Wildlife Tours of India – Madhya Pradesh

On arrival at the Indira Gandhi International airport, New Delhi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Delhi is a city full of life, with an astounding history and a bright future. Your two nights here will give you small taste of life in India’s capital city. Delhi is divided into new and old parts – and you will have a chance to see both during your time here.

Discover Old Delhi this morning, with a guided sightseeing tour. The former centre of Mughal Power, Old Delhi is full of ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Some of the key attractions in Delhi you will see include Jama Masjid – the greatest mosque in India arguably – Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and the busy lanes of Shahjahanabad and the spice market.

In the afternoon you’ll tour New Delhi, with a drive past the stately government buildings of the British era, including the Presidential Palace. End the tour at the ancient observatory of Qutab Minar.

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Jabalpur and driven on to Kanha National Park (4 hours).

Kanha is one of the largest national parks in India, extending over 1945 sq kms of undulating country, which includes a core area of 940 sq kms. Elevations range from 450 to 900 meters. The setting of Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’, it is a beautiful area of forest and lightly wooded grassland with many rivers and streams, and it supports an excellent variety of wildlife. Kanha Tiger Reserve was created in the core area of the park under the Project Tiger programme in 1974.

Kanha has some 22 species of mammals. The most easily spotted are the stripped palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig, chital or spotted deer, barasingha or swamp deer, sambhar and black buck. Less commonly seen species are tiger, Indian hare, dhole or Indian wild dog, barking deer and gaur or Indian bison. Other animals found in the park are Indian fox, sloth bear, striped hyena, jungle cat, panther, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, porcupine and wolf.

Kanha has some 200 species of birds. Bird-watchers should station themselves in the hills where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour many species. Water birds can be seen near the park’s many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water birds. Early mornings and late afternoons are best for bird watching. The commonly seen species of birds include cattle egret, pond heron, black ibis, common peafowl, crested serpent eagle, racket-tailed drongo, and hawk eagle, various species of fly-catchers, woodpecker, pigeon, dove, parakeet, babbler, mynah, Indian roller, white-breasted kingfisher and grey hornbill. In addition to the birds you’ll spot while on safari, the bird watching in and around the lodges – which are all located near the Park itself – is most rewarding. The better lodges have in-house naturalists, some of whom specialise in birds.

Today you will explore the national park with a morning jeep safari.

Many visitors to the area take two safaris each day; however you might consider doing only one per day, especially in light of the fact that the better lodges offer quite a number of activities other than game drives, such as guided nature walks and village visits. This will give you a break from the regimented schedule of twice daily safaris and a good chance to experience more than only the park and wildlife viewing.

Explore Kanha National Park and its wildlife further with morning and afternoon safaris.

When not on safari, you can relax and enjoy the facilities at your lodge.

Rise early for your last morning safari at Kanha National Park. After breakfast at your hotel, depart for Bandhavgarh, a drive of about 5 hours.

Prior to becoming a national park, the forests around Bandhavgarh were maintained as the game preserve of the royal family of Rewa and hunting was carried out by the Maharajas and their guests. It was as late as 1968 that special conservation measures were taken and Bandhavgarh was declared a National Park. Set amidst the Vindhyanchal ranges, the park covers an area of 437 sq kms and has a series of ridges running through it. About half the Park is covered with fine stands of Sal trees, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands are found throughout. The main viewing area is still in the core of the park with its 32 picturesque wooded hills.

Scattered throughout the Park are small cave shrines. An ancient fort up on a precipice, 800 metres high, dominates the Park. In fact, Bandhavgarh’s history goes back 2000 years in time and the earliest signs of habitation can be seen in the caves excavated from the cliffs to the north of the fort. Brahmi script inscriptions here date back to the 1st century BC.

There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. Common langurs and rhesus macaque represent the primate group. Carnivores include the Asiatic jackal, Bengal fox, sloth bear, grey mongoose, striped hyena, jungle cat, leopard and tiger. The artiodactyls frequently sighted are wild boar, spotted deer, sambhar, nilgai, chinkara and gaur.

The vegetation along streams and marshes is rich in bird-life. The common ones are little grebe, egret, lesser adjutant, sarus crane, black ibis, lesser whistling teal, white-eyed buzzard, black kite, crested serpent eagle, black vulture, Egyptian vulture, common peafowl, red jungle fowl, dove, parakeet, kingfisher and Indian roller.

Reptilian fauna include cobra, krait, viper, rat snake, python, turtle and a number of lizard species.

Today, experience morning and afternoon safaris in Bandhavgarh National Park. When not on safari, you can relax and enjoy the meals and facilities at your hotel.

A full-day of wildlife experiences with morning and afternoon safaris in Bandhavgarh National Park included in your itinerary.

After a final morning safari at Bandhavgarh and breakfast ,you will begin the 5-hour drive to Khajuraho or Panna National Park. On arrival check into your hotel and remainder of the day is at leisure.

You have two choices for accommodation in the area: you can stay in Khajuraho itself, where there are several good conventional hotels, or you can continue with the wildlife theme and stay close to Panna National Park at Sarai at Toria Lodge.

Sarai at Toria’s uniquely designed accommodation is situated on a beautiful riverside site, close to Khajuraho. This luxurious but earth-friendly small retreat is envisaged as the founding component of a wider project that seeks to play a positive role in the economic and social development of the local area; the owners also see it as a base for conservation activities and for wildlife and climate change research. The owners are steeped in knowledge of the area and wider conservation issues, and concluding your central India wildlife tour here allows you to discuss and ‘debrief’ what you have seen and experienced over the previous week.

Today, you will be taken for a tour to the Khajuraho Temples.  In these temples, the sculptures show many aspects of Indian life 1000 years ago — gods and goddesses, warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals. However, two elements appear over and over again and in greater detail than anything else — women and sex. The temples are in an excellent state of preservation.

This morning you will be driven to Jhansi, with a stop en route to visit Orchha. Orchha is a city frozen in time. It was founded by Bundela Chieftain, Raja Rudra Pratap in the 16th century, who chose this stretch of land along the Betwa River as an ideal site for his capital. He and the succeeding rulers of Orchha built many beautiful palaces and temples in the 16th and 17th century.  Today, remains of the fort and palaces speak eloquently of Orchha’s time of glory. Though little more than a village, stepping back in time into Orchha’s history is an enjoyable experience.

After visiting Orchha you will continue to Jhansi to board a train to Agra (an approximately 2.5 hours journey). On arrival in Agra you will be received and transferred to your hotel.

If you opt for the 11-day itinerary, you will fly from Khajuraho to Delhi for your international departure or onward travel in India.

Rise early to see the Taj Mahal at day break. A guided tour will reveal to you the history and tragedy behind the world’s greatest monument to love. Visit the nearby Agra Fort, arguably India’s most impressive fort.

Return to your hotel for breakfast, before driving to Jaipur, stopping en-route to visit the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri.

Explore Jaipur today with a full city tour with a local guide that includes the impressive Amber Fort; the City Palace, which sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city; Jantar Mantar observatory, consisting of huge astronomical instruments; and Hawa Mahal – the photogenic ornamental facade of this ‘Palace of Winds’ is a prominent landmark in Jaipur.

Late in the day, enjoy a guided walking tour of Old Jaipur. The bazaars between the Badi (Large) and Chhoti (Small) Chaupar (Square) in the old city of Jaipur feature some of the best sights that the city has to offer. You will be taken through the labyrinth of colourful alleys where artisans make puppets, bangles, and other local handicrafts. You will also visit the jewellery market or Johari Bazaar, explore architecturally interesting havelis (mansions), and stop by bangle shops in Maniharon ka Rasta and the flower sellers near Choti Chaupar.

Transfer to Delhi airport (5 hours) for departure or to Kerala or Goa for some R&R.