Icons of India
Discover the crown jewel of India’s natural heritage – the magnificent royal Bengal tiger. This journey also takes in the architectural and historical treasures of the famous Golden Triangle. Highlights include the grand monuments of Delhi, the erotic temples of Khajuraho, the Agra Fort and the unsurpassable Taj Mahal. This tour is for seasoned travellers as travel days are long but the quality of tiger-viewing is well worth it.
11 days/10 nights
Lodges/Resorts
Departs daily ex Delhi
Highlights:
- Search for the crown jewel of India’s attractions – the wild Bengal tiger
- Go on safari in Bandhavgarh and Kanha national parks
- Visit renowned landmarks such as Agra’s Taj Mahal and the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri
- Admire the erotic sculptures of Khajuraho’s 10th century temple complexes
- Tour the monuments of Old and New Delhi
Icons of India
Itinerary
11 days/10 nights
Hotels/Resorts
Day 1
Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Transfer to your hotel.
Day 2
Delhi
Full day tour of Old & New Delhi. Highlights include Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, Chandni Chowk bazaar (closed Sun) and the Red Fort (closed Mon). B
Days 3/4
Agra
Morning departure by road for Agra (5 hrs) via Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra. Afternoon visit to the magnificent 16th century Agra Fort before a sunset tour of the Taj Mahal (closed Fri). On Day 4 enjoy a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal and the 16th century ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. Return to Agra for overnight. B
Day 5
Khajuraho
Transfer to Agra airport for flight to Khajuraho. Visit the site of one of the oldest temple complexes in India, dating back to 930AD and famous for its sensual sculptures. B
Days 6-8
Bandhavgarh
Early departure by road for Bandhavgarh National Park (5 hrs). Afternoon at leisure. On Days 7/8 enjoy two full days searching for tigers in jeeps on morning and afternoon excursions. Tiger sightings are not guaranteed; however there is plenty of other wildlife including monkey, chital, sambar deer and wild boar. The park also has over 250 different bird species. BLD
Days 9/10
Kanha
Drive through farmland and forests to Kanha National Park (5 hrs) for tiger tracking. Enjoy morning and afternoon safaris by jeep. The park is home to diverse wildlife including deer, Indian bison and over 200 species of bird. BLD
Day 11
Tour ends Delhi
Morning safari excursion followed by departure for Raipur (4.5 hrs) with packed lunch. Transfer to airport for connecting flight to Delhi. BL
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Icons of India
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India Wildlife Safaris and Tours Overview
Why India Wildlife Reserves Safaris & Tours: India’s wildlife reserves are a haven for many remarkable and endangered creatures like tiger, rhino, leopard and sloth bear. A wildlife safari combines beautifully with India’s cultural highlights.
When to Go:
Bandhavgarh National Park: Feb – May is the best time for gameviewing; the park is closed from early Jul to end Oct.
Corbett National Park: The best time for tiger viewing is the dry months of Apr – mid Jun, when wildlife come out in search of water. The best birdwatching is between Dec – Feb.
Ranthambhore National Park: The best time to go is in winter (Dec – Feb) and Mar/Apr. The park is closed during the monsoon; it reopens on 1 Oct.
Kanha National Park: Best time to visit is Mar – Jun. Park closed during monsoon from beginning Jul – Oct. Also closed midday to give respite to wildlife.
Kaziranga National Park: Best visited from mid-November to early April. The low-lying grasslands are flooded during the monsoon. During the floods, the animals migrate to higher, drier ground.
Periyar and Nagarhole National Parks: The best time to go is in the cool dry months (Oct- Feb) and during the hotter months of Mar/Apr for elephant viewing. The park is open during the monsoon period (June – Sep); but it is not the best season for spotting game.
Combine With: Safaris to India’s wildlife reserves are usually part of a general sightseeing itinerary which include India’s many cultural and historic attractions. They can also be combined with the wildlife parks of neighouring Nepal, Bhutan or Sri Lanka.
Getting There: The national parks of northern India can be accessed from major cities such as Delhi, Jaipur and Guwahati (Kaziranga). In South India, Periyar and Nagarhole/Kabini can be reached from Kochi, usually as part of an overland itinerary.