Grand Monuments & Tiger Safari Tour 16 days

Day 1 Arrive in Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport, assistance & transfer to the hotel. Rest time is free to relax and personal activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Delhi

City tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi, visit the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday), the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in the world built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market, a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewellery and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath is the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where he was cremated after his assassination. In New Delhi, visit Humayun Tomb, the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun`s first wife, Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar, a 73-metre-tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine example of Afghan architecture. The Lotus Temple, a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flower-like shape. Also drive past the President's House, Parliament & India Gate, etc. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Delhi - Agra (210kms)

Drive to Agra, check in at the hotel. Later, visit the Taj Mahal, an ivory-white marble mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Agra Fort was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638. And Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb was commissioned by Nur Jahan for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Agra - Bhopal

Transfer to Agra railway station to board the Satabdi train to Bhopal (Satabdi Train 07.50/ 13.55hrs (6hrs)). On arrival at Bhopal railway station, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Later visit two historic mosques, the Jama Masjid, a classic Islamic architecture with two tall minarets & Moti Masjid, an architectural marvel. Only Muslims can enter the Taj-Ul-Masjid, a stunning and elegant architecture with enormous domes, a spectacular hallway and elegant minarets. Also visit the arts centre in Bharat Bhawan, a centre of performing arts, a unique institution with an unparalleled and impactful architecture. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 Bhopal - Excursion to Sanchi (50kms one way)

Excursion to visit Sanchi, a serene hill crowned by a group of stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from 3rd BCE to 12th CE. Sanchi Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the relics of Buddha and his followers. Built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, it is a remarkable specimen of Buddhist art and architecture. Sanchi’s uniqueness lies in the fact that Buddha isn’t represented by figures but through symbols. Next visit Udayagiri Caves, an early Hindu ritual site, extensively carved and reworked under the command of Chandragupta II, Emperor of the Gupta Empire, in the late 4th & 5th CE. Udayagiri has a series of rock shelters and petroglyphs, ruined buildings, inscriptions, water systems, fortifications and habitation mounds, all of which have been only partially excavated. Drive back to Bhopal. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 Bhopal - Satpura National Park (50kms)

Drive to Pachmarhi en route visit Bhimbetka rock shelters, an archaeological site dating back to the Palaeolithic age inhabited by the homo erectus more than 100,000 years ago. Bhimbetka is a world heritage site and houses one of the oldest cave paintings in the world, a must-visit site for all history enthusiasts. Next visit Bhojpur, an incomplete 11th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The construction was abandoned for unknown reasons, with the architectural plans engraved on the surrounding rocks. It houses a 7.5-foot high lingam in its sanctum, considered to be one of the finest examples of temple architecture in the region. Continue driving to Satpura, check in at the resort. Later, visit Panch Pandav Caves, which are believed to provide shelter to the Pandavas during their exile period. These 5 caves also became a shelter to some Buddhist monks in the 1st century AD, and thereafter they are considered to be religious by Buddhists as well. Jata Shankar Caves, considered sacred as they are popularly believed to be the place where Lord Shiva concealed himself from the wrath of Bhasmasur. The caves boast of a natural Shivalingam under the shadow of a massive rock, and the stone formation in the cave closely resembles the mythological hundred-headed snake Seshnag. Sunset visit Dhoopgarh, the highest peak in the Satpura Range. It has an altitude of 1350 m. It is not only the highest point of Pachmarhi but also the highest point of central India. It is an amazing experience to see the sunset at Pachmarhi. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 Satpura National Park

Morning and afternoon gypsy safari in the tiger reserve with a naturalist. The forest of the Satpura ranges is rich in biodiversity and is inhabited by many endangered species. The high ranges of the Pachmarhi plateau are covered by Sal forests, whereas dense teak forests are spread over its lower hill ranges. This large land is an important habitat for the tiger, Giant Squirrel, Indian Skimmer, Black Bellied Tern, Leaf-nosed Bat and more than 300 species of birds. Overnight at the hotel. Overnight at the resort.

Day 8 Satpura National Park - Pench National Park (250kms)

Morning game drive. Later, drive to Pench National Park, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 Pench National Park

Morning and afternoon gypsy safari in the tiger reserve with a naturalist. The Pench National Park, as it did in the iconic `The Jungle Book`, still brings humans in close contact with wildlife. The major carnivores are the Tiger, leopard, wild cat, wild dog, hyena, jackal, fox, wolf & weasel among the vegetarian species, Gaur, Nilgai, Sambar, Chital, Chasinga, Chinkara & Wild Pig are prominent. The River Pench divide the park into nearly two equal parts. This magnificent expanse shelters over 325 resident and migratory birds. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 Pench National Park - Kanha National Park (200kms)

Morning game drive. Later, drive to Kanha National Park, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 Kanha National Park

Morning and afternoon gypsy safari in the tiger reserve with a naturalist. Kanha, best known for its evergreen Sal forests, is home to about 300 species of Birds, 43 species of Mammals, 26 species of Reptiles and more than 500 species of Insects. The Major species found are hard ground Barasingha, Tiger, Leopard, Dhole, wild dogs, Bear, Gaur, Bison and Indian Python, etc. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 Kanha National Park - Bandhavgarh National Park (220kms)

Morning game drive. Later, drive to Bandhavgarh National Park, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 Bandhavgarh National Park

Morning and afternoon gypsy safari in the tiger reserve with a naturalist. This area is unique from the point of biodiversity, as it comprises hills, valleys, rivers, marshes and meadows. Apart from the highest density of Royal Bengal tigers in the world, 34 species of Mammals, nearly 260 species of birds and 70 species of butterflies are found in the park. The remains of a 2000-year-old ancient Bandhavgarh Fort provide a glimpse into its intriguing history, where you will find several man-made caves with inscriptions and rock paintings. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 Bandhavgarh National Park - Khajuraho (250kms)

Drive to Khajuraho, check in at the hotel. Later, visit a well-maintained UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring the eastern, western & southern groups of temples adorned by erotic and sensuous carvings. The architecture of these temples depicts the erotic forms of love, and the carvings on the walls display passion in the most sensuous yet aesthetic ways. Built between 950 to 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty, the temples of Khajuraho are India`s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world`s great artistic wonders. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15 Khajuraho - Orchha - Jhansi/Delhi

Drive to Orchha, a historical town known for its grand palaces, intricately carved temples adorned with classic mural paintings, frescos and cenotaphs that were constructed to commemorate the Bundela rulers. Visit the Orchha Fort complex, which houses a large number of ancient monuments. These are Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens and pavilions. Chaturbhuj Temple is a multi-storied structure noted for having one of the tallest Vimanas among Hindu temples. Chattris (Cenotaphs) situated on the banks of the Betwa river are magnificent royal tombs of the Maharajas, placed on a platform and supported by the pillars.

After sightseeing, transfer to Jhansi railway station to board the Satabdi train for Delhi (Satabdi Train 18.30/ 23.55 (5.25hrs)). On arrival at Delhi railway station, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16 Delhi - Departure (Flight)

As per the flight schedule, transfer to the airport to board the flight for the onward destination.