8-Day Tigers to the Taj: The Tigers of India with Khajuraho

You will arrive in Delhi and we will transfer you to the hotel (rooms are available from 12 pm onwards).

Meals included: n/a
Mid-Range Accommodations: Ashok Country Resort - Standard room

After an early breakfast, we will transfer to the airport in order to board the flight to Kanha (about 1 hour).  On arrival in Jabalpur, we will drive to the lodge in Kanha National Park (approximately 175 km / 3 hours).  Kanha National Park, situated in Madhya Pradesh, is spread over 1,945 square kilometers of dense Sal forest, interspersed with extensive meadows, grassy plateaus, and areas of wild bamboo.  This region is known as "Kipling Country" and is where all his stories of the jungle were conceived.  In the afternoon, you will enjoy your first jeep safari in the National Park.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Tuli Tiger Resort - Cottage

Today, we will go on morning and afternoon jeep safaris in search of tigers!  Kanha National Park is also home to other animals, including chital, gaur, three-striped palm squirrel, common langur monkeys, jackals, wild pigs, black bucks, striped hyenas, leopard, mouse deer, porcupine, chinkara, samber, and rare ant-eating pangolins.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Tuli Tiger Resort - Cottage

After breakfast, we will drive to Bhandhavgarh National Park (approximately 255 km / 6 hours).  On arrival, you will check in at the hotel.  Set amidst the Vindhyan ranges and the eastern flank of the Satpura hills, Bhandhavgarh National Park is one of the best places to see and enjoy wildlife in India.  In fact, the park has the highest relative density of tigers of any of India’s reserves.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Bandhav Vilas - Standard room

We will go on morning and afternoon safaris in tiger-rich Bhandhavgarh National Park.  The park is also the habitat for chital deer, sambar deer, barking deer, wild boar, nilgai antelope (or "blue bulls"), four-horned antelope, water buffalo, wild dogs, leopard, the Indian fox, and bears.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Bandhav Vilas - Standard room

After breakfast, we will drive to Khajuraho (approximately 245 km / 5 hours). On arrival, you will check in at your hotel.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Eastern & Western Group of Khajuraho Temples, which consist of an impressive group of artistic temples built in sandstone. The sculptures of Hindu deities, dancers, and musicians appear to be so natural as if they would come alive any time. You will visit the Varaha Temple, and the Lakshmana Temple, both dedicated to Vishnu. You will also visit the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, which is not only the largest of the temples, it is also artistically and architecturally the most perfect. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple represents Chandella art at its most finely developed phase.

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: Ramada - Standard room

After breakfast, we will drive to Jhansi railway station (approximately 210 km / 4 hours) to board the Shatabadi to Agra.  On the way, we will stop in Orchha to visit this beautiful medieval town, once the capital of Bundela kings.  Built along the banks of the river Betwa, flowing through a rugged country century side, Orchha retains the captivating air of a bygone era.  Amongst the various imposing edifices, of particular interest are the Jehangiri Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Mughal Emperor Jehangir, and the Raj Mahal and the Laxmi Narayan temple, both noted for their fine frescoes and mural paintings.  Later, we will continue to Jhansi railway station and board the train to Agra.  On arrival in Agra, we will transfer you to your hotel. 

Meals included: Breakfast
Mid-Range Accommodations: The Retreat - Standard room

In the early morning, you will visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise! Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan over a period of 17 years, in memory of his beloved late wife Mumtaz Mahal. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Taj Mahal is one of the wonders of the modern world and you will be enthralled with its ethereal beauty. NOTE: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

Later this morning, we will visit Agra Fort. Agra Fort is another dimension to the city that attracts tourists in hordes. Built by Akbar in red sandstone when he was through with the consolidation of his power after accession to power in 1654, Agra Fort worked both as a military strategic point as well as the royal residence. Many of the palaces inside the fort were later added by next generations of Mughal emperors like Jahangir and Shahjahan.

In the afternoon, we will drive back to the airport in Delhi (approximately 200 km / 4 hours) so you can board an evening flight home.

Meals included: Breakfast