The Ultimate India Safari

Arrive Mumbai

You will be welcomed to the bustling city of Mumbai by your local guide and transferred to your hotel. Spend your first night settling into the Indian pace of life - fast!

Mumbai

This morning you will head out for a half day exploration of Mumbai. Once a jumbled collection of neo-gothic British architecture, today Mumbai is much more than just a metropolis. An enigmatic mixture of mud huts and skyscrapers, age-old tradition and high-fashion, the city is constantly changing whilst also keeping one foot in the past. Walk across the Gateway of India to the Prince of Wales Museum - one of the largest in the country. During your walk you will likely observe numerous 'Dabbawallas' or tiffin-box suppliers, who are busy delivering hot lunches to people across the city.

Mumbai - Diu - Sasan Gir National Park

This morning you will be escorted to the domestic airport to catch your flight to Diu. On arrival, after meeting your local guide, you will be driven to Sasan Gir National Park in Gujurat, home to the endangered Asiatic lion. Located in southwest Saurashtra, the Gir Forest extends across an area of 1,412km² and comprises grasslands, scrub and forests of teak. Aside from being home to the Asiatic lion, Sasan Gir is also a great place to see leopards, sambar deer, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, langur and wild boar. The remainder of the day will be spent relaxing into your lodgings and preparing for your morning exploration into the park tomorrow.

Sasan Gir National Park

Spend the next two days exploring Sasan Gir. Your days will begin with an early morning game drive into the park, followed by rest and relaxation back at the camp. Once the midday heat has begun to dissipate, you will head out for your afternoon game drives into the park in search of more unique wildlife.

Sasan Gir National Park - Diu - Mumbai

This morning you will be transferred to Diu airport for your flight back to Mumbai. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Mumbai - Raipur - Kanha National Park

Today you will be transferred to Mumbai airport for your domestic flight to Raipur. On arrival in the late morning, you will be driven five hours to the national park of Kanha - one of India’s best and largest tiger parks. With striped palm squirrels, common langurs, jackals, wild pigs and black buck commonly seen, other species that may be spotted include Indian fox, sloth bear, striped hyena and jungle cat. Kanha is also a bird-lover’s haven. Settle in to your lodge or explore the immediate vicinity at your leisure for the remainder of the day.

Overnight: Shergarh Tented Camp (B, D)

Kanha National Park

Spend the next two days exploring Kanha on shared game drives in the early mornings and late afternoons. The heat of midday is spent back at camp relaxing or exploring locally. Please note that the park is closed every Wednesday afternoon.

Overnight: Shergarh Tented Camp (B, L, D)

Kanha National Park - Pench National Park

Enjoy your last safari in Kanha this morning before transferring to Pench National Park by road (approximately four to five hours driving). Nestled in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura Hills, Pench covers a total area of 760km² with a core area of 292km². With the Pench Reservoir at the park’s centre providing the main source of water, Pench is home to tigers, leopards striped hyenas, wild dogs, sloth bears and more. This park is still well off the beaten tourist path, but the wildlife sightings are increasing and it may not stay so untouched for long.

Overnight: Jamtara Wilderness Camp (B, D)

Pench National Park

Spend the next two days exploring Pench National Park on shared game drives, heading out in the early morning when the wildlife is at its most active. Return to your camp at midday for lunch and relaxation during the heat, before heading out for your second game drive of the day in the afternoon.

Overnight: Jamtara Wilderness Camp (B, L)

Pench - Nagpur - Mumbai - Jaipur

Early this morning you will be driven the four hours to Nagpur airport for your flight back to Mumbai. Arriving into Mumbai you will catch a connecting flight to Jaipur in Rajasthan, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the city. Jaipur is Rajasthan’s capital and one of India’s most vibrant cities, famed for its colourful culture, forts, palaces and its rich and eventful past. Settle in to your hotel and the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight: Samode Haveli (B, L)

Jaipur

Spend the day exploring the Amber Fort and wonderful street markets of Jaipur. The Rajputs built their forts on high hills and ridges, giving them a 360-degree view of the surrounding area and protecting them from invasion. Amber is perhaps one of the finest fort palaces, which is reflected in the opulence and elegance of the nearby Mughal courts. Your visit will also include the Jantar Mantar (observatory) and the Maharaja’s City Palace. In the afternoon, take a walk in the old city in the Badi Chaupad and Johari Bazaar, where you will see craftsmen working on some fine forms of local art like Zardozi embroidery, Gota work, Kinari, silver ornament work and precious and semi-precious stonework, all taking place in these old bazaars.

Overnight: Samode Haveli (B)

Jaipur - Agra

Today you will be driven to Agra (approximately five to six hours), visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route. This deserted Mughal city was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after fifteen years due to a scarcity of water. You will have the opportunity to observe the city’s many graceful buildings, including the Jama Masjid, the tomb of Salim Chishti and the Panch Mahal. Upon arrival in Agra, you will be transferred to your hotel, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Agra

Head out early this morning to watch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is a monument of love built by Shah Jehan in 1630 for his Queen, Mumtaz Mahal, to enshrine her mortal remains. For 22 years, 20,000 men laboured day and night to build this masterpiece, which is truly one of the wonders of the world. Later in the day, after returning to your hotel for breakfast, you will head out to the Agra Fort where you can see the art and crafting of the white marble that has made the area so famous. You will also see the Pearl Mosque, and continue on to visit the Tomb of Itimad ud Daulah, affectionately known as the ‘Baby Taj’. Built to represent a silver jewel box, this mausoleum houses the body of Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the father of the Mughal Empress Noor Jahan. As the sun begins to dip in the sky, you will head back to the Taj Mahal to capture the beautiful site as the sun sets.

Agra - Tundla - Lucknow - Dudhwa National Park

This morning you will be transferred to the Tundla Railway Station for your train to Lucknow. Travelling west through countryside and villages, the rail journey will take the majority of the morning. Upon arrival in Lucknow, you will be met and transferred to Dudhwa National Park, about a five to six hours drive away. With Sal trees reaching over 50 feet tall, dragonflies stretching their wings under the warmth of the sun and the melodious call of the koel welcoming each new morning, Dudhwa is one of the largest and densest forests in India. It is also one of the least visited. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner at your lodge and grab an early night, ready for your safari tomorrow.

Overnight: Jaagir Lodge (B, D)

Dudhwa National Park

Spend the next two days exploring Dudhwa National Park. This off-the-beaten-path gem boasts a varied fauna and some of the most impressive Sal trees in India. Species found here include sloth bears and one-horned rhinoceros as well as tigers, though sightings of these are less common. You will embark on early morning and late afternoon safaris on both days. Spend your midday either relaxing at your lodge or joining a nature walk around the surrounding forest.

Overnight: Jaagir Lodge (B, L, D)

Dudhwa National Park - Delhi

Early this morning, head out on your final safari in the national park in search of the one-horned rhinoceros. Following your safari, you will be driven to Lucknow airport for your flight to Delhi, arriving into Delhi in the evening.

Overnight: Claridges Hotel (B, L)

Delhi

You will spend your penultimate day exploring India’s bustling capital city. Pulsing with energy and colour, Old Delhi is criss-crossed by a mix of narrow lanes, twisting and turning their way between the tall buildings. Explore the hustle and bustle of the bazaars and explore the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid with its tapering minarets and wonderful domes, and Chandni Chowk. In contrast to Old Delhi, you will then continue to New Delhi, a city of wide boulevards and formal parks. Visit the Qutab Minar and Humanyun’s Tomb, the forerunner to the Taj Mahal.

Overnight: Claridges Hotel (B)

Depart Delhi

Today your Indian adventure comes to an end as you are transferred to the airport to catch your international flight home.