Print Page E-mail this page to your friend !!

Grand Tour of Tigerland

Day 03: Kanha
Morning Jungle excursion to Kanha National Park by Jeeps and elephants.
Wildlife activity is at its height early in the day. To make the most of our time, tea and coffee are served each morning before departing. We have breakfast later in the field. Set on the Chota Nagpur Plateau, Kanha provides breathtaking vistas of grassy plains and stands of mixed sal/teak forest. The many streams are edged by large grovesof willowy bamboo. This vast 1000 sq Km preserve was not only set aside to protect the tiger, but to save theendangered barasingha as well. These beautiful deer are spectacular to watch as they graze in the forest meadows. In addition, Kanha is one of the best places in the world to view the secretive Indian Guar( Commonly Indian Bison) which is the largest cattle in the world and the rare Dhole or Indian Hunting Dog. While in Kanha, wildlife viewing is done from open 4x4 Open Vehicles and elephants. During breakfast each day, our guide finds out if and where the mahouts have spotted tiger. We then wait our turn to view the tiger by elephant back. We return to the resort each day for lunch, then return to the park mid-afternoon for additional game viewing opportunities.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 04: Kanha
A full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)
Overnight: Hotel

Day 05: Kanha - Bandhavgarh
After breakfast, drive to Bandhavgarh National Park ( 7 hours drive) . Our drive takes us through rural countryside and colorful towns and villages. Arrive at the Bandhavgarh National Park. On arrival checking into wildlife resort Dinner and overnight at the resort.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 06: Bandhavgarh
Set among the Vindhya Hills in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh consists of 800 sq kms of sal and mixed forest with large stretches of bamboo and grassland to the north. There is a dramatic natural fort at the park's center, 1,000 feet above the surrounding countryside. In addition to tigers, we hope to see gaur (Indian bison), chital, and chausingha (four-horned antelope). There are some 150 species of birds here including blue-bearded bee-eaters and white-browed fantails, and the Malabar Hornbill. Wildlife viewing is by open 4x4 Open Vehicle and elephant back. Boarding elephants is easy, and the cushioned platforms are very comfortable. Since most animals, including tiger, have little fear of elephants or the people mounted on them, this mode of transportation is ideal for wildlife viewing. There are morning and afternoon wildlife excursions each day and we have the option to visit the fort. A 35-foot statue of the reclining Vishnu, resting beside a rectangular pool of spring water, head the path to the imposing main gate. In addition to 10th century rock images of the incarnation of Vishnu, Bandhavgarh Fort offers breathtaking views and excellent game viewing.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 07: Bandhavgarh
A full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)
Overnight: Hotel

Day 08: Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho
Early morning after breakfast drive to Khajuraho. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 09: Khajuraho -Jhansi- Agra
Visit the world famous Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD. The most important are the Chaunset Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, The Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishvanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple, Visha Temple of Shiva, which is the largest & most typical of temples. Visit the Eastern group of temples that consist of the Parasvanath Temple - the only Jain Temple surviving at Khajuraho and has excellent sculptures on the outer walls of the Sanctum, the Javeri Temple dedicated to Vishnu. The other temples in this group are those dedicated to Brahma, Yamuna and Adinath.
Later in the afternoon transfer to the Jhansi railway station to catch train for Agra. On arrival, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 10: Agra -Fatehpur Sikri- Bharatpur
Early in the morning visit Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday) during sunrise. Built by the mighty Shah Jahan, the Taj is constructed of white marble inlaid with masterfully cut colored stones, some semi-precious. This mausoleum is one of the world's finest architectural wonders and the greatest monument to love ever built. and then visit the stunning Agra Fort. This massive ruin, however, is soon overshadowed by Taj Mahal.
Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later vist Agra.
Visit Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula & the massive Agra Fort. The elegant buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. The maze of the courtyards, mosques & private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. The Moti Masjid & other magnificent buildings reflect the skill of the ancient Indian architectsLater you will visit a marble gallery - the flagship store in Agra which offers an excellant range of white marble, fashionable wear & exotic wooden articles, truly a one stop shop!
Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri (Victory City). Built in 1569, the buildings, tombs, and palace are remarkable.
Arrive Keoladeo Ghana, is the site of a large marsh created in the 1700's by the Maharajah of Bharatpur for the purpose of putting on extravagant duck hunts. Today, the sanctuary is a World Heritage Site. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded within the 30-square kilometer reserve. It is not uncommon for birders to see more than 100 species in a day. We soon leave for a short glimpse of the National Park.
Check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 11: Bharatpur
Full day free to visit Bharatpur National Park.
Searching first in flat-bottomed boats and then via bicycle rickshaws, explore this avian spectacle. The birds seen are as colorful as their names - pintail ducks, red-crested pochards,, and open-billed, painted, and black-necked storks. Watching the fishing activities of the handsome pied kingfisher, common kingfisher, Purple heron and the sleek darter provides engaging moments. Also commonly seen are eight species of eagles and several species of falcon including the peregrine. In addition to birdlife, the park is well known for the opportunities it provides to observe Indian python, Indian porcupine, fishing cat, Indian civet, and three species of mongoose. Sambar and Chital Deer and Nilgai and Black buck are common antilopes found in the park.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 12: Bharatpur - Jaipur
After a last morning excursion at Keoladeo.
After a relaxed breakfast, drive west to the traditional Rajasthani city of Jaipur. Check into your hotel for an overnight stay. In the evening visit Choki Dhani.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 13: Jaipur - Delhi
City tour of Jaipur, the "Pink City,"
Visit honey comb pink and white-faced "Palace of the Winds," the magnificently ornate City Palace, and the incredible sherbet-yellow astronomical observatory, which operates through the use of the sun's shadows to identify the positions of the planets.In the morning, take a guided excursion through the Amber Fort and Raj Mahal Palace complex. Built by Raja Man Singh beginning in 1592, this ancient capital is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Enjoy a sturdy uphill ride to the palace atop a colorfully decorated elephant. In the palace, visit the Shila Mata Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kali in her aspect as the Goddess of War.
Later in the afternoon, drive back to Delhi. Check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 14: Delhi - Guwahati - Kaziranga
After breakfast transfer to Delhi airport to board flight for Guwhati. Gauhati, in the far eastern state of Assam. Upon arrival,you will be met and transferred to Kaziranga National Park by our representative. Check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
Drive from the city of Gauhati takes us east along the great and wide Brahmaputra River. It becomes apparent quickly that the people of Assam have a more pronounced Oriental influence than anywhere else we've visited. Assam is the biological crossroads for the flora and fauna of the Malay Peninsula, China, Himalayas, and the Indian subcontinent. Here, the forests are primarily tropical evergreen rather than the deciduous type found in dryer areas.

Kaziranga National Park is 470 square miles, centering around bottomlands covered by elephant grass savannahs. In the hills and along the small streams, dense forests grow with epiphytic orchids and ferns jutting from the trunks and branches of the great trees. Kaziranga was set aside to protect the great one-horned Asian rhinoceros. It is estimated that there are now less than 1,400 of these great beasts left in the wild, and more are found here than anywhere else. The thrill of breaking into a clearing on elephant -back and coming to within a few yards of one of these gray armored hulks is truly exhilarating. Wild Asian elephant herds are present within the grasslands of the park, as are large herds of barasingha, hog deer, and wild Asian buffalo. Bird Life is also very distinct and colorful such as rose breasted Parakeet, Kalij Pheasant, emerald dove, Imperial Pigeon, swamp francolin are come of the birds.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 15-16: Kaziranga
Spend the day at the national park where you can see some of the rare species. Here you will find the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite, Pallas's Fishing Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Grey-Headed Fishing Eagle, Himalayan Griffon, etc. Huge numbers of migratory birds descend on the parks lakes and marshy areas during winters, including Greylag Geese, Bar-Headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Gadwall, Falcated Duck, Red-Crested Pochard and Northern Shoveller.
Also visit the Tea Garden and walk though the Assames Village and see some silk weaving and silk moths.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 17: Kaziranga National Park - Guwahati - Delhi
After having breakfast,drive to Guwahati airport to board flight for Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi airport, you will be transferred to your hotel by our representative. Relax for the remaining part of the day.
Overnight : Hotel

Day 18: Delhi
Full day City tour of Old and new Delhi.
OLD DELHI - Visit Red Fort, built in 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan, Jama Masjid, one of the largest Mosque of India, Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, the cremation sites of Mahatama Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Also drive past Chandni Chowk, shopping centre of Old Delhi. Enjoy the cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a Visit Qutab Minar, Humayun's tomb, Lakshminarayan Temple, a modern Hindu Temple, Parliament House, Government Secretarial Building and Connaught place, the shopping centre of New Delhi.
Overnight : Hotel

Day 19: Delhi
This morning after breakfast transfer to Delhi International airport to board flight for your onward destination to back home with sweet and unforgettable memories of your "Grand Tour of Tigerland" tour escorted by Vardhman Vacations.
END OF OUR SERVICES