the Pench National Park at a much faster pace than any other national park. That is the reason why wild animals and birds are multiplying in the natural way. While both carnivores and herbivores can be spotted anytime and anywhere in the park, the birth of seven Tiger cubs has infused new life.”

Overnight at Resort.

Early morning proceed for Jungle Safari by Jeep.

Morning after breakfast, depart for Kanha

Kanha National Park, is nestled in Maikal range across the area of 940 sq km and the total reserve area is 1945 sq km in Madhya Pradesh, by bringing up the buffer and core zone all together, Madhya Pradesh is known as a heart of India that forms the central Indian highlands. The picturesque Kanha National Park was the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s unforgettable classic Jungle Book. The romance of the Kanha National Park has not reduced over time-it is still as beautiful.

Dinner and overnight at resort / camp.

Early morning proceed for Jungle Safari by Jeep.

(Note : No Safari allowed on Wednesdays evening)

Early morning proceed for Jungle Safari by Jeep.

(Note : No Safari allowed on Wednesdays evening)

Morning after breakfast depart for Bandhavgarh

Bandhavgarh National Park, the most popular national park in India is located in the Vindhya Hills of the Umaria district in Madhya Pradesh. Declared as a national park in 1968, the Bandhavgarh National Park is spread across the area of 105 km², which was extended to 450 sq. km. in 1982. The name Bandhavgarh has been derived from the most prominent hillock of the area of Umaria. The area of Bandhavgarh is being flourished with a large biodiversity, the place which is also being famed to grip highest density of tiger population in India. Similarly, the park also beholds the largest breeding population of leopards and various species of deer.

The park has been divided into three major zones named as Tala, Magdi and Bamera out of which the Tala zone attracts major number of tourists by offering the tiger sighting opportunities. The park authorities are also focusing on the Magdi Zone by providing more opportunity to spot tigers.

Arrive and check in at Hotel / Resort. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Early morning proceed for Jungle Safari by Jeep

(Note : No Safari allowed on Wednesdays evening)

Early morning proceed for Jungle Safari by Jeep.

(Note : No Safari allowed on Wednesdays evening)

Morning after breakfast depart by surface for Khajuraho

Morning after breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Khajuraho visiting Eastern & Western group of temples

The 9th to 12th century temples of Khajuraho is the evidences of the architectural geniuses during the times of Chandela dynasty. Situated in Madhya Pradesh, India, Khajuraho oozes with passion, eroticism, dance and music and other finesses of creative arts depicted in sculpture and images of the temples. The 85 temples were built in North Indian ‘Nagara’ style of architecture, though only 20 of them have survived the rough weather conditions over long years of time. The two richer distinctive groups of temples are the Western and Eastern group of temples

Temple town of Khajuraho is much different from any other temple city of India. It is not about religion and worshipping and deities. The temples of Khajuraho are instead famous for the eroticism etched on its walls in the form of sculptures. An amalgamation of science and art of architecture, these 10th-11th century temples have a very interesting legend behind them that connects them to the origin of Chandela dynasty. It is said that in a fit of passion and lust, the Moon God seduced and ravaged a beautiful Brahmin girls known as Hemvati, resulting in the birth of Chandravarman (the founder of the Chandela dynasty). Later, Chandravarman had a dream where his mother requested him to make a temple, which would reveal all aspects of the treasure of passion and erotic fantasy to the world

Check out from hotel and depart for Orchha.

Arrive and check in at Hotel.

Morning after breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Orchha

Paramour Memorial those times a poetess and musician, Rai Praveen was extremely beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani during the period 1672-76. She went to Delhi on the summons of Emperor Akbar, who also deeply impressed by her. She impressed upon Emperor her love for Indramani and the Emperor sent her back to Orcha. The Rai Praveen Mahal palace built as a memorial in her name

Chaturbhuj Temple It was constructed on a huge stone platform, from where there are very high steps converging into the temple shape. The temple was supposed to have Idol of lord Ram, which was later on left to the wishes of Idol of Ram. The exterior are decorative symbols of lotus and other religious symbols

Ram Raja Mandir It is a palace-turned-temple has a very attractive story behind. King Madhukar Shah had brought an idol of Lord Rama from Ayodhya to Orcha being the realization of a dream he had and later on it was installed in Chaturbhuj Temple. On attempting and having failed to move the idol and felt that it is the wish of the deity to remain where it is. Now there are high tapering structures built at the temple site and it is one of the finest temples in India and Ram is worshipped as a king

Laxminarayan Temple – A flagstone path links the Laxminarayan Temple with the Ram Raja Temple. The style here is a mix of fort and temple architecture. The interiors contain the most exquisite of Orcha’s Wall Paintings. On the walls and ceilings of three halls, these murals are vibrant compositions and cover a variety of spiritual and secular subjects

Morning after relaxed breakfast, depart for Jhansi railway station (18 kms / 30 minutes) to board train for Agra

Depart Jhansi by Shatabadi Express at 1755 hrs in Air-conditioned Chair car class

Arrive Agra at 2015 hrs

Meeting upon arrival and transfer to Hotel Overnight at hotel.

Early morning proceed for visiting Taj Mahal– Built by Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal, this beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble is an architectural marvel. The Taj by sunrise and sunset is a breathtaking sight.

Return to hotel for breakfast and visit Agra Fort – Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of courtyards, mosques and private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. The Moti Masjid and other magnificent buildings reflect the skill of the ancient Indian architects and artists.

Later depart for Jaipur en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri – Situated 40 kms from Agra, this deserted city of Emperor Akbar literally means ‘The City of Victory’. The audience halls, palaces and mosques are still perfectly preserved as are the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisti, Panchmahal and the Buland Darwaza. Continue drive to Jaipur.

Arrive Jaipur and check-in at Hotel Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, depart for Delhi airport to connect for onward destination

End of the tour

Morning after breakfast visit Amber Fort which lies 10 kms from from Jaipur. Amber with an old palace overlooking the lake at the entrance to a rocky mountain grove, climb up to fort on elephant back in a Maharaja (emperor) style.

Afternoon city tour visiting the sprawling the City Palace of Sawai Jai Singh II, sits right in the centre of the geometric grid in the heart of the old city. It consists of the seven-storied Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, the Diwan-i-Am and the Diwan-i-Khas.

The City Palace Museum houses an exquisite collection of textiles, costumes, carpets, the finest porcelain and a rare collection of arms and paintings. It is here that you can see the world’s largest silver objects – a pair of giant urns.

Jantar Mantar (Observatory) is one of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh whose ruling passion was astronomy. It was built between1728-34 and consists of observer’s seat, sundial and a number of enormous instruments used to calculate altitude, locate and identify celestial bodies. These instruments are extremely accurate.

Hawa Mahal or the ‘Palace of Winds’ is one of the most unusual structures built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Honeycombed with over 900 niches or windows, it allowed the ladies of the court to watch the activities on the streets below and yet not be seen themselves. The Hawa Mahal too is made of the famed Jaipur pink stone.

Later visit the Birla Temple and local market. Overnight at the hotel.