DAYS 1 & 2Mumbai, India Upon your arrival in Mumbai, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. On Day 2 you’ll be guided on a morning tour of the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s principle landmark. This arch of yellow basalt was erected on the waterfront in 1924 to commemorate King George V’s visit to this colony in 1911. Later, drive past the Afghan Church, the Haji Ali Mosque, the Secretariat of Maharashtra Government and along the Marine Drive which is known as the “Queen’s Necklace.” Visit the Jain Temple, the Hanging Gardens which offer a spectacular view of the city, colorful Crawford Market, and Flora Fountain in the large bustling square in the heart of the city.
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower or Taj Lands End, Mumbai
DAYS 3 & 4Pench Pench National Park is a tropical deciduous forest with the Pench River flowing through it. The wildlife you may spot here includes deer, leopards, gaur, sambhars, blue bulls, macaque, langur, tigers and civets. The concentration of prey is highest around the Pench River, so that is the most likely spot to catch a glimpse of a tiger and other jungle cats.
Baghvan Lodge, Pench
DAYS 5 & 6Kanha Kanha’s sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams stretch over 940 square kilometers in dramatic natural splendor. This is Kipling country, which he recorded vividly in The Jungle Book. The same abundance of wildlife species exists today in Kanha National Park, which forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve created in 1974 under Project Tiger. A series of stringent conservation programs have been enacted to protect the park’s delicate flora and fauna. This park has a reputation for being one of the finest and best-administered national parks in Asia with an irresistible attraction for wildlife lovers.
Banjaar Lodge, Kanha
DAYS 7 & 8Bandhavgarh Imagine yourself in a safari vehicle slowly and silently traveling along a dense forest trail, listening to the alarm calls of a langur warning the presence of a tiger. The forest floor quiets, and you silently watch through the early morning mist, a faint image of yellow and black stripes crossing the trail ahead. This is the experience you may have in Bandhavgarh National Park on a breathtaking real life jungle expedition.
Mahua Kothi Lodge, Bandhavgarh
DAY 9Khajuraho After breakfast at your hotel, continue on to Khajuraho. Enjoy the evening at leisure.
Chandela Hotel, Khajuraho
DAYS 10 & 11Khajuraho & New Delhi On the morning of Day 10, you will visit the Eastern Group of Temples, including the Ghantai Temple; the Vamana Temple, dedicated to the “Vamana” or dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu; and the Javari Temple. There are also three Jain Temples here featuring beautiful carvings and sculptures of Vaishnav deities. Later transfer to the airport for your flight to New Delhi. On Day 11 in New Delhi, sightseeing highlights will include Qutb Minar, the world’s tallest free-standing minaret tower, dating back to the 12th century; the mausoleum of Emperor Humayun, an excellent specimen of early Mughal architecture; and the imposing modern Lakshminarayan Temple. Then you’ll drive past the India Gate, a moving war memorial dedicated to fallen Indian soldiers; the president’s residence; the parliament house and the Secretariat buildings — an interesting blend of Victorian and modern architecture. Afternoon sightseeing will include the highlights of Old New Delhi: the magnificent Red Fort; Raj Ghat, memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; and Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Then stroll through Chandni Chowk to savor the ambience of an oriental bazaar.
Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi
DAY 12New Delhi In the early morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.
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Walk on the wild side in India as you stay in some of the luxurious safari lodges on this 12-day Independent Journey. Enjoy bush breakfasts in Kanha, take a safari vehicle ride along the dense forest trail in Bandhavagarh and see the three Jain Temples in Khajuraho on this Independent Journey.
- Join Travcoa on this ready-to-book Independent Journey