= Journeys Featuring AKP Projects
Central India | Temples & Tigers
 Excellent wildlife spotting opportunities |
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Click to download PDF itinerary:
13 days / 12 nights
| Location | Nights |
| Delhi | 2 |
| Varanasi | 1 |
| Khajuraho | 2 |
| Bandhavagrah National Park | 3 |
| Kanha National Park | 2 |
| Mumbai | 2 |
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
A friendly A&K welcome to the Indian capital.
Taj Mahal New Delhi (Deluxe Room)
Day 02 Design Your Day Delhi
Map your own exploration of this bustling city. Choose two of the following activities. Join foreign correspondent and author, Satish Jacob, as he introduces you to his Old Delhi on a morning walk; Tour the leafy avenues of New Delhi or visit Deepalaya, a local A&K Philanthropy sponsored primary school (B).
Taj Mahal New Delhi (Deluxe Room)
Day 03 Delhi – Varanasi
*Fly to the spiritual heart of India, the holy Hindu city of Varanasi. This afternoon visit the Buddhist city of Sarnath before a private boat cruise on the Ganges River at sunset and witness the grand evening aarti ceremony held at Daswamedh Ghat to worship the sacred river (B).
Nadesar Palace (Palace Room)
Day 04 Varanasi – Khajuraho
Early morning cruise on the Ganges River at sunrise. Fly to Khajuraho, once the great capital of the Chandela dynasty, and now a sleepy town with some of the most magnificent temples in all of India (B).
The Lalit Temple View (Garden View Room)
Day 05 Khajuraho
A full day of touring in this temple town. Marvel at the intricate stone work of the 21 temples dating to the 10th and 11th centuries depicting battles, banquets, musicians and erotic figures (B).
The Lalit Temple View (Garden View Room)
Day 06 Khajuraho – Bandhavgarh National Park
After breakfast leave Khajuraho for the long journey into tiger territory as you travel by road to Bandhavgarh National Park (7 hours). Originally the private hunting reserve of the Maharaja of Rewa, Bandhavgarh was given national park status in 1968 and is now one of the best places on earth to spot the Royal Bengal Tiger (B,L,D).
Mahua Kothi (Cottage)
Days 07 – 08 Bandhavgarh National Park
Two days of discovery with early morning and late afternoon game drives on offer. Your expert safari guide will introduce you to the park and help you recognise the different alarm calls that mean a predator is nearby! During your stay you may also have the opportunity to safari on elephant back, enjoy a cultural walk or a bicycle trip to nearby villages (B,L,D).
Mahua Kothi (Cottage)
Day 09 Bandhavgarh National Park – Kanha National Park
After an early morning game drive in the park, drive through the rugged, yet scenic landscape to Kanha National Park (6 hours), a Project Tiger reserve (B,L,D).
Banjaar Tola (Cottage)
Day 10 Kanha National Park
A final day on safari with early morning and late afternoon game drives. As well as tiger, Kanha is also home to leopard, jackal, stripped hyena and the highly endangered barasingha (swamp deer). With over 200 recorded bird species, Kanha is also a birdwatcher’s paradise (B,L,D).
Banjaar Tola (Cottage)
Day 11 Kanha – Nagpur – Mumbai
After lunch transfer to Nagpur for your evening *flight to Mumbai (B,L).
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Mumbai (Luxury Grand City/pool View Room)
Day 12 Design Your Day Mumbai
A vibrant and cosmopolitan city, plan your day to suit. Choose one of the following activities. A city orientation tour visiting the colossal Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan Museum showcasing the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi, and the colourful Dhobi Ghats, Mumbai’s unique outdoor laundry. Or a walking tour taking in the fresh produce stalls at Crawford Market and the city’s colonial buildings. Or visit the ornate 8th century cave temples at Elephanta Island by boat (B).
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Mumbai (Luxury Grand City/pool View Room)
Day 13 Depart Mumbai
This morning is at leisure. A private transfer to the airport completes the journey (B).
*Flights not included in pricing.
& Stay two additional nights at any of the Taj Safaris lodges and receive the third night on a complimentary basis with all meals. Valid for travel to 30 June 2010.
Optional Extensions
Choose to combine your journey with one of A&K’s fantastic extensions. Not to be missed, these additions are specially selected by our travel consultants.
Haggling at Thieves Market!
Whilst in Mumbai, visit the Chor Bazaar, affectionately called the ‘Thieves Market’. Once a market for stolen goods, today it offers an eclectic mix of goods, ranging from Ming vases to crystal chandeliers and old English tea sets. Brush up on your bartering skills and be prepared to bargain hard!
Mahua Kothi
This intimate 12 suite lodge is located in the Bandhavgarh National Park which supports one of the highest densities of tiger in India. Twice-daily jungle safaris accompanied by trained naturalists are on offer with elephant safaris, guided nature walks, picnics, cultural walks and cycling through villages also available.
The hilly open terrain of Bandhavgarh includes large grasslands which offer good chances of tiger sightings. In addition, it also supports a large variety of mammals: leopard, gaur (Indian Bison), chital (spotted deer), Sambar deer, dhole, nilgai, wild boar, chinkara, sloth bear, rhesus macaque, black faced langur, jungle cat, hyena, porcupine, jackal, fox, and wild dog.
