Holiday Breakdown

Day 1

Delhi

On arrival at the Delhi international airport, you will be met by your zoologist guide and a local guide/driver. We will then transfer you to our hotel, level 3* (Hotel Rockland / Hotel Florence Inn). Delhi, was once the capital of kingdoms and empires and is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. Depending on the time of arrival we will spend some time exploring the city. Any meals today will be at our hotel (if we arrive early enough for dinner).

Day 2

Khajuraho

After breakfast we will travel to the airport and take a short flight (2.20 hrs) to Khajuraho. On arrival at Khajuraho, you and your zoologist guide (who accompanies you throughout) will meet a new local guide/driver, who will transfer you to the accommodation, level – 3* (Usha Bundela). Khajuraho is well known for its magnificent temples, which were built between 950 and 1050 A.D. The city derives its name from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree), which can be found in abundance in the area; and has become famous due to the divine sculptures in these temples which are a tribute to Life itself, embodying everything that is sublime and spontaneous about it. The murals depict the life and times of the Chandelas, and celebrate the erotic state of being. They not only testify to the mastery of the craftsman, but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose reign, these temples were constructed. We will eat lunch in the accommodation and this afternoon we will visit the Eastern & Western groups of Temples. A highlight here is Kandariya Mahadeo, which is the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it soars 31 m high and makes a brilliant picture. Our evening meal will be back at the accommodation.

Day 3

Bandhavgarh National Park

After breakfast we will drive in our private air conditioned vehicle to Bandhavgarh National Park (5-6 hours). Bandhavgarh National Park is set amongst the Vindhya Hills in Madhya Pradesh (a central Indian state). It is 168sq miles and is a mixture of bamboo, grassland, and a complex of deciduous forests. The dominant forest type is sal. The whole area is renowned for its bird life and there are at least 150 species of birds in the park, along with a wealth of mammals such as tigers, sloth bear, langur monkeys, wild boar, mongoose, 3 kinds of deer – chital, sambar and Indian muntjac, to name a few. In fact Bandhavgarh National Park has the highest density of tigers in the world. Once we arrive at Bandhavgarh we will check into our accommodation, level – safari lodge (Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge). We will eat lunch here and proceed into the park for an afternoon jungle safari by 4×4 open jeep accompanied by resident naturalist and forest park guide as well as your zoologist. With these companions you should have no problem in finding all the animals that are out and about. After the sun sets we return to the lodge and have evening tea. Dinner will be eat our evening meal here and get some sleep before an early start tomorrow.

Day 4

Bandhavgarh National Park

We will rise early this morning and after some tea or coffee we will leave for our second jeep safari. You will wake up to misty mornings and sounds of birds calling, which will make an exciting start to your day. As soon as dawn breaks, leave for your Jungle Safari, accompanied by a resident naturalist and forest park guides in 4x 4 Jeeps. Early morning is the best time for tracking the tiger and other wildlife. Our breakfast will either be enjoyed in the field (a picnic breakfast in jungle with a cup of hot tea/coffee) or it will be once we return to the lodge. Rest of the morning is at your leisure we can enjoy birding in the lodge grounds or go for nature walk /nearby village/school. After lunch at the accommodation we will have another afternoon safari by 4×4 open jeep accompanied by resident naturalist and forest park guide. Return to lodge and have evening tea and rest of the evening is free for star gazing. Dinner at our accommodation, level – safari lodge (Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge). Once a hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa in more recent times, Bandhavgarh was declared a park in 1968. This is also the site where the famous White Tigers of Rewa were discovered.

Day 5

Bandhavgarh National Park

This morning will follow the same pattern as yesterday with two jeep safaris and our meals being in the same locations. As we are driving around the park you may notice the Bandhavgarh Fort, on top of the cliffs which dominate the park. Besides offering breath taking views, it houses a 35 ft reclining statue of Lord Vishnu and 10th Century Rock Images of the incarnation of the Lord. Dinner at our accommodation, level – safari lodge (Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge). After the sun sets the peace and tranquillity of the night is temporarily broken by various animal calls – an alarm-call of the deer or the howling of jackals, or an occasional roar of the tiger.

Day 6

Bandhavgarh National Park

Once again today will be the same as yesterday as we enter the park for a sixth and seventh time in hope of seeing the elusive tigers, sloth bears, leopards, jungle cats, golden jackals and dhole which make up the major carnivores here. To help us every morning the park authorities send elephants with their mahouts out into jungle in search of tigers. When a tiger is spotted by the elephants and their mahouts, a message is passed on to park rangers through walky-talky which is further onward passed onto guests in the jeeps. Dinner at our accommodation, level – safari lodge (Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge).

Day 7

Delhi

After our breakfast we will be transferred to Khajuraho (5-6 hours) in our private air conditioned vehicle in time to catch our flight to Delhi. Once we arrive back in Delhi we will be met by our guide in Delhi and transferred to the hotel, level- 3* (Hotel Rockland / Hotel Florence Inn) and have dinner. If we have time in the afternoon sight seeing and souvenir shopping in Delhi is an option.

Day 8

Home

Today we will be transferred to Delhi international airport after breakfast to catch our return flight home.

The National Parks Authority for Madhya Pradesh have announced that with effect from 1st April 2011, all National Parks within the State will remain closed to public access on Wednesday afternoons until further notice. This order will affect Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Satpura and Panna Reserves. The inconvenience caused to Royle Safaris tour participants is regretted but unfortunately there is nothing we can do to facilitate entry during these closures. On occasions when our tour itinerary would normally include entry to one of these reserves on a Wednesday afternoon we will try arrange alternative natural history activities either around the periphery of the park. In the event that this is not possible we will offer the opportunity to watch a Tiger related documentary during this time.

Please note that the itinerary stated above is correct as our planned intentions for the tour. However adverse weather conditions and other local considerations can necessitate some modifications of the itinerary during the course of the tour; any changes will be made to make the best of the time and weather conditions available to us.

This tour is available on different date (subject to availability) please contact us for more details about running this tour on a date which suits you more.