Day 01: Europe / Delhi

Arrive Delhi. Met upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon an orientation tour of Delhi visiting Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple and India Gate. Overnight stay at hotel.

India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its fold the ancient and the modern. One of the most historic capitals in the world, Delhi is a treasure trove that reveals the ultimate combination of tradition and trends. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11^th to 20^th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which have left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles. Its many-layered existence is tantalizing and can entice the curious traveller into a fascinating journey of discovery.

Day 02 : Delhi – Jaipur (258 kms / 5 hrs approx)

After breakfast,do a quick tour of Delhi to cover Old Delhi visit Rajghat & Shanti Vana (the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru), Jama Masjid and later drive to Jaipur, on arrival check-in hotel. The buildings in the old walled city are constructed in pink-coloured sandstone. Overnight in hotel.

Day 03: Jaipur

After breakfast leave for excursion to Amber Fort, enjoy elephant ride up the hill on which the fort is situated. Afternoon for further sightseeing of Jaipur. Overnight in hotel.

A Joy ride on elephants Back up to the Fort is real fun. Amer fort built in the 17th century, the Palace is a distinguished specimen of Rajput architecture. The Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory) is so delicately ornamented with find inlay work that it glows. The fort of Jaigarh, crowing the summit of a peak is of amazing beauty and grandeur. After visiting fort, drive back to city of Jaipur enroute visit Handicrafts factory / cottage industry – housing rajasthani handicrafts-, Gem stones and Antiques for which Jaipur is worldwide famous. Lunch at any restaurant, followed by city Tours drive past the pink city, visit City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Rajminder Theater.

Day 04 : Jaipur – Ranthambore (140 kms / 3 hrs approx.)

After breakfast drive to Ranthambore tiger reserve. Check into Jungle lodge. Afternoon park visit by Jeeps / Canter Vans. Overnight stay at jungle lodge.

Day 05: Ranthambore

Early morning visit to the reserve may bring you face to face with the tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Jackal, Crocodile and many species of birds and reptiles. Return to the resort for breakfast and rest. Again visit the reserve in the afternoon. Overnight stay at resort.

Day 06 : Ranthambore – Bharatpur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra (240 kms / 6 – 7 hrs approx.)

Early morning another drive inside the Park. Return to Jungle Lodge for breakfast and leave for Agra, enroute stop at Keoladeo Ghana Bird sanctuary –formerly known as Bharathpur Bird Sanctuary and Fatehpur Sikri. .Arrive Agra. Overnight in hotel.

Bharatpur- The ‘Eastern Gateway to Rajasthan’, was founded by Maharaja Suraj Mal in 1733 AD, it was once an impregnable well-fortified city, carved out of the region formerly known as Mewat. The place was named as Bharatpur after the name of Bharat, the brother of Lord Rama, whose other brother Laxman was worshipped as the family deity of the Bharatpur. The legends say the rulers Laxman’s name is engraved on the state arms and the seals. Over 230 species of birds which include highly endangered birds such as the Siberian Crane are known to have made the National Park their home. It is also a major tourist centre with scores of ornithologists arriving here in the hibernal season. It was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971. It is also a declared World Heritage Site.One can visit the park only through cycle rickshaw.

Day 07 : Agra

After early breakfast visit the world famous Taj Mahal, Agra fort and Tomb of Itmad – ud- daula. Evening free at leisure. Overnight in hotel.

Agra – globally renowned as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Taj Mahal,a symphony in white marble, a tribute to eternal love, it was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary craft persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes.

Day 08: Agra – Jhansi (Train) – Orchha – Khajuraho

Early morning after breakfast transfer to the Agra Cantt railway station for train to Jhansi (dep: 0815 Arr: 1040 hrs.) On arrival transfer to Orchha for lunch. Short tour of Orchha visiting Sheesh mahal and Cenotaphs. Later proceed to Khajuraho (172 kms / 4 – 5 hrs approx). On arrival check-in hotel for overnight stay.

Orchha City Details: Raj Mahal, the first palace within the Orccha citadel was built by Raja RudraPratap, but completed by his successor, Madhukar Shah. Rani-ka-Mahal, built for Madhukar Shah’s wife, is of notable interest. Her ornate bedroom was decorated with beautiful murals depicting scenes from Ramayana and various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Jehangir Mahal built by Bir Singh Deo is probably the most striking palace in Orchha with its elegant hanging balconies, countless windows with stone pierced screens and a beautiful gateway decorated with turquoise tiles. It was built in honour of Mughal emperor Jehangir during his visit to Orchha. The painted palace of Rai Praveen Mahal was built for the beautiful courtesan and poetess, Rai Praveen, by Raja Indramani, who had great affection for her. Sheesh Mahal built in the 18^th century has little of its past splendour, but offers sweeping views of the town from the terraces. It’s a heritage hotel now.Many havelis dot the town of Orchha, of which Dauji-ki-haveli significantly stands out. Among the temples, Laxmi Narayan Temple and Chatturbhuj Temple are quite famous. While the former temple has elaborate murals in typical Orchha style, the latter is the largest temple complex in the town. A cluster of 14 cenotaphs or chattris of the kings of Orchha on the riverbanks of Betwa are best viewed from across the bridge. There is also the Martyr’s Memorial of Chandrashekhar Azad, the great hero of the Indian independence struggle, near the fort.

Day 09 : Khajuraho

Full day for city tour of Khajuraho visiting eastern & western group of temples. These temples are superb example of Indo-Aryan architecture constructed by Chandella rulers in the 10th century A.D. they have a fantastic range of sculptures including sensous and erotic themes north block temples.Also visit South block temples. Overnight in hotel.

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. 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. 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.

Day 10: Khajuraho – Bandhavgarh (270 kms / 7 hrs approx.)

Morning after an early breakfast drive to Bandhavgarh (270 kms / 7 hrs approx). Evening arrive Bandhavgarh and check into forest lodge for overnight stay.

Day 11 : Bandhavgarh

Morning and afternoon jungle safaris to visit the park for game viewing. The park is spread in an area of 169 sq. kms with an average height of 454 m. The animals found here are Tiger, Panther, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Barking Deer, Nilgai Indian Gaur, Wild Boar. Overninght at jungle lodge.

Bandhavagarh National Park derives its name from the most prominent hillock of the area, which is said to be given by Hindu Lord Rama to his brother Lakshmana to keep a watch on Lanka (Ceylon). Hence the name Bandhavgarh means Brother’s Fort.This park has a large biodiversity. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is one of the highest known in India. The park has a large breeding population of leopards, and various species of deer. Maharaja Martand Singh of Rewa captured the first white tiger in this region in 1951. This white tiger, Mohan, is now stuffed and on display in the palace of the Maharajas of Rewa.

Day 12: Bandhavgarh – Kanha (265 kms / 7 hrs approx.)

Morning Jungle safari. Breakfast and later drive to Kanha (265 kms 8 hrs approx). Evening arrive Kanha and check into forest lodge for overnight stay.

Day 13: Kanha

Morning and afternoon jungle safaris. Kanha National Park is one of Asia’s largest and finest parks. It is spread in an area of 1945 sq kms with the elevations ranging from 448 m to 893 m. An elevation known as ‘Bamhidadar’ (840 m) offers a comprehensive view of the national park. Two major rivers the Banjar and the Halon flow through the park. The animals found here are Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Nilgai etc. Overnight stay at the forest lodge.

Kanha Tiger Reserve abounds in meadows which are basically open grasslands that have sprung up in fields of abandoned villages, evacuated to make way for the animals. Kanha meadow is one such example. Dense forested zones with good crown cover has abundant species of climbers, shrubs and herbs flourishing in the understory. Aquatic plants in numerous lakes are life line for migratory and wetland species of birds. The park has a significant population of Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards, the sloth bear, Barasingha and Indian wild dog.

Day 14: Kanha – Jabalpur (150 kms / 4 hrs approx.) / Delhi (Flight)

Early morning visit Kanha National Park again. After breakfast drive to Jabalpur.If time permits visit Marble rocks with boat ride on Narmada River and Chausath yogini temple. You will be transferred to Jabalpur Airport to connect your flight to Delhi.On arrival in Delhi,transfer to an airport hotel for wash & change.Later transfer to International airport to connect your flight home.