India Safaris

Indian Tigers and Forts

13 Day DELHI-JAIPUR-AGRA-BANDHAVGARH-KANHA-DELHI

First class tours use 5 star hotels and air-conditioned transport, Tourist class tours use 2 star hotels and non air-conditioned transport otherwise services are the same.

 

A breathtaking holiday of a lifetime see the historic cities of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Visit the glorious Taj Mahal then combine that with our tiger safaris - see these rare, shy animals in their natural true habitat - an adventure to be on. You will be staying at a 3* hotel situated just outside the main entrance to the Kanha Park. We provide all our visitors with a truly exciting and rewarding jungle experience. The Resort is in 6 acres of thick forest with its own pool and facilities

Day 01: Arrive Delhi Check into Hotel. Today you are free to sample some of Delhi's avian and historical sights, or to just relax and recover after your flight.

 

Day 02: A full day of sight seeing in Delhi the capital city of India. Delhi is a magnificent city incorporating the historic old city. It sprawls over a vast tract of the Jamuna plain, its population – 13.8 million and was the centre of power of the various Muslim dynasties that ruled swathes of the subcontinent from the 12th century onwards. Modern Delhi is really two cities – Old Delhi - Kutub Minar, President House, National Museum & India Gate and New Delhi* B& B plan (Overnight at the hotel)

 

Day 03: Leave for Jaipur by vehicle. Check into Hotel Narayan Niwas( A heritage property) or similar. Half Day sight seeing. Jaipur popularly known as the Pink City, was founded in 1727 AD by one of the greatest rulers of the Singh. The pink colour was used to create an impression of red sandstone buildings of Mughal cities and repainted in 1876, during the visit of the Prince of Wales. The city is best explored on foot and the adventurous visitor willing to go into the inner lanes can discover a whole new world not visible to the tourist-in-a-hurry. * B& B plan (Overnight at the Hotel)

 

Day 04: Jaipur sight seeing. Places of interest are mainly located within the walled city. The City Palace complex is the most important landmark with its numerous outbuildings, courtyards, impressive gateways and temples. Across the road from the palace is the Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. A collection of complex astronomical instruments, chiselled out of stone - most of which continue to provide fairly accurate information to this day - is the highlight of this observatory. * B& B plan (Overnight at the Hotel)

 

Day 05: Leave Japiur for Agra. Have lunch at Hotel Jay Pee Palace or similar. (At your own expense) Visit Taj Mahal & Red fort. (The construction of this marble masterpiece the Taj Mahal credited to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who erected this mausoleum in the memory of his beloved wife) Afternoon we board the train for our onward journey to Umaryia and the first stop in our wildlife expedition to the Bandhavgarh national park. (Overnight on the train)

 

Day 06: We arrive at the park and check into our hotel. If time allows we will go for a game drive. Once part of the old Rewa state, Bandhavgarh National Park is set amidst the Vindhya ranges with a series of ridges running through it. Initially this park was the royal hunting ground for the rulers of Rewa. English speaking guides and *full jungle plan (Overnight at the Nature Heritage Resort or similar)

 

Day 07: Bandhavgarh - Morning and evening game drive. About half the Park is covered with fine stands of sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north. The main viewing area is still in the core of the Park with its 32 picturesque, wooded hills. An ancient fort up on a precipice, 800 meters high, dominates the Park. *full jungle plan  (Overnight at the Nature Heritage Resort or similar)

 

Day 08: Bandhavgarh - Morning and evening game drive. Initially this park was the royal hunting ground for the rulers of Rewa. In 1968 it was declared a national park. Bandhavgarh NP covers 448 sq km, and is the place where the famous white tigers of Rewa were discovered. Bandhavgarh is densely populated with other animal species too -  sambar, barking deer and nilgai are also common sights in the open areas of the park *full jungle plan (Overnight at the Nature Heritage Resort or similar)

 

Day 09: Leave early morning for Kanha National Park. Reach Kanha by lunch time & take an evening game drive. Kanha game reserve. Spend the full day viewing game and spotting TIGERS inside the jungle, Located in the Mandia district of Madhya Pradesh, the Kanha National Park is a Tiger Reserve that extends over 1945 sq. km. of undulating country. Elevations range from 450 to 900 meters. A horseshoe shaped valley bounded by the spurs of the Mekal ridge gives Kanha an interesting topography. The Surpan River meanders through Kanha's central maidans - grasslands *full jungle plan (Overnight at Krishna Jungle Lodge)

 

Day 10: Morning and evening game drive. It was here at Kanha that the eminent zoologist George Schaller undertook the first ever-scientific study of the tiger. The animals at Kanha are best observed from elephant back and the open country makes the chance of sightings reasonably good. Deer are seen along the maidans and gaur at Bamhindadr or in the Bishanpura Sondhar- Ghorella area of the Mukki range. This area is also ideal for spotting the dhole or wild dog. Langurs, wild boar, water fowl and birds are also commonly seen. *full jungle plan (Overnight at Krishna Jungle Lodge)

 

Day 11: Morning and evening game drive in India's best Tiger National Park. See the rich diversity of fauna and flora which was the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's the "Jungle Book" *full jungle plan  (Overnight at Krishna Jungle Lodge)

 

Day 12: Leave Kanha for Jabalpur by vehicle. Lunch at Hotel Krishna Jabalpur. Board PM train for Delhi. Reach Delhi the next morning. Overnight on train

 

Day 13: Tour ends. You will be met by our ground staff and transferred either to your hotel if you have booked extra nights in Delhi or directly to the airport

 

 

What this tour includes?

• Sight seeing and monument charges at Delhi Jaipur & Agra

• Package includes all hotels

• All meals on * Jungle Plan

• All entry fees to game parks, vehicles, game drives

• Services of expert guide/naturalist

• Elephant ride on Tiger sighting

• Lecture on wildlife daily bonfire

• All transfers in ac car/coach.Tain 2nd ac

• All internal taxes

• Transfers from and to Airports.

 

Jungle Plan includes

• Two park rides daily

• Accommodation

• Full day meals

• All park entrance fees

• Guide charges

• Lecture on wildlife,

• Service of resident naturalist,

• Elephant ride (on Tiger sighting),

• Daily bonfire.

 

Weather

• Cool - from middle of October to end of February.

• Hot - from middle of March to middle of June.

• Wet - from middle of June to middle of October.

• The temperature ranges from a maximum of 42 ° C in May and June, to around 4° C in winter

 

Clothing
Neutral khakis, greys and green clothes are recommended. Ensure you have plenty of warm clothing for the early morning and late evening game drives.

Accessories: Camera, binoculars, sunglasses, and hats.

 

Excluded in price: Camera and Video camera fees. Present charges (Nov 2003) per day are  RS. 200 For a Video Camera and RS.25 for a still Camera.

 

Hint: Very nice Indian meals are available on the train or you can bring some food with you. Tea and coffee are also available on the train but only the Indian variety, with milk and very sweet. Bottled drinking water is available on the platforms.

 

Please note this tour may also run in reverse.

 

Bandhavgarh National Park

Once part of the old Rewa state, Bandhavgarh National Park is set amidst the Vindhya ranges with a series of ridges running through it. Initially this park was the royal hunting ground for the rulers of Rewa. In 1968 it was declared a park with an area of only 105.4 sq. km. At present, however, the Bandhavgarh Park covers 448 sq km. The Bandhavgarh National Park is the place where the famous white tigers of Rewa were discovered. The last known capture of the white tiger was in1951. He is believed to have fathered many a cub in Indian zoos and outside. 'Mohan' is now stuffed and on display in the palace of the Maharaja of Rewa. Bandhavgarh is densely populated with other animal species too. The sambar, barking deer and nilgai are also common sights in the open areas of the park. The vegetation of the park is dry deciduous. About half of the park is covered with sal trees. There are mixed forests in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of Bamboo and grasslands extend to the north of the park. Grassy meadow patches occur in the valley and along the nalas. The park sustains all those species which are typical to Central India.

 

There are 22 species of mammals which include langurs and rhesus macaque as the primary group. The jackal, fox, bears, ratel, mongoose, hyena, jungle cat, leopard and tiger form the core carnivore population. The animals frequently sighted are wild pig, spotted deer, sambar, dhole, the small Indian civet, palm squirrel and lesser bandicoot. The national park holds some 250 odd species of birds along the streams and marshes. Reptilian fauna include cobra, krait, viper, rat snake, python, turtle and a large number of lizard varieties, including monitor lizard.

 

Kanha Tiger Reserve

Welcome to Kipling Country, the setting for the famous Jungle Book. The Kanha National Park in the Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh, spreads over 1,945 sq. km of dense sal forests, interspersed with extensive meadows and trees and clumps of wild bamboo. This is where you can spot the tiger in all his magnificence or feast your eyes on the rare Barasingha Deer amidst extensive grasslands. The park forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974, under Project Tiger. It is one of the most well-maintained National Parks in Asia, and a major attraction for avid wildlife buffs all over the world. Two major rivers, Halon anfd Banjar, flow through the park. Kanha National Park in the Mandla District spreads over 1,945 sq. km of dense sal forests, interspersed with extensive meadows and trees and clumps of wild bamboo. This area known as Kipling Country is where the jungle book of Rudyard Kipling was conceived.

 

• Area : 1,945 sq. kms.

• Altitude : 450-872 metres.

• Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max 40.6, Min 23.9. Winter- Max 23.9, Min 1.1.

• Rainfall : 152 cms.

• Best Season : April to June and November to January

 

Using your senses to find a Tiger

The key to successful tiger spotting lies in the jungle's reactions to the animal's movement. When the king of the forest is on the move, his kingdom is as responsive  as the court of any of the great Mughal Emperors . Peacocks blare, Sambar bell, Spotted Deer call, Langurs explode in cough-like alarm, Jungle Fowl screech, Bison whistle shrilly and barking deer emit the impossibly raucous bark for which they are named. The continuous repetition of such calls as well as their combination from two or more species in the same small area of the forest is a very good sign that a Tiger is moving nearby.

 

Using your ears to listen to what other animals are saying is a good method of locating a Tiger.

 

Responsible Tourism

There seems to be lot of hype and commotion in regards with features of wildlife tourism & conservation. Words such as tribal welfare, local upliftment usage of recycle products eco friendly dresses colours etc. all flashed by glamour struck organisations especially in recent times.

 

We started with a small team of Nature lovers who are dedicated, who were not necessary qualified but were definitely born conservationist at heart and a born nature lover. These were the people instrumental in educating for the first time in the history of Kanha National park the locals in the field of catering, house keeping steward ship, the guides etc all of whom were fifth standard drop outs or not been to school at all. We taught the people cane weaving, earthen products such as ash trays & potteries all of which we used annually in our lodge. Thus increasing the uplifting the local economy.

 

The health scenario was deplorable at that time when there were no proper medical facilities, we gave talks, and we supplied medicines & told them about diseases such as malaria & so on. At this point of time the ousted tribal villages from within the core area nurtured great animosity against the Kanha Tiger reserve officials, they would not see eye to eye because the locals felt that more importance was being given to the wild animals then to them, so we intervened and created a healthy buffer based on which things improved to such an extent that the Park authorities held an unprecedented meeting with the lodge owners/managers and local villages regarding solving all problems amicably which to this day continues.

 

This feature or this event is a unique example & achievement for Kanha National Park as this has never happened in any other game reserve in India resulting in perhaps being the least poached national Park in India. We are highly concerned in educating every guest regarding the code of conduct at the lodge and as well as within the park.

 

One of the greatest & unique features of our buildings in our lodge is that we have not used any modern chemicals based colours for the exterior or interior white washing. The material used for exterior painting is made from the local yellow mud mixed with lime stone, which gives an ethnic look of the old India.

 

Again the only lodge where the entire open floor area is being smeared with cow dung paste mixed with husk which works as a binding material

 

Important: Before you travel please check your Tour Voucher and Arrival Information for the latest joining instructions. This will be sent to you upon receipt of final payment.

 

All itineraries are subject to change without prior notice.