Indian
Wildlife Tours
Tiger and Wild
Dogs Duration
: 6 Nights & 7 Days
Destination Covered : Delhi - Nagpur - Pench -
Kanha - Nagpur - Delhi
Day
01 :Delhi 
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international
airport in Delhi late in the night or midnight. Transfer to your hotel.
Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a
sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present.
It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A
window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight will be at
Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi Ranthambore
By Train : 400
km in 4hr Transfer to the station for train to SAWAI
MADHOPUR after breakfast.
Reach and transfer to the resort.
Evening free at the resort and you can relax or watch some slides on the
tiger.
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, at the junction of the
Aravalis and the Vindhyas, is a unique example of natural and historical
richness, standing out conspicuously in the vast, arid and denuded tract of
eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 kilometers from Sawai Madhopur. Get in tune
with nature for a luxury holiday in the heart of the jungle. Ranthambhore is
perhaps the best place in the world to sight a tiger in the wild. This
National Park has had more Tiger sightings than any other National Park in
the country. It has come to be known as "The land of the Tiger",
where most of the documented footage of this majestic beast has been
recorded.
It spreads over a highly undulating topography varying
from gentle to steep slopes; from flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the
conical hillocks and sharp ridges of the Aravalis, from wide and flat
valleys to narrow rocky gorges. An important geological feature the Great
Boundary Fault where the Vindhya plateaus meet the Aravali hill
ranges, meanders through the Reserve. The National Park is bound by the
rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the north.
Ranthambhore
forest is of tropical dry deciduous type, further classified as Dhok climax
forest because of the predominance of Dhok (Anogeissus pendulla) found
nearly everywhere. Dhok is an extremely hardy tree, capable of withstanding
prolonged droughts. The leaves of this tree are good fodder and they are
browsed by herbivores, and form a significant part of their diet. Even the
dry, fallen leaves, eaten by them, are rich source of nutrition.

Palas
or Cheela or the Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperms) blooms magnificently
around mid-April. During the period, Kachida and Anatpura provide an amazing
view, like a forest on fire. Around Kamaldhar massive Gum trees (Sterculia
urens) with smooth white trunk stand out conspicuously. Similarly, Gurjan
(Lannea coromandelica) with greyish trunks at the banks of the lakes and
soft wood Salar (Boswellia serrata) dotted atop hills are noticeable.
The lakes abound with aquatic vegetation including duck weeds, lilies
and lotus.
A haven for a multitude of wild animals, the Park
boasts of playing host to tigers, leopards, the elusive caracals, hyenas,
sloth bears, wild boars, crocodiles and so on. Besides, there are over 300
species of birds, from the majestic Crested Serpent Eagle to the exotic
Golden Oriole.
Tiger, at the apex of the food chain, lord over
the kingdom in a subtle way. Solitary by nature, it operates in stealth.
Therefore tiger sightings, frequent as they are, are always a matter of
chance. However, even evidences of tiger's activities are very exciting.
The other kinds of cats found in Ranthambhore are Leopard
(Panthera pardus), Caracal (Felis caracal), Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis),
Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina) and the Jungle Cat (Felis chaus). Besides the
big cats, the other large predators found in Ranthambhore include Sloth
Bear, Striped Hyena, Wolf, Wild dog (or Dhole), Jackal, Indian Fox, Palm
Civet, Small Indian Civet, Common Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Mongoose,
Ratel (or Honey Badger), Marsh Crocodile and the Indian Python.
Overnight will be at resort.
Day 03 : Ranthambore
Breakfast will be at the lodge.
Proceed for full day game
viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris with lunch break in-between)
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 04 : Ranthambore
Agra
By Road : 220 km in 5 hr
Agra Bandavgarh:
By
overnight train Proceed to Agra after breakfast.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the
little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire
- giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor
to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone
and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible
charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not
surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most
conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will
introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Proceed to visit Taj.

TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is
always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by
Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz
Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and
planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design
balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its
elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work
ever seen.
Proceed for sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by
the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red
sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a
major tourist attraction.
Visit Itmadullahs Tomb built by
Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors of which are
considered better than the Taj).
You will be transferred to
station for train to UMARIA. Overnight will be on train.
Day 05 : Arrive at Bandavgarh Reach UMARIA and
transfer to Bandavgarh. Reach and enjoy breakfast. Bandavgarh is a new
National Park with a very long history. Set among the Vindhya hills of
Madhya Pradesh with an area of 168sq miles (437sq km) it contains a wide
variety of habitats and a high density of game, including a large number of
Tigers. This is also the White tiger country. These have been found in the
old state of Rewa for Many years. Maharaja Martand Singh captured the last
known in 1951. This white Tiger, Mohun is now stuffed and on display in the
Palace of Maharaja of Rewa. Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests
around Bandavgarh had long been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve
of the Maharaja of Rewa. The Maharaja and his guests carried out hunting
otherwise the wildlife was well protected. It was considered a good omen for
Maharaja of Rewa to shoot 109 tigers. His Highness Maharaja Venkat Raman
Singh shot 111 Tigers by 1914.
There are 32 hills in this part
of the park, which has a large natural fort at its center. The forts
cliffs are 2625 feet (800 meters) high, 1000 feet (300 meters) above the
surrounding countryside. Winter temperatures (Nov-mid-February) vary from
almost freezing at night to around 68 degree Fahrenheit in the daytime.
Summer nights are also cooler than the daytime temperatures, which rise to
104 degree Fahrenheit. This park is closed during the breeding season, which
coincides with the monsoon (July-October). Rainfall in the park averages 50
inches (120cm) per year.

Bandavgarh has been a center of human activity and settlement for over 2000
years, and there are references to it in the ancient books, the Narad-Panch
Ratra and the Shiva Purana. Legend has it that Lord Rama, hero of the Hindu
epic, the Ramayana, stopped at Bandavgarh on his way back to his homeland
after defeating the demon King Ravana of Lanka. Two monkey architects, who
had engineered a bridge between the isle of Lanka and the mainland, are said
to have built Bandavgarhs Fort. Later Rama handed it over to his
brother Lakshmana who became known as Bandavdhish "The Lord of the Fort".
Lakshmana is the particular God of the fort and is regularly worshipped in a
temple there.
The oldest sign of habitation in the park are
caves dug into the sandstone to the north of the fort. Several contain
Brahmi inscriptions dating from the 1st century BC. Various dynasties have
ruled the fort, for example, the Maghas from the 1st century AD, the
Vakatakas from the 3rd century AD, from that time onwards Bandavgarh was
ruled by a succession of dynasties including the Chandela Kings of
Bundelkhand who built the famous temples at Khajuraho. The Baghel Kings, the
direct ancestors of the present Royal family of Rewa, established their
dynasty at Bandavgarh in the 12th century. It remained their capital till
1617 when the center of court life moved to Rewa, 75 miles (120Kms) to the
north. Without royal patronage Bandavgarh became more and more deserted
until forest overran the area and it became the royal hunting reserve. This
helped to preserve the forest and its wildlife, although the Maharajas made
full use of their rights. Each set out to kill the auspicious number of 109
Tigers.
At independence Bandavgarh remained the private property
of the Maharaja until he gave it to the state for the formation of the
National Park in 1968. After the park was created poaching was brought under
control and the number of animals rose dramatically. Small dams and water
holes were built to solve the problem of water shortage. Grazing by local
cattle was stopped and the village within the park boundaries was relocated.
The Tigers in particular prospered and the 1986 extension provided much
needed forest to accommodate them.
Bandavgarh is justifiably
famous for its Tigers, but it has a wide range of other game. The
undergrowth is not as dense as in some northern terai forests, but the best
time to see the park inhabitants is still the summer months when water
becomes scarce and the undergrowth dies back.
Proceed for full
day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris with lunch break
in-between)
Overnight will be in the lodge.
Day
6 : Bandavgarh Breakfast will be in the lodge.
Proceed for full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris with lunch
break in-between)
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 7 : Bandavgarh Kanha
By
Road : 255 km in 6 hr After breakfast drive to Kanha.
This is the place that has been described by RUDYARD KIPLING in his
great book "The Jungle Book". Located in the Mandla district of
Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is a tiger reserve that extends over an
area of over 940 square km. A horseshoe shaped valley bounded by the spurs
of the Mekal presents an interesting topography. Steep rocky escarpments
along the edges offer breathtaking views of the valley. Realizing the danger
on the Tiger population in the country, the Government started the "Project
Tiger" at Kanha and in 1974 the area was declared a Tiger reserve. The
park is also the habitat of the high ground Barasingha.
In
1930s, the Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries - Hallon and Banjar
of 250kms to 300kms each. Though one of these was subsequently disbanded
.The area remained a protected one until 1947. Depletion of the tiger
population in the year that followed led to the area being made an absolute
sanctuary in 1952.
Patient watching should reward the visitor,
with a sight of Indian Fox, Sloth bear, Striped hyena, Jungle cut, Lepord,
Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned antelope, Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine
Kanha has some 200 species of birds. Watchers should station themselves in
the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour many species and in
the grassy forest clearings. Water birds can be seen near the parks
many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water birds and
the area in front of the museum.
Excursion to Kawardha just east
of the Maikala Range (up to 1100m) to the south east of Kanha National Park,
Kawardha is a small town in Chhattisgarh (34 forts) region of M.P. In this
remote area Maharaja Viswaraj Singh has recently opened his palace to
visitors. It provides a delightfully quite unspoiled contrast with Indias
big cities and with the much busier tourist circuit of Rajasthans palace
circuit. This town is in the center of the Baiga tribe, who live in
forest surrounding the town, and these are several eleventh century temples
in the immediate region.
Reach in the afternoon and relax at the
resort.
Overnight will be at the Kanha Resort.
Day
8 : Kanha Breakfast will be at the resort. Proceed for full
day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris with lunch break
in-between)
Overnight will be at the resort.
Day 09 :
Kanha Nagpur
By Road : 240 km in 5 hr 
Breakfast
will be either in the resort or in the forest as packed. Proceed for the
morning safari into forest. Proceed to NAGPUR after lunch. Reach and relax
at the hotel.
Overnight will be at Nagpur.
Day 10 :
Nagpur Delhi
By AirBreakfast will be at hotel.
Transfer
to airport for flight to Delhi. Check in at hotel for day use.
NEW
DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a isit to
the Humayuns Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial
avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and the
Presidents Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic
Enclave.
Transfer to airport in time for flight home.