Tiger Trails of India - 10 days/9 nights

Meal Codes: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch & D=Dinner.

Please note all domestic India air flights are at additional cost for this private tour.

DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT 
DELHI – JAIPUR BY FLIGHT; JAIPUR – RANTHAMBORE BY ROAD (176 KMS/3-4 HRS) (L,D)

Arrive Delhi International Airport and clear immigration and customs. You will be met immediately by our travel representative as you exit customs. Note: If you are travelling on an e-visa please ensure you are carrying a hardcopy of the approval. Please proceed to the e-Visa counters at the end of the Immigration Hall.

Transfer to the domestic terminal for your domestic flight to Jaipur.

Our Target Tours representative will assist you, on arrival in Jaipur, with your transfer to Ranthambhore & will assist check in at your hotel. The standard check in time at India hotels is 1400 hrs.

Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned national parks in northern India. The park is in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan. Originally one of the famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, today the Ranthambore National Park terrain is a major wildlife attraction, including Bengal Tigers, that has earned the attention of many wildlife photographers.

The rest of the day is free to relax at your chosen national park 4 or 5-star resort. All meals are included at the hotel in Ranthambore.

OVERNIGHT AT NAHARGARH (5-STAR) HOTEL IN SUPER DELUXE ROOM
OR
ANURAGA PALACE (4-STAR) HOTEL IN DELUXE ROOM.

DAY 02: RANTHAMBORE (B,L,D)

Enjoy both morning and afternoon private game drives. We would recommend that you wear an extra layer for your morning drive because it can be cold as you travel by open-top jeep. In the afternoon you will need protection from the sun.

Ranthambore’s rugged terrain is home to a host of wildlife, including the elusive Bengal tiger. Your game drives are early in the morning and then early evening, when temperatures are at their coolest, and animals at their most active.

Ranthambore is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these powerful predators in the wild. At one time excessive trophy hunting nearly wiped out the tiger population here, as in other parts of the country. Fortunately, Ranthambore was selected as one of the sites of Project Tiger — a collaboration between the Government of India and the World Wildlife Fund to rehabilitate the Indian Tiger. Almost extinct at the beginning of their efforts, the program has been highly successful and, today, tigers can be spotted regularly at their normal pursuits – hunting and taking care of their young.

All meals are included at the hotel in Ranthambore.

OVERNIGHT AT NAHARGARH (5-STAR) IN SUPER DELUXE ROOM OR
ANURAGA PALACE (4-STAR) IN DELUXE ROOM.

DAY 03: RANTHAMBORE – JAIPUR BY ROAD (184 KMS/3-4 HRS) (B)

Breakfast in the hotel before departing for Jaipur and check in at your hotel.

Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II and is the first well planned city of India, located in the desert lands of India, Rajasthan. The city which once had been the capital of the royalty now is the capital city of Rajasthan. The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajput’s and the Royal families. In the present, Jaipur is the major business centre for the natives of Rajasthan with all the requisites of a metropolitan city.

The rest of the day is at leisure to relax or explore.

OVERNIGHT AT TRIDENT HOTEL (5-STAR) IN A DELUXE GARDEN VIEW ROOM OR
SHAHPURA HOUSE HOTEL (4-STAR) IN DELUXE ROOM.

DAY 04: JAIPUR (B)

Breakfast in the hotel before a full day of exploring Jaipur:

Amber Fort – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated at top of the rugged Aravali hills 11 km north of the city, the fort is a magnificent example of Rajput architecture. We ascend to the fort on Elephant’s back and return in our own vehicle. Pronounced ‘Amber’ and meaning ‘High’, this wraithlike fort – palace beautifully illustrates Rajput artistry in the faded shades of the reddish pink. Amber was once the ancient capital of the Jaipur state.

Continue your sightseeing of Jaipur city visiting Hawa Mahal – Palace of Winds. This five-storied building which looks out over the main street of the old city is one of Jaipur’s major landmarks. This is a stunning example of the Rajput artistry with its pink, semi-octagonal and delicately honey combed and stone windows. Originally Hawa Mahal was built to enable the ladies of the royal families to watch the daily life and processions of the city.

Jantar Mantar – The Observatory built by Raja Jai Singh in1728. An excellent example of marvellous precision, where each construction has a specific purpose to measure the position of stars, altitudes and azimuths or calculating eclipses. The most striking instrument is the Sun Dial, which is 90 feet high.

City Palace Museum – A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, where part of the palace is still the house of the former Maharaja of Jaipur. Visit the various galleries displaying the armoury, clothes, and paintings of the Rajput clan.

A tour of Jaipur is not complete without the opportunity for shopping. Jaipur is known as a shopper’s paradise famous for jewellery, handicrafts, carpets, blue pottery, and textiles.

OVERNIGHT AT TRIDENT HOTEL (5-STAR) IN A DELUXE GARDEN VIEW ROOM OR
SHAHPURA HOUSE HOTEL (4-STAR) IN DELUXE ROOM.

DAY 05: JAIPUR – DELHI – JABALPUR BY MORNING FLIGHT (B)
JABALPUR – BANDHAVGARH BY ROAD (160 KMS/4 HRS) (L,D)

Depart for Jaipur airport in time to connect with your flight to Jabalpur via Delhi.

Upon arrival, drive to Bandhavgarh and check in at your jungle lodge. All meals are included at Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge.

Bandhavgarh National Park is in the eastern part of central India in Madhya Pradesh, and the park covers an area of 1,536 sq km. Bandhavgarh gets its name from the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort – ‘Bandhav’ (brother) and ‘Garh’ (fort). This is one of the leading tiger reserves in all of India. Bandhavgarh protects significant biodiversity for the India region. There are three regions within the park that include Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli with Tala serving as the primary area for the tigers. The predators of Bandhavgarh include the tiger, leopard, striped hyena, and the caracal. Sambar, barking deer, spotted deer, and nilgai are all commonly seen in the park. The spotted deer is the favorite prey of the tiger.

In the late afternoon enjoy bird watching and a local village walk on foot.

OVERNIGHT AT BANDHAVGARH JUNGLE LODGE IN A SUPERIOR ROOM.

Note: Bandhavgarh & Kanha National Park are closed on Wednesday afternoons (in lieu of wildlife safari excursions, walks to the village, village school visits, alternative nature walks, birding & bicycle trips etc are offered).

DAY 06: BANDHAVGARH (B,L,D)

Morning and afternoon jeep safaris in the park today.

The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is one of the highest in India. The park also boasts a large breeding population of leopard and various species of deer including sambar deer and spotted deer and in the recent past Gaur has been re-introduced to the park.

Additionally, residing in the park are over 289 species of birds including Sarus Crane (largest in India), Drongo, Grey Hornbills, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Common Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Stork Bill Kingfisher, Raptors and Vultures.

Sal trees, Bamboo and deciduous trees dominate the eco system in Bandavgarh National Park. They shed their leaves in summer as the park becomes dry. The park has natural springs and rocky terrains including rugged topography that was once part of the ancient land mass of Gondwanaland.

All meals are included at the Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge.

OVERNIGHT AT BANDHAVGARH JUNGLE LODGE IN A SUPERIOR ROOM.

DAY 07: BANDHAVGARH – KANHA BY ROAD (250 KMS/6 HRS) (B,L,D)

Breakfast in the hotel.

Today you will drive south to Kanha, not only the biggest park in India, but a very scenic one too with many vegetation and habitat types. All meals are included at the Kanha Jungle Lodge.

KANHA NATIONAL PARK: The largest national park in central India, at 941 sq kms, Kanha was once the exclusive hunting ground of British viceroys. The setting of Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’, it is also amongst the most scenic and beautiful wildlife reserves in India, comprising lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows, and ravines. Kanha is home to some 22 species of mammals. Most commonly spotted are the striped palm squirrel, common langur, jackal, wild pig, chital (spotted deer), barasingha (swamp deer), sambhar and black buck. Less seen species are tiger, Indian hare, dhole (Indian wild dog), barking deer and gaur (Indian bison). Other animals found in the park are Indian fox, sloth bear, striped hyena, jungle cat, panther, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, porcupine, and wolf.

The barasingha at Kanha are unique in that they have adapted to hard ground unlike swamp deer of the north, which live in marshy swamps. Faced with extinction some twenty years ago, several measures were taken to save them, and they now populate the large open tracts of grass amidst the forests of teak and bamboo. Kanha also has some 300+ species of birds. The commonly seen species include Cattle Egret, Pond Heron, Black Ibis, Common Peafowl, Crested Serpent Eagle, Racket-tailed Drongo, Hawk Eagle, Indian roller, White-breasted Kingfisher, Grey Hornbill, and various species of flycatchers.

Mid to late afternoon depart for a visit to a Baiga tribe village, approx 7 kms from your hotel.

The Baiga’s are native to Kanha and live a primitive, semi-nomadic existence in mud huts without any electricity. They are renowned for their tolerance and hospitality. The village experience includes a walk around the nearby river followed by a wander through the village and meeting with some of the residents. It is a 2-hour cultural experience.

All meals are included at the hotel whilst in Kanha.

OVERNIGHT AT KANHA JUNGLE LODGE IN A SUPERIOR ROOM.

DAY 08: KANHA (B,L,D)

Today enjoy both a morning and afternoon jeep safari in the National Park. Large numbers of swamp deer have been recorded here and with luck you will see herds of them in the meadows.

With some expert guiding from your naturalist, you may be lucky enough to spot a tiger.

In-between your safaris other options are to learn about animal history at the Kanha Museum, take part in the elephant bathing process, consider a local trek, and there is also wildlife viewing from a machan.

All meals are included at your hotel today.

OVERNIGHT AT KANHA JUNGLE LODGE IN A SUPERIOR ROOM.

DAY 09: KANHA – JABALPUR BY ROAD (192 KMS/4-5 HRS) (B)
JABALPUR – DELHI BY DOMESTIC FLIGHT

Breakfast in the hotel.

Depart for Jabalpur airport in time to connect with your flight back to Delhi.

Upon arrival transfer to your Delhi airport hotel.

OVERNIGHT AT JW MARRIOT AEROCITY HOTEL (5-STAR OPTION) IN A DELUXE ROOM
OR A STANDARD ROOM (4-STAR OPTION).

DAY 10: DEPART DELHI BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT OR EXTEND YOUR STAY IN INDIA. (B)

Breakfast in the hotel.

Transfer to Delhi International airport in time to connect with your onward fight to your next destination.

Alternatively extend your stay in Delhi or consider joining another regional tour.

Please Note:
India hotels observe check-in time from 1400 hrs & check-out time by 1000 hrs.

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TIGER TRAILS TOUR COSTS:
Per Person LAND Tour Costs: (all domestic & international airfares are additional):

For Land Tour travel dates between 01OCT 2022 – 30JUN 2023.

4-Star Option @ US$2298.00 per person twin/dbl share. Single room surcharge @ US$549.00 pp.
5-Star Option @ US$2992.00 per person twin/dbl share. Single room surcharge @ US$850.00 pp.
Domestic India air flight costs are additional for this tour and will be quoted at time of booking. The domestic air flight sectors will be Delhi-Jaipur; Jaipur-Jabalpur via Delhi & Jabalpur-Delhi.