Day 1 Arrive Delhi
You will be met on arrival and transferred to your chosen hotel in Delhi. The country's energetic capital, offers a panorama of fascinating but very conflicting images, from the forts, tombs and ruins in Old Delhi to high-rise buildings and stately homes on wide, tree-lined avenues in New Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 2 In Delhi
A full day's sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi visiting the mighty Red Fort; Friday Mosque -Jama Masjid; silver street of Chandni Chowk; Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi; The Hindu temple - Birla Mandir; India Gate & Rajpath; Rashtrapati Bhawan - the President's House; Humayun's Tomb; Qutab Minar - a 73m high victory tower and the Bahai Temple - beautifully shaped to resemble a lotus flower. A second night in Delhi - we can recommend restaurants for dinner tonight, if you would like.
Day 3 Fly Delhi to Khajuraho
You will be transferred to Delhi Airport for your flight to Khajuraho where you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel. Later a sightseeing tour of the Eastern and Western Group of temples of Khajuraho includes the Lakshmi and Varaha Temple, the Lakshmana Temple, the Kandariya Mahadev, the Mahadeva Temple; the Devi Jagadamba Temple, the Chitragupta Temple and the Vishwanath Temple. The Western Group also houses the Matangesvara Temple, the only temple where worship continues and the Chausath Yogini Temple, presently in ruins and believed to be the oldest temple in Khajuraho.The Eastern Group of temples houses the Parasvanath Temple, the largest and finest Jain temple in the city as well as the Adinath Temple, the Shantinath Temple, the Ghantai Temple, the Javari Temple, the Vamana Temple and the Brahma and Hanuman Temple. Overnight in Khajuraho.
Day 4 Drive Khajuraho to Bandhavgarh (275kms/5 hours)
Early morning drive to Bandhavgarh where your wildlife viewing begins. On arrival you will be delivered to your jungle retreat for a 2 night stay. Later head out on your first game drive in Bandhavgarh - the forest is beautiful and there is much to see, your guide will share his excellent local knowledge and hopefully lead you to a wonderful tiger sighting.
Day 5 In Bandhavgarh
Morning and evening game drives in Bandhavgarh National Park and again overnight in Bandhavgarh.
Day 6 Drive Bandhavgarh to Kanha (270kms/6 hours)
Another early morning game drive in Bandhavgarh National Park, after which you will be driven to Kanha National Park to spend 2 nights..
Day 7 In Kanha
Morning and evening game drives in Kanha National park.
Day 8 Drive Kanha to Pench (250kms/5 hours)
After an early morning game drive in Kanha, depart for Pench National Park, a beautiful park of varied topography, ever-changing vegetation and home to a wide diversity of birdlife and wildlife. Your overnight stay will be at the Pench Jungle Camp. Afternoon game drive in the Park.
Day 9 Drive Pench to Jabalpur (200kms/5 hours) & train Jabalpur to Agra
An early morning game ride in Pench National Park is followed by the drive to Jabalpur Railway Station for the 4pm train for Agra. Overnight onboard the train.
Day 10 Arrive Agra
Arrive in Agra at 4am and you will be met and transferred to your selected hotel. Agra is the City of the Taj Mahal. Later head out to see the sights, beginning with the Taj Mahal, a monument to love and one of the Wonders of the World, it was created by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Later visit the Agra Fort, offering gorgeous views from its lofty walls, and the Itmad-ud-Daulah - the exquisite tomb of a Persian adventurer who became chief minister at the Emperor Jehangir's court. His grand-daughter Mumtaz married Shah Jehan and her tomb is, of course, the Taj Mahal. Spend the night in in Agra.
Day 11 Drive Agra to Bharatpur (55kms/1 hour) & train Bharatpur to Ranthambore
Depart Agra early this morning for Bharatpur Railway station, en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar, an almost perfectly preserved 400 year-old Mughal capital. After the visit, continue to Bharatpur Railway Station to board the 11am Express train for Ranthambore. Arriving at 1pm you will be met and transferred to your chosen jungle lodge for your 2 night stay in Ranthambore. In the afternoon head out on a game drive in Ranthambore National Park.
Day 12 In Ranthambore
Morning and evening game drives in Ranthambore National Park - the diversity of habitats, the ancient ramparts and the variety of flora and fauna are breathtakingly beautiful and your guide will share his intimate knowledge of the Park. Overnight at Ranthambore.
Day 13 Drive Ranthambore to Jaipur (180kms/3 hours)
After an early morning game depart for Jaipur - The Pink City, originally painted pink to welcome Prince Albert in 1853. On arrival, check in at your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay.
Day 14 In Jaipur
A full day of sightseeing in Jaipur includes the Amber Fort, 11 kms from the city. The Fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture and you can either ride to its lofty heights by jeep or on a gaily-bedecked elephant. Returning to Jaipur, visit the museums, palaces and halls of the City Palace (still a royal residence) and the Palace of the Winds. At the Jantar Mantar Observatory, learn how it was constructed to measure 'the harmony of the heavens', a concept dear to Hindus as they believe their fated souls move to its rhythms. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 15 Drive Jaipur to Delhi (250kms/5 hours) and depart Delhi
Return to Delhi by road, pausing for tea at Neemrana Palace, a most elegant and historical heritage hotel, before being transferred to Delhi's international airport for your flight home.
