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 WILDLIFE IN CENTRAL INDIA 

TOUR COST from AUD5,310.00** Per Person Twin Share

Day 01 ARRIVE DELHI 

Arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. As guests exit, you will be met and transferred from airport to hotel. 

DELHI – INDIA’S PAST AND ITS FUTURE

“I asked my soul what is Delhi?

It replied the world is the body; Delhi is its soul….. is how a 19th century poet described this city that has ever been so many things to so many different people. To the weary travellers on the ancient silk route it was the first plain after having crossed the Himalayan Mountains with the promise of shelter, food and business opportunities. To the Afghan, Turk, Greek, Arab and Roman kings it was a vast and inexhaustible source of treasures of all kinds ­ to the Chinese travelers it was the land of knowledge and wisdom. Its ageless face saw the advent of Islam. ­It saw empires being built and destroyed or even merely dismantled to make way for the new ­ and Delhi lived on….

The British created their own Delhi ­ with large well planned avenues and planted 10000 trees with a 112 kms of hedges that it would be green round the year ­ abundant with flowers ­ a botanical paradise. The seat of the British Empire ­ Delhi of 1911 was planned to resemble ‘an Englishman dressed for the climate’. Its planners and main architects decided that it would be neither Hindu, nor Muslim, nor Buddhist, nor English nor Roman but IMPERIAL a house for the Viceroy that resembled ‘a giant Indian bungalow, embattled Rajput fortress and Mughal tomb ­ with shades of Buckingham Palace ­ with English country house comforts. Delhi is perhaps the only city in the world that fuses its past present and evokes its future without losing an iota of its identity. ­ 1300 monuments speak of her antiquity ­ of the ambitions of men who thought they could hold on to her ­but history proved otherwise. A popular superstition is that it is also known as the ‘graveyard of dynasties’ with every one of its cities built there heralding the death the dynasty that built it. 

 

Thus, Delhi is a melting pot of cultures, politics and religions of India’s colourful past in its monuments, its palaces, and in the faces of its people that they narrate the story of their glorious past.

 

New Delhi is the capital of modern India.

 

 Overnight: Le Meridian

Day 02 DELHI

Breakfast at the hotel.

09.00 hrs: Old Delhi – Happily Chaotic! 

We proceed for our unique yet fascinating experience of Old Delhi.  Visit the Red Fort followed by “cycle rickshaws” through the lanes of “Chandni Chowk” or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy Avenue heading west from the Fort. Chandni Chowk literally means “moonlit crossroads” and an area which best represents the “super-Oriental”- the glory and the guile; the grandeur and  the grime, with its crowded bazaars, twisting lanes, maze of small streets strange aromas,  the pungent odour of Oriental spices, the cries of shopkeepers, coolies and “rickshaw- walas” and the clatter and whirr of furious industry. The thrill of being driven through the narrow, winding lanes is a memorable experience. This is perhaps one of Delhi's most populated areas and the largest marketplace. 

15.00 hrs:  New Delhi: Touch of Faith, Philosophy & British India.

 

We drive to one of the most colonial part of New Delhi called Raisina Hill. Drive past the Viceroy's House (now known as Rashtrapati Bhawan, present residence of the President of India) Lutyen's magnum opus; the India Gate, a war memorial arch.

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Visit the Humayun’s tomb - the magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble – one of the finest examples of the garden tomb and a precursor to the Taj Mahal.

 

We end today’s discovery of New Delhi with a visit to Qutab Minar which is Delhi's Eiffel Tower, its Statue of Liberty and Nelson's Column. Visit the mosques, mausoleums and ruins of forts that lie around it.

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Overnight: Le Meridian

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Red Fort
Day 03 DELHI – VARANASI (9W 2423 / 1050 – 1210 HRS)

Breakfast at the hotel 

08.30 hrs:  Check out from the hotel & drive to Delhi’s International Airport to board your flight to Varanasi. 

12.10 hrs:  Arrive at Varanasi Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Varanasi – The holy city

The north Indian city of Varanasi, or Benares, is regarded as holy by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Situated in the fertile Ganga valley and on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus, who come to bathe in the holy river. Known as the City of Temples and a beacon of culture, Varanasi has produced many renowned writers. It’s also a center of silk weaving, so practice haggling at the chaotic bazaar for some beautiful souvenirs. Rickshaws are the best way to get about.

17.00 hrs:  Board a local boat to enjoy the evening Aarti ceremony, which takes place every evening on the banks of the holy River Ganges. This is an “agni poojan” (worship of fire) wherein a dedication is made to Lord Shiva, River Ganges, Surya- the sun god, Agni- the fire god and the entire universe.

 

Overnight: The Gateway Hotel Ganges

Day 04 VARANASI

Early morning activities on the Ghats are best viewed from a boat. Board a boat to enjoy a ride to watch the sun rise over the holy river Ganges. 

Return for breakfast at the hotel. 

10.00 hrs:  Drive to Sarnath

Sarnath                     

Buddhism rules Sarnath because this is where Buddha preached his first Sermon and which thus making it one of the four holiest places to the Buddhist world. Sarnath is an important temple city of India. The town is relatively peaceful and green, and so also provides a welcome 

alternative to Varanasi as a place to stay for people visiting the Ghats along the Ganges.  

 

The Chaukhandi Stupa was built to commemorate the spot where Buddha first met his disciples.

                       

Ashoka Pillar: (also called the Sarnath Pillar) Carved out of stone with a height of 50m, it marks Emperor Asoka’s visit to Sarnath.

 

Overnight: Overnight: The Gateway Hotel Ganges

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Day 05  VARANASI – KHAJURAHO (9W 2423 / 1240 – 1325 HRS)

Breakfast at the hotel

10.00 hrs:  Check out from the hotel & drive to Varanasi airport to board your flight to Khajuraho. 

13.25 hrs:  Arrive Khajuraho; you will be met & transferred to hotel. 

Khajuraho or 'Khajur-vahika' (bearer of date palms) 

Located in the provincial state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is known the world over for its temples, architecture and sculpture.   The constructions of these Temples are thousand-year old. Many of the 85 temples believed to have been built between the 9th and 12th centuries only 20 have survived, many in splendid condition, others having given way to the ravages of time and nature. By the time the last temple was completed by the Chandela dynasty, the dynasty had sunk into oblivion. Khajuraho was the Chandela capital for only a brief period; they ruled for the most part from Kalinjar and other parts of the Bundelkhand region, with Khajuraho
remaining their religious center. The most important aspect of the temples is the abundance of sculptures that decorate the facades and interiors of the shrines. 

15.00 hrs:  WESTERN GROUP OF TEMPLES

The Western Group of Temples, in the heart of the town, are the most famous temples of Khajuraho, with the mithunas (couples), gandharvas, apsaras, vidyadaras and kinaras. The images of the apsaras are stunning, with their sensuous poses and liquid movements. There are the unforgettable images of a maiden adorning herself before a mirror, applying kohl on her eyes, plaiting her long hair, removing a thorn from her foot. The erotic images, almost acrobatic orgiastic scenes have been associated with Tantric rituals and practices. However, it’s not so much the sexual aspect but the grace, energy and feeling that strikes one most about these images. The eyes, the face and the body are poetry of pure emotive movement.

 

Overnight: The Lalit Temple View

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Day 06  KHAJURAHO – PANNA (50 Kms / 1½ hrs drive approx.)

Breakfast at the hotel.

10.00 hrs:       Check out from the hotel & drive to Panna.

 

11.30 hrs:       Arrive Panna and check into hotel.

 

Panna National Park is situated in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.The region is famous for its diamond industry, is also home to some of the best wildlife species in India and is one of the most famous Tiger Reserves in the country. The park is known worldwide for its wild cats, including tigers as well as deer and antelope.

 

Evening boat safari in the park.

 

Lunch and dinner in the hotel.

 

Overnight: Ken River Lodge

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Day 07 PANNA

Morning game safari into the National Park.

 

Evening boat safari in the park.

 

Overnight: Ken River Lodge

 

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Day 08 PANNA - BANDHAVGARH (210 Kms/ 4 hrs drive approx)

Breakfast is at the hotel.

09.00 hrs:  Check out and drive to Bandhavgarh. 

13.00 hrs:  Arrive Bandhavgarh and check into hotel.

 

Once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Rewa, where an alarming number of tigers were hunted down in pre-independence India, Bandhavgarh was mercifully declared a National Park in 1968. Today, the Bandhavgarh National Park is a compact reserve (448 sq. km) of sal trees, bamboo thickets and grasslands, teeming with birds and animals and the highest population of tigers anywhere in India. The park is now home to 22 species of wildlife, including the regal ‘gaur’, umpteen varieties of deer, and carnivores such as the striped hyena, jungle cat and sloth bear and over 250 species of birds. Within the park itself is the Bandhavgarh Fort, now in ruins and largely overrun by the surrounding forest. 

 

Evening game safari into the National Park.

Dinner in the hotel.

 

Overnight:  Kings Lodge

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Day 09 PANNA - BANDHAVGARH (210 Kms/ 4 hrs drive approx)

Breakfast is at the hotel.

09.00 hrs:  Check out and drive to Bandhavgarh. 

13.00 hrs:  Arrive Bandhavgarh and check into hotel.

 

Once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Rewa, where an alarming number of tigers were hunted down in pre-independence India, Bandhavgarh was mercifully declared a National Park in 1968. Today, the Bandhavgarh National Park is a compact reserve (448 sq. km) of sal trees, bamboo thickets and grasslands, teeming with birds and animals and the highest population of tigers anywhere in India. The park is now home to 22 species of wildlife, including the regal ‘gaur’, umpteen varieties of deer, and carnivores such as the striped hyena, jungle cat and sloth bear and over 250 species of birds. Within the park itself is the Bandhavgarh Fort, now in ruins and largely overrun by the surrounding forest. 

 

Evening game safari into the National Park.

Dinner in the hotel.

 

Overnight:  Kings Lodge

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Day 10 PANNA

Morning game safari into the National Park.

 

Evening boat safari in the park.

 

Overnight: Ken River Lodge

 

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Day 11 PANNA - BANDHAVGARH (210 Kms/ 4 hrs drive approx)

Breakfast is at the hotel.

09.00 hrs:  Check out and drive to Bandhavgarh. 

13.00 hrs:  Arrive Bandhavgarh and check into hotel.

 

Once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Rewa, where an alarming number of tigers were hunted down in pre-independence India, Bandhavgarh was mercifully declared a National Park in 1968. Today, the Bandhavgarh National Park is a compact reserve (448 sq. km) of sal trees, bamboo thickets and grasslands, teeming with birds and animals and the highest population of tigers anywhere in India. The park is now home to 22 species of wildlife, including the regal ‘gaur’, umpteen varieties of deer, and carnivores such as the striped hyena, jungle cat and sloth bear and over 250 species of birds. Within the park itself is the Bandhavgarh Fort, now in ruins and largely overrun by the surrounding forest. 

 

Evening game safari into the National Park.

Dinner in the hotel.

 

Overnight:  Kings Lodge

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Day 12 PANNA - BANDHAVGARH (210 Kms/ 4 hrs drive approx)

Breakfast is at the hotel.

09.00 hrs:  Check out and drive to Bandhavgarh. 

13.00 hrs:  Arrive Bandhavgarh and check into hotel.

 

Once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Rewa, where an alarming number of tigers were hunted down in pre-independence India, Bandhavgarh was mercifully declared a National Park in 1968. Today, the Bandhavgarh National Park is a compact reserve (448 sq. km) of sal trees, bamboo thickets and grasslands, teeming with birds and animals and the highest population of tigers anywhere in India. The park is now home to 22 species of wildlife, including the regal ‘gaur’, umpteen varieties of deer, and carnivores such as the striped hyena, jungle cat and sloth bear and over 250 species of birds. Within the park itself is the Bandhavgarh Fort, now in ruins and largely overrun by the surrounding forest. 

 

Evening game safari into the National Park.

Dinner in the hotel.

 

Overnight:  Kings Lodge

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Day 13 PANNA

Morning game safari into the National Park.

 

Evening boat safari in the park.

 

Overnight: Ken River Lodge

 

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Day 14 PANNA - BANDHAVGARH (210 Kms/ 4 hrs drive approx)

Breakfast is at the hotel.

09.00 hrs:  Check out and drive to Bandhavgarh. 

13.00 hrs:  Arrive Bandhavgarh and check into hotel.

 

Once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Rewa, where an alarming number of tigers were hunted down in pre-independence India, Bandhavgarh was mercifully declared a National Park in 1968. Today, the Bandhavgarh National Park is a compact reserve (448 sq. km) of sal trees, bamboo thickets and grasslands, teeming with birds and animals and the highest population of tigers anywhere in India. The park is now home to 22 species of wildlife, including the regal ‘gaur’, umpteen varieties of deer, and carnivores such as the striped hyena, jungle cat and sloth bear and over 250 species of birds. Within the park itself is the Bandhavgarh Fort, now in ruins and largely overrun by the surrounding forest. 

 

Evening game safari into the National Park.

Dinner in the hotel.

 

Overnight:  Kings Lodge

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Day 15 PANNA - BANDHAVGARH (210 Kms/ 4 hrs drive approx)

Breakfast is at the hotel.

09.00 hrs:  Check out and drive to Bandhavgarh. 

13.00 hrs:  Arrive Bandhavgarh and check into hotel.

 

Once the hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Rewa, where an alarming number of tigers were hunted down in pre-independence India, Bandhavgarh was mercifully declared a National Park in 1968. Today, the Bandhavgarh National Park is a compact reserve (448 sq. km) of sal trees, bamboo thickets and grasslands, teeming with birds and animals and the highest population of tigers anywhere in India. The park is now home to 22 species of wildlife, including the regal ‘gaur’, umpteen varieties of deer, and carnivores such as the striped hyena, jungle cat and sloth bear and over 250 species of birds. Within the park itself is the Bandhavgarh Fort, now in ruins and largely overrun by the surrounding forest. 

 

Evening game safari into the National Park.

Dinner in the hotel.

 

Overnight:  Kings Lodge

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Package includes

  • 14 Night’s accommodation on Twin sharing rooms as per hotels mentioned above.

  • Daily Buffet Breakfast at all the hotels mentioned above except at Panna, Bandhavgarh, Kanha &  Pench where it is on full board.

  • All transportation, transfers and sightseeing by an exclusive chauffeur driven air-conditioned Toyota Innova.

  • Shared game drives at MP National Parks.

  • Meet and Greet services in Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho & Mumbai.

  • All entrances to monuments during sightseeing.  (Single visit)

  • Service of a English speaking guide for all sightseeing.

  • All applicable Taxes.

NOT Included in the tour prices

  • Meals other than specified above.

  • Not valid for travel between (25 December till 05 January 2018)

  • Domestic airfare in Economy class quoted as supplement.

  • Any expense of personal nature, like liquor, laundry, telephone calls etc.

  • Any camera charges (still or video)

  • Any other expense not mentioned in the prices include column.

  • Charges for any optional tours apart from the itinerary above.

 

Notes:

  • Check-in / Checkout time at most of the hotels in India is 1400/1200 hrs.

  • Red Fort is closed on Monday.

  • Sarnath museum is closed on Friday.

  • Madhya Pradesh Parks are closed on Wednesday afternoon.

  • The above rates are valid for minimum 02 paying passengers as per the itinerary for dates as mentioned above.

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