The Tiger Trail

Wildlife Tour – The Tiger Trail

Note: Tour Not Operational (July – August – September)

ITINERARY

DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI

On arrival in Delhi meet & assist at the airport & transfer to prebooked hotel.

Delhi: India's capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys' past.

DAY 02: DELHI

After breakfast, half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; drive past Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; ChandniChowk and Rajghat – the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi. Visit HumayunsTomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture; QutabMinar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple.

DAY 03: DELHI – JAIPUR (260 KMS, 05-06 HRS DRIVE)

After breakfast, leave for Jaipur – The Pink City : Jaipur needed a fresh coat of paint to welcome its distinguished guest the Prince of Wales in 1905-6. The contractor inability to supply any other color in the required quantity compelled the choice of pink shade for its walls. A contractor's compulsion famed Jaipur to Pinkcity. Since then the PINK color is associated with hospitality in Rajput culture.

Arrive Jaipur and check-in at prebooked hotel – Luxury room. Rest of the day at leisure

DAY 04: JAIPUR

After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.

Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace which has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware and weapons; JantarMantar – the observatory built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the façade of HawaMahal.

DAY 05: JAIPUR – RANTHAMORE NATIONAL PARK (180 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)

After breakfast leave for Ranthambore National Park. Located at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya hill range, This is one of the finest places to view animals, especially as they are used to being stared at here.The park covers an area of Approximately 400 sq Km and if combined it with the area of sawai man singh sanctuary area,it is around 500 Sq km. Ranthambore national park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection of "Project Tiger".

It got it's status of a National Park in 1981.

Arrive Ranthambore and check in at prebooked hotel. Afternoon, jungle safari inside the park in a private jeep.

DAY 06: RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK

Morning and afternoon, Jungle Safari inside Ranthambore National Park in a private jeep.

DAY 07: RANTHAMBORE-BHARATPUR- FATEHPUR SIKRI – AGRA (55 KMS, 01-02 HRS DRIVE)

Early morning, drive to Bharatpur. Arrive Bharatpur and do a rickshaw ride at Keoladeo Ghana Bird sanctuary. Later, leave for Agra. Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of FatehpurSikri: built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of SalimChisti, PanchMahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory. Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra and checkin at pre-booked hotel.

DAY 08: AGRA

After breakfast, city tour of Agra. Visit Red Fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was contructed by NurJahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; the highlight of the day – The TajMahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife MumtazMahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653.

Afternoon, free.

DAY09: AGRA – JHANSI (BY TRAIN)JHANSI – ORCHHA – KHAJURAHO (178 KMS)

After breakfast, transfer to the railway station to board train for Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi and board our car which awaits you to drive you to Khajuraho. Enroute visit Orchha : Once the capital of Bundelas, Orchha is a village, set amongst a complex of well preserved palaces and temples. Though Orchha was founded in 1531, it's golden age was during the first half of 17th century. When Jahangir visiting the city in 1606, a special palace, the JehangirMahal was built for him. Visit the JehangirMahal, Raj Mahal& Ram Raja temple which also dates back to the 17th century. Arrive Khajuraho and check-in at prebooked hotel.

DAY 10: KHAJURAHO

After breakfast visit Khajuraho : Built by the warrior Chandela dynasty that rose to power in Central India between 10th & 11th centuries, the 25 odd surving temples display different facets of life, including the sensual. These erotic carvings on some panels have given rise to much speculation since Khajuraho's re-discovery by a British officer in 1838. To preserve it for posterity, Khajuraho has been declared a World Heritage Site. Visit the world famous Khajuraho temples built by the Chandela Kings between 950 AD & 1050 AD. The most important are the Chaunset Yogini temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji temple with lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishwanath& Nandi temples, Lakshmana temple, Visha temple dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest & most typical of temples. Afternoon, free.

DAY 11: KHAJURAH0-BANDHAVGARH (270 KMS, 06 HRS DRIVE)

After breakfast, leave for Bandhavgarh. Arrive Bandhavgarh and check in at prebooked hotel.

Afternoon, jungle safari inside the park in a private jeep.

DAY 12: BANDHAVGARH

Morning and afternoon, jungle safari inside the park in a jeep.

DAY 13: BANDHAVGARH-KANHA (265 KMS ,05-06 HRS DRIVE)

Early morning, jungle safari inside the park in a jeep.After breakfast, leave for Kanha. Arrive Kanha and check in at prebooked hotel. Rest of the day, free.

DAY 14: KANHA