ADay 1, March 16th, 2023: Arrive in Delhi

After arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, we transfer to the Taj Mahal, New Delhi Hotel for our dinner (flight allowing) and overnight stay.

ADay 2, March 17th, 2023: Delhi to Kanha Tiger Reserve

We wake up for an early start, returning to the airport to take a morning flight to Raipur. Arriving mid-morning we continue by road, through colourful India, directly to Kanha Tiger Reserve where we check in to the elegant forest retreat in a rural area of charming villages.
Overnight at the Baagh Resort Kanha. B,L,D.

BDays 3-5, March 18th – 20th, 2023: Kanha Tiger Reserve

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to board our flight to Nagpur.

CPench Tiger Reserve

Kahna Tiger Reserve is deservedly one of the most famous and best known areas in which to see tigers. It is the largest National Park in Central India and home to myriad other mammals. We may be lucky to find a pack of Indian wild dogs, or Dhole, perhaps chasing down a chital deer. There are barking deer, sambar deer and Kanha is the last refuge of the rare so-called hard-ground barasingha. There are gaur, the largest animal of the park and the largest ox in the world standing more than six feet at the shoulder. If we are lucky we may well spot the rare and often shy sloth bear. The cool thing about this itinerary we have booked FULL DAY SAFARIS in KANHA, PENCH and TADOBA which are hard to come by and very exclusive. These full day excursions greatly enhance our tiger viewing possibilities! Perfect for wildlife enthusiasts.
Overnight at the Pugdundee Safari or similar. B,L,D.

CDays 7-8, March 22nd – 23rd, 2023: Pench Tiger Reserve

Another fabulous park and another superb chance to see tigers. For the next two days we have two FULL DAY SAFARIS in the reserve. As well as tigers of course we will see many, many other species, like Africa there is always something to look at. Birds abound all over India and these parks are especially good for spotting such birds as crested serpent eagles, treepies, wild peacocks, scops owls and open bill storks, perhaps even some marsh crocodiles.
Overnight Pugdundee Safari Lodge. B,L,D

DDay 9, March 24th, 2023: Pench Tiger Reserve to Tadoba National Park

After our final game drive in Pench this morning we continue by road to Tadoba National Park another one of India’s famed tiger reserves. With lots of teak forest in the hilly areas and lakes lower down, open meadows and deep valleys the park has a wide variety of habitat able to harbour a wide range of fauna. One again, covering our bases we have another excellent tiger viewing opportunity. Quite simply, in our opinion, a tiger ‘out cats’ all other cats, we do not want to miss it. There have indeed been many wildlife visitors to India who were not lucky enough to ever see one. Perhaps our best chance of sloth bear is here as well as more chances for dhole, leopard, gaur and nilgai. Tadoba is great for birding and we should see birds such as Lesser adjutant storks, black storks, shikra, Indian roller, spotted owlets and jungle bush quail.
Overnight Svasara Lodge. B,L,D.

DDays 10-11, March 25th – 26th, 2023: Satpura National Park

During our stay at Satpura we are able to offer several types of safari or even village walks for those interested.
Jeep safaris are the best way to explore large areas looking for wildlife. The park offers the use of canoes or motor boats to explore the river as boat safaris are excellent if you want to get close to aquatic birds or sometimes even crocodiles. Finally walking safaris, which involve exploring the forest on foot are also an interesting experience, especially with a highly skilled naturalist to bring to life the lesser fauna, such as geckos, butterflies, frogs and birds, that one sometimes misses during other safaris.
We stay overnight at Satpura. Forsyth Lodge.

EDay 9am, March 26th, 2023: Tadoba National Park

Again we have two FULL DAY SAFARIS here in Tadoba, the envy of everyone else who has to leave the park by 10:00. B,L,D

FDay 12, March 27th, 2023: Tadoba National Park to Varanasi

After breakfast we depart Tadoba for Nagpur airport in time for the flight to Varanasi changing planes in Delhi. A day of travel we arrive to Varanasi and check in to the opulent Taj Ganges hotel for a fabulous dinner. B,L,D

GDays 13-14, March 28th – 29th, 2023: Varanasi

We spend two full days in Varanasi, a mind-blowing spectacle of Indian culture. Dating back as far as the 11th century, Varanasi is regarded as the spiritual capital of India. It is an incredible sight to watch the hundreds of Hindu pilgrims come to the waters edge at one of the dozens of ghats to bathe and be purified in the sacred River Ganges. We will witness it from the shore among the pilgrims with funeral pyres, an everyday occurrence, burning close by. We will also take a longer view from the relative serenity of a boat trip at sunrise. Wandering the winding streets we will see some of the 2000 temples, shops selling glass beads, sweets or hand-knotted carpets. The bustling markets are India condensed, an assault on every sense. In the evening we might witness Aarti on the Ganges or visit Ramgarh Fort. An absolute people photographer’s dream. B,L,D

HDay 15, March 30th, 2023: Varanasi to Delhi

This morning we fly from Varanasi back to Delhi where we check back in to our wonderful Taj Mahal hotel for day room use until 22:00. After lunch we will visit Old Delhi in a hectic tuk-tuk ride to the market area. A fitting finale before we have dinner and prepare to transfer to the airport for our return flight home. Here the trip ends. B,L,D

AGRA EXTENSION WITH A MINIMUM OF 2 PERSONS

IDay 15, March 30th, 2023: Varanasi to Delhi to Agra

This morning we fly from Varanasi back to Delhi where we have lunch at a nearby restaurant before heading out by road to Agra where we will check in to our beautiful Trident Hotel. B,L,D

HDay 16, March 31st, 2023: Agra & Taj Mahal

We leave the hotel early to be at the entrance to the Taj Mahal as the gates open before dawn. The architecture and story behind the structure is incredible and to see the Taj in real life is so much more rewarding than thinking that you know it already through photos. After our visit we will continue to visit the bear rescue sanctuary. In the early years of out trips to India performing dancing bears were a common sight on the streets. Everything about it was cruel. The practice has now been outlawed and the centre is a rehabilitation effort to look after the bears. It is both heartbreaking and encouraging. We can return to the Taj for an evening visit at sunset for those interested. Overnight Trident Hotel. B,L,D

ADay 17, April 1st, 2023: Agra to Delhi

This morning after breakfast we visit the Agra Fort a fascinating edifice brimming with history. We continue by road back to Delhi, to our familiar and fabulous Taj Mahal Hotel. The afternoon is free to either relax of perhaps visit the Kahn market or Old Delhi by tuk-tuk. This will be on an independent basis. Overnight at the Taj Mahal Hotel. B,L,D

ADay 17, April 2nd, 2023: Departure from Delhi

We head to the airport for our flights home. Our rooms are available until 12:00.
Here the trip ends.