Varanasi-Khajuraho & Tiger Tour
|
This innovative program is arguably the most exciting and comprehensive
wildlife journey that can be enjoyed in India, whilst staying in
comfortable safari tents and lodges. With its incredibly diverse
climate, terrain and vegetation, the sub-continent is home to a hugely
varied and exclusive selection of wildlife, bird-life and flora and
fauna. There are a great many protected areas and wildlife parks in
India. Explore four of the most popular; Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and
Ranthambore, where there is a good chance of spotting the elusive
Bengal tiger. Visit the temple complex of Khajuraho and also the
enchanting Taj Mahal monument. Travelling by road and train, the
ever-changing scenery and vegetation will slowly unfold as you move
from park to park on this enticing jungle odyssey.
| Name of Program |
: |
Varanasi-Khajuraho
& Tiger (VKT) |
| Place of Visit |
: |
Mumbai-Nagpur-Pench-Kanha-Bandhavgarh-Khajuraho-Varanasi-
Agra-Fatehpur Sikri-Haridwar-Rishikesh-Delhi. |
| Duration |
: |
16 Nights. |
| Best Time |
: |
Oct-March. |
Day 01 Arrive Mumbai:
Upon arrival meet to our staff drive to hotel for rest of the night.
Day 02 Mumbai:
Morning explore the sights of India's commercial capital which is
hugely spread out and is replete with Victorian Architecture. VisitJuhu
Beach:Juhu Beach is the favorite hang out for everyone
in Mumbai including the courting couples, the small children, the young
and the old. If you are ready to pay some extra buck, you can choose to
sip a cup of coffee and enjoy a splendid view of the coast from any of
Juhu's many five star hotels like the Sun and Sand, Holiday Inn or Juhu
Centaur. It's a place worth visiting in Mumbai.Film City:Film
City in Mumbai is located in Goregaon and is mostly closed to visitors.
But special permissions can always be obtained by anyone wishing to
check some of the action.Haji Ali's Mosque:Situated
in the Arabian Sea, this mosque containing the tomb of the Muslim saint
Haji Ali is a worth visiting place in Mumbai.Gateway Of
India:This 26-meter high famous landmark was designed to
commemorate the visit of King George and Queen Mary to India in 1911.Hanging
Gardens:This terrace garden is also known as Ferozeshah
Mehta Garden and is situated over Bombay's main reservoir opposite the
Kamala Nehru Park. It offers lovely sunset views over the Arabian Sea.Marine
Drive:One of Mumbai's most popular spots is the Marine
Drive. The sunset view from this spot is just amazing. Marine Drive is
also called as the Queen's Necklace due to the dramatic curve made by
the streetlights at night. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Mumbai/Nagpur (Flight) /Pench(By
surface 3 hrs drive) :
Morning flight to Nagpur and then drive to Pench National Park. Pench
Tiger Reserve comprises the Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park,
the Mowgli Pench Sanctuary and a buffer. The park nestles in the
southern slopes of the Satpura ranges of Central India. The river
Pench, which splits the National Park into two, forms the lifeline of
the Park. On arrival check in hotel, evening first park ride, to
witness the wild life, Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Pench:
Early morning and afternoon safari in this very unspoilt area of
wilderness.
Day 05 Pench/Kanha(By surface 4- 5 hrs drive)
:
Morning drive to Kanha, Kanha is home to the magical land of wildlife
that stores numerous precious gems of nature. Situated in the eastern
part of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha is a small and satisfied town. The town
is most famous for the Kanha national Park which is a world of its own.
Considered among the best national park in Asia, it is home to few of
the most endangered species. The main attraction of the park is without
a doubt the King of the Jungle, Tiger. Many flock to this one of a kind
national park to get a glimpse of this beautiful animal. And to come
near this magnificent beast, and that too in his own lair is really a
heart stopping experience. The other main attraction in the park is the
Barasingha. afternoon park ride. Overnight at hotel or lodge.
Day 06 Kanha:
Early morning and afternoon game drives in the hugely varied terrain of
the park which is home to many different animal species and superb
flora and fauna. Overnight at hotel or lodge.
Day 07 Kanha/ Bandhavgarh(By road 5-6 hrs
drive) :
Morning game ride at the Kanha National Park. Later drive to
Bandhavgarh, the cradled between the Vindhyan ranges and the eastern
flanks of Satpura ranges of Central Indian Highlands, Bandhavgarh Tiger
Reserve lies mostly in Umaria and partly in Katni districts of Madhya
Pradesh. It is best known as the ‘tiger land’ of India, because of the
highest density of tigers, as compared to rest of the country. The
scenic beauty of the Reserve is unique owing to the presence of vast
grasslands – bahs – together with high cliffs, extremely rugged
terrain, sharp crested hills and narrow valleys all in one single
landscape. Some part of the area is generally plain with a few
scattered undulating hillocks. On arrival chek in hotel or lodge for
relax.
Day 08 Bandhavgarh :
Morning and afternoon safari to the park, which boasts varied habitats
of wide variety of species.
Day 09 Bandhavgarh/ Khajuraho:(By
road, 6-7 hrs drive)
Morning, after breakfast drive to Khajuraho. Stunning and inspiring in
the way they fuse the sacred and the erotic in their architecture, the
famous temples of Khajuraho stand as a unique testament to the arts of
love...This tender kiss between two lovers is about as tame as
Khajuraho gets, so if you're the type who is easily upset at explicit
erotic imagery, go no further... but to those free spirits out there
who are open to the untold majesty and polymorphous genius of this
supreme kama sutra of sexual liberation during the Chandela dynasty,
read on, read on, and I'll show you how it all turned out...On arrival
check-in Hotel, rest of the time visit the World Heritage Temples with
beautiful sculptures of Western Group and Jain Temple of Eastern Group.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 Khajuraho/ Satna/ Varanasi:(By
road, 3-4 hrs drive+train)
Morning, after breakfast drive to Satna, board train to Varanasi
Overnight board train.
Day 11 Varanasi:
Early in the morning arrive at Varanasi, meet to our representative,
drive to hotel, early check in, later commence sightseeing of Varanasi
& Sarnath, Sarnath is almost a suburb of the holy Hindu city of
Varanasi. The most striking monument at Sarnath is the Dhamekh Stupa,
built on the spot where legend has it the Buddha first turned the Wheel
of Dhamma. Also found here are the ruins of an ancient monastery and
the remains of an Ashokan pillar. Near the ruins of the monastery and
stupa is Mulagandhakuti Vihara, a temple dedicated to Amagarika
Dharmapala, founder of the Mahabodhi Society. At Varanasi visit the
local colorfull market, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Bharat Mata Temple,
Banaras Hindu University and the Ghats, There are many picture-postcard
ghats lining the banks of the River Ganges in Varanasi and these have
become major tourist attractions in their own rights. Locals and
pilgrims regularly frequent the ghats, often coming down to the
waterfront to bath and relax. However, tourists are not advised to
bathe in the River Ganges, as the water quality is very poor, despite
attempts to clean it up. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 Varanasi-Agra:
Early in the morning visit the river Ganges, river trip, he majority of
tourists actually choose to enjoy a cruise as early as 05:30 or 06:00
in the morning, when the dawn light is very special and the temperature
pleasantly cool. One of the most popular boat trips offering in
Varanasi heads south between the Dasaswamedh Ghat and the Harishchandra
Ghat. Assi Ghat, where people often choose to be rowed to the
Harishchandra. On the way back visit some another temples, on arrival
at hotel take breakfast, later join the Yoga session. Late evening,
after dinne, board train to Agra. Overnight on train.
Day 13 Agra Arrival:
Upon arrival meet to our city guide follow the morning Agra fort and
It-Madud-Daula and late after noon visit the wolrd famous Taj Mahal
during sun set, Akbar started the construction of the Agra Fort, also
known as Red Fort, in 1565, built by primerally as a militery
structure, Shahjahan upgrade it as a palace, which later became his
prision for eight years. The only points for entring through the Amar
Singh gate, It is the most important fort in India. The great Mughal
Emperors lived here, and the country was governed from here. It
contained the largest state treasury and mint. It was visited by
foreign ambassadors, travellers and the highest dignitaries who
participated in the making of history in India. A wonderful marble tomb
on the opposite bank from the Taj Mahal and constructed by Emperor
Jehangir's queen, Nurjahan, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. It took 6
years to build being finished in 1628; the craftsmanship atItmad-ud-Daulais
superb and shows how the marble inlay work known as 'pietra dura' can
be used to stunning effect, a technique that went on to help make the
Taj Mahal what it is today. A realTribute to Beauty and
Human Love, The Taj Mahal monument is located in Agra,
India and is constructed between 1631 and 1654 by a workforce of 22,000
humans. TheMuslim Mughal Emperor Shah Jahancommissioned
its construction as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Arjumand Bano
Begum, who is better known as Mumtaz. TheTaj Mahal(sometimes
called “the Taj”) is generally considered thefinest
example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines
elements of Indian, Islamic and Persian architectures. The Taj Mahal
has achieved special note because of the romance of its inspiration.
While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar part of the
monument, the Taj Mahal is actually an integrated complex of
structures. After enjoy the evening drive back to hotel for overnight.
Day 12 Agra-Delhi via Fatehpur Sikri:(By road 3-4 hrs
drive)
After breakfast drive to Delhi via Fatehpur Sikri, or the City of
Victory, is located 36 km from Agra. It was founded in 1569 by the
Mughal emperor Akbar to honor the Muslim saint Shaikh Salim Chishti,
who had foretold the birth of Akbar’s son and heir, Jahangir. The city
was Akbar’s capital until 1584. By 1605 it was largely deserted because
of the inadequate water supply. Fatehpur Sikri is a World Heritage
Site. On arrival at Delhi check in hotel, rest of the time visit local
market.
Day 13 Delhi-Haridwar-Rishikesh (train):
Early in the morning board train to Haridwar ETD 0650 hrs. ETA 1120
hrs. on arrival meet to our rep. later commence sightseeing of the holy
city for Hindu. A paradise for nature lovers, Haridwar presents a
kaleidoscope of Indian culture and civilization. In mythology it has
been variously mentioned as Kapilsthan, Gangadwar and Mayapuri. It is
also a entry point to the Char Dham (the four main centers of
pilgrimage in Uttarakhand viz, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and
Yamunotri), hence, Shaivaites (followers of Lord Shiva) and
Vaishnavites (followers of Lord Vishnu) call this place Hardwar and
Haridwar respectively, corresponding to Har being Shiv and Hari being
Vishnu.
The legendary King, Bhagirath, the great-grandson of the Suryavanshi
King Sagar (an ancestor of Rama), is said to have brought the river
Ganga down from heaven, through years of penance in Satya Yuga, for the
salvation of 60,000 of his ancestors from the curse of the saint
Kapila, a tradition continued by thousands of devout Hindus, who brings
the ashes of their departed family members, in hope of their salvation.
Lord Vishnu is said to have left his footprint on the stone that is set
in the upper wall of Har-Ki-Pauri, where the Holy Ganga touches it at
all times. Late evening witness the Ganga Ceremony. later drive 24km to
Rishikesh. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 Rishikesh:
After breakfast full day local sightseeing of this holy city, visit Ram
Jhula, Laxman Jhula, Parmarth Niketan, Gita Ashram and evening see the
"Ganga Aarti". Lunch at the most popular restaurant "Choti Wala"
Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 Rishikesh-Delhi (Train):
Morning drive to Haridwar, Board train to Delhi, rest of the time
leisure for individual activities. Overnight at hotel.
Day 16 Delhi dep.:
After breakfast full day local sightseeing visit Swami Narayan
Akshardham Temple, Old Delhi as Red Fort (Outer only) Jama Masjid,
Chadani Chowk, Gandhi Memorial, Govenment Buildings, Humayun's Tomb,
Lotus Temple and Qutab Minar, after dinner later evening transfer to
International airport for onward flights. |
|