This expedition is designed for those who seek both adventure and stillness — a journey into the mountains where every day brings new terrain, new challenges, and the possibility of encountering one of the world’s most iconic wild cat.
Arrive in New Delhi and meet your Trip Leader at the airport.
Head to your hotel (The Roseate house or similar), check-in and relax until dinner.
We meet over dinner and discuss the plan for the next day, as well as the whole trip!
We start early to fly from Delhi to Jabalpur, and then drive about four hours to Bandhavgarh National Park in the Central Indian landscape, reaching the lodge by lunch time. After lunch, we head out for our first game drive in Bandhavgarh. Over the next two days, we will explore the magnificent landscape and the wilderness in Bandhavgarh with 6 morning and afternoon game drives. Spread over 1500 sq. km., Bandhavgarh National Park boasts a rich history, having once been the hunting grounds of the region’s royalty. Primarily known for its high density of wild Tigers – among the highest anywhere in the world, Bandhavgarh is also one of the first protected areas under Project Tiger which was launched in 1973. It is also the only park in Central India that hosts a herd of wild Asiatic elephants, and ancient monuments dating back to over a thousand years!
We head to Kanha after an early lunch. It is about a five-hour drive to reach Kanha through several traditional villages with beautiful local architecture.
Spanning over 2000 sq. kms of pristine wilderness, this National Park has a mesmerizing diversity in its landscape – forests, meandering streams, and expansive meadows. Home to a magnificent array of wildlife, from the majestic Bengal tiger to the elusive leopard and the endangered Hard-ground Barasingha – Kanha is one of the only parks where this graceful species of deer is found in the wild. It is one of the most prestigious parks in the country with unmatched wildlife biodiversity, including stunning bird life.
We will spend the next four days, with 6 game drives to explore the wildlife that Kanha has to offer.
Today, you have time to have a leisurely breakfast at the lodge and if time permits, to go for an early morning nature walk. After breakfast, we are ready to travel to our next destination, Jaipur. It’s going to be a comparatively longer journey and we will only reach Jaipur in time for dinner. Stay in Jaipur will be at one of the heritage Haveli properties of Jaipur. A city founded 300 years ago, Jaipur is one of India’s most unique and beautiful cities. A place known for its incredible hospitality, the entire city was painted pink to welcome the Royals from England in 1876, and ever since, Jaipur is known as the pink city. A walk in the old city painted in an earthy pink colour will lead you to some spectacular destinations – Hawa Mahal the tallest building in the world to be built without a foundation, Jantar Mantar – one of the oldest astronomical observatories with the largest stone sundial in the world, and the City Palace the abode of the royal family of Jaipur.
Jaipur is also home to some beautiful forts – Amer Fort built on a hilltop with yellow and pale pink sandstone, structures of white marble and the dazzling Sheesh Mahal. The Nahargarh Fort and the Jaigarh fort, small yet surreal, display some of the largest cannons of olden times. The old city market is a fascinating place for shopping with a variety of merchandise such as classic silver jewellery, local artisanal handicrafts, traditional juttis (local handmade footwear), Rajasthani miniature paintings, vintage textiles and a collection of antique items. With a unique blend of ancient forts and palaces and an extraordinary shopping experience, Jaipur is a must visit for its culture and heritage.
After breakfast, we head towards to Bharatpur, a birders paradise and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, officially known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park, is located in Rajasthan, India. Spanning 29 square kilometers, this man-made wetland attracts thousands of migratory birds each winter, including species from as far as Siberia. The sanctuary is renowned for its rich biodiversity, hosting approximately 366 bird species and a variety of flora and fauna, especially when migratory birds arrive, creating a vibrant spectacle of nature. Originally constructed in the 18th century by Raja Surajmal to manage floods, it has transformed into a haven for bird watchers and photographers.
We start our day after breakfast and drive through the Yamuna express highway to our next destination, Agra. Embraced by the banks of the Yamuna river in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the timeless city of Agra is a jewel in the country’s cultural crown. Renowned worldwide for its architectural marvels, Agra is most famously known as the home of the iconic Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an eternal symbol of love. We will reach our hotel and enjoy lunch. Then get ready to explore the Agra Fort, which is one of the first forts of the Mughal kingdom. The story of the fort, its architecture, and history are fascinating. After the Agra Fort, we will visit Taj Mahal at sunset and indulge in its natural beauty and famed architecture. Then we head to the market to find the descendants of the artists who built the magnificent Taj Mahal. We also have an opportunity to carry a miniature of the Taj Mahal which is made out of the same kind of marble!
Early morning, we will visit the Taj Mahal again, to see its spectacular beauty at sunrise.
After breakfast at the lodge, we will leave for Delhi, reaching there in time for lunch. Post lunch we will use the entire afternoon to explore Delhi.
The next day, we wake up leisurely. After breakfast, we meet at the lounge to explore Delhi city. Be prepared
for a crowd like you may never have experienced before and wear comfortable walking shoes.
We will head back to the hotel by late afternoon and then get dropped off at the airport according to your international flight schedule.
We will be happy to create special itineraries for groups/Free Individual Travelers based on what you would like to explore. This could mean including nearby cultural attractions and heritage sites that can get incorporated into any of our signature tours. Or we could completely design a customized tour for you and your group basis your passion – be it birding, photography, fishing, hiking or even herping and mammology. So share your details and we will get back to you with specially curated tour options.