ADay 1, November 23rd, 2023: Arrive in Delhi

On arrival in Delhi you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. We overnight at the Hotel Taj Mahal New Delhi. (Rooms available 14:00 onwards). NB: Flights into Delhi usually arrive in the middle of the night.
Overnight Hotel Taj Mahal, Delhi.

ADay 2, November 24th: 2023: Delhi

Today is a day for us to explore Delhi, most likely beginning with a hectic tour, by tuk tuk, into the bedlam of the old town. It is fabulous and a great way to dive in to the culture. We may also include the National Gandhi Museum, India Gate and/or the Red Fort. Back to the hotel for dinner.
Overnight Hotel Taj Mahal, Delhi.

BDay 3, November 25th, 2023: Delhi to Kaziranga, Assam

We take the early flight from Delhi to Guwahati in Assam, one of the ‘Seven Sister’ states and famous for its tea. We then head east, driving 5 hours on an eye-opening journey to Kaziranga where we check in to our cottage style rooms. We may arrive in time for a glimpse of our first rhino.
Overnight in Infinity Resorts.

BDays 4-6, November 26- 28th, 2023: Kaziranga

Kaziranga is a very special place and the main stronghold of the greater one-horned Indian rhino. We hope to see many. Kaziranga is also home to herds of wild elephant, wild water buffalo and even elusive tigers. Birds abound and many are truly spectacular. Apart from safaris by jeep into the park we may also engage in a boat ride with the possibility of spotting the rare Gangetic river dolphins. We will try and build in time to walk in the villages and even to look for gibbons.
Overnight in Infinity Resorts.

CDay 7, November 29th, 2023: Kaziranga to Guwahati to Kolkata

After a hearty breakfast and a morning activity we will drive back to Guwahati for our flight to Kolkata (Calcutta).
Overnight Oberoi Grand Kolkata.

CDay 8, November 30th, 2023: Kolkata

After breakfast we take in the colonial sights of this amazing city, the capital of West Bengal. We will also visit the bank of the Hooghly River with its huge tidal range and exuberant human activities from fishermen in their colourful fishing boats, people bathing in the Holy waters (a branch of the Ganges River) or even a human funeral pyre. Not to be missed is an over-the-top flower market visit.
Overnight Oberoi Grand Kolkata.

DDay 9, December 1st, 2023: Kolkata to Nagpur to Pench

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to board our flight to Nagpur.
Upon arrival at Nagpur airport, we drive the 150km to Pench Tiger Reserve always on the lookout for anything of interest along the way.
Overnight in Pench Tree Lodge.

EDay 10, December 2nd, 2023: Pench

Pench National Park and Tiger Reserve is located in the Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh; it is the 19th Project Tiger Reserve and has been one of the best-kept secrets among wildlife enthusiasts who have long been acquainted with and bedazzled by its immensely varied flora and fauna. The park is dominated by a fairly open canopy of mixed forest, predominantly teak, with open grassy patches and undulating land that boasts the highest density of herbivores including chital (spotted deer) and sambar in any Indian park.
The park has high numbers of other wildlife, including leopard, tiger, jungle cat, dhole (wild dog), sloth bear, wild boar, mongoose and gaur (the largest bovid in the world).
Upon arrival, check-in to the lodge.
The morning and afternoon is dedicated to a game safari into the Pench National Park. Safaris in Pench are organized in 4×4 open jeeps. Local guides and naturalists are at hand to enhance the experience.
Overnight in Pench Tree Lodge.

EDay 11, December 3rd, 2023: Pench

We do a morning and afternoon jeep safari into the park. As well as the ever hoped for 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 things as crested serpent eagles, treepies, wild peacocks, scops owls and open bill storks, perhaps even some marsh crocodiles.
Overnight in Pench Tree Lodge.

FDay 12 December 4th, 2023: Pench to Nagpur to Jaipur

Today will be mostly a travel day where we leave the tiger reserve of Pench and drive to Nagpur to board a flight to Jaipur via Delhi.
Overnight Jaimahal Palace, Jaipur.

FDay 13, December 5th, 2023: Jaipur

After breakfast, we begin our exploration of Jaipur.
Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan, is also known as the Pink City. It sits on a dry lakebed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses with crenelated walls.
After the iconic Amber Fort visit we continue by rickshaw, the best way to explore the city like a local.
After lunch we continue on foot in a total immersion into the riches of traditional India. Jaipur is famous for its artisans and craftsmen such as silversmiths and bangle makers. We will experience true Indian hospitality and try some of the regions culinary delights, including samosas, kulfi, lassi and traditional sweets.
Overnight Jaimahal Palace, Jaipur.

GDay 14, December 6th, 2023: Drive to Ranthambore

After breakfast, we take a fascinating drive to Ranthambore (205 kms / 4-5hrs), marvelling at the eclectic collection of things to be avoided in the middle of the road.
Upon arrival, we check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Taj Sawai Madhopur hotel.

GDays 15 – 16, December 7th – 8th, 2023: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

We spend two full days in our jeeps exploring the reserve in an effort to spot a tiger.
Ranthambore is a park that is comprised of rocky hill crests which descend to open valleys between the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. It is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of south-eastern Rajasthan, this park protects a rich mosaic of deciduous woodland, bamboo thickets and marshes over an area of 1,300 square kilometres (500 sq miles). The park gets its name from the thousand-year-old-fortress, which looms above the forest. Well known for the diurnal activity of tigers, Ranthambore is a very special and unusual area where a natural present meets an historical past. Abundant prey species for tigers such as sambar, chital, chinkara, nilgai and Hanuman langurs, contribute to a high predator density. Elusive leopard as well as tigers are found in this reserve and diurnal tiger sightings are very regular.
Our safaris into the park are in open 4X 4 jeeps where we are accompanied by a local naturalist. In addition to cats the park has a rich diversity of fauna and flora, including striped hyena, jackals, sloth bears, macaques, gazelles, wild boars, mongooses, Indian hares, monitor lizards and a great diversity of avifauna. Another great naturalist and wildlife photographer paradise!
Overnight in Taj Sawai Madhopur hotel.

HDay 17, December 9th, 2023: Ranthambore to Agra

Today we drive from Ranthambore to Agra and exploring some highlights including areas around the Taj Mahal, seeing the structure from various vantage points before our visit tomorrow.
Overnight Trident Hotel, Agra.

ADay 18, December 10th, 2023: Taj Mahal, Agra to Delhi & depart

Rising early we arrive to the entrance gates of the Taj Mahal complex amongst the first of the 40,000 visitors of the day! It truly is a spectacle and truly a global icon. We will wander the complex absorbing the energy it exudes until it is time for us to head home to Delhi. After our 4 hour drive we will go straight to the international airport to depart homeward bidding a sad farewell to India. It is always on our final day, with a heavy heart, that we begin to miss the magnetism of India and vow to return again soon.
Here the trip ends.