Delhi - Corbett - Agra - Bharatpur - Kanha - Bandavarh - Khajuraho - Delhi

A fantastic two week safari around some of India's finest National Parks, taking in also the splendid spectacle of the immortal Taj Mahal and the fascinating temples of Khajuraho.  A wonderful opportunity to see India's varied wildlife at home in their natural habitat, and to enjoy time spent in beautiful, unspoilt surroundings far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.  

The tour is a stimulating and exciting experience that is ideal for families and nature enthusiasts alike, and can be fitted into a longer stay in India, or treated as a holiday on its own.

ITINERARY

DAY 01  DELHI 
On arrival in Delhi you are met and settle into your hotel. 

DAY 02  DELHI 
After breakfast at the hotel, we head out by car for a comprehensive tour of Delhi.  We visit the beautiful Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.  From here we go to the imposing Moghul Red Fort and Ghandi Samadi (the hallowed cremation ground of Ghandi), before taking a walk through the labyrinth of frenetic streets that make up Chandni Chowk, the vivid, colourful bazaar abuzz with the life and soul of Old Delhi.

After Old Delhi, the tree-lined boulevards of New Delhi seem startlingly spacious.  We stop for lunch in Connaught Place, which houses many famous restaurants with a good choice of different cuisine. After lunch we start our tour of New Delhi at the enchanting Laxmi Narayan Temple, and take a drive past The Presidents House to India Gate. We spend time enjoying the peace and tranquillity of Humayan's Tomb, and marvelling at the Bhai Temple (a perfect lotus-shaped temple) and Qutab Minar.

In the evening there is time for shopping before viewing a spectacular light and sound show at the Red Fort.  We return to the hotel for dinner and rest.

DAY 03  DELHI - CORBETT NATIONAL PARK 
We drive north to Corbett National Park, one of India’s finest wildlife parks, where our tour begins on the broad back of an elephant as we ride through the impressive park.  Corbett National Park is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas over an area of around 520 sq. km. Varied topography and vegetation give the park a rich biodiversity and many different faces of outstanding natural beauty.  We stay overnight at the park lodge accommodation.

DAY 04  CORBETT 
The best time to view the wildlife is at dawn, so we rise early and begin our game viewing.  Corbett has the most dense tiger population in India, making it a perfect place to set eyes upon the magnificent beast.  It is a sanctuary for over 50 other mammals, 580 species of birds and 25 different reptiles - elephants, sloth bears, Himalayan black bears, lesser cats, wild dogs and crocodiles all roam these unspoiled lands and waters.  The middle of the day is at your leisure to stroll through the beautiful surrounding forests, and we head out for another safari in the cool of the evening.

DAY 05  CORBETT - AGRA 
We take an optional early morning game ride, and the rest of the day is taken up with our drive to Agra.  Upon arrival, we check into your hotel.  Evening time is a magical time to see the Taj Mahal from the opposite river bank in all its glory, especially under a full moon.

DAY 06  AGRA - BHARATPUR 
Morning city sightseeing tour, starting at the immortal Taj Mahal.  We spend several hours exploring this sacred sight and learning its history before exploring Agra’s Red Fort set high above the city.   In the afternoon we depart for Ghana National Park at Bharatpur, stopping en route at the deserted city of Fatephur Sikri.  Fatepur Sikri was abandoned when the town’s water supply dried up, and taking a wander through its deserted streets is a surreal yet valuable experience. On arrival in Bharatpur we settle into the Park Lodge.

DAY 07  BHARATPUR 
Ghana National Park is one of Asia’s largest bird sanctuaries and is a world heritage site.  Dawn is the best time to bird watch here, as the birds wake up their song drifts over the Park.  We take a boat along the peaceful backwaters and wonder at the great variety of bird life - over 400 different species have been recorded.  We spend the rest of the day walking and cycling through the park.

DAY 08  BHARATPUR - JABALPUR - KANHA 
Another relaxed day at the park before a late evening transfer to the station at Jabalpur to board the overnight sleeper train to Kanha.  Your sleeping berths are comfortable 1^st class cabins.

DAY 09  KANHA 
On arrival in Kanha, transport awaits us to drive to Kanha National Park.  We settle into the park's lodge accommodation and the rest of the day is free to explore this natural haven.

DAY 10  KANHA 
This National Park is one of the original Project Tiger Reserves.  We spend the day on safari, travelling by jeep through the park, which is one of India’s largest game parks.  Kanha was the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.  The tiger population in this area has risen in recent years, largely thanks to efforts by Project Tiger to protect this endangered species from extinction. As a result, sightings are becoming more common and tourists are frequently lucky enough to glimpse the tiger in his natural habitat.

DAY 11 KANHA - BANDAVGARH 
Today we drive to another great National Park at Bandavgarh.  After checking in to our lodge accommodation you are free to take a jeep safari and explore the park.

DAY 12  BANDAVGARH 
It is up early once again to view the wildlife.  Then we take an afternoon siesta before joining an evening jeep safari. The night-time jungle is a different world - its a wonderful end to a great day.

DAY 13  BANDAVGARH - KHAJURAHO 
Today we leave the wildlife behind and drive to the rural backwater of Khajuraho, a small town famed for its intricately carved erotic temples.  We stay in Khajuraho overnight at your hotel.

DAY 14  KHAJURAHO - DELHI 
We spend the day in awe of the impressive rock temples that draw visitors from around the world.  The erotic carvings on the temple walls have been the subject of decades of speculation and mystery.  A late afternoon transfer takes us to the airport for the flight to Delhi.  You are met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.

DAY 15  DELHI 
We transfer to the airport or station for your onward journey.  Tour ends.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

Accommodation on a room-only basis.
All transfers by road including pick-ups and drop-offs at start and end of tour.
All safari and sight-seeing tours as specified.

All rail travel as specified in first class sleeper berths: Jabalpur - Kanha.

All flights as specified in economy class: Khajuraho - Delhi.