Luxury Tiger Safari

 

Delhi	Taj Palace Hotel	1 night
Khajuraho	Hotel Chandela	1 night
Bandhavgarh	Mahua Kothi	3 nights
Kanha	Banjaar Tola	3 nights
Pench	Baghvan Jungle Lodge	2 nights

Taj Hotels and Resorts has teamed up with award-winning Africa specialists &Beyond (formerly Conservation Corporation Africa) to launch a range of luxury games lodges in the Indian National Parks. This World Discovery Luxury Tiger Safari includes a stay at 3 of them. Read more about the Taj/&Beyond partnership.

13 days from £3640

excluding international flights

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

Recommended flight from London: Jet Airways from London Heathrow (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

DAY 2 – Arrival in Delhi.

On arrival in Delhi you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

DAY 3 – Fly to Khajuraho.

In the morning transfer to the airport for the Jet Airways flight to Khajuraho, where you will be met and taken to your hotel. In the afternoon your guide will take you to visit the astonishing temples of Khajuraho [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast.

DAY 4 – By road to Bandhavgarh.

A long journey today over fairly poor roads takes you to Bandhavgarh National Park, one of India's top wildlife sanctuaries, located in rugged terrain in the Vindhaya Hills. You should reach your lodge in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAYS 5 and 6 – Bandhavgarh National Park.

Situated in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park is one of India's most renowned tiger reserves. Nestled among the picturesque Vindhya and Satpura hills, it is undoubtedly one of India’s most beautiful national parks. The dramatic landscape features tropical forests and woodlands, and steep rocky hills with flat grasslands in the valleys below. Bandhavgarh supports one of the highest densities of tigers on the subcontinent. Its hilly open terrain includes many large grassland meadows that offer good chances of sightings. The park is also home to a large variety of mammals: leopard, chital (spotted deer), sambar deer, nilgai (blue bull), wild boar, chinkara, sloth bear, rhesus macaque, grey langur, hyena, porcupine, jackal, fox, and wild dog. There are twice-daily safaris in specially-designed Tata open 4x4 safari vehicles, accompanied by &Beyond-trained naturalists. Tick off Bandhavgarh’s ten Star Birds (a unique Taj and &Beyond programme). Absorb the sights and sounds on a walk through a traditional Madhya Pradesh village.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAY 7 – By road to Kanha.

After a morning game drive, leave Bandhavgarh and head for Kanha National Park, known worldwide as the setting for Rudyard Kipling's 'Jungle Book'. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAYS 8 and 9 – Kanha National Park.

Kanha is one of India's largest national parks, covering 1,945 square kilometres. It is located in the Maikal Hills in the south eastern part of Madhya Pradesh. The park has beautiful areas of Sal forests, large bamboo stretches and lush green meadows. In 1973, when 'Project Tiger' was launched to save the tiger, Kanha was one of nine reserves selected. It is prime tiger country and is the project’s star success story. Herds of animals are found in the central parklands where approximately 22 animal species are regularly spotted, including more unusual species such as the three-striped palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig and black buck. Striped hyena, leopard, mouse deer and porcupine also reside here, as do the chinkara and ant-eating pangolin. It is also home to the highly endangered hardground barasingha deer, as well as sambar, chital (pictured) and gaur. Kanha features approximately 70 tree species and is a bird watcher’s paradise with over 230 species recorded. Frequently seen are minivets, black ibis, parakeet, babbler, indian roller, racket-tailed drongo, white-breasted kingfisher and hawk eagle.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAY 10 – By road to Pench

Morning game drive before continuing to Pench National Park.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 11 - Pench National Park.

One of Central India’s lesser known reserves, Pench derives its name from the Pench River, which meanders its way through the entire stretch of the 757 square kilometre park. A typical Central Indian teak jungle, Pench supports a rich variety of wildlife, including tiger, leopard, wild dog, gaur, sambar, chital and a brilliant birdlife. The park’s open habitat not only lends well to wildlife viewing, but it also offers striking views of the area’s sheer beauty. In addition to morning and afternoon games drives by specially-designed Tata open 4x4 safari vehicle, there is the opportunity to visit Pachdhaar village and admire beautiful local pottery. You will also visit a nearby fruit bat nesting site.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 12 – By road to Nagpur.  Depart for home.

Morning game drive. Later in the day drive to Nagpur for the evening flight to Mumbai to connect with your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch.

DAY 13 – Arrive UK.

Early morning departure from Mumbai, to arrive London Heathrow later the same morning.

International Flights.

We recommend the services of Jet Airways from London Heathrow. Flights are non-stop and have a choice of classes. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Delhi. Depart at 20.45; arrive Delhi at 11.00 (next day)
Mumbai/Heathrow. Depart at 02.35; arrive Heathrow at 07.00

Luxury Tiger Safari (Tour Reference: WDIN011)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Daily departures	Price
Jan, Feb, Mar	£3640
Oct, Nov, Dec	£3790

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled domestic flights within India - Delhi/Khajuraho and Nagpur/Delhi, including airport taxes.
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
• 10 full breakfasts 9 lunches and 8 dinners as shown in the itinerary
• Private transportation with an English-speaking driver in Delhi and Khajuraho, and on the journeys between the National Parks
• Within the National Parks you will share the transportation and guides with other guests of the lodges.
• All sightseeing as shown (unless indicated as ‘optional’), including entrance fees
• The services of a private guide for the included sightseeing in Khajuraho.
  

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
• Optional sightseeing
• International airport taxes
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter
• An Indian Visa. This should be obtained before departure from the United Kingdom. We recommend that you obtain your visa through CIBT in London - www.uk.cibt.com.

A deposit of £250 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.