The Experience
Experience India’s majestic wildlife and discover several of India’s iconic and historic sites in the company of expert guides who reveal the deeper cultural significance of each destination.
Day 1: Arrive Delhi Arrive late-evening in Delhi, capital of India, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. The Oberoi New Delhi
Day 2: Agra | Welcome Cocktails and Dinner Drive to Agra and check into your hotel, which features private views from every room of the timeless Taj Mahal. This evening, gather with your fellow guests over cocktails before an early dinner. The Oberoi Amarvilas | Meals: B D
Day 3: Agra | Visions of the Taj Mahal Start your day with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Decorated with semi-precious stones and Persian calligraphy, this peerless treasure is aptly described by the poet laureate Tagore as a tear on the face of eternity., Proceed to enjoy a tour of Agra Fort, the city’s other great monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spend your afternoon at leisure before a moonlit return visit to the resplendent Taj Mahal. The Oberoi Amarvilás | Meals: B
Day 4: Jhansi/Orchha/Panna | Palaces of the Mughals Board a train to Jhansi, then drive to Panna National Park, stopping in Orchha en route to admire its palaces and temples, which employ a blend of Hindu, Saracen and ornate Mughal architectural styles. Arrive in Panna and check into your hotel. Pashan Garh | Meals: B L D
Day 5: Panna/Khajuraho | Tigers and Temples Explore Panna National Park, to view its cascading waterfalls and teak forests, and sight wildlife, including tigers, leopards and caracals. After lunch, proceed to Khajuraho to explore its detailed medieval temples. Forming a UNESCO World Heritage Site, these masterpieces of Indian art pay homage to Hindu deities. They are famous for addressing erotic subjects and depicting life in all its forms. Pashan Garh | Meals: B L D
Day 6: Panna/Bandhavgarh | Menagerie of a Maharaja Enjoy an early-morning game drive in Panna, before returning to your hotel for breakfast. Then, depart for Bandhavgarh National Park, which was once the private reserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. Upon arrival, check into your charming cottage suite and relax. Mahua Kothi | Meals: B L D
Days 7-8: Bandhavgarh | India’s Diverse Wildlife For two action-filled days, embark on twice-daily game drives in Bandhavgarh National Park, one of India’s best sites for viewing tigers. You may also sight red-faced monkeys, Indian bison and any of up to 250 species of birds. Mahua Kothi | Meals: B L D
Day 9: Bandhavgarh/Kanha | Habitat of the Tiger After early-morning game viewing and a hearty breakfast, drive to the Kanha Tiger Reserve to observe the majestic Bengal tiger in its natural habitat. The reserve is also the only home of the rare hard-ground barasingha or swamp deer. Watch for panthers and the rarely seen Indian pangolin, as well as some of the park’s 230 indigenous species of birds, a dream come true for any bird watcher. Banjaar Tola | Meals: B L D
Days 10-11: Kanha | Game Drives and River Views Enjoy two more days of incredible wildlife viewing in Kanha. Each evening, admire stunning views of the Banjaar River from your luxurious tented suite. Banjaar Tola | Meals: B L D
Day 12: Kanha/Raipur/Mumbai | The Gateway to India Depart for Raipur where you board a flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax. The Taj Mahal Palace | Meals: B L D
Day 13: Mumbai | The Elephanta Caves Board a private charter boat to the Elephanta Caves to view the rock-cut temples they contain. Tour the Prince of Wales Museum and continue to the Hanging Gardens for a panoramic view of the lovely harbor and the Towers of Silence. Visit the colorful outdoor laundry of Dhobi Ghat and tour a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. The Taj Mahal Palace | Meals: B
Day 14: Depart Mumbai Early this morning, transfer to the airport and depart. Meals: B