Indo-Asia Tours

India: Temples & Tigers

13 days/12 nights

2009/2010 Tour Dates
Anytime. Contact us and let us know when you'd like to go.

Tiger Tiger burning bright. Re-discover the nature and its pristine beauty in our wildlife of India itinerary with a comprehensive tour of India's best gaming parks. Stay at Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks, which are renowned for their large number of tiger sightings. The Kanha National Park inspired Rudyard Kipling's famous "Jungle Book" and Bandhavgarh is the former private preserve of the Royal family of Rewa. All this and more - the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra; the temples of Khajuraho; the Palaces of Jaipur; the spiritual walk through the shores of the Ganges at Varanasi, and; the hustle and bustle of New Delhi.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN DELHI
Arrive in India's capital city New Delhi, where you are greeted with a traditional Indian welcome at the airport and escorted to your hotel, where a room has been blocked for immediate occupancy. The remainder of this day is at your leisure. Overnight at your hotel.

DAY 2: NEW & OLD DELHI - SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast at your hotel, our representative meets you and will brief you on your entire itinerary and tour. Later, the representative will accompany you for a full-day sightseeing tour of New and Old Delhi. You begin the tour with a visit of the Qutab Minar complex, dominated by the 234-foot Victory Tower, followed by the spectacular Rajpath, passing the triumphant House of Parliament, Diplomatic Enclave, President's House, the India Gate, and the famous Birla Mandir. In the afternoon, you enter into the second phase of the tour of Old Delhi. Visit the great Red Fort which was the opulent residence of Shah Jehan, builder of the Taj Mahal and the magnificent Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) which dominates the skyline. You'll also visit the Raj Ghat, cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, and later walk through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shahajahanabad, now a picturesque bazaar. Later in the day, we'll take you to the main shopping areas in Delhi, and then drop you back to the hotel for your overnight stay. (B)

DAY 3: DELHI / VARANASI
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Varanasi (Benares). The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together." Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. The Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.

Upon arrival in Varanasi, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Later in the afternoon, you will go on a walking tour of Varanasi. Since Varanasi is mainly associated with Hinduism, temples are the main attraction. The Ganga Ghats (river fronts) are the main center of religious activities and rituals and also form one of the main attractions of Varanasi. Some of the most important temples of Varanasi are Durga Temple, Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, and the Bharat Mata Temple. The Bharat Mata Temple houses a huge relief map of the whole of Indian subcontinent and Tibetan plateau. Overnight stay at hotel. (B)

DAY 4: VARANASI / KHAJURAHO
Early this morning embark on a boat cruise on the river Ganges. The riverfront, as seen from a boat, early in the morning, at sunrise, is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mystical, is everywhere - in a decorated doorway... in a glimpse of a glittering temple... in the sound of a sacred bell... the chant of the priests and the fragrance of flower oblations. This religious city is crowded with temples and its labyrinth of streets swelled with throngs of people. Multitudes of devotees come to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. Pass the bathing ghats where thousands of pilgrims immerse themselves in the holy water of the Ganges River, and the burning ghats where cremations are conducted. Return to hotel for breakfast.

In the afternoon you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival you are transferred to your hotel. Khajuraho was the religious and political capital of the Chandela Dynasty during the 9th to 13th centuries. Although once a splendid city, today Khajuraho is best known for its amazing Tantric temples built in the graceful Nagara style of architecture and enveloped with erotic sculptures, the oldest site of its kind in the world. In the afternoon our representative will escort you on a sight seeing tour of Khajuraho. Visit the Western Group of Temples, containing the largest and loveliest temples. Of this group, the Kandariya Mahadev Temple dedicated to Shiva is the most perfect, and with its elaborate 31-meter-high spire and bands of beautiful carving, it represents Chandela art at its best. It shares a high terrace with the older and simpler Devi Jagadamba Temple. The less ornate Eastern Group reflects the austerity of the Jains. Return to hotel for overnight stay. (B)

DAY 5: KHAJURAHO / BANDHAVGARH
After breakfast, you drive to Bandhavgarh (260km, about 7 hours). Check in at resort upon arrival. Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the wildlife sanctuaries in the Indian state Madhya Pradesh. This wildlife park derived its very name from an ancient fort in the area. Bandhawgarh National Park belongs to the Vindhyan mountain ranges of central India and it boasts to have the highest density of tiger population in the country. The forests of Bandhavgarh are the white tiger jungles of the yesteryears. However, no white tigers have been reported from the wild in the last 50 years, and it is believed that less than a dozen have been seen in India in about a hundred years. And yet when white tigers were sighted, it was right here in Bandhavgarh. Once a hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa, in more recent times, Bandhavgarh was declared a park in 1968. This is also the site where the famous WHITE TIGERS of Rewa were discovered. Overnight stay at your resort. (B, D)

DAY 6: BANDHAVGARH
Early morning you climb your tame elephant and visit the park. The mahouts are the best naturalists one can ever ask for, since they have grown up in the jungle amongst the wilds. These elephants have a keen sense of tiger smell and lead you straight to these beautiful large cats. The thick forest of Bandhavgarh National Park sits in a bowl encircled by cliffs and wooded Vindhyan mountains, and its plains have a number of grass and reed covered wetlands where Kingfishers dive and Egrets sit poised, hunch-backed in the shallows. Up above, vultures nestle in holes in the sheer cliffs. The Bandhavgarh Jungle, when it is large enough, becomes a living self-sustaining organism providing its own climate, atmosphere, water, and nutrition through its recycling systems. It even has a sleep wake cycle. As more light fills the sky, Bandhavgarh begins to awaken. Return to your resort for breakfast. The rest of the morning is at leisure to explore the surroundings.

In the afternoon you embark on a jeep safari with your naturalist to visit the park. Bandhavgarh is blessed with a large variety of residents - both in terms of animals and birds. In the category of animals, it is possible to sight tigers, leopards, gaur (Indian Bison - although some say they are no longer seen), chital (spotted deer), Sambar deer, Dholes, nilgais, wild boars, chinkaras, sloth bears, rhesus macaques, black faced langurs, jungle cats, hyenas, porcupines, jackals, foxes, wild dogs, chausinghas and ratels, among others. It is the density of its big cat population that has made Bandhavgarh famous across the globe. Return to your resort for overnight. (B, L, D)

DAY 7: BANDHAVGARH / KANHA
After breakfast, drive to the neighboring Kanha National Park (240 km, about 6 hours). The picturesque Kanha National Park was the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling's unforgettable classic "Jungle Book." The romance of the Kanha National Park has not reduced over time - it is still as beautiful. If one were to point to the middle of India, chances are he will pick out the forests of the Banjar and the Halon Valley, the two forming the western and eastern halves of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, which have long been famous for their wide diversity of wildlife. By far the most striking features of this region are the open grassy meadows, where sighting blackbuck, swamp deer, sambhar, and chital is common. Upon reaching Kanha, you check into your resort for overnight. (B, L, D)

DAY 8: KANHA
Early morning you go with your naturalist on a jeep safari to visit the park. The lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows, and ravines of Kanha provided inspiration to Rudyard Kipling for his famous novel "Jungle Book." The Park's landmark achievement is the preservation of the rare hardground Swamp Deer, saving it from near extinction. Stringent conservation programs for the overall protection of the Park's fauna and flora, makes Kanha one of the most well maintained National Parks in Asia. A heightened attraction within the Park is Bamni Dadar, popularly known as Sunset Point that offers the most awe-inspiring backdrop of the sunset against grazing sambhars and gaurs, magnifying the natural splendor of the area. Aside from its diverse wildlife and bird population, the frequent sightings of tigers roaming in the wild at Kanha Wildlife Sanctuary remain the most popular draw. Return to your resort for breakfast. Morning is at leisure to explore the surroundings. A well-kept literary and video library on wildlife can be made use of. In the afternoon embark on yet another Jeep safari with your naturalist. Return at sunset to your resort for overnight. (B, L, D)

DAY 9: KANHA / JABALPUR / AGRA
After an early morning game view with your naturalist, return to your resort for breakfast. Next, drive to Jabalpur railway station (170km, about 4 hours). Upon arrival at Jabalpur, you board a super fast sleeper express train for Agra. Tonight, you spend on board the train in the comfort of an air-conditioned sleeper coach. Overnight on board train. (B)

DAY 10: AGRA
You arrive this morning at Agra and are escorted to your hotel. After freshening up and breakfast our representative meets you and accompanies you to visit the 16th-century Agra Fort. Explore the 16th century Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century. It lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1565 to 1573 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls, red sandstone, and a moat. Next, visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, the incredible lacy white grandeur built by Emperor Shahjehan in memory of his loving wife Mumtaz Mahal, the "lady of the Taj." It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, for the emperor was heartbroken when his wife Mumtaz died. The Taj Mahal has recently been immortalized by the inclusion as one of the "Seven Wonders of the World." Later you drive back to your hotel for an overnight stay. (B)

DAY 11: AGRA / JAIPUR
After breakfast, this morning you drive to Jaipur (202km, about 4 hours). En-route you visit the last capital of the Mughal Empire - Fatehpur Sikri. It comprises the remains of the new capital that Mughal Emperor Akbar built for himself in Year 1570, though deserted it after 15 years due to shortage of water in the area. Predominantly red sandstone buildings, it reminds one of the great emperor's vision to include both Hindu and Muslim styles into all architecture. Continue your drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival you check into your hotel. Jaipur is the center of many traditional arts, crafts, jewelry, and handicrafts. The bazaars in Jaipur are mostly located within the old walled city area and are open on all days. Most of the tourist attractions are situated very close to the market area in Jaipur. Overnight at the hotel. (B)

DAY 12: JAIPUR
Today early morning our representative will accompany you on an excursion to Amber Fort. You will have a unique experience of riding a caparisoned elephant from the foothill to the ramparts of the ancient fort. Once inside we explore the Palace of Mirrors, inlaid with millions of tiny glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience and the beautiful manicured gardens. Next, we drive back to your hotel for breakfast and relaxation. Later in the afternoon, our representative will pick you up from your hotel and escort you for a tour of the old city of Jaipur. Visit the Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds," Jaipur's central landmark, an extraordinary façade of multiple airy windows used by the court ladies to watch the outside activities without being seen. Explore the City Palace, characterized by balconies, tiny windows, cupolas, courtyards, and arched entrances. It now houses an excellent collection of Rajasthani costumes, miniatures, and an armory of weapons. Drive back to your hotel for your overnight stay. (B)

DAY 13: JAIPUR / DELHI / ONWARD JOURNEY
After breakfast, the morning is at leisure. Later in the afternoon, you drive to Delhi (262km, about 6 hours). Upon arrival you will be taken to the International Airport for your onward journey.(B)

TOUR PRICE:

Land Cost Per Person:

1 Traveler	2 Travelers	4 Travelers	6 Travelers	8 Travelers	12 Travelers
$3500	$2300	$2150	$2150	$2050	$2050

Kutrubes Travel has SPECIAL AIRFARES - Contact us for details.

Price Includes:

Accommodation on twin sharing basis.
Daily Buffet Breakfast at Hotels of stay.
All meals at game parks.
Meet and Greet at airport/railway station by our representative.
Arrival and Departure transfers in AC chauffeur driven vehicle. Non-AC vehicle for game drives.
Services of naturalist during game drives.
Entrance fee to monuments & game parks as per Itinerary.
Service a local English-speaking Guide.
Train fare for sector Jabalpur - Agra in two-tier air-conditioned sleeper coach.
Air Fare Delhi-Varanasi - Khajuraho in Eco Class.
All applicable taxes.

Price Does Not Include:

International airfare.
Departure and custom fees.
Gratuities for guides and drivers.
Travel Insurance, Trip Cancellation Insurance and Medical and Luggage Insurance.
Cost of lunches or dinners not mentioned above.
Camera fees at monuments & National Parks.
Any expenses of personal nature.

Payment and Refund Policies

If you have any questions or you'd like to book this trip, please contact us.

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