Delhi – Agra – Orcha – Panna National Park – Bandhavgarh Nationla Park
Highlights: In this tour visit two of the finest Tiger Reserves of central India Panna and Bandhavgarh National Parks and observe “The King of Jungle” with team of best field naturalists of the area. The tour is designed not just to make you drive around the jungle in search of Tiger, but to make aware of so many other aspects of the jungle which most fail to realize in the chase.
Also, see the most beautiful monument of love fabled Taj Mahal and temples of Khajuraho renowned for their erotic sculptures.
Day 1 : Delhi
Arrive Kolkata airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2 : Delhi Morning met by our representative at hotel lobby for tour briefing and orientation, followed by a full day sightseeing tour of Delhi. Visit 13th century minaret Qutab Minar one of the tallest tower of it's time, Humayun Tomb one of the forerunner of the Taj Mahal, drive past India Gate and other government buildings and stop at President House. Red Fort ultimate symbol of mighty Mughal Empire, drive pass Jama Masjid one of the biggest mosque in India, Chandni Chowk bustling market place today once served as royal bazzar and visit Raj Ghat the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi the Father of The Nation. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Delhi to Agra
Early morning transfer to railway station to board the train (Bhopal Shatabdi Express –A/C Chair Car – 0615/ 0807 Hrs.) for Agra. Arrive Agra Cantonment railway station transfer to hotel for using washroom facilities and proceed on an excursion to deserted capital of Fatehpur Sikri - Just 44 km away from Agra on the way to Jaipur is Fatehpur Sikri, which briefly served as capital of Emperor Akbar. It is believed that city was quickly abandoned due to lack of potable water. Palaces, meeting halls, courtyards inside the complex is in a remarkable state of preservation. Holy shrine of Saint Salim Chisti here is one of important pilgrimage for Muslims and Buland Darwaza which Emperor Akbar built to commemorate his victory on Gujarat is very imposing. Full day visit important sites of Agra including fabled Taj Mahal.
Afternoon visit the Agra Fort - Foundation led by Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, four of the mighty Mughal rulers controlled their vast empire from here. Wander around the palaces built by successive emperors famous amongst which are Jahangiri Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass, Diwan-i-am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid etc. that represents the excellence of Mughal architecture. Fort also serves as a vantage point to view Taj Mahal and it is believed that emperor spent his last days in exile watching the Taj Mahal from here. Followed by a visit to the fabled Taj Mahal. This most beautiful monument of love was built during 1630 by grieving emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaj Mahal is flawless to its conception and execution. It is aptly said that Taj Mahal is not a monument that can be described in words – one has to see it to experience it. Stay on to view the monument changing its mood with fading light of setting sun. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 –Agra to Jhansi and Orcha
Morning transfer to railway station to board the train ((Bhopal Shatabdi Express –A/C Chair Car – 0812/ 1042 Hrs.) for Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi railway station and drive a short distance to Orcha and check in at hotel. Afternoon visit sites of tourists interest in Orcha – Orcha Palace with some of its impressive palaces,Jehangir Mahal 17th century palace built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo to commemorate the visit the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, has delicate chhatris (canopies) and lattice work reflecting extraordinary excellence. Raj Mahal another 17th century palace built by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. The plain
exteriors, crowned by chhatris, give way to interiors with exquisite murals, boldly colourful on a variety of religious themes. Rai Parveen Mahal Palace built for Rai Praveen a beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani and poetess and musician, whose beauty has even impressed Emperor Akbar. Royal cenotaphs that lines on the bank of River Betwa. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 –Orcha to Panna National Park
Morning depart Orcha for Panna National Park by surface (175 Km) stopping by en route to visit temples of Khajuraho (A World Heritage Site) which are very famous for their unique architecture and intricately carved erotic sculptures on the walls. Lunch at one of the hotels in Khajuraho. Late afternoon continue drive (a short distance – 30 Km) to Panna National Park. Arrive Panna and check in at your jungle lodge. Overnight at jungle lodge.
Day 06 - Panna National Park
Morning and evening game viewing in Panna National Park. Overnight at jungle lodge.
Situated at the junction of Gangatic plains and the Deccan peninsula, this erstwhile hunting preserves of Panna, Chattarpur and Bijawar states Panna hills hills provide the catchment area for the Ken River, which is the life line of the park. Acquiring sanctuary status in 1975 it was upgraded to a National Park in 1981 and very healthy Tiger population here has bestowed Panna India’s 22nd Tiger Reserve status in 1994. The dominating vegetation type is miscellaneous dry deciduous forest inter spread with grassland areas. Other major forest types are riverine, open grasslands, open woodlands with tall grasses and thorny woodlands, thus makes the game sighting more possible. Panna boats boasts of a very healthy Tiger population other predators found here are Jungle Cat, Rusty spotted Cat, Leopard Cat, Desert Cat, Toddy Cat etc. Ungulate population includes Nilgai (Blue Bull), Sambhar Deer, Cheetal (spotted deer), Chausingha (four horned antelope), and Chinkara. Languor and Rhesus Macaque are predominant species in primates and omnivorous like Wild Boar and Sloth Bear. Dhole (Wild Dog), Wolf, Hyenas, Fox from the dog species – Pangolins, Crocodiles and Gharials are reptiles here. One can see other animals like Otter, Porcupine, Black naped hare, Common Mongoose, Small Indian Mongoose etc. Over 300 species of birds could be spotted in Panna. Overnight at jungle lodge.
Day 07- Panna National Park
Morning and evening game viewing in Panna National Park. Overnight at jungle lodge.
Day 08 –Panna National Park to Bandhavgarh National Park
Morning drive to Bandhavgarh National Park (225 Km). Afternoon game viewing in Bandhavgarh National Park. Prior to becoming a National Park in 1968, Bandhavgarh was maintained as a Shikargah (game preserve) of the Maharajas of Rewa. Situated in Central India, the park is spread over ridges and valleys of the northern flank of the Vindhya Range. Its forested hills and lush low-lying meadows are dominated by a large, high rock plateau, which forms a natural fortress. According to local legend, the ancient fort atop its highest peak was gifted by Lord Rama to his younger brother Lakshmana, hence the name Bandhavgarh – (bandhav-brother, garh-fort). Spread over an area of 437-sq. km, the park is also known as White Tiger Territory. It's believed that Bandhavgarh has the highest density of tigers in the world and the park is indeed a good one for viewing the tiger.
The Bandhavgarh forest has a complex tapestry of habitats dominated by typically tropical moist deciduous Sal (Shorea Robusta) and bamboo, interspersed with marshes and meadows. Other predators you might be lucky to see include the Leopard, Wolf and Wild Dog. The lesser predators in the park include the Jungle Cat, Indian Fox, Jackal, Ratel, Palm Civet and Mongoose. Together, they prey on the park's abundant population of Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Indian Gazelle, Wild Boar and Four-Horned Antelope. Other mammals found here are the Sloth Bear, Pangolin, Porcupine and a variety of bats. Primates here are the Common Langur and Rhesus Macaque. You will find over 250 bird species in Bandhavgarh. Overnight at lodge.
Day 09 - Bandhavgarh National Park
Morning and evening game viewing in Bandhavgarh National Park. Overnight at jungle lodge.
Day 10 - Bandhavgarh National Park to Delhi
Morning game viewing in Bandhavgarh National Park. Late afternoon transfer Umaria railway station to board overnight train for Delhi. Depart Umaria onboard Utakal Express (II A/C Sleeper Class) at 2050 Hrs. Overnight onboard.
Day 10 – Depat Delhi
Arrive Hazrat Nizam-ud-din railway station 345 Hrs. and transfer to hotel with rest of the day at leisure. In time transfer to airport to board the flight for onward destination (assuming international flight in the mid-night or past).
