SUMMARY

Take in the sights, sounds and smells of India on a unique wildlife-focused adventure. With a local leader and some fellow keen travellers by your side, this 13-day trip will take you to the local’s favourite for tiger spotting – Panna National Park – as well as the most popular national park for spotting the royal Bengal – Bandhavgarh Tiger Sanctuary. Head to Jabalpur to explore the architecture and waterfalls of this beautiufl city, then carry on to Satpura National Park for some nighttime safaris on jeep and boat (look out for jungle cats and fruit bats!). See why Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary is known as one of the world’s best spots for bird spotting, on the back of a rickshaw no less, then head to chaotic Delhi to uncover the wonders of India’s capital. If your heart is searching for birdlife, deer, flying foxes, leopards, sloth bears, monkeys and tigers – this adventure is calling your name!

TOTAL DURATION : 13 Days

GROUP SIZE : MIN 1 MAX 12

TOUR ITINERARY AND DATES

START : Delhi

END : Delhi

COUNTRIES VISITED : India

Validity : 02 JAN 2024 To 31 DEC 2024

Day :1

Location : Delhi

Namaste! Welcome to India. An airport transfer is included if you’re arriving today, so you can just focus on the excitement of taking in the energy of Delhi. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your trip leader and your fellow travellers, followed by a flavourful group dinner to get to know each other. If you arrive early, why not book yourself on an Urban Adventure through the city – a great introduction to the magic of Delhi!

Day :2

Location : Panna National Park

After breakfast this morning, you’ll hop on a train towards Jhansi with your group – the city sits on the banks of the Pahuj River and is home to some rich history. Listen to your leader’s stories while the walled Jhansi Fort overlooks the centre. Grab some lunch with your group before driving towards Panna National Park. This protected Tiger Reserve is home to around 35 tigers, as well as sloth bears, spotted deer, leopards and a wide array of birdlife. When you arrive, you’ll have the option to visit the nearby Temples of Khajuraho – built between 950 and 1050 during the Chandella dynasty, these gorgeous temples are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth the visit. Tonight, enjoy dinner with your group and get a good sleep, ready for your first wildlife adventure tomorrow.

Day :3

Location : Panna National Park

Arise bright and early this morning for your first safari. You’ll head into Panna National Park with a local naturalist guide and discover the beauty of the park’s waterfalls, forested areas and vast open plains. Look out for the roaming tigers that call this place home, and you might even see spotted deer up on their hind legs, eating from a tree – or a leopard or sloth bear prowling the grounds. This park really excels in local birdlife, so make sure you look to the sky and the trees, too! There are over 200 species of bird here, with many of the water birds unseen in any other national park. You will also have the option to prebook a second, afternoon safari to double your chances of ticking off bucket list wildlife.

Day :4

Location : Bandhavgarh National Park

This morning, after a spot of breakfast, say goodbye to Panna National Park and make your way on wheels towards the next destination – ‘The Land of Tigers’ or Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve. Bandhavgarh is known for its resident royal Bengal tigers, and the density of their population is the highest known in India. When you arrive, you’ll have time to settle in before a group dinner. You also have the option to book some evening entertainment – a bonfire dance show at the hotel.

Day :5

Location : Bandhavgarh National Park

Set off on your morning safari through Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve this morning. With a local naturalist guide by your side, you’ll have a great chance of spotting one of the many royal Bengal tigers that prowl these lands – keep your eyes out for the other residents, too! There are also white tigers, leopards, wild boars, gaurs (buffalo), langurs, eagles and deer due to the biodiversity of the grounds – a mix of tropical forest, swamps, cliffs, Sal trees and grasslands. See the scores of birdlife soar above, the energetic langur jump from tree to tree and the wild boar sitting lazily by the water. You’ll also have the option to pre-book an afternoon safari today (if you just can’t get enough of the diverse wildlife that calls this park home).

Day :6

Location : Bandhavgarh National Park

This morning, you’ll have breakfast as a group, and if you fancy, you can head out on another morning safari drive through the great lands of Bandhavgarh National Park. Alternatively, enjoy a free, lazy morning of rest and relaxation – maybe reading a book in the sunshine or going for a swim in the pool. This afternoon, you’ll head out on another safari, to strengthen your chances of spotting the gorgeous Bengals in their natural habitat. Your naturalist guide will give you all the insights into how these beautiful beasts live day to day in the park and as always, give you the best chance to spot as much wildlife as possible! Tonight, enjoy a group dinner and share photos of all the day’s finds.

Day :7

Location : Jabalpur

Say goodbye to Bandhavgarh National Park this morning after breakfast and make your way towards Jabalpur. Surrounded by low hills in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, this city is a popular spot with visitors, known for its natural landscapes and historic architecture. When you arrive, you’ll head out on a leader-led walking tour of the city to get your bearings then you’re free to discover at your own pace. Maybe head to the rocky hilltop on the western outskirts to see the Madan Mahal Fort, built in 1116. Or, head west to the Pisanhari Ki Madiya Jain temple for great views over the city. Before finding the best spot for dinner, why not go chasin’ waterfalls – Jabalpur has four!

Day :8

Location : Satpura National Park

Say goodbye to Jabalpur this morning and drive to the Satpura Mountain Range. Watch the central Indian landscapes pass you by as you chat with your fellow travellers, take the opportunity to have a much-needed nap or get stuck into your favourite podcast. When you arrive at Satpura National Park, settle into your new surroundings before heading out on an exciting night safari with a naturalist guide. As you drive through the forested ranges of this national park and tiger reserve, watch out for nocturnal animals that can only be spotted once the sun goes down – leopards, flying squirrels and flying foxes are just some of the creatures that come out under the stars.

Day :9

Location : Satpura National Park

Fuel up on a good breakfast this morning and (if you’ve prebooked the optional morning safari today), head out to see Satpura National Park in the sunlight. Among the cascading waterfalls, deep canyons and natural pools of Satpura, sunlight sees a high density of sloth bears here, as well as giant squirrels, deer, a range of different monkeys and hundreds of birds! After a group lunch and some time to rest (or your free afternoon if you opted out of the morning safari), you’ll get ready for your second evening exploration, but this time, by boat! Watch the sun go down from a boat sailing through the park, and from the waters, try to spot the nighttime jungle cats, fruit bats and flying foxes.

Day :10

Location : Agra

Continue your adventure this morning with a drive to Bhopal. This is a bit of a long travel day, so make sure you’ve got your favourite book, playlists and car games ready! Maybe grab some lunch in Bohpal and then take a train towards Agra, your destination for tonight. When you arrive, you’re free to head out wherever you wish for dinner – your local leader always has great recommendations!

Day :11

Location : Agra

Wake up in the beautiful city of Agra this morning and after breakfast, head out for a morning in Keoladeo National Park. This huge bird sanctuary and national park has long been recognised as one of the world's most integral breeding and feeding grounds for local birdlife. When you arrive, you’ll take a rickshaw safari ride through the sanctuary with a local naturalist guide. As well as the 260 species of bird that live here, you may also spot some of the deer, nilgai (antelope) and boar that reisde in the park. Return to Agra and get ready to tick off one of the Seven Wonders of the World off your bucket list – that's right, Agra is home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Taj Mahal! Marvel at the 17th century structure as you learn about its history (and snap some pretty epic pics) and soak in the majesty of this amazing site, at sunset no less.

Day :12

Location : Delhi

Leave Agra behind and travel to Delhi this morning – home to the capital of India, New Delhi. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation and then head out on a walking tour of Old Delhi with your leader. This neighbourhood dates back to the 1600s and is home to the Mughal-era Red Fort and the vibrant bazaar, Chandni Chowk. Hop on a rickshaw to see the city from a different perspective and get a taste of local life. Tour the iconic Jama Masjid Mosque, with its huge courtyard that accommodates 25,000 people. Learn the fascinating history of Delhi from your local leader and take in the sights, smells and sounds of this chaotic but marvellous place. Tonight, why not head out for a farewell dinner with your group and toast to an incredible adventure!

Day :13

Location : Delhi

With no further activities planned, your adventure ends this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay in Delhi, just reach out to your booking agent ahead of time.