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Golden Triangle India Holidays Delhi Taj Mahal Jaipur Rajasthan Tigers

India Tiger Safari: Bandhavgarh + Panna Reserves + Taj Mahal + Khajuraho+ Goa

India Tiger Safari: Taj Mahal + Bandhavgarh + Panna + Goa
India Tiger Safari Bandhavgarh Panna Reserves Taj Mahal  Khajuraho Goa
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,579
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
IRD12M
• India Tiger Safari & Goa
• Delhi
• Taj Mahal
• Bandhavgarh Tiger Sanctuary
• Jeep Safaris
• Panna Reserve
• Khajuraho Temples
• Goa Beaches
• Old Goa (Panjim)
• Arabian Sea

This classic India tiger safari combines a visit to the beautiful Taj Mahal in Agra, with safaris in two of India's famous tiger sanctuaries - Bandhavgarh & Panna Reserves. Enjoy private jeep safaris as you search for tigers, birds and other wildlife. Also view the amazing tantric temples at Khajuraho. Complete your holiday relaxing on one of the magnificent Goa beaches. All transfers, park fees & jeep safaris included.

Day 1
You will be met at Delhi Airport by your driver who will transfer you 3.5-hours to the ancient city of Agra, set along the banks of the Yamuna River and originally the capital of the Mughal Empire.
 
Agra is world renowned as the home of the Taj Mahal - that great symbol of love built by emperor Shah Jahan in the 16th century as a memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal.
 
After checking in to your hotel in this ancient city, we visit the Mehtab Bagh Gardens that are located across the river from the Taj Mahal, to enjoys your first views of this magnificent edifice at sunset.
Day 2
Rise early this morning to visit the stunning Taj Mahal at sunrise. This magnificent white marble mausoleum took 22 years to build and, apart from its stunning design and perfect symmetry, it is noted for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best marble inlay work ever done. Sunrise and sunset are particularly good times to visit and see the dome subtly change its colour.
 
After returning to your hotel for breakfast, later in the day we visit Agra Fort, a massive structure with walls over 70-ft high and 1.5-miles long that encompasses an astounding collection of well preserved buildings, many of them completed during the reign of Shah Jahan. After he was deposed by his son, he was imprisoned in this fort where he remained until his death - spending the rest of his life looking out along the river to the final resting place of his beloved wife.
 
Note: Taj Mahal is closed every Friday. You are allowed a maximum of 3-hours at the monument and cannot take in anything except your camera, water and essential medicine. From mid-January to mid-February there may be early morning fog, in which case you will visit the Taj Mahal a little later.
Day 3
Transfer to Agra Railway Station in good time to board the Gatiman Express train (air-conditioned chair class) travelling 2.5-hour to Jhansi.
 
Here you will be met and transferred 3-hours to Panna National Park, which spands over 200 square miles (542 square km) of deciduous forests in the Vindhyanchal Mountains of northern Madhya Pradesh.
 
Check into your lodge situated near this protected tiger reserve that has extensive plateaus and gorges, as well as some lovely waterfalls.
 
Note: To avoid unnecessary stress, on the train you will be accompanied by a local helper. Please note he is not a guide and may have limited English. Always be alert for possible theft (eg do not wear expensive watches or jewellery & never leave your belongings unattended); do not buy any food or drink from hawkers and know the toilets are likely to be in a poor condition. Because of the very short (2-minute) stops at each station, train travel in India is not recommended for the elderly or those travelling with children.
Day 4
Rise early this morning for a private jeep safari in Panna National Park.
 
In the Indian epic, Mahabharata, it is said that Pandava brothers visited the waterfalls near the forest that is now Panna National Park, upon being exiled. The Pandav Falls and Caves remain a beautiful spot where the pristine white-foam water flows towards the nearby Ken River.
 
The park’s fauna include tigers, leopard, nilgai, sambar, sloth bears and more than 200 different species of birds including the king vulture, blossom-headed parakeet, peregrine falcon and peacocks. On a boat ride down the Ken River you may see ferocious crocodiles basking in the sun.
 
Early morning is the best time to track tigers and other wildlife, but be aware that it is extremely difficult to find tigers in the jungle and sightings are never guaranteed. Best viewings are generally at the end of the dry season (March to May, although it is extremely hot from April onwards), when the tigers search out the waterholes - but you need to take at least 4 game drives for a good chance of a sighting.
  
In the afternoon return to the park for more private wildlife viewing before dinner.
 
Note: You will need to take a copy of your passport with you to enter the national park. Please note that we have no control over the driver and vehicle allocated to you, as this is done by the local park authorities according to a rota. In the winter months wear warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle.
 
This tiger reserve is closed every Wednesday afternoon, when only a morning game drive is offered. The park is also closed during the Holi & Diwali festivals, as well as during the monsoon season (July to early October).
Days 5 To 6
Rise early this morning for another shared jeep safari in Panna National Park.
 
Afterwards transfer 1-hour to Khajuraho for a half day private tour of its magnificent ancient hand-carved temples, built between 950 and 1050 AD and whose murals depict the life and times of the Chandela Rajputs.
 
We start with the Western Group of temples, which contain the largest and loveliest temples of the area. Of this group, the Kandariya Mahadev temple dedicated to Shiva is the most perfect. With its elaborate spire and bands of beautiful carvings, it represents Chandela art at its best. It shares a high terrrace with the older and simpler Devi Jagadamba temple.
 
Next we tour the Eastern Group of Hindu and Jain temples. These divine sculptures are a tribute to life, embodying the sublime and spontaneous whilst also celebrating erotic life.
 
Note: You will need to take a copy of your passport with you to enter the national park. Please note that we have no control over the driver and vehicle allocated to you, as this is done by the local park authorities according to a rota. In the winter months wear warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle.
 
This tiger reserve is closed every Wednesday afternoon, when only a morning game drive is offered. The park is also closed during the Holi & Diwali festivals, as well as during the monsoon season (July to early October).
Days 7 To 9
This morning is devoted to the wildlife of Bandhavgarh National Park on a private jeep safari.
 
Early morning is the best time to track tigers and other wildlife, but be aware that it is extremely difficult to find tigers in the jungle and sightings are never guaranteed. Best viewings are generally at the end of the dry season (March to May, although it is extremely hot from April onwards), when the tigers search out the waterholes - but you need to take at least 4 game drives for a good chance of a sighting.
 
In the afternoon return to the park for another private jeep safari before dinner. There are many bird species as well as mammals such as sloth bears, langur monkeys, wild boars, wild dogs, mongoose and three types of deer - chital, sambar and barking.
 
Note: You will need to take a copy of your passport with you to enter the national park. Please note that we have no control over the driver and vehicle allocated to you, as this is done by the local park authorities according to a rota. In the winter months wear warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle.
 
This tiger reserve is closed every Wednesday afternoon, when only a morning game drive is offered. The park is also closed during the Holi & Diwali festivals, as well as during the monsoon season (July to early October).
Day 10
This morning we suggest an optional private tour of historic Old Goa (Panjim City) with its many inner streets, small hotels, restaurants, shops and churches, followed by a visit to Divar Island.
 
Founded by Adil Shah in the 16th century and later conquered by Afonso de Albuquerque, you will visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus (meaning 'Infant Jesus') - a World Heritage Site built in red stone, in three different architectural styles. This splendid marble and silver mausoleum is the final resting place for the relics of St. Francis Xavier, the patron saint of the city. Also visit the impressive Se Cathedral dedicated o |Saint Catherine and said to be the largest church in Asia. On top of its façade hangs \the Golden Bell, also Asia's largest, whose sound can be heard all over Goa. Inside the cathedral are eight chapels, a main alter and six side alters
 
Afterwards we drive past the ruins of St Augustine Tower and proceed to the Capela De Monte for a panoramic view of Old Goa, the Mandovi River, the islands of Divar and Chorao, and the town of Raibandar.
 
From here we drive to the Divar Ferry Terminal, where we meet a local guide who will accompany you to Divar Island. Enjoy a picturesque ferry ride across the serene Mandovi River and discover the island’s multicultural heritage, as you visit landmark monuments such as ancient Hindu temples and Goa’s finest 18th century Baroque church, offering stunning panoramic views. Also visit the archeological ruins of a 12th century temple and Porne Tirth, a mystical holy bathing site, before returning by ferry to the mainland. Lunch is for your own account today.
Days 11 To 12
At leisure to relax and enjoy the splendid beaches of Goa on the Arabian Sea.
 
You can visit historic Old Goa (Panjim), a World Heritage Site, and the 16th century Portuguese fort, Fort Aguada. Take a guided tour of a restored colonial mansion, such as the Palacio do Deao by the Kushavati River in Quepem, and in Loutolim visit the Ancestral Goa Centre (or Big Foot Museum) that has recreated a traditional Goan village to showcase local customs.
 
Goa is a great destination for eating out, with delicious curries and other international cuisine. The shopping is also outstanding. Tailors will make you a fitted suit, tailored dress or whatever you fancy for a fraction of the cost back home, and prescription spectacles are very cheap. The local markets are also fantastic and don’t forget to sample feni spirit, made from cashew apples or coconut palm sap.
 
Goa is also renowned for its holistic spas and new age treatments, as well as its yoga sessions and fantastic sunsets over the Arabian Sea.
Day 13
Transfer to Goa Airport for your flight home.