India!

Culture, Birds,

Tigers & More!
(Including Assam!)

18 Days / 15 Nights

India!  The land that evokes flights of imagination and curiosity, a canvas of spectacle and color.  Ruled by a succession of native kingdoms, and often overrun and inhabited by invading armies of Central Asian origin, followed by the Mughals and finally the British, transformation has been never-ending, and the results are deeply and visibly etched in today’s milieu.  A profusion of races and cultures, and the magnitude of their legacies, are evident today.  This extensive journey takes the traveler along a richly historic route, full of lore and splendor, punctuated by photographic attractions, and features varied sightseeing and sojourns in historic places.  In addition to the historic highlights of this ancient country, including the historic city of Delhi, Agra (home to the ethereal Taj Mahal), and Khajuraho (well-known for its magnificent temples), this journey experiences a wide variety of fauna!  Bharatpur, a bird sanctuary with over 300 species; Bandhavgarh National Park, with one of the largest concentrations of tigers in all of India; Kanha National Park, for its all the astonishing diversity in its wildlife population; and Kaziranga, the only home of the Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros, along with elephants and a variety of other wildlife.

Sample Group Itinerary 

Day 1  -  Depart USA

Day 2  -  Arrive Delhi
Evening arrival at the Delhi airport, where we are met and transferred to our hotel.  The Residence.

Day 3  -  Delhi
After breakfast at the hotel, a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi is planned for today.  In Old Delhi, we visit the Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, and the Red Fort.  In New Delhi we visit the Qutub Minar, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President’s Residence, and drive through the Diplomatic area, and a stop for shopping.  Overnight in Delhi. The Residence.  (BLD)

DAY 4  - Delhi- Bharatpur
After breakfast, drive to Bharatpur (5 hrs drive).  Keoladeo National Park (previously known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary).
If the Taj Mahal is a "rhapsody in marble" then definitely Keoladeo is a "ballad of birds."  Located at the confluence of Gambhir and Banganga rivers, and spread over a wide area of shallow lakes and woodlands, Keoladeo National Park provides shelter to over 300 avian species, particularly during winter when the resident numbers multiply as a result of migrants.  The freshwater swamp with the picturesque Kadam trees, stands of Acacia, and profuse aquatic vegetation, is a habitat of various living organisms, which serve as food for the different species of animals. Two-thirds of the birds listed in Keoladeo are land birds while one-third of the species are water birds. Pintails, teals, mallards, pochards, geese, coots, storks, curlews and sandpipers can be seen in the lake; the heronry at Keoladeo is indeed one of the finest in the world, with 14 species nesting and breeding in the Park.  On arrival at Bharatpur, check into our hotel.  Evening bird watching trip into park.  Overnight at Bharatpur.  Laxmi Vilas Palace Hotel.  (BLD)

Day 5  -  Bharatpur - Agra
An early orning bird watching trip takes us into the park by rickshaw.
After breakfast, we drive to Agra.  En route we'll visit the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri  - The Red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built as his capital and palace in the late 16th century.  We also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
We proceed to Agra, and check into our hotel.  Later sightseeing will include the Agra Fort, the Mausoleum of Itmad-Ud-Daulah & the Taj Mahal at sunset.  Orient Taj Hotel.  (BLD)

Day 6  -  Agra – Jhansi – Orchha – Khajuraho 
A morning train takes us to Jhansi, and we proceed to nearby Orchha.  Sightseeing at Orchha sites within the Fort Complex.  After lunch we continue with a drive to Khajuraho.  On arrival in Khajuraho, we check-in at our hotel.  The evening is free, or a visit can be planned to the Sound & Light Show, a spectacular narration of the life and history of the Chandela rulers who built the magnificent temples of Khajuraho, besides other interesting stories related to the temples.  Overnight in Khajuraho. Radisson Jass Hotel.  (BLD)

 Day 7  -  Khajuraho – Bandhavgarh
This morning we’ll explore Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and better known as the Temple Town.  Famed for its magnificent Jain and Hindu temples, along with intricate stone sculptures, Khajuraho remains the epitome of the temple architectural style and aesthetic sensibility.  Of the 85 beautiful temples, only 22 have survived the ravages of time.  Made of sandstone blocks fitted together, these erotic temples remain as a collective glorification of life, love and joy, to the spirit of creativity and human relationships.  Lunch, followed by and afternoon drive to Bandhavgarh.  On arrival we check-in at the Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge to begin the tiger segment of our journey.  The Lodge is based on a unique theme of an Indian Village.  It is tastefully developed with a low impact on the land and the environment, and located close to Bandhavgarh National Park.  The Park covers 168 square miles, with large stretches of Bamboo and Grassland.  We are likely to see the Tiger, Chital, and Chansingha.  This Park also has some 150 species of birds, including the Blue Bearded Bee Eater, White Browed Fantail, and the Malabar Hornbill. Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge.  (BLD)

Days 8 & 9-  Bandhavgarh
Each morning you’ll have an early wake-up call with a knock on your room door and Tea/Coffee.  You’ll wake up to misty mornings and sounds of birds calling, which will make an exciting start to your day.  As soon as dawn breaks, we leave for our Jungle Safari, accompanied by a resident naturalist and forest park guides in 4 X 4 Jeeps.  Early morning is the best time for tracking the tiger and other wildlife. “Sher Darshan” or a “Tiger Show” offers you the chance to see a Royal Bengal tiger up close from elephant back (subject to availability), if you are lucky!
Elephant Ride: The Forest Department has devised an ingenuous system of tracking the tiger at this Park.  Every day, early in the morning, elephants and their "Mahouts" (drivers) are sent out into the jungle, in search of the Tiger. Once it has been sighted, a radio message is flashed to the Forest Ranger, who in turn informs the visitors in their jeeps, who are then taken on elephant-back, into the bush, to see the elusive Tiger. After the safari, we return to the lodge and have breakfast.
Rest of the morning at leisure, go for a nature walk, or visit to nearby village/school.
During our stay at Bandhavgarh, we’ll have an optional excursion to see the imposing fort that is located inside the sanctuary. This Fort, or “Garh,” from which the park gets its name, is fascinating and involves a relatively easy climb to the temple located on its summit, dedicated to Lord Rama. The view from here is equally fascinating.
Lunch and afternoon safari by 4x4 jeep accompanied by resident naturalist and forest guide.  Return to lodge for evening tea and rest of time free to relax.  Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge.  (BLD Daily)

Day 10  -  Bandhavgarh – Kanha
Early morning jungle safari by 4x4 Jeep accompanied by a resident naturalist and forest guide.  Return to the lodge for breakfast.  Then we depart and drive to Kahna.  On arrival in the afternoon, we check-in at the Kahna Jungle Lodge.  The Lodge is located close to the Kanha National Park, a 366 square mile preserve set up to save two endangered species – the Tiger and the Barasingha.  While on safari the next two days, we also have the possibility of seeing the Swamp Deer, Black Buck, Chital, Indian Bison, Barking Deer, Sambar and Leopard.  Balance of the day at leisure.  Kanha Jungle Lodge. (BLD)

Days 11 & 12  -  Kahna
Early each morning, a wake-up call with a knock on your room door and Tea/Coffee. As soon as dawn breaks, leave for your Jungle Safari, accompanied by a resident naturalist and forest park guides in 4x4 Jeeps.  A picnic breakfast will be served in the middle of the Jungle with a cup of hot Tea or Coffee.  Rest of the morning at leisure or to go for nature walk, visit a nearby village/school, or engage yourself in a cooking demonstration.
Lunch and afternoon safaris by 4x4 open jeep.
Return to lodge for evening tea and rest of time free for star gazing.  Kanha Jungle Lodge.  (BLD Daily)

Day 13  -  Kahna – Raipur - Kolkata
Early morning game drive in the jungle.  After an early lunch, we proceed on a 5-hour drive to Raipur to board a flight for Kolkata.  On arrival at Kolkata, we are met and transferred to our hotel.  Hotel Hindusthan International.  (BLD)

Day 14  -   Kolkata - Guwahati - Kaziranga
After breakfast, transfer to airport to board flight for a morning flight to Guwahati. On arrival at Guwahati, we begin our 5-hour drive to Kaziranga National Park, famous as the only natural habitat of the Great Indian Rhinoceros.
KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK  - The National Park covers about 165 Square Miles, bordered on the north by the Brahmaputra River and on the south by the Karbi Anglong hills. The largest number of one-horned rhinoceros in the world roams its swamps, grasslands with tall thickets of elephant grass and areas of mixed deciduous and tropical semi-evergreen forest.  It is home to a wide variety of other animals and birds, and the open vistas make it relatively easy to see many species of wildlife in a day.
FAUNA - As well as the Indian rhino, the Park contains about 35 major mammals, including wild elephants, tigers, a small population of hoolock gibbon, capped langur, bristly hare, hog badger, otter, leopard, wild boar, sambar, swamp deer, hog deer, muntjac, water buffalo and gaur.  Among the rich birdlife are the rare greater adjutant stork, Bengal florican, black-necked stork, lesser adjutant stork, Pallas's fish eagle, swamp partridge, grey peacock-pheasant, great pied hornbill, green imperial pigeon, babblers and thousands of migratory birds, seasonally attracted to the various water areas of the park from as far away as Siberia.  Overnight at Kaziranga.   Wild Grass Resort.  (BLD).

Days 15 & 16  -   Kaziranga
Morning and evening jungle safaris in Kaziranga National Park by 4x4 open jeep or elephant.
During our visit to Kazirange, we'll also visit the Tea Gardens and local villages.  Wild Grass Resort.  (BLD Daily)

Day 17  -  Kaziranga - Guwahati - Delhi - Depart
After breakfast we drive back to the Guwahati airport for our flight to Delhi.  On arrival in Delhi late this afternoon, we are met and transferred to our hotel, where day-rooms will be provided.  Late night transfer from the hotel to the airport for our departure from Delhi near midnight. Ashok Country Resort (Day-Rooms) (B,L)

Day 18 -  Arrive USA
We arrive back in the USA today, full of memories and a new understanding of the culture, birds, tigers, and other wildlife of India!

Included Meal Codes:
B  -  Breakfast
L  -  Lunch
D  -  Dinner.

Tour Price Includes:   
  -  Round trip private transfers airports/hotels in India 
  -  15 Nights Accommodation as described (or similar) with private facilities, based on double occupancy 
  -  Day-rooms near Delhi Airport on the final evening in India
  -  Most Meals (as indicated) 
  -  Appropriate ground transportation
  -  Internal air and train transportation within India
  -  Services of a professional English speaking Tour Escort/Naturalist throughout from arrival in Delhi until departure from Delhi
  -  Local guides in Delhi, Agra, Orchha & Khajuraho, and resident naturalists at National Parks 
  -  Jeep safaris/elephant safaris as described in the itinerary, inclusive of applicable entrance fees
  -  Mineral water during drives and sightseeing, and with all meals
  -  Assistance at airports/railway stations and at the time of check-in/check-out at hotelshotels
  -  All tips to local guides, hotels, airports, train stations, baggage handling, etc. (except to Tour Escort/Naturalist)
  -  Applicable local and government taxes on accommodation and transportation. 

Tour Price Does Not Include:
  -  International Airfare
  -  Fuel Surcharges, and other fees applicable to the airfare
  -  Tips to the Indian Tour Escort/Naturalist
  -  Excess baggage fees
  -  Drinks with meals (other than mineral water)
  -  Anything ordered from room service, including mineral water
  -  Optional tours, including the Sound & Light Show in Khajuraho, and the tour of Bandhavgarh Fort
  -  Items of a personal nature, such as telephone calls, internet access fees, laundry, etc.
  -  Travel Insurance.

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