India the land immensely rich in culture, history and natural beauty. Even for wildlife enthusiasts, the country has an excellent and a rich variety of flora and fauna. Some of the finest national parks and sanctuaries are found here. Hinduism, influenced by this, is complete with animal symbols, not only as vehicles for the gods but also as 'avtars', or reincarnations. Our jungle odyssey begins in the Vindhya mountains of central India, in Bandhavgarh-. We move about on elephant-back, searching for tiger and its elusive prey. In Rajasthan, we visit Ranthambhor Tiger Reserve, the erstwhile hunting preserve for former maharajas of Jaipur. We travel by jeep and look for tiger within the ruins of forts and great battle walls. Nearby is the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, a haven for nearly 350 species, also the winter home of the rare Siberian crane. Finally to Gujarat, where we see a variety of game and birdlife including the Wild Ass and the Black Ibis in the largely known touristy surroundings of Jasdan and Zainabad.


DAY 01 - ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon you visit the legendary monuments of Old Delhi and New Delhi.

DAY 02 - TO KHAJURAHO
A short flight from Delhi, brings you to Khajuraho the temple city. The temples of Khajuraho are one of India's major attractions. Khajuraho is derived from Khajura - date palm, which grows freely in the area and perhaps because there were two golden Khajura trees on a carved gate here. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit the temples.

DAY 03 - TO BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
Arrive at the park after a fascinating drive into hills of Madhya Pradesh state. Bandhavgarh was a former maharaja's hunting preserve. The Bandhavgarh Forest Camp or the White Tiger Lodge can be your home for the next three nights.

DAY 04 - BANDHAVGARH
Bandhavgarh National Park, is named after an ancient fortress. The small fragile biosphere is a rare wildlife retreat where nature and history meet. Game viewing can be done by jeep. The main species found in Bandhavgarh are tiger, panther, gaur, chital, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, barking deer, bear, wild boar and a variety of upland birds.

DAY 05 - BANDHAVGARH: Full day for game viewing on elephant back. An erstwhile hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa, Bandhavgarh was declared a Park in 1968. This is where the famous white tiger of Rewa were discovered.

DAY 06 - TO AGRA
Return to Khajuraho. Fly to Agra, and check into your Hotel.

DAY 07 - AGRA
Morning city tour to the world famous Taj Mahal, and the imposing Agra Fort. Afternoon excursion to the deserted capital of Fatehpur Sikri, en route to Bharatpur, where you stay in the Bharatpur Forest Lodge or the Saras Tourist Bungalow.

DAY 08 - BHARATPUR BIRD SANCTUARY
Perhaps the finest bird sanctuary in Asia, Bharatpur is home to over 350 species. Early morning wander down beautiful trails. Midday relax and revisit the park later.

DAY 09 - TO RANTHAMBHOR
Today drive into the heavily forested hills surrounding the ghostly remains of Ranthambhor Fort. Your hotel will be the Sawai Madhopur Lodge or Indian Adventure Camp.

DAY 10 & 11 - IN RANTHAMBHOR
These two days will be spent game viewing in Ranthambhor, one of the best places in the sub-continent to see tiger in the wild and the open. Main species found in Ranghambhor are tiger, panther, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, civet, sambar, chital, nilgai, bear, wild boar, green pigeon, peafowl, red spurfowl, the great Indian horned owl, etc.

DAY 12 - TO JAIPUR
Morning drive to Jaipur and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon wander through this 'pink city' and see the City Palace and the astronomical observatory.

DAY 13 - TO AHMEDABAD
Morning flight brings you to Udaipur, where one can stop at the Lake Palace Hotel for refreshments before proceeding by surface to Ahmedabad. You arrive in the evening at your hotel, where you stay for one night.

DAY 14 - TO ZAINABAD
This morning drive to Kutch, stopping en route for a picnic lunch at Lake Nalsarover, noted for its abundant birdlife. After lunch proceed to Zainabad where one can stay at the Desert Courses Camp for two nights.

DAY 15 - IN ZAINABAD
A full day of game viewing around Zainabad. There is an abundance of wildlife, including the rare Wild Ass and the Hubara Bustard.

DAY 16 - TO JASDAN
Morning drive to Jasdan, to stay at the Jasdan Fort. A private fort, it is located in a wildlife reserve and makes an ideal base for game viewing. The afternoon is at leisure.

DAY 17 - IN JASDAN
Today will be set aside for bird and game viewing.

DAY 18 - TO BOMBAY
You depart Jasdan for Rajkot to connect with your flight to Bombay, where you stay overnight at your Hotel.

DAY 19
Onward connection for international flight.