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Tiger Safari Holidays India Bandhavgarh Kanha Pench Tadoba Satpura

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

India Tiger Safari: Taj + Panna/Khajuraho + Bandhavgarh + Goa
India Tiger Safari Bandhavgarh Panna Reserves Taj Mahal  Khajuraho Goa
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,244
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
IRD14M
• 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 and transferred to your hotel in this ancient capital of kingdoms and empires that is now a sprawling metropolis.
 
Delhi's strategic location was one of the main reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power and today it is a conglomerate of seven cities. The division between the old walled city and New Delhi marks a division in lifestyles, with the old city retaining its past traditions whilst New Delhi strives to match the pace of the 21st century.
Day 2
Today enjoy a full day private tour of modern New Delhi and the 17th century walled city of Old Delhi, which came to prominence when Shah Jahan moved his capital here from Agra.
 
In Old Delhi enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through 300-year old Chandni Chowk market, a maze of lanes crowded with noisy shops selling an extraordinary variety of items and foods, and past the Jama Masjid (or Friday Mosque), the largest in India, and drive past the imposing walls & battlements of the Red Fort, once the most opulent palace in the Mughal Empire. We continue to the Raj Ghat - the simple but moving memorial on the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
 
In the afternoon our tour of New Delhi starts with a visit to the Qutub Minar, an ancient victory tower built of red sandstone and marble in 1199 and still the tallest minaret in India. With its imposing cylindrical towers and surrounding ruins, it is today a World Heritage Site. Our next stop is Humayun's Tomb, the beautiful mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Akbar, that inspired the Taj Mahal.
 
We drive along the Rajpath - the capital's broadest avenue - where you will see the imposing arch of the India Gate war memorial, Parliament House, the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential residence built for the Viceroy of India, and the government buildings on Raisina Hill.
 
Note: The Red Fort is closed on Mondays.
Day 3
This morning we drive 3.5-hours from Delhi to the ancient city of Agra, set along the banks of the Yamuna River and originally the capital of the Mughal Empire.
 
Along the way we visit the Agra Bear Rescue Centre. This facility provides sanctuary to over 200 orphaned and distressed sloth bears, including many rescued dancing circus bears.
 
Afterwards we continue to Agra, which 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.
 
In the late afternoon, visit the Mehtab Bagh Gardens that are located across the river from the Taj Mahal, to enjoy your first views of this magnificent edifice at sunset.
Day 4
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 5
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 6
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).
Day 7
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).
Day 8
Today leave Panna and transfer 5-hours to Bandhavgarh National Park - once the hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa and today one of the most famous tiger reserves in the world.
 
Covering 168 sq miles (437 sq km) of bamboo, grassland and deciduous forests in the Vindhya Hills of Madhya Pradesh, this reserve is where the white tigers were discovered. Check into your lodge and relax in this wonderful wildlife sanctuary.
Days 9 To 10
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 11
This morning transfer 4-hours to Jabalpur Airport for your flight to Mumbai and onward flight to Goa.
 
You will be met at Goa Airport and transferred to your hotel in this holiday city, which was once a Portuguese colony and is the smallest state in India.
 
Check in and relax at your beach resort, offering miles and miles of golden beaches and spectacular sunshine.
Day 12
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 13 To 14
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 15
Transfer to Goa Airport for your flight home.