India Wildlife Tour - Lure of the Jungle
Duration : 12 Days / 11 Nights
Destinations: Delhi - Jaipur - Ranthambhore - Agra - Orcha - Khajuraho
- Bandhavgarh - Kanha - Nagpur - Delhi
Day
01: Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport
in Delhi late in the night or midnight. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with
a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction
to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope -
that is India.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02 Delhi
In the morning take a city tour covering Laxmi Narayan Temple - The Place of
Gods, India Gate - The memorial of martyrs, Parliament House - The Government
headquarters. In the afternoon take a city tour of Old Delhi covering Jama Masjid
- The largest mosque in Asia, Red Fort - The red stone magic, Gandhi memorial
- The memoir of father of the nation. Also enjoy the sound & light show in the
evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Delhi - Jaipur
By Road 260 kms - 5 hrs
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back
to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the
Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite
of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains it's character and history
- A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Popularly known as the
Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered
stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria.
Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite
temples and lush gardens.
Overnight at Jaipur.
On arrival check in into hotel. Afternoon start sightseeing tour of Jaipur city
including visit to the following
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled
city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace
Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five
observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This
observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent
landmark in Jaipur. Its five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted
with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and
windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for
the palace women.
Visit
a rug factory and see the ladies at the intricate work or a gem factory and
see the gem cutting and polishing process. Overnight at Jaipur.
Also visit Amber fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Enjoy Elephant ride ascent
to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace.
Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent
Jai Singh I. It's forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful
fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Jaipur - Ranthambore National Park
by road 162 kms - 3 Hrs
Reach and transfer to the resort. Evening free at the resort and you can relax
or watch some slides on the tiger.
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, at the junction of the Aravalis and the Vindhyas,
is a unique example of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously
in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 kilometers
from Sawai Madhopur. Get in tune with nature for a luxury holiday in the heart
of the jungle. Ranthambhore - perhaps the best place in the world to sight a
tiger in the wild. The Ranthambhore National Park has had more Tiger sightings
than any other National Park in the country. It has come to be known as "The
land of the Tiger", where most of the documented footage of this majestic beast
has been recorded.
It spreads over a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep
slopes; from flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp
ridges of the Aravalis, from wide and flat valleys to narrow rocky gorges. An
important geological feature the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhya plateaus
meet the Aravali hill ranges, meanders through the Reserve. The National Park
is bound by the rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the north.
Ranthambhore forest is of tropical dry deciduous type, further classified as
Dhok climax forest because of the predominance of Dhok (Anogeissus pendulla)
found nearly everywhere. Dhok is an extremely hardy tree, capable of withstanding
prolonged droughts. The leaves of this tree are good fodder and they are browsed
by herbivores, and form a significant part of their diet. Even the dry, fallen
leaves, eaten by them, are rich source of nutrition. Palas or Cheela or the
Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperms) blooms magnificently around mid-April.
During the period, Kachida and Anatpura provide an amazing view, like a forest
on fire. Around Kamaldhar massive Gum trees (Sterculia urens) with smooth white
trunk stand out conspicuously. Similarly, Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica) with
greyish trunks at the banks of the lakes and soft wood Salar (Boswellia serrata)
dotted atop hills are noticeable.
Fruits of Ber (Zizyphus spp.) and 'crocodile bark' Tendu (Diospuyros melanoxylon)
are highly relished by Sloth Bears.
The
lakes abound with aquatic vegetation including duck weeds, lilies and lotus.
A haven for a multitude of wild animals, the Park boasts of playing host to
tigers, leopards, the elusive caracals, hyenas, sloth bears, wild boars, crocodiles
and so on. Besides, there are over 300 species of birds, from the majestic Crested
Serpent Eagle to the exotic Golden Oriole.
Tiger, at the apex of the food chain, lord over the kingdom in a subtle way.
Solitary by nature, it operates in stealth. Therefore tiger sightings, frequent
as they are, are always a matter of chance. However, even evidences of tiger's
activities are very exciting.
The other kinds of cats found in Ranthambhore are Leopard (Panthera pardus),
Caracal (Felis caracal), Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis), Fishing Cat (Felis
viverrina) and the Jungle Cat (Felis chaus). Besides the big cats, the other
large predators found in Ranthambhore include Sloth Bear, Striped Hyena, Wolf,
Wild dog (or Dhole), Jackal, Indian Fox, Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Common
Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Mongoose, Ratel (or Honey Badger), Marsh Crocodile
and the Indian Python. There are two species of Antlers, namely the Spotted
Deer (or Chital) and the Sambhar Deer, and, two kinds of Antelopes, namely the
Indian Gazelle (or Chinkara) and the Bluebull (or Neelgai). Black Buck (another
kind of antelope), which is rarely found in the National Park is common in Devpura
area, in the outskirts of the park.
Overnight at resort.
Day 05 Ranthambore
A full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)
Overnight at the resort.
Day 06 Ranthmbhore - Agra
By road 225 Kms - 5 hrs
Today we will drive to Agra, enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri (The old deserted
town of Mughal Dynasty) on arrival check in into hotel. Overnight at hotel.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the
little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire
- giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor
to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and
white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm
that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising,
that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk
down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the
wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Reach Agra. Check in at hotel.
Overnight at Agra.
Day
07 Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho
Dep: 0800 Hrs Arr: 1025 Hrs
Upon arrival you will be received by our representative and start from Khajuraho
via Orchha. Stop at Orchha for sightseeing tours and lunch.
Orchha
Orchha's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy
to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and
the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries
retain much of their pristine perfection. Orchha was founded in the 16th century
by the Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, who chose this stretch of land
along the Betwa River as an ideal site for his capital. Of the succeeding rulers,
the most notable was Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo who built the exquisite Jehangir
Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris. From here the view of soaring
temple spires and cenotaphs is spectacular.
Complementing the noble proportions of their exteriors are interiors which represent
the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. In the Laxminarayan
Temple and Raj Mahal, vibrant murals encompassing a variety of religious and
secular themes, bring the walls and ceilings to rich life.
Full day city tour covering Jahangir Mahal - an impressive museum, Rajmahal
- the palace of superb murals, Phool Bagh - a cool summer retreat.
Orchha's fort complex, approached by a multi-arched bridge, has three palaces
set in an open quadrangle. The most spectacular of these are: after sightseeing
lunch at Orchha Resorts.
Later proceed for Khajuraho.
Orchha - Khajuraho 180 kms by road
In the temple architecture of India, the Khajuraho complex remains unique. One
thousand years ago, under the generous and artistic patronage of the Chandela
Rajput kings of Central India, 85 temples, magnificent in form and richly carved,
came up on one site, near the village of Khajuraho. The amazingly short span
of 100 years, from 950 AD - 1050 AD, saw the completion of all the temples,
in an inspired burst of creativity. Today, of the original 85, only 22 have
survived the ravages of time; these remain as a collective paean to life, to
joy and to creativity; to the ultimate fusion of man with his creator.
Why did the Chandelas choose Khajuraho or Khajirvahila - garden of dates, as
it was known then - as the site for their stupendous creations? Even in those
days it was no more than a small village. It is possible given the eclectic
patronage of the Chandelas and the wide variety of beliefs represented in the
temples, that they had the concept of forming a seat of religion and learning
at Khajuraho. It is possible that the Chandelas were also believers in the powers
of Tantrism; the cult which believes that the gratification of earthly desires
is a step closer to the attainment of the infinite. It is certain however, that
the temples represent the expression of a highly matured civilization.
Yet
another theory is that the erotica of Khajuraho, and indeed of other temples,
had a specific purpose. In those days when boys lived in hermitages, following
the Hindu law of being "brahmacharis" until they attained manhood, the only
way they could prepare themselves for the worldly role of 'householder' was
through the study of these sculptures and the earthly passions they depicted.
On arrival check in into hotel.
In the afternoon city tour of Western group of temples which includes Laxmi
& Varha Temples, Kandariya Mahadev, Devi Jagdamba temples.
The architectural style of the Khajuraho temples is very different from the
temple prototype of that period. Each stands, instead of within the customary
enclosure, on a high masonry platform. Combined with the upward direction of
the structure, which is further accentuated by vertical projections, the total
effect is one of grace and lightness, reminiscent of the Himalayan peaks. Each
of the chief compartments has its own roof, grouped in such a way that the highest
is in the centre, the lowest over the portico, a triumph of skill and imagination
in recreating the rising peaks of a range.
The temples of Khajuraho are divided into three geographical groups: Western,
Eastern and Southern.
The Western group is certainly the best known, because it is to this group that
the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple belongs: The Kandariya Mahadev.
Perfectly symmetrical, it soars 31 km high. Though the four temples that stand
at the corners of the main shrine are now in ruins, the main shrine has an exquisitely
carved entrance arch with a multitude of themes. Celestial beings, lovers serenading
musicians... movements captured in stone, frozen in time, yet retaining a quality
of warm, pulsating life. The very stone seems to have taken on the living, breathing
quality of the carved figures.
Beyond the archway of the Kandariya Mahadev, lie the six interior compartments;
the portico, main hall, transept, vestibule, sanctum and ambulatory. The ceilings
are particularly noteworthy and the pillars supporting them have intricately
carved capitals. The transept's outer walls have three horizontal panels showing
deities of the Hindu pantheon, and groups of lovers, a pageant of sensuousness,
vibrantly alive.
Also in the western group is the Chaunsat Yogini, the only granite temple in
the Khajuraho group. Dedicated to Kali, it is also unique in being quadrangular
in plan. Only 35 of the original 65 cells remain and no image of Kali has survived:
not surprisingly, since this is the earliest surviving shrine of the group dated
to 900 AD.
Overnight
at hotel.
Day 08 Khajuraho - Bandavgarh:
By Road 255 km in 8 hr (Bumpy drive)
Drive to Bandavgarh after early breakfast.
Bandavgarh is a new National Park with a very long history. Set among the Vindhya
hills of Madhya Pradesh with an area of 168sq miles (437sq km) it contains a
wide variety of habitats and a high density of game, including a large number
of Tigers. This is also the White tiger country. These have been found in the
old state of Rewa for Many years. Maharaja Martand Singh captured the last known
in 1951. This white Tiger, Mohun is now stuffed and on display in the Palace
of Maharaja of Rewa. Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandavgarh
had long been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve of the Maharaja of
Rewa. The Maharaja and his guests carried out hunting - otherwise the wildlife
was well protected. It was considered a good omen for Maharaja of Rewa to shoot
109 tigers. His Highness Maharaja Venkat Raman Singh shot 111 Tigers by 1914.
There are 32 hills in this part of the park, which has a large natural fort
at its center. The fort's cliffs are 2625 feet (800 meters) high, 1000 feet
(300 meters) above the surrounding countryside. Over half the area is covered
by Sal forest although on the upper slope it is replaced by mixed forest of
sal, saj, dhobin, and saja. Winter temperatures (Nov-mid-February) vary from
almost freezing at night to around 68 degree Fahrenheit in the daytime. Summer
nights are also cooler than the daytime temperatures, which rise to 104 degree
Fahrenheit. This park is closed during the breeding season, which coincides
with the monsoon (July-October). Rainfall in the park averages50 inches (120cm)
per year.
Bandavgarh has been a center of human activity and settlement for over 2000
years, and there are references to it in the ancient books, the Narad-Panch
Ratra and the Shiva Purana. Legend has it that Lord Rama, hero of the Hindu
epic, the Ramayana, stopped at Bandavgarh on his way back to his homeland after
defeating the demon King Ravana of Lanka. Two monkey architects, who had engineered
a bridge between the isle of Lanka and the mainland, are said to have built
Bandavgarh's Fort. Later Rama handed it over to his brother Lakshmana who became
known as Bandavdhish "The Lord of the Fort". Lakshmana is the particular God
of the fort and is regularly worshipped in a temple there.
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 BC. Various dynasties have ruled the fort, for example, the Maghas from
the 1st century AD, the Vakatakas from the 3rd century AD, From that time onwards
Bandavgarh was ruled by a succession of dynasties including the Chandela Kings
of Bundelkhand who built the famous temples at Khajuraho. The Baghel Kings,
the direct ancestors of the present Royal family of Rewa, established their
dynasty at Bandavgarh in the 12th century. It remained their capital till 1617
when the center of court life moved to Rewa, 75 miles (120Kms) to the north.
Without royal patronage Bandavgarh became more and more deserted until forest
overran the area and it became the royal hunting reserve.
This
helped to preserve the forest and its wildlife, although the Maharajas made
full use of their rights. Each set out to kill the auspicious number of 109
Tigers.
At independence Bandavgarh 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 was brought under control and the number of animals
rose dramatically. Small dams and water holes were built to solve the problem
of water shortage. Grazing by local cattle was stopped and the village within
the park boundaries was relocated. The Tigers in particular prospered and the
1986 extension provided much needed forest to accommodate them.
Bandavgarh is justifiably famous for its Tigers, but it has a wide range of
other game. The undergrowth is not as dense as in some northern Terai forests,
but the best time to see the park inhabitants is still the summer months when
water becomes more scarce and the undergrowth dies back.
Check in at the resort and overnight will be at Bandavgarh.
Day 9 Bandhavgarh
A full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)
Trip to the Bandavgarh Fort: The oldest fort in India - considered to be more
than 2500 years. One-hour trek up the fort is worth the effort. The charm of
this trek lies in discovering these monuments in the jungle, unspoiled and unexplored.
Some of the statues lie off the main path and so it is best to take a guide.
Apart from the avatars, well worth seeing are three small temples of around
the 12th century. These temples are deserted but the fort is still used as a
place of worship. Kabir Das, the celebrated 16th century saint, once lived and
preached here. The natural ramparts of the fort give breathtaking view of the
surrounding countryside. The fort still belongs to the Maharaja of Rewa and
permission is required to visit it. However permission is available locally
and no trip to Bandhavgarh is complete without making an effort to climb up
the fort. The staff of the resort carries your lunch while you are busy negotiating
the trek to the fort.
Morning till evening, see the wild life by jeeps and elephants etc, also visit
the fort said to have been built by Lord Rama, the hero of the great Indian
epic Ramayana.
Overnight at the resort.
Day 10 Bandhavgarh - Kanha
By Road 255 km in 6 hr
After breakfast drive to Kanha.
This is the place that has been described by RUDYARD KIPLING in his great book
"The Jungle Book". Located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National
Park is a tiger reserve that extends over an area of over 940 square km. A horseshoe
shaped valley bounded by the spurs of the Mekal presents an interesting topography.
Steep rocky escarpments along the edges offer breathtaking views of the valley.
Realizing the danger on the Tiger population in the country,
the Government started the "Project Tiger" at Kanha and in 1974 the area was
declared a Tiger reserve. The park is also the habitat of the high ground Barasingha.
In 1930s, the Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries - Hallon and Banjar
of 250kms to 300kms each. Though one of these was subsequently disbanded .The
area remained a protected one until 1947. Depletion of the tiger population
in the year that followed led to the area being made an absolute sanctuary in
1952.
Patient watching should reward the visitor, with a sight of Indian Fox, Sloth
bear, Striped hyena, Jungle cut, Lepord, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned
antelope, Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine Kanha has some 200 species of birds. Watchers
should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour
many species and in the grassy forest clearings. Water birds can be seen near
the park's many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water
birds and the area in front of the museum.
Excursion to Kawardha just east of the Maikala Range (up to 1100m) to the south
east of Kanha National Park, Kawardha is a small town in Chhattisgarh (34 forts)
region of M.P. In this remote area Maharaja Viswaraj Singh has recently opened
his palace to visitors. It provides a delightfully quite unspoiled contrast
with India's big cities and with the much busier tourist circuit of Rajasthan's
'palace circuit'. This town is in the center of the Baiga tribe, who live in
forest surrounding the town, and these are several eleventh century temples
in the immediate region.
Reach in the afternoon and relax at the resort.
Overnight at the Kanha Resort.
Day 11 Kanha National Park
A full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)
Overnight at the resort.
Day 12 Kanha - Nagpur:
By Road 250 km in 6 hr
Proceed for the morning safari into forest.
Proceed to Nagpur after lunch.
Nagpur popularly known as Orange Capital of India is also the second capital
of Maharashtra. The Gond King of Deogad, "Bakht Buland Shah" laid the city's
foundation in the year 1702. This city derived its name from the river Nag that
flows through it. Nagpur was the capital of Madhya Bharat State (C.P. and Berar)
after Indian independence and in 1960 the Marathi majority Vidarbha region was
merged with the new state of Maharashtra.
Check in hotel for wash and change.
Transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai.
Nagpur - Mumbai:
By Air
Flight Number : 9w- 116
Airlines : Indian Airlines
Aircraft : Boeing 737
Departure : 2105 Hrs
Stopover : Nil
Arrival : 2220 Hrs
Upon arrival you will be received by our representative.
Enjoy farewell dinner being hosted for you by us.
In time transferred to International terminal for flight to your international
connection back home.
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