Overview
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through India, blending the rich heritage of Delhi with the breathtaking wilderness of Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks. Begin your journey in the vibrant capital of Delhi, where ancient history meets modern dynamism. Then, immerse yourself in the lush forests of Bandhavgarh, home to elusive tigers and rich royal history, before exploring the renowned Kanha National Park, a sanctuary that inspired Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book.” Experience thrilling safaris, ancient forts, and the natural splendor of India’s wildlife.
Highlights
- Explore Delhi: Discover Old Delhi’s historic sites like Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, and the Red Fort, followed by the iconic landmarks of New Delhi including Humayun’s Tomb and India Gate.
- Bandhavgarh National Park: Enjoy game safaris in a park famed for its high density of tigers and historical significance as a royal hunting ground.
- Kanha National Park: Experience safaris in the park that inspired "The Jungle Book," and spot a diverse range of wildlife including the elusive Barasingha.
- Cultural Insights: Visit ancient temples, royal forts, and the charming town of Kawardha for a glimpse into India’s rich past.
- Scenic Drives and Flights: Enjoy comfortable transfers by road and air, making your journey smooth and convenient.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrive Delhi
- Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the night or midnight.
- Transfer to your hotel.
- Relax.
About Delhi:
- The capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present.
- It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land.
- A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
- Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 2 :
DELHI
- Breakfast will be at hotel.
- Proceed to explore OLD DELHI.
- OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal Empire.
- Enjoy the CYCLE RICKSHAW RIDE in the streets of Old Delhi.
- Retire early for the day.
- Start NEW DELHI TOUR after lunch.
- NEW DELHI – A sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and the President’s Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
- Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 3 :
DELHI – JABALPUR - BANDHAVGARH
- By Air
- Jabalpur – Bandhavgarh By Road in 3 hrs
- Morning, take a flight for Jabalpur.
- Reach and Drive to Bandavgarh.
- Set among the Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh with an area of 168sq miles (437sq km) it contains a wide variety of habitats and a high density of game, including a large number of Tigers.
- This is also the White tiger country.
- These have been found in the old state of Rewa for Many years. Maharaja Martand Singh captured the last known in 1951.
- This white Tiger, Mohun is now stuffed and on display in the Palace of Maharaja of Rewa.
- Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandavgarh had long been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa.
- The Maharaja and his guests carried out hunting – otherwise the wildlife was well protected.
- It was considered a good omen for Maharaja of Rewa to shoot 109 tigers.
- His Highness Maharaja Venkat Raman Singh shot 111 Tigers by 1914.
- There are 32 hills in this part of the park, which has a large natural fort at its center.
- The fort’s cliffs are 2625 feet (800 meters) high, 1000 feet (300 meters) above the surrounding countryside.
- Bandavgarh has been a center of human activity and settlement for over 2000 years, and there are references to it in the ancient books, the Narad-Panch Ratra and the Shiva Purana.
- Legend has it that Lord Rama, hero of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, stopped at Bandavgarh on his way back to his homeland after defeating the demon King Ravana of Lanka.
- Two monkey architects, who had engineered a bridge between the isle of Lanka and the mainland, are said to have built Bandavgarh’s Fort.
- Later Rama handed it over to his brother Lakshmana who became known as Bandavdhish “The Lord of the Fort”.
- Lakshmana is the particular God of thefort and is regularly worshipped in a temple there.
- The oldest sign of habitation in the park are caves dug into the sandstone to the north of the fort.
- Several contain Brahmi inscriptions dating from the 1st century BC. Various dynasties have ruled the fort, for example, the Maghas from the 1st century AD, the Vakatakas from the 3rd century AD, From that time onwards Bandavgarh was ruled by a succession of dynasties including the Chandela Kings of Bundelkhand who built the famous temples at Khajuraho.
- The Baghel Kings, the direct ancestors of the present Royal family of Rewa, established their dynasty at
- Bandavgarh in the 12th century.
- It remained their capital till 1617 when the center of court life moved to Rewa, 75 miles (120Kms) to the north.
- Without royal patronage Bandavgarh became more and more deserted until forest overran the area and it became the royal hunting reserve.
- This helped to preserve the forest and its wildlife, although the Maharajas made full use of their rights.
- Each set out to kill the auspicious number of 109 Tigers.
- In the afternoon proceed for a GAME SAFARI into the park. Overnight will be at Bandavgarh.
Day 4 :
BANDHAVGARH
- Enjoy a full day game viewing inside the jungle.
- Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 5 :
BANDHAVGARH – KANHA
- By Road in 5 hrs
- After breakfast drive to Kanha.
- This is the place that has been described by RUDYARD KIPLING in his great book "The Jungle Book".
- Located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is a tiger reserve that extends over an area of over 940 square km.
- A horseshoe shaped valley bounded by the spurs of the Mekal presents an interesting topography.
- Steep rocky escarpments along the edges offer breathtaking views of the valley.
- Realizing the danger on the Tiger population in the country, the Government started the Project Tiger at Kanha and in 1974 the area was declared a Tiger reserve.
- The park is also the habitat of the high ground Barasingha.
- In 1930s, the Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries - Hallon and Banjar of 250kms to 300kms each.
- Though one of these was subsequently disbanded .The area remained a protected one until 1947.
- Depletion of the tiger population in the year that followed led to the area being made an absolute sanctuary in 1952.
- Patient watching should reward the visitor, with a sight of Indian Fox, Sloth bear, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cut, Leopard, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned antelope, Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine Kanha has some 200 species of birds.
- Watchers should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour many species and in the grassy forest clearings.
- Water birds can be seen near the park’s many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water birds and the area in front of the museum.
- Excursion to Kawardha just east of the Maikala Range (up to 1100m) to the south east of Kanha National Park, Kawardha is a small town in Chhattisgarh (34 forts) region of M.P.
- In this remote area Maharaja Viswaraj Singh has recently opened his palace to visitors.
- It provides a delightfully quite unspoiled contrast with India’s big cities and with the much
- busier tourist circuit of Rajasthan’s ‘palace circuit’.
- This town is in the center of the Baiga tribe, who live in forest surrounding the town, and these are several eleventh century temples in the immediate region.
- Reach in the afternoon and relax at the resort.
- Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 6 :
KANHA
- Enjoy a full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)
- Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 7 :
KANHA
- Enjoy a full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)
- Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 8 :
KANHA - NAGPUR
- By Road in 5 hrs
- Nagpur – Delhi / Mumbai
- By Air
- Morning: enjoy the game drive inside the park.
- Return to the hotel for breakfast.
- Later in the afternoon – drive to Nagpur to take a flight for Delhi / Mumbai.
- Reach and you’ll be transferred to the International airport to take a flight back home with sweet memories of the Wildlife of India
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Pick-up or Drop-off service from and to Airport(in our own vehicle)
- Transportation to and from!!
- Food all along the trip(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a cup of coffee or tea) and accommodations during the trip in hotels with family environment
- Transportation, food, accommodation and insurance of Guide during the trip
- Down jacket, all-season sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map(in case if you don’t have your own. Down jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag must be returned after completion of the trip)
- First Aid Medical Kit(Your guide will carry the Medical Kit but we also advise to bring yourself for your own use, as far as possible)
- All the required permits and paperwork
The Cost Excludes
- International Airfare
- Visa Charges
- Hotel Expenses(In Kathmandu, some packages do include hotel expenses)
- Your travel and medical insurance
- Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, hot shower, telephone, laundry, titbits etc
- Food and accommodations in Kathmandu
- Services not mentioned or not promised by the agent/agency
- Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopter.