TIGERS OF CENTRAL INDIA AND TAJ MAHAL

Tour Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days

An ideal tour for a Wildlife enthusiast, giving you ample opportunities for Tiger sightings at three of Central India’s most famous Tiger Reserves, Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh.  In addition, this holiday also includes a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra, and you also get to spend time in India’s capital, the historically rich yet extremely modern  city of Delhi.
Day 01 – Arrive Delhi
You will be met at the airport by Pan India Tourism representative and transferred to the hotel and assisted with check in formalities. 

Delhi is the capital of India, and its third largest city.  Delhi consists of two parts – New Delhi, the city created in 1911 as the imperial capital of India by the British and the Old Delhi, the Muslim capital of India between the 17th and 19th centuries. In fact there have been at least eight cities on the site of modern Delhi – the earliest known settlement, Indraprastha, featured in the epic Mahabharata over 3000 years ago. Though not always the capital, Delhi has always been an important city of northern region of the subcontinent. 

Overnight in Delhi.
Day 02 – In Delhi
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi.  Tour includes visits to the following places of interest:

Red Fort: Derived from a Hindi word Lal, which means red and Quila which means fort. It is laid out along the river Yamuna as an irregular octagon, surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 kms in circumference and is built of red sandstone. Shah Jahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. The fort has two main entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori Gate, which faces the famed Chandni Chowk market. The fort has Diwan – e – Am (hall for public audience); Diwan – e – Khas (hall for private audience); Rang Mahal (a water-cooled apartment of royal ladies); Pearl mosque, built of white marble. 

Jama Masjid: In Old Delhi, an architectural extravaganza of Shah Jahan, is the country’s largest mosque where thousands of Muslims offers prayers even today. It was built in 1658. The flight of stairs and its large courtyard are marvels of architecture. 

Chandni Chowk (Silver Street): It is the colourful main street and shopping bazaar of Old Delhi and is today one of the country’s best known wholesale market for textiles, electronic goods and watches.  The entire area was designed by Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan’s favourite daughter and was then inhabited by the well-to-do families of the time. Around the area is the famed Paranthawale Gali, known for its delicious paranthas, Dariba Kalan, the gold market and well-known sweetmeats shops. 

Raj Ghat : On the banks of river Yamuna, a simple square  platform of black marble marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. A commemorative ceremony takes place each Friday, the day he was killed.

Birla Mandir: Close to Connaught Place, it was built by the industrialist Raja Baldev Birla in 1938.  The temple is an important prayer site and contains idols of several deities.

India Gate:  This 42 meter high, free standing arch was built in 1931.It was originally called All India War Memorial in the memory of the 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in World War I. The names of the soldiers are inscribed all along the walls of the arch.  In 1971, the eternal flame was lit here to honour the Amar Jawan (Immortal Soldier).

Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s House): It is the official residence of President of the country. Designed by Lutyens, it was the official residence of the Viceroy when the British ruled India. 

Humayun’s Tomb: It was built by Haji Begum (widow of Humayun) in 1565 – 66, nine years after his death. 

Qutub Minar: This magnificent structure in the southern part of the capital was built by the Muslim King; Qutab – ud – din Aibak in 1199 A.D. Minar (tower) is 72.5 meters high and has as its base a mosque.

Bahai’s Temple: It is a very recent architectural marvel of the Bahai faith and is visible from several spots in South Delhi. It is a lotus shaped and has rightly been given the name.

Overnight in Delhi.
Day 03 -  Fly Delhi – Nagpur  &  Drive Nagpur -  Pench (80 kms / 1.5 hrs)
After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will be met by our representative and assisted with check-out formalities. You will then be transferred to the airport in time to board flight for Nagpur

You will be met at the Nagpur airport by our representative and then will drive to Pench.

Pench National Park - is one of the more recent parks to open to tourism and came under the umbrella of Project Tiger in 1992. Having had virtually no visitors in the past, the wildlife here is incredibly varied and visible as it is so unused to intruders. A very beautiful area, much of the vegetation comprises teak forest and open grassland in undulating terrain, at the foot of the Satpura Range. Drained by the Pench and Wainganga Rivers, it is a green and fertile area for several months of the year and provides a perfect habitat for over 22 species of mammal, including sloth bear, leopard, tiger, deer and over 280 species of birds. 

On arrival in Pench , check in to your Resort 

Later afternoon, Game ride into the Pench National Park.  Safaris in Pench are conducted using Jeeps.  Short Elephant rides are also available, for tiger viewing.  Resident Naturalists are also at hand, to enhance your safari experience.  

Overnight in Pench. 
Day 04 -  In Pench
Morning and Afternoon Game rides into the Pench National Park.  Safaris in Pench are conducted using Jeeps.  Short Elephant rides are also available, for tiger viewing.  Resident Naturalists are also at hand, to enhance your safari experience.  

Overnight in Pench. 
Day 05 - Drive Pench – Kanha (250 kms/05 hrs.)
The day starts early with a morning game safari  into the Pench National Park. Safaris in Pench are conducted using Jeeps.  Short Elephant rides are also available, for tiger viewing.  Resident Naturalists are also at hand, to enhance your safari experience.  

Later, you will drive to Kanha.

Kanha National Park:  Kanha National Park is one of the largest National Parks in Asia,and one of the nine original reserves of Project Tiger in 1973.It now boasts the largest population of Tiger in India. The preservation of the barasingha (swamp deer) is one of the park's other success stories, with its population having increased seven-fold in the past 40 years. It is a pretty park with clearly defined areas and a hugely varied topography which comprises hilly areas, thick forest and open meadowland, all of which offer habitat to a wide variety of animals such as chital (spotted deer), langur monkeys, wolves and the elusive leopard.

On arrival in Kanha, check in to your Resort.

Overnight in Kanha.
Day 06  – In Kanha
Morning and Afternoon Game rides into the Kanha National Park.  Safaris in Kanha are conducted using Jeeps.  Short Elephant rides are also available, for tiger viewing.  Resident Naturalists are also  at hand, to enhance your safari experience. 

Overnight in Kanha. 
Day 07 -  Drive Kanha – Bandhavgarh (325 kms/07 hrs
The day starts early with a morning game safari into the Kanha National Park. Safaris in Kanha are conducted using Jeeps.  Short Elephant rides are also available, for tiger viewing.  Resident Naturalists are also at hand, to enhance your safari experience.  

Later, you will drive to Bandhavgarh.

Bandhavgarh:  Bandavgarh, famous for its white tigers, is a comparatively new National Park, with a lovely fort in the middle of it. With its hills, sal forests, and open grasslands, the park harbours a multitude of game, from Rhesus macaques, jungle cats, hyenas to nilgai, blackbuck etc. The park offers varied habitats to over 22 species of mammal and over 250 bird species.

On arrival in Bandhavgarh, check in to your Resort.

Overnight in Bandhavgarh.
Day 08 -  In Bandhavgarh
Morning and Afternoon Game rides into the Bandhavgarh National Park.  Safaris in Bandhavgarh  are conducted using Jeeps.  Short Elephant rides are also available, for tiger viewing.  Resident Naturalists are also at hand, to enhance your safari experience.  

Overnight  in Bandhavgarh.
Day 09 - Overnight train Bandhavgarh  - Agra
The day starts early with a morning game safari into the Bandhavgarh National Park.  Safaris in Bandhavgarh are conducted using Jeeps.  Short Elephant rides are also available, for tiger viewing.  Resident Naturalists are also at hand, to enhance your safari experience.

Early evening ,  drive to Umaria (nearest railway station from Bandhavgarh), and board an overnight train to Agra (2055 / 1015 hrs). 

Overnight on board train.
Day 10 - Arrive Agra
You will be met at Agra Railway Station by our representative and transferred to hotel and assisted with check in formalities

Agra: Agra, situated on the bank of Yamuna River, is home to India’s most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. Agra was the capital of Mughal Empire in the 16th & 17th centuries and its superb monuments date from this era.

Later in the afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken for a guided sightseeing tour of Agra. Tour includes visits following places of interest:

Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaj Mahal who died during the birth of her child in 1631. The construction is said to have taken 22 years to complete, starting from 1631, with over 20,000 craftsmen working round the clock. Artisans and experts were brought from France and Italy and the main architect was from Iran. 

Agra Fort: Construction of the massive red sandstone Agra Fort on the bank of Yamuna river was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and it was to be predominantly a military structure until his grandson, Shah Jahan, added more palatial accommodations. There are a number of exquisite buildings within its portals such as Samman Burj, where Shah Jahan was held captive by his son, Moti Masjid, a white marble mosque, Diwan – e – Am,  Diwan – e – Khas, Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal and Shish Mahal. 

Overnight in Agra.
Day 11 - Drive Agra – Delhi (220 kms/04 hrs) and depart Delhi
After leisurely breakfast at hotel, you will be met by our representative and assisted with check out formalities. You will then start your drive to Delhi's International Airport in time for your flight home.

Period	Standard	Luxury
01st Oct to 30th June	US$ 1992 Per Pax	US$ 5707 Per Pax
Domestic Air Fare	US$ 160 Per Pax	US$ 160 Per Pax
Cities	Standard	Luxury
Delhi	The Claridges	The Imperial
Pench	Pench Jungle Camp	Taj Safaris Baghvan
Kanha	Shergarh	Taj Safaris Banjaar Tola
Bandhavgarh	Tiger Den	Taj Safaris Mahua Kothi
Agra	Trident	The Oberoi Amarvilas

Small supplements may apply for travel between 23rd October and 30th October, 05th November and 20th November, 20th December and 05th January and during the month of February. 
Note: All the figures quoted above are nett Per Pax in US Dollars.

Inclusions:

• Accommodation on twin sharing, FULL Board basis (EXCEPT in Delhi and Agra where it is on bed & breakfast basis) in the selected categories of hotels / Lodges.
• Ground transportation as mentioned in the itinerary using an air-conditioned car.
• Sightseeing tours/Game rides as per the above itinerary alongwith an English speaking guide/Naturalist and including entrance fees to the monuments / parks.
• AC II Tier Sleeper class train tickets from Umaria to Agra.