Wild Life In Northern India

Arrive Delhi airport late evening. On arrival you be met & welcomed and then escorted to your hotel. Overnight at the Hotel

Morning : Breakfast at the hotel. Later enjoy full Day tour of New Delhi. The tour of Old Delhi starts with the visit of Red Fort. This palace citadel was built Shah Jehan in 1648 and was a veritable city within a city. When Shah Jehan transferred his capital from Agra to Delhi he built the Red Fort as his residential palace as well as his military fortress. The fort is a complex of marble buildings with balconies, filigreed windows, massive red sandstone walls, ramparts and gateways. The most elegant building is the DIWAN I KHAS or the Hall of Private Audience. From the Red Fort you will take a cycle rickshaw to Chandni Chowk or the Moonlit Square. It is a medieval area in which you will recognize not just Cairo or Istanbul, but also Chester and Heidelberg. This is perhaps one of the Delhi’s most populated areas and the largest marketplace - jewelers, spice merchants, food vendors, money lenders, shopping arcades, workshops as well as residences, are crammed here. Within this area is the British built Town Hall, the St. James Church built by colonel Skinner in the early 19th century, the old St. Stephen’s college and the office of the state department of Archeology with a colonnaded facade going back to the 19th century when it was the British Residency. Afternoon enjoy the tour of New Delhi. The tour starts with a drive to Raisina Hill. Visit the Viceroy’s House (Now the Rashtarpati Bhavan, the residence of Indian President) and Lutyen’s magnum opus. It is larger than Versailles and architecturally is a fusion of Indian and Western design. Within the courtyard is the 145 feet high Jaipur Columns, a symbol of victory designed by Luyten. He created another masterpiece - 250 acre Mughal Garden on the grounds of the Rastrapati Bhavan which at one time required the care of 418 men. The great Vice Regal Palace required a staff of 2000. At the foot of Raisina Hill is the India Gate, a war memorial arch which Luyten built in honor of 60000 soldiers who died in World War -I. It is also inscribed with the name s of some 13000 Indian and British soldiers missing presumed dead. Next to it is Lutyen’s last imperial monument he built a stone Canopy in which he placed the marble statue of the King George - V after his death in 1936. Proceed to the Parliament House which Luyten built in a circular colossus design. It was here that the constitution of independent India was drafted. Drive to Humayuns Tomb which is perhaps the finest Mughal building in Delhi. The tomb stands on a raised platform and is built of red sandstone. The construction of the Tomb was completed in 1565. The tomb stands in well laid out Mughal garden. Proceed to the Qutub Minar complex, which is Delhi’s Eiffel Tower. Visit the mosques, mausoleums and ruins of the forts that lie around it including the Iron Pillar which is Delhi totem pole 24 feet high, made of 99% steel and which has stood for 1600 years without a speck of rust on it. Overnight at Delhi Hotel

Morning transfer to Delhi airport for flight to Jabalpur. Arrive Jabalpur airport and Drive to Kanha National Park. Kanha National Park : in the Mandla District spreads over 1,945 sq. km of dense Sal forests, interspersed with extensive meadows and trees and clumps of wild bamboo. This area known as Kipling Country, this is where all the jungle books of Rudyard Kipling were conceived. The Kanha National Park forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974 under Project Tiger. The forests of the Banjar valley and Halon valley, respectively forming Kanha's western and eastern halves, had even, at the turn of the century, been famous for their deer and tiger population. By a special statute in 1955, Kanha National Park came into being. Since then, a string of stringent conservation programs have been launched, for the overall protection of the park's flora and fauna. It is one of the most well maintained National Parks in Asia and the sole habitat of the rare hard ground barasingha (antelope). There is also a museum in the park that depicts attributes and activities of the park and tribal culture. Some of the inhabitants of this park are the gaur, sambar, barking deer, chausingha (the only four-horned antelope in the world) etc. Other frequent visitors include nilgai (blue bull), sloth bear, dhole, (Indian wild dog), and an occasional panther. A wide variety of bird species also inhabits the park like cattle egret, black ibis, hawk eagle, red-wattled lapwing and a number of waterfowl. The barasingha is undoubtedly, the jewel of Kanha, and drastic steps have been taken to rescue it from complete extinction. A small, but significant number of black bucks also inhabit the central Kanha meadow. But for all the astonishing diversity in its wildlife population, Kanha is best known as the habitat of the Tiger. Sighting and photographing this magnificent animal from elephant back is an unforgettable experience. It was here that the first ever-scientific study of the tiger was undertaken by the great zoologist George Schaller. The park is closed from July 1st to October 31, because of the heavy monsoon. The ideal time to visit Kanha would be the period between February and June. Afternoon: Enjoy Jungle Safari into the Park. Evening: Dinner at the lodge / hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.

Morning : Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy Jungle activities & Morning n Afternoon Safaris into the Park to view & appreciate wildlife in its natural habitat.
Afternoon : Lunch at the hotel.
Evening : Dinner at the hotel / lodge Overnight at hotel.

Morning :Breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Bandhavgarh
BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK : Set amongst the Vindhya mountain range, Bandhavgarh is a small national park, but with the highest known density of tiger population in India. This is also known as White Tiger territory. These have been found in the old state of Rewa for many years. The Park is spread over an area of 448 sq. km. Its setting is impressive. It's named after the ancient fort built on 800m high cliffs. There is a temple in the fort and numerous rock-cut cave shrines below it. The terrain is made of rocky hills, sal forests and grazing areas, and formerly agricultural land. The finest of these hills is the Bandhavgarh hill, and on its highest point stands the Fort. Though no records remain to show when the fort was constructed, it is believed to be about 2000-years-old with several dynasties ruling the fort - the Maghas from the 1st century AD, Vakatakas from the 3rd century; the Sengars from the 5th century and the Kalachuris from the 10th century. The oldest signs of habitation are the caves dug into the sandstone, near the fort. Several of these contain Brahmi inscriptions dating from the 1st century BC. Prior to becoming a National Park, the forest range around the region had been maintained as a Shikargarh or game preserve of the Maharajahs of Rewa. It was only in 1968, that the area was declared as a National Park. Since then, stringent steps have been taken to retain it as an unspoiled natural habitat. The core area of the park has a fragile ecology, but it supports a variety of wildlife such as nilgai (blue bull), wild boar, jackals, gaur, sambar and porcupines as well as many species of birds. The ramparts of the fort provide a home for vultures, blue rock thrushes and crag martins. Some other inhabitants of the park are the rhesus macaque, the black-faced langur, jungle cats, chinkara, black buck and the chital. The park also attracts many migratory birds in the winter months that include the steppe eagle and a variety of wildfowl. Reptilian fauna includes cobra, krat, python, turtle and a variety of lizards. There is also a good chance of spotting the Tiger. The village of Tala is the access point for the park. There is also a museum here, the Bhaghela Museum, which is part of the private collection of the Maharaja of Rewa. Apart from the famed stuffed white tiger, Mohan, other exhibits include military and hunting paraphernalia, a carved ivory and silver chess set and an extravagant swing bench made of Belgian cut glass and silver. Evening enjoy the Jungle Safari into the Park to view wildlife. Evening: Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning : Breakfast at the hotel. Later enjoy Morning n Afternoon Jungle Safaris into the Park to view & appreciate wildlife in its natural habitat.
Afternoon : Lunch at the hotel.
Evening : Dinner at the hotel

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Khajuraho. Afternoon visit the famous Khajuraho Temples. The erstwhile capital of the Chandela Kings, Khajuraho is famous for its magnificent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and the Jain tirthankars. These temples were built between 950 and 1050 AD and represent some of the most exquisite specimens in medieval India that has made Khajuraho one of the most beautiful religious centers of that time. Today Khajuraho is a little village in a lonely corner of the state of Madhya Pradesh. None of the palaces or dwellings of the former city remain and there is no sign of the golden date palms that once graced the entrance of the city and gave it the name "Khajurvahika" or bearer of the date palms. With the wane of the Chandela Empire, these magnificent temples lay neglected and vulnerable to the ravages of Nature. It was only in the last century that they were rediscovered, restored and granted the recognition that they justly deserve. Originally there were 85 temples, of which only 22 still exist. Despite the fact that they were dedicated to different Hindu gods Shiva, Vishnu and Jain saints, they followed the same architectural style. Each structure stands on a high masonry platform with a distinct upward direction to their build, further enhanced by several vertical projections to simulate the effect of an overall lightness. The temples are almost all aligned east to west, with the entrance facing east. Some of the earliest were made of granite, but all the ones from the classic period of Khajuraho's history are made of sandstone. The three main compartments of the temple are the entrance (ardhamandapa), assembly hall (mandapa), and the actual sanctum (garbha griha). The decorations, the exquisitely carved sculptures, with which the temples are so liberally embellished have made Khajuraho famous. The divine sculptures in these temples are a tribute to Life itself, embodying everything that is sublime and spontaneous about it. There is an astonishing profusion of individual figures of gods, goddesses, and voluptuous women, mythical beasts, couples in erotic poses and elaborate friezes carved in minute detail. The murals depict the life and times of the Chandelas and celebrate the erotic state of being. They not only testify to the mastery of the craftsman, but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandelas. The temples are grouped into three geographical divisions: western, eastern and southern. The Western Group : comprise of the following temples: Kandariya Mahadeo - is not only the largest but also artistically and architecturally the most perfect of Khajuraho's temples. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it soars 31m high. The sanctum enshrines a lingam while the main shrine is ornately carved and depicts various gods, goddesses, apsaras (heavenly maidens) in elaborate detail. The entrance arch, the massive pillars and ceilings are adorned with exquisite carvings that leave the visitor spellbound.
Lakshmana Temple : is one of the earliest of this group and also one of the best preserved. It has a full five-part floor plan and four subsidiary shrines. The lintel over the entrance of this temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, shows the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort. The sanctum is adorned with a three-headed idol of Vishnu's incarnations, Narasimha and Varaha. Around the base of the temple is a continuous frieze with scenes of battles, hunting and processions.
Varaha Temple : dating to the 10th century, is dedicated to the Varaha avatar or boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Inside this small open shrine is a huge solid and intricately carved figure of the boar incarnation.
Chausath Yogini : - is the oldest surviving temple in the group dating to 900 AD. It is the sole granite temple dedicated to Goddess Kali and the only one not aligned east to west. Chausath means 64 and the temple once had 64 cells for figures of the 64 yoginis who attended Goddess Kali. Overnight at hotel.

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Jhansi railway via Orchha. Today Orchha is just a village set amongst a complex of well preserved palaces and temples but nevertheless a wonderful relaxing place. Its impressive temples dating back to the 17th century are still in use today and are visited by thousands of devotees. The area is peppered with fascinating little shrines and memorials, all of which add to the overwhelming feeling of nostalgia, the city evokes in the visitor.
Fort Complex & its Palaces : approached by a multi arched bridge over the Betwa River the complex is set on an island in the River and is surrounded by fortified walls. The complex has three palaces set in an open quadrangle. The most spectacular of these is the Jahangir Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Mughal Emperor Jahangir to Orchha in 1606. It is a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris. There is also a small Archaeological Museum inside this palace. The Raj Mahal palace nearby is situated to the right of the quadrangle. Its interiors have exquisite murals, boldly colourful and on a variety of religious themes. The third palace is the Rai Praveen Mahal, built for the poetess and musician Rai Praveen, the paramour of Raja Indramani (1672-76). This palace is a low two storeyed brick structure designed to match the height of the trees in the surrounding gardens.
The Temples : Orchha's impressive temples date back to the 16th century. They are still in use today and are visited regularly by thousands of devotees. Drive to Orchha to Jhansi. At Jhansi board evening train to Agra. On arrival you be met and escorted to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning: Breakfast at the Hotel. Later enjoy full day visit of Agra City. The City of the Taj is an educational and business centre known for its craftsmen and handicrafts. In the great epic Mahabharata the region of Agra is described as 'Agraban' and it was an integral part of 'Braj Bhoomi' or the land of Lord Krishna. Concrete history outlines the origins of Agra to 1475 AD when it was under the reign of Raja Badal Singh. However, Agra came into limelight during the rule of the Afghan King Sikandar Lodhi, who had made it the capital of his empire. Later in 1526 AD the Mughal Emperor Babar took upon himself the task for rendering Agra, a unique character and beauty of its own. The visionary that he was and a great patron of the arts, he brought in a change in the culture and lifestyle among the people of Agra, which then brought forth some of the finest craftsmen, artists, statesmen, warriors and nobility, this part of India had ever witnessed. The golden age of Agra's history thus began to set in. The next few hundred years witnessed the rise of the pomp and pageantry of three great Mughal monarchs, Akbar, Jahangir and Shahjahan, all of whom lavished on this city, their love and riches to transform the land into one of the great centers of art, culture, learning and commerce. Marble and soft-stone inlay work, carpet and leather goods are some important traditional crafts of the city.
Taj Mahal : situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, this masterpiece in marble built on a sandstone base is a monument to love and beauty. Shahjahan built it in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Begum. There are tombs of Mumtaz and Shahjahan within the mausoleum. The construction started in 1631 a year after Mumtaz's death, it took 22 years in the making and an estimated 20,000 people worked to complete this enchanting mausoleum.
Agra Fort : is situated by the side of Yamuna River. The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565 AD although additions were made till the time of his grandson Shahjahan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like the Moti Masjid, a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl, Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Musamman Burj, where Shahjahan died in 1666 AD, and Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors). Jahangir's Palace within the fort complex contains evidence of Bengali and Gujarati architecture. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after breakfast drive to Bharatpur bird sanctuary. Keoladeo Ghana National Park - Bharatpur is now renowned for its World Heritage listed Bird Sanctuary, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. The sanctuary was formerly a vast semi-arid region filling with water during the monsoon only to dry up afterwards. To prevent this the Maharaja of Bharatpur diverted water from a nearby irrigation canal and within a few years birds began to settle in vast numbers. It is now one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world inundated with over 400 species of water birds. Exotic migratory birds from Afghanistan, Central Asia, Tibet as well as Siberian cranes, and bareheaded geese from China, come here in July/August to spend the winters in warmer climate and they breed till October/November. Other common bird life to be seen are cormorants, spoonbills, storks, egrets, herons, pelicans, ibis and herons can be spotted all over the park. The raised paths camouflaged by babul trees make their viewing easier. The best time to visit the park is from October to late February when many migratory birds can be spotted. Enjoy afternoon visit to the park Overnight at hotel.

Morning: Breakfast at the Hotel. Later drive to Ranthambhore. Nestling at the foot of the Aravalli Hills 10km from the town of Sawai Madhopur, Ranthambhore National Park is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger's conservation efforts. Though Sawai Madhopur is an important town with its own historicity, but it is Ranthambhore, which is known the world over. Ranthambhore blends history of Rajput valour with scenic natural beauty and is an ideal getaway for an adventurous holiday. Ranthambhore has been a witness to the rise and fall of many rulers and a series of battle scenes. In the 13th century AD Govind, the grandson of Prithviraj Chauhan took over the reign of the land. Later his successor Vagabhatta, beautified the city and built a noteworthy temple at Jhain. In the middle of the 15th century AD Rana Kumbha captured the fort and gifted it to his son to be occupied later by the Had Chauhan Rajputs of Bundi and Mughal Emperors Akbar and Aurangzeb. Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gifted it to Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in 1754 and since then it was maintained as the hunting preserve of the Maharaja. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh were part of the royal hunting camp who stayed here.
The National Park : was one of the first few areas to come under Project Tiger and has continued to be the most successful. Sprawling over an area of 1334 sq. km, the park with its system of lakes and rivers is hemmed in by steep high crags and on top of one of these stands the majestic fort. The park area alternates between bushland and fairly dense forest and is peppered with ruined pavilions, chhatris (cenotaphs) and 'hides'. It's the ideal place to spot the tiger. The majestic predators, assured of protection, roam freely during the day time and can be seen at close quarters. Other wildlife to be seen include sambar, chital, nilgai (blue bull), chinkara, langur, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, pythons and leopards. Crocodiles abound in the lakes. The lakes also attract a large number of migratory and local birds. The best time to visit is between October and April. The park is closed during the monsoon from July to September. Afternoon enjoy the Jungle Safari into the Ranthambhore National Park. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning: : Breakfast at the hotel. Later enjoy Jungle activities & safaris into the Park to view & appreciate wildlife in its natural habitat.
Later visit The Fort : Ranthambhore's royal past manifests itself in the well preserved imposing fort, built in during the 8th and 10th centuries AD. Located atop a 200m steep high crag, there are ruined pavilions, chhatris (cenotaphs), massive ramparts, mighty gates and bastions all around the hill. This fort is said to be the oldest fort in Rajasthan, it was the stronghold of the Yadav kings in the 8th century and later of the Had Chauhans from 10th century onwards. It faced several attacks valiantly and its history proves that it was never taken in battle by fair means. There is an 8th century AD Ganesh temple that attracts thousands of devotees. The temple is the venue for an annual fair held on the occasion of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. One interesting aspect of the temple is that devotees send mail to Lord Ganesh consisting mainly of wedding invitations, the letters are brought up to the temple in large sacks every day. Afternoon: Enjoy Jungle Safaris into the Park to view & appreciate wildlife in its natural habitat. Evening: Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Early Morning Jungle Safari into the Park to view wildlife. After the visit have a breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur, check into your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Later visit the city of Jaipur. The colourful and vibrant capital of the State of Rajasthan is popularly known as the 'Pink City' because of the pink-coloured buildings in its old city. it sits on a dry lakebed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by forts and crenellated walls. The city owes its name, foundation and careful planning to the great warrior-astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743). In 1727, with Mughal power on the wane, Jai Singh moved down from his hillside fort at nearby Amber to a new site on the plains. He laid out the city, with its surrounding walls and rectangular blocks, according to principles set down in the Shilpa Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. It is one of India most well planned cities with wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes in a grid system.
Hawa Mahal : or the Palace of Winds, built in 1799 is the major landmark of Jaipur. This 5-storey building that overlooks the main street of the old city, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry with its pink semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed sandstone windows. It was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city.
City Palace Complex : located in the heart of the old city, the City Palace occupies a large series of courtyards, gardens and buildings. The palace is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The sons of the last Maharaja and his family still reside in a part of the palace. Before the palace proper is the Mubarak Mahal or Welcome Palace built in the late 19th century by Maharaja Madho Singh II as a Reception centre for visiting dignitaries. It now forms part of the Maharaja Sawai Mansingh II Museum, containing a collection of royal costumes and superb shawls including Kashmiri pashmina (goat's wool). Other exhibits include armory of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chased handles, some of them inlaid with enamel and embellished with jewels and encased in magnificent scabbards. Other interesting features of the complex are the Diwan-I-Am or the Hall of Audience, with its intricate decorations and manuscripts in Persian and Sanskrit. The Diwan-I-Khas or Hall of Private Audience, with a marble-paved gallery and the exquisite Peacock Gate in the Chandra Mahal courtyard. Outside the buildings are kept enormous silver vessels in which the former Maharaja used to take the holy water of the Ganges on his trip to England. The complex also has an Art Gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit, acquired by Maharaja Jai Singh II to study astronomy in detail.
Jantar Mantar : located next to the entrance to the City Palace is this Observatory, built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728. Jai Singh's passion for astronomy was even more notable than his power as a warrior. This is the largest and best preserved of the five observatories that he built. The others are at Delhi, Varanasi and Ujjain. The fifth, the Muthura observatory is destroyed. The complex is a collection of curious instruments, each having a specific purpose such as measuring the positions of stars, altitudes and azimuths and calculating eclipses. The most striking instrument is the sundial with its 27m high gnomon.
Museums & Galleries : there are a couple of interesting museums and galleries in Jaipur. The Central Museum, housed in the architecturally impressive Albert Hall in the Ram Niwas Public Gardens has sections on natural history, tribal wares, dioramas depicting Rajasthani dances, decorative arts, costumes, and musical instruments. The Museum of Indology is an extraordinary private collection of folk art objects and other bits and pieces of interest. There is everything from a map of India painted in a rice grain to manuscripts (one written by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb), tribal ornaments, fossils, old currency notes, clocks and much more. Near the Ram Niwas Public Gardens, in an old theater is Jaipur's Modern Art Gallery. The Juneja Art Gallery has an excellent collection of contemporary paintings. Overnight at Hotel

Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Later visit the Amber Fort.
Amber : located 11km north of Jaipur, this was the ancient capital of the Jaipur State. Maharaja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army, began construction of the fort-palace in 1592. It was later extended and completed by the Jai Singh before the move to the plains. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects its terraces and ramparts. The Fort is a beautiful complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples. Centuries of disuse have not withered their pristine beauty. Notable structures include the Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audience), a pillared hall with latticed galleries. The Jai Mandir or Hall of Victory is noted for its inlaid panels and glittering mirror ceiling. The Sukh Niwas or Hall of Pleasure has an ivory inlaid sandalwood doorway. The Shila Mata temple has the image of the patron deity Kali, a form of goddess Durga. The temple is still in use. The best way of experiencing the majesty of the Bygone era is by taking an elephant ride to the top of the fort. The city of Amber sprawled below the Fort, once a settlement of nobles, craftsmen and common folks, is now mostly is ruins. The remnants of its rich past are the beautifully carved and planned Jagat Shiromani Temple, a Krishna temple associated with Meerabai, an ancient temple of Narsinghji and a magnificent step well, Panna Mian-ka-kund. Later continue your drive to Delhi. Evening Arrive Delhi check in at yor hotel. Rest of the day at leisure Overnight at the hotel.

Today you be transferred to the airport to board your flight for onward journey.