14 Day India Wildlife and Culture Photo Safari

Experience Central India with its unique mix of ancient culture and its breathtaking wilderness. Indian art, culture and spirituality all developed amidst a rich, natural beauty.

We will see vivid Indian art dating back to prehistory, visit sacred Buddhist and Hindu sites, and begin to comprehend the origins of modern India.

We explore the variety and biodiversity of the National Parks of Madhya Pradesh while taking Wildlife Safaris in India’s most beautiful National Parks.

We will visit highland habitats, teak forests, bamboo and grasslands areas as well as riverland areas.

We will go on safari to seek out the big cats—tigers and leopards—as well as monkeys, crocodiles and a huge number of bird species.

Madhya Pradesh has some of India’s most important and significant national parks and reserves.

Satpura National Park is 1400 square kilometres of highland habitat for some of India’s most important wildlife.

Pench Tiger Reserve consists of over 700 square kilometres—primarily of teak forest—and is considered one of India’s finest tiger reserves.

Kanha National Park is one of the largest national parks in India and extends over almost 2000 square kilometres of undulating country.

Bandhavgarh National Park, amidst the Vindhyanchal Ranges, covers about 440 square kilometres and contains a mixture of grassland, bamboo and densely wooded hills.

DELHI

Arrive Delhi by International flight. After crossing immigration and baggage, you will be met by an Inspiration India/ Mantra Wild representative at the arrivals hall, who will transfer you to your hotel (rooms are available from 12 noon).

You will receive a traditional welcome with “Aarti and Tikka” wherein a silver tray with a small oil lamp is used to welcome you, along with a vermilion mark on the forehead.

DELHI reflects the legacy and heritage of Mughal Delhi, which is now known as Old Delhi. Pulsing with energy and colour, Old Delhi is laced by a maze of narrow lanes where you get a glimpse of the many flavours from the wedding bazaar to spice markets to graceful architecture. In contrast to Old Delhi the imperial city or New Delhi, created by the British, has numerous fine colonial structures, magnificent buildings and wide boulevards laid according to the master plans of the great colonial architect Lutyens.

Overnight: The Claridges (Deluxe room)

DELHI -BHOPAL-SATPURA VIA BHIMBETKA

Early morning, transfer to New Delhi Railway station to board Bhopal Shatabdi Express (0600/1350hrs).
Assistance upon arrival and drive to Satpura (180 Kms; 4 hrs), enroute, stop at the Bhimbetka Rock shelters, an archaeological site of the Paleolithic era, exhibiting the earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent. Some of the Stone Age rock paintings found among the Bhimbetka rock shelters are approximately 30,000 years old.

On arrival in you are assisted with checking in to your lodge.

Overnight : Reni Pani Jungle Lodge (Cottage)
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch at Satpura & Dinner

SATPURA - PENCH

Early morning start for Pench. We recommend an early start at 0600 hours and arrive Pench in time for lunch.
This will be a long day suggest a day at leisure.

Overnight : Jamtara Wilderness (double luxury tent with private facilities)

Meals : Full Board

Satpura National Park is cradled in the Satpura Range (Mahadeo Hills) and straddles the State of Madhya Pradesh. With the adjoining Bori & Panchmarhi Sanctuaries, Satpura N.P. provides 1427 sq. kms of unique Central Indian Highland ecosystem cover to India’s wild denizens. Satpura N.P.(set up in 1981 and 524 sq. km) is beautiful and unspoiled. It represents nature at its very best. The fascinating deep valleys, high mountains, rivulets, waterfalls and Tawa’s vast reservoir combine to give this Park an unique beauty. The terrain is extremely rugged and consists of sandstone peaks, narrow gorges, ravines and dense forests. The altitude ranges from 300 Mts. to 1352 Mts. From the 4500 feet Dhoopgarh peak to the almost level plains of Churna the ride is only 60 kms but it takes about 5 hours to travel from the cool environs of Panchmarhi resort to the edge of the Tawa reservoir.

Satpura & Bori abound in Central Province wildlife. The bio-diversity is stunning with over 1300 species of plants, which include numerous rare bryophytes and pteridophytes. While Sal & Teak forests are abundant, Central India mixed deciduous forests cover a major part of the area. An evident eyesore is the rampant and unchecked growth of Lantana. The meadows and valleys have been completely taken over by this invader.

The terrain, which is covered by some of the oldest Sal & Teak forests in India, is home to 50 mammal species, 254 bird species & 30 species of reptiles. The Tiger, Gaur, Leopard, Indian Giant Squirrel, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Chital, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Rhesus Monkey, Langur, Nilgai, Hyena, Wild Dogs, Smooth Otter, Pangolin, Porcupine, Marsh Crocodile, Ratel, Four Horned Antelope and many other species of wildlife are seen. Birds are seen everywhere and Malabar Pied Hornbills, Crested Serpent Eagles, Crested Hawk Eagles, Honey Buzzards, Paradise Flycatchers, Pittas, Thrushes, Peafowl, Pheasants fill the air with their calls.

Afternoon, enjoy a Boat Safari.

Overnight : Reni Pani Jungle Lodge (Cottage)

PENCH

Morning, game drive into the park.

Pench Tiger Reserve is India's 19th Project Tiger Park. It is considered to be one of the country’s finest new tiger reserves spread over 700 square kilometres and consisting primarily of teak forest. The population of game is also very high – it has a very high density of prey ( Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Sambar, Blue Bull and the Indian Bison) and is also home to a very healthy population of Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog and Jackal amongst other smaller predators. The bird list has over 280 species.

This evening, we have arranged a night safari in a private jeep with a naturalist.

Overnight : Jamtara Wilderness (double luxury tent with private facilities)

Meals : Full Board

PENCH-KANHA

Drive to Kanha, a distance of 210 kms / 6.5 hours.

Kanha is one of the largest national parks in India extending over 1945 sq. km. of undulating country, which includes a core area of 940 sq km. Kanha has some 22 species of mammals. The most easily spotted are the stripped palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig, chital or spotted deer, barasingha or swamp deer, sambhar and black buck. Less commonly seen species are tiger, Indian hare, dhole or Indian wild dog, barking deer and Indian bison or gaur. Other animals found in the park are Indian fox, sloth bear, striped hyena, jungle cat, panther, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, porcupine and wolf. Kanha has some 200 species of birds. The commonly seen species of birds include cattle egret, pond heron, black ibis, common peafowl, crested serpent eagle, racket-tailed drongo, and hawk eagle, various species of fly-catcher, woodpecker, pigeon, dove, parakeet, babbler, mynah, Indian roller, white-breasted kingfisher and grey hornbill.

Afternoon, walking safari/ village tour.

Overnight: Shergarh Tented Camp, (Standard Tents)

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

KANHA

Morning and afternoon jeep safari drive into the park. Game drives provide the best opportunity for all types of wildlife viewing, from bird and butterfly watching, to sighting the major prey species and chancing an encounter with a big cat. The drives would incorporate different regions of the park, showcasing its huge bio-diversity. The major mammals include gaur, dhole, barasingha, sambar, chital, muntjac, leopard and tiger. Afternoon drives are predominantly experienced in the Mukki region, often parked quietly aside water holes, waiting and watching for the late evening activity.

Overnight: Shergarh Tented Camp, Standard Tents

Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

KANHA-BANHAVGARH

Today you will be departing for Bandhavgarh National Park (290 kms / 7 hours)
Set amidst the Vindhyanchal ranges, the park covers an area of 437 sq. km. and has a series of ridges running through it. About half the park is covered with fine stands of Sal while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands are found throughout. The main view area is still in the core of the park with its 32 picturesque wooded hills.

There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. Common langurs and rhesus macaque represent the primate group. Carnivores include the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Grey Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard and of course the most famous of all the Royal Bengal Tiger. The other animals spotted in the park are Wild Boar, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Nilgai, Chinkara and Gaur. The vegetation along streams and marshes is rich in bird-life. The common ones are little Grebe, Egret, Lesser Adjutant, Sarus Crane, Black Ibis, Lesser Whistling Teal, White-eyed Buzzard, Black Kite, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Common Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Dove, Parakeet, Kingfisher and Indian Roller. Reptilian fauna include Cobra, Krait, Viper, Rat snake, Python, Turtle and a number of lizard species.

Overnight : Kings Lodge (Deluxe Cottage)

Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DELHI – AGRA- DELHI - DEPART

After an early breakfast, transfer to Nizamuddin Railway Station to board Gatimaan Express (0810/0950hrs) to Agra.

Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many monuments that epitomise the high point of Mughal architecture. In the Mughal period, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babar, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the river Yamuna.

Arrive Agra and experience the sublimity of the Taj Mahal (the Taj is closed on Fridays) - a varying kaleidoscope of solitude, colour and mood. A tribute from a great emperor to the memory of his beloved wife, it was 22 years in the making (1631-1653) and is a cerebral experience that defies description. Widely regarded as the earthly replica of paradise, the TajMahal is likened to “a vision, a dream, a poem and a wonder”.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Later, guided visit to the Agra Fort - strategically situated along a bend on the Yamuna River. Built in the 16th century AD by three generations of Mughal emperors, it is a superb synthesis of stern military fortifications with delicate interior details.

Post visit, drive back to Delhi and transfer to airport to board your International flight back to home.

*End of Tour*

Accommodation for 13 nights on double occupancy basis
Meals as specified in the itinerary.
Room with Breakfast in Delhi
Room with all major (3) meals at Satpura, Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh, lunch in Agra
Transportation as follows:
Delhi – Arrival and departure transfers for both the visits
air-con Tempo traveller (13 seater)
Delhi – arrival and departure transfers
Bottled mineral water in the vehicles during transfers
Safaris as per program
Services of local English speaking guide in Agra and monument entrance fees
Portering fees at the hotels/airports only
Park entry fees as per the itinerary
A portion of package cost goes to TOFT (Travel Operators for Tigers) Campaign supporting Tiger Habitats.
All currently applicable taxes

International and domestic airfare, visa fees, airport tax or any insurance cover
Drinks of any nature, any other meals than those mentioned in the itinerary
Tips or gratuities of any sort.
Any car arrangements on free days
Still and video camera fee at monuments and game parks
Personal items (drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips, camera fees etc)
Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control like change in flight and train schedule; cancellation of flights, political disturbances, natural phenomenon, etc
Any other item not specifically mentioned above as ‘included’