Tiger, Taj Mahal & Temple Tour
15 Nights / 16 Days
Outline Itinerary - Tiger, Taj Mahal & Temple Tour
- Day 01 : Arrival in New Delhi
- Day 02 : New Delhi – Nagpur – Pench (Flight + 100 kms/2 hrs drive from the airport)
- Day 03 : In Pench National Park
- Day 04 : Pench - Kanha (210 kms, 4-5 hrs drive)
- Day 05 - 06 : In Kanha National Park
- Day 07 : Kanha - Bandhavgarh (280 kms, 6 hr drive)
- Day 08 - 10 : In Bandhavgarh National Park
- Day 11 : Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho (By road, 280 kms/6 hrs drive)
- Day 12 : Khajuraho – Varanasi (By flight)
- Day 13 : Varanasi
- Day 14 : Varanasi – Agra (By flight)
- Day 15 : Agra – New Delhi (By road, 220 kms/4 hrs drive)
- Day 16 : New Delhi Fly back home
What you will experience on this tour
Experience the best of Indian wildlife that includes the Royal Bengal Tigers, Asiatic Lions, Black Leopard, Indian Leopards, Snow Leopards, Red Panda, Asian Elephants, and a plethora of reptile and bird species, with experienced naturalists while you stay at the best-selected premium wildlife lodges and hotels.
Tour Overview - Tiger, Taj Mahal & Temple Tour
When one thinks India, images of Tigers, Taj and Temples begin to conjure within the mind. A journey here encompasses the perfect amalgamation of culture, spirituality and wildlife. Whether it’s the religious ceremonies at the Ghats of Varanasi, the marbled mausoleum known as the Taj Mahal, or the intricately carved temples of Khajuraho coupled with the iconic big cats of India, you’re in certainly in for an enriching experience. A quest through these formidable destinations is sure to reinvigorate mind, body and spirit, as you make your way through the cultural and natural history the country offers.
Tour Highlights - Tiger, Taj Mahal & Temple Tour
- Dive into an immersive wildlife experience with three signature tiger parks of India.
- Experience unique hospitality, with some of the most skillful naturalists to guide you through your excursions.
- Witness the sun kissed Taj Mahal, A UNESCO world Heritage site and one of the seven wonders of the world.
- Immerse yourself in the Ganga Aarti at Varanasi, and witness a sea of worshippers’ surrender to the tradition at the Ghats of the Ganges.
- Discover the architectural marvel of the temples of Khajuraho, dating back to the 10th century.
Detailed Itinerary - Tiger, Taj Mahal & Temple Tour
Day 1: Arrival in New Delhi
You will be greeted on arrival at the New Delhi airport by our representative. He will take you to the hotel, assist you with the check-in formalities and help you with all the travel-related documents. There are accommodations for an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: New Delhi – Nagpur – Pench (Flight + 100 kms/2 hrs drive from the airport)
Early breakfast, and transfer to the airport in the morning to board a flight at 05:55 hrs to arrive Nagpur at 07:40 hrs. Meet at the airport and a 2-hour drive to the Pench National Park Post which the tourists can check into the resort. Post lunch, the tourists aboard can go for the afternoon jeep safari on their way to the national park. Tourists also get dinner and overnight stay at the resort.
Day 3: In Pench National Park
There are arrangements for morning and afternoon jeep safaris to the Pench National park while meals and overnight stay are arranged at the resort. A total of 758 Sq. km of this Southern Indian tropical moist deciduous forest has its extent mingling with the tropical dry deciduous teak. The area is crisscrossed by a number of streams and ‘nallahs’ most of which are seasonal.
Though the Pench River dries up in April end, a number of water pools locally known as ‘dohs’ are found which serve as watering holes for the wild animals. The Pench Reservoir at the center of the park is the only major water source during the pinch period. The best place to view tigers are the watering holes as prey concentration is high along the Pench River. Tigers usually hunt for their prey here. Leopards generally operate in the peripheral areas but are occasionally seen in the deep forest also.
In Pench, Cheetal, Sambar, are commonly seen grazing on the open sites on roadsides and banks of river & and reservoir. Jackals can be seen in search of food anywhere in the Park. Packs of up to 15 or more wild dogs can be seen near Chhedia, Jamtara, Bodanala and Pyorthadi areas of the Reserve.
Herds of gaur can be spotted near streams and bamboo patches commonly in summer months. Sloth bears occupy the rocky areas and prefers favors mahul bel infested forest. You will also find Chinkaras present in very small numbers in open areas.
Day 4: Pench–Kanha (210 km/4-5 hour drive)
A morning jeep tiger safari takes you to the Pench national park from where you can drive to Kanha national park in 4-5 hours. On arrival at the park, tourists can check into the resort where you can enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the resort in Kanha.
Day 5 - 6: In Kanha National Park
Wake up at 0500hrs, have tea/coffee with biscuits, and proceed for the morning tiger safari in Kanha national park. Kanha’s sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 sq. km in dramatic natural splendor which forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974 under Project Tiger.
The park is the only habitat of the rare hardground Barasingha (Cervus Duvauceli Branderi). This is the original Kipling country of which he wrote so vividly in his Jungle Book. Packed breakfast which comes from the lodge is served at a designated spot and spread on the bonnet of the Safari vehicle. Enjoy your breakfast in the wilderness of Kanha National Park. Continue your search for the elusive Tiger if you have not yet seen the same, and soak in the fresh, and energizing environment. Return from Safari around 1130hrs. Freshen up, and lunch is served. Post a full-day safari, return to the resort by 6 pm. Have dinner and stay overnight at the lodge.
Day 7: Kanha–Bandhavgarh (By road 280 kms/6-hour drive)
Morning jeep safari to the Kanha National Park. After lunch, depart for a 6-hour drive to Bandhavgarh. On arrival, check into the lodge, enjoy dinner, and stay overnight at the Lodge.
Day 8 - 10: In Bandhavgarh National Park
Tourists are taken on a jeep safari in the morning and afternoon to the national park. The Bandhavgarh National Park is mainly known for its dense tiger population. This is the place where the famous White Tigers of Rewa were discovered. The other wild attractions in the park include Leopards, Blue Bulls, Indian Gaur (Bison) Chausingha (Four Horned Antelopes), Spotted Deers, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Sloth Bears Fox, Jackals, Wild Dogs, etc. There are at least 22 mammal species and about 250 bird species in the park. The other animals found in Bandhavgarh are Ratel, Porcupine, Small Indian Civet, Palm Squirrel, Lesser Bandicoot rat, the Jungle Cat, and the shy Hyenas.
Tourists are taken on a jeep safari in the morning and afternoon to the national park. The Bandhavgarh National Park is mainly known for its dense tiger population. This is the place where the famous White Tigers of Rewa were discovered. The other wild attractions in the park include Leopards, Blue Bulls, Indian Gaur (Bison) Chausingha (Four Horned Antelopes), Spotted Deers, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Sloth Bears Fox, Jackals, Wild Dogs, etc. There are at least 22 mammal species and about 250 bird species in the park. The other animals found in Bandhavgarh are Ratel, Porcupine, Small Indian Civet, Palm Squirrel, Lesser Bandicoot rat, the Jungle Cat, and the shy Hyenas.
The oldest sign of habitation in the park are caves dug into the sandstone to the north of the fort. Several contain Brahmi inscriptions dating from the 1st century B.C. Various dynasties have ruled the fort, for example, the Maghas from the 1st century A.D., the Vakatakas from the 3rd century A.D., From that time onwards Bandhavgarh was ruled by a succession of dynasties including the Chandela Kings. Bandhavgarh became more and more deserted gradually until forest overran the area and it became the royal hunting reserve.
Bandhavgarh remained the private property of the Maharaja until he gave it to the state for the formation of the National Park in 1968. After the park was created poaching and hunting were brought under control and the number of animals rose dramatically. The number of tigers in particular prospered and the 1986 extension provided the much-needed forest area to accommodate them. There are accommodations for tourists for overnight stays at the resort.
Day 11: Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho (By road, 280 kms/6 hrs drive)
Morning jeep safari to the national park and after breakfast, drive to Khajuraho (280 kms/6 hrs drive). On arrival, check into the hotel. Later city tour of Khajuraho.
Khajuraho, discovered by chance, is India’s second biggest single tourist attraction. Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval temples that are adorned with numerous sculptures of extraordinary grace and delicacy, which celebrate the stylized and refined courtly accomplishments of beauty, love and creative arts. Once the religious capital of the Chandela Rajputs, the temples of the city date from 950-1050 AD. A wall with eight gates encloses the entire area and two golden palm trees flank each of them. Originally, there were over 80 temples, of which only 22 are now remarkably preserved.
The set of temples at Khajuraho celebrate Hindu religious thought in its mystifying variety of scope, which stands distinguished from rest of the Hindu temples. The temples highlight the existential ethos in religion that venerates ‘Yoga’ and ‘Bhoga’. ‘Yoga’ is union of the self with the Almighty, while ‘Bhoga’ is the path to God through physical pleasure.
The temples at Khajuraho, dedicated to physical love and pleasure are a testimony to this philosophy. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1986, Khajuraho is a prominent, must-see destination and its temples are India’s unique gift to the world as they capture life in every form and mood in stone.
Evening Sound and Light show at Khajuraho. Overnight at the hotel in Khajuraho.
Day 12: Khajuraho – Varanasi (By flight)
After breakfast, visit the Eastern and Southern group of temples. The Parasvanath temple of the Eastern group is the group’s largest Jain temple. The themes depict, in charming detail, everyday activity. Also visit the Kandariya Mahadev temple dedicated to Shiva and the Chaturbhuj temple of the Southern group.
During Afternoon, transfer to the airport to board the flight for Varanasi. Leave Khajuraho for Varanasi by AI 405 (1515 / 1610 hrs ). Meet our local represenative and on arrival at Varanasi airport and transfer to your hotel.
Varanasi is one of India’s most important pilgrimage sites and the holiest of holy cities for Hindus. Known also as Kashi and Benaras, Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest living cities, and has been a centre of learning and culture for well over 2000 years.
Evening in Varanasi
Visit the “Ghats” or bank of the Ganga River. This is a fascinating walk as you can experience the cultural ethos that guides the life of the pious. See the rituals that take place to the setting sun and the ablutions that are performed in the river. As boats float down-stream, some carrying goods, fruits and vegetables, you will see others carrying the pious devetees, who perform ceremonies along the river.
On the banks or “ghats”, you can see some absorbed in prayer and the chanting of hymns, while others engage in commerce such as hair-cutting, massaging and even ear cleaning! Walk across to the Manikarnika Ghat, where you can see cremations performed with intense ritual – the process of sending the departed soul to the heavens. Hindus believe that the gateway to the Heavens and for the Re-incarnation of the Soul `in a better state’, is possible when life’s last journey is from Varanasi. Overnight in Varanasi.
Day 13: Varanasi
Early morning, take a boat ride at dawn down India’s most sacred river, The Ganges. Sun rise at the holy river is a truly tranquil and breath taking sight as pilgrims standing waist-deep in water, praying to the rising Sun. See the famous Vishwanath temple with its spires covered with gold, dedicated to Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Return to the hotel for Breakfast.
Also visit Sarnath a city located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Gomati rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The deer park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Singhpur, a village approximately one km away from the site, was the birthplace of Shreyansanath, the eleventh Tirthankara of Jainism, and a temple dedicated to him.
Day 14: Varanasi – Agra (By flight)
After a relaxed breakfast, transfer to Varanasi airport to board a flight to Agra at 12010 hrs which lands in Agra at 1320 hrs. Meet our local representaive at airport and transfer to hotel. On arrival, check into the hotel.
Later proceed to visit the red sandstone known as AGRA FORT which stands on the banks of Yamuna River. Three successive Mughal emperors – Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jehan – helped create this massive structure which contains Indo-Islamic architecture.
Overnight stay at the hotel in Agra.
Day 15: Agra – New Delhi (By road, 220 kms/4 hrs drive)
Sunrise proceed to visit the famous white marble mausoleum, The Taj Mahal, which was built in the middle of the 17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Completed in 1652 by 20,000 skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy. [The Taj is closed on Friday].
Return to hotel and after relaxed breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to New Delhi Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 16: New Delhi Fly back home
After breakfast, transfer to International airport to board flight back home or onward destination.
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