India Safari with Luxury & Style
(12 Days):
Sample Itinerary Outline
ID #: DT-I-12-4-9-10-RAIJ
DAYS 1 & 2: Mumbai, INDIA
Upon your arrival in Mumbai, you will be met at the airport and
transferred to your hotel. On Day 2 you’ll be guided on a morning
tour of the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s principle landmark. This arch
of yellow basalt was erected on the waterfront in 1924 to
commemorate King George V’s visit to this colony in 1911. Later,
drive past the Afghan Church, the Haji Ali Mosque, the Secretariat
of Maharashtra Government and along the Marine Drive which is known
as the “Queen’s Necklace.” Visit the Jain Temple, the Hanging
Gardens which offer a spectacular view of the city, colorful
Crawford Market, and Flora Fountain in the large bustling square in
the heart of the city. ►Some suggested Mumbai hotels (in alphabetical order): Oberoi, Mumbai (V)
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower
Taj Lands End, Mumbai (V) ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAYS 3 & 4: Pench, INDIA
Pench National Park is a tropical deciduous forest with the Pench
River flowing through it. The wildlife you may spot here includes
deer, leopards, gaur, sambhars, blue bulls, macaque, langur, tigers
and civets. The concentration of prey is highest around the Pench
River, so that is the most likely spot to catch a glimpse of a tiger
and other jungle cats. ►Suggested hotel: Baghvan Lodge, Pench
DAYS 5 & 6: Kanha, INDIA
Kanha’s sal and bamboo forests, rolling grasslands and meandering
streams stretch over 940 square kilometers in dramatic natural
splendor. This is Kipling country, which he recorded vividly in The
Jungle Book. The same abundance of wildlife species exists today in
Kanha National Park, which forms the core of the Kanha Tiger Reserve
created in 1974 under Project Tiger. A series of stringent
conservation programs have been enacted to protect the park’s
delicate flora and fauna. This park has a reputation for being one
of the finest and best-administered national parks in Asia with an
irresistible attraction for wildlife lovers. ►Suggested hotel: Banjaar Lodge,
Kanha
DAYS 7 & 8: Bandhavgarh, INDIA
Imagine yourself in a safari vehicle slowly and silently traveling
along a dense forest trail, listening to the alarm calls of a langur
warning the presence of a tiger. The forest floor quiets, and you
silently watch through the early morning mist, a faint image of
yellow and black stripes crossing the trail ahead. This is the
experience you may have in Bandhavgarh National Park on a
breathtaking real life jungle expedition. ►Suggested hotel: Mahua Kothi Lodge,
Bandhavgarh
DAY 9: Khajuraho, INDIA
After breakfast at your hotel, continue on to Khajuraho. Enjoy the
evening at leisure. ►Suggested hotel: Chandela Hotel, Khajuraho
DAYS 10 & 11: Khajuraho & New Delhi, INDIA
On the morning of Day 10, you will visit the Eastern Group of
Temples, including the Ghantai Temple; the Vamana Temple, dedicated
to the “Vamana” or dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu; and the Javari
Temple. There are also three Jain Temples here featuring beautiful
carvings and sculptures of Vaishnav deities. Later transfer to the
airport for your flight to New Delhi. On Day 11 in New Delhi,
sightseeing highlights will include Qutb Minar, the world’s tallest
free-standing minaret tower, dating back to the 12th century; the
mausoleum of Emperor Humayun, an excellent specimen of early Mughal
architecture; and the imposing modern Lakshminarayan Temple. Then
you’ll drive past the India Gate, a moving war memorial dedicated to
fallen Indian soldiers; the president’s residence; the parliament
house and the Secretariat buildings — an interesting blend of
Victorian and modern architecture. Afternoon sightseeing will
include the highlights of Old New Delhi: the magnificent Red Fort;
Raj Ghat, memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; and Jama Masjid, the largest
mosque in India. Then stroll through Chandni Chowk to savor the
ambience of an oriental bazaar. ►Some suggested New Delhi hotels (in alphabetical order): Aman, New Delhi (V) Imperial (V) Leela Palace (V) Oberoi (V) Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 12: New Delhi, INDIA
In the early morning, you will be transferred to the airport for
your return flight home.