Land of the Tiger
Duration: 15 Days
Places to visit: Mumbai – Nagpur – Pench – Kanha – Bandhavgarh – Khajuraho – New Delhi
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive in Mumbai
Upon arrival at the airport in Mumbai you will be met by the representatives of Nature Safari India who will then take you to the Hotel. Overnight stay in Mumbai.
Day 2. Mumbai
Full day city tour of Mumbai. Overnight stay in Mumbai.
Mumbai, in Maharashtra state, is a culturally diverse city and important for the nation’s financial success. Once a cluster of seven islands on the west coast of India, occupied by a fishing community, a series of reclamations led to the development of modern Bombay. The city was renamed Mumbai in 1995. Mumbai has a deep natural harbour which handles more than half of India’s passenger traffic and a large amount of cargo. Mumbai is a city which never sleeps. It has attractive shopping arcades, exciting sport activities, night clubs, theatres, music, restaurants and picturesque sights. The fast-paced life has given rise to many roadside fast-food outlets. Mumbai is home to the world famous Hindi film industry known as Bollywood, which is one of the biggest entertainment industries in the world.
Day 3. Mumbai – Nagpur – Pench
Early in the morning transfer to the domestic airport to board a flight to Nagpur. Meeting and assistance on arrival at Nagpur and drive to Pench National Park, 100 km/2 hrs drive. Lunch at Resort and afternoon game drive to the National Park. Dinner and overnight at Resort.
Days 4-5. In Pench
All meals and overnight at Resort. Morning and afternoon Jeep safaris to the National Park.
Pench National Park, nestling in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura hills, is named after the Pench River, meandering through the Park from north to south. It is located on the southern boundary of Madhya Pradesh, bordering Maharashtra. Pench National Park totals 758sqkm, of which the core area comprises 299 sq km of the Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park and the Mowgli Pench Sanctuary and the remaining 459 sq km is buffer area. Pench Tiger Reserve and its neighbourhood is thought to be the original setting of Rudyard Kipling’s most famous work, The Jungle Book.
The undulating topography supports a mosaic of vegetation ranging from moist, sheltered valleys to open, dry deciduous forest. It is dominated by fairly open canopy, mixed forests with considerable shrub cover and open grassy patches. Over 1200 species of plants have been recorded in the area. The area has always been rich in wildlife. The high habitat heterogeneity favours a high population of Chital and Sambar and the highest density of herbivores in India.
Day 6. Pench – Kanha
Morning game drive in Pench National Park. Later transfer to Kanha National Park, 210 km/4 hrs drive. On arrival, check into the Resort.
Day 7-9. In Kanha
All meals at Resort. Morning and afternoon Jeep safaris to Kanha National Park.
Kanha National Park, stretching over 940 sq km, is the largest National Park. The vegetation is chiefly made of sal and bamboo forests, grasslands and streams. This Park is the sole habitat of the rare hardground Barasingha, the population of which has recovered from the verge of extinction.
Kanha boasts an unending list of mammals. Some species found here are Gaur – largest cattle, Sambar – largest Indian deer, Chausinga – the only four-horned antelope, Nilgai – antelope, Dhole – Indian wild dog, nocturnal Flying Squirrel and Sloth Bear. Some 200 species of birds inhabit the Park including the cattle egret, black ibis, hawk eagle, and the red-wattled lapwing.
Day 10. Kanha – Bandhavgarh
After breakfast depart for Bandhavgarh, 250km/6 hrs drive. Dinner and overnight at Resort.
Days 11-12. Bandhavgarh
Morning and afternoon game drives, meals and overnight at Resort.
Bandhavgarh National Park lies in the North Eastern border of Madhya Pradesh and northern edges of the Satpura Mountain Ranges. This Park contains 32 hills and a natural fort in the centre.
The National Park is mainly known for its tiger population. This is the place where the famous White Tigers of Rewa were discovered. The other wild attractions in the Park include Nilgai, Chausingha, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Fox and Jackal. The reptile population in the Park includes cobras, kraits, vipers, ratsnakes, pythons, lizards and turtles. There are two primate species, the Rhesus Macaque and the Hanuman Langur.
At independence Bandhavgarh remained the private property of the Maharaja until he gave it to the state for the formation of the National Park in 1968. After the Park was created poaching was brought under control and the number of animals rose dramatically. Small dams and water holes were built to solve the problem of water shortage. Grazing by local cattle was stopped and the village within the Park boundaries was relocated. The tigers, in particular, prospered and the 1986 extension provided much needed forest to accommodate them.
Day 13. Bandhavgarh – Khajuraho – Delhi
After breakfast drive to Khajuraho airport to board a flight to New Delhi. Upon arrival in New Delhi transfer to the hotel. Overnight in New Delhi.
Day 14. New Delhi
Morning: A visit to Old Delhi and a cycle rickshaw ride are synonymous and must do things when visiting Delhi. The heart of Delhi beats with the hustle and bustle of people at work. Enjoy the pleasure of getting lost and confused in the narrow lanes of old Delhi. Other sights to see include the historic Red Fort and India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid (from outside). Return to the hotel for lunch or eat at an interesting restaurant in town.
Afternoon: Visit New Delhi, seeing the Qutab Minar, a tower of victory built in the 12th century and India Gate, the war memorial. Enjoy Lutyen’s Delhi and drive past the Rashtrapathi Bhawan, the residence of the President of India, the Houses of Parliament and the Government Secretariat buildings.
Overnight in New Delhi.
Day 15. Fly back home
Transfer to the airport to board a flight back home.