Jewels of Northern India
Duration: 14 nights/15 days
Places to Visit: Delhi – Jaipur –
Bharatpur - Agra – Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh - Kanha - Jabalpur - Delhi
Group 1 : Tour Starts New Delhi on Saturday 25th November 2006 and you
fly out from New Delhi on Friday, December 08th 2006
Group 2 : Tour starts New Delhi on Saturday 17th February 2007 and you
fly out from New Delhi on Friday, March 3rd 2007
Maximum strength of the group to be 8 persons
Day 1 : New Delhi
Arrive New Delhi and met by our representative, assistance at the airport
and transfer to the Hotel. Morning relax. Post Lunch start your city sight seeing
with visit to the Old City of Delhi to see the historic Red Fort and the Jama
Masjid, India's largest mosque from the outside. See the colourful bazaar of
Chandni Chowk and take a cycle rickshaw ride through the back streets of Old
Delhi to get a first hand experience of the hustle and bustle of this traditional
city. This ride through the small by-lanes will be most fascinating.
Red fort : It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It took 10 years
from 1638-48 & about nine crores of rupees ( 90 million ) to complete it.
It is made of red stone which perhaps has imported it it's name. The fort house
several historical buildings done under the reputed architect Muramat Khan Some
chief sights within the fort are, Delhi Gate, Lahori Gate, Meena Bzaar, Justice
Court, Hamaams Buraj, Moti Masjid, Hayat Bux Garden, Sawan Bhadon, Zaffer Mahal,
Sah Buraj & Museum etc. Every evening light & music ( Son et Limmerie
) shows are exhibited at Red Fort.
Raj Ghat : A pilgrimage to all the patriotic Indians, this place was
where the Father of The nation,
Mahatama Gandhi, was cremated after his assassination in 1948. It consists of
a simple square platform with the words 'Hey Ram' written on it. People come
here and offer flowers at the place as a tribute to the great apostle of peace
buried here. There is a Gandhi Memorial Museum nearby, where once can see and
buy books and tapes containing the writings, speeches and memories of Gandhiji.
A short distance to the north of Raj Ghat is Shanti Vana where Jawaharlal Nehru,
the first Prime Minister of India, his daugher Indira Gandhi, who herself was
a prominent figure in Indian politics and is till now the first and only women
Prime Minister of India and her two sons, Rajiv (also the beloved Prime Minister)
and Sanjay, were cremated.
Jama Masjid : It's 1/2 km away from Red Fort. This too was built by Shah
Jahan the Mughal Emperor. The height of its minarets enables one to have a panoramic
view of the vastness of Delhi & its surroundings. Built up with red &
black stone this mosques so large tat more than 20,000 persons at a time, can
say their prayers in obeisance to almighty. It was built in 1650-56. Overnight
in Delhi Hotel
Day 2 : Full day sight seeing of New Delhi. 
India Gate : Located on the eastern end of Rajpath this memorial was
built in memory of martyrs of the 1st World War. Sir Lutyeus was the architect
of this 42 meters high monument. it's construction was begun in 1921 & took
10 years to complete it. A gun & Helmet is displayed in the middle of this
gate while a perpetually buringflame keeps playing homage to the wars martyrs,
and drive past Rashtrapathi Bhawan - the residence of the President of India,
which is flanked by the houses of Parliament and the government Secretariat
building
Humayun's Tomb : Privileged to be assigned as a World Heritage site by UNESCO,
this tomb was believed to be designed by Haji Begum, Humayun's Persian widow
in the mid 16th century, shortly after his death in 1556. The tomb was an important
predecessor of Mughal mausoleums. The 'Garden Tomb' as it is popularly called,
is set amidst a geometrically planned garden with a number of water channels
crisscrossing it. Typically, a Persian garden that would later be seen in the
Red Fort of Delhi and Taj Mahal of Agra, its architectural form and especially
its main chamber bears familiarity with the tomb of the Mongol Ilkhanid ruler
of Persia, Oljeytu, at Sultaniyya, which in turn was influenced by Timurid architecture
of the tomb of Timur (Tamerlane) in Samarkand, the lineage of Babur.
Qutab Minar : This tower is 73 meter tall. According to a school of thought
it was built by Prithvi Raj Chauhan who had it called ' Prithvi Laat '
,
i.e. Prithvi Tower. But in AD 1200 when Qutubuddin Aibak successed in establishing
Muslim rule in India the transformed Prithvi Tower into victory tower naming
Qutab Minar after his name. He had incorporated in it beautiful Afghan architecture.
Its first storeys are built with red-sand stone whie next 2 are built in marble.It's
fist section was launched by Qutubuddin Aibak & the remaining section was
completed after his death by his son-in-law & successor Sultan Altanush
in AD 1236. The radius of this tower at its ground level is 14.32 meteres which
tapers to 2.75 metres at its top. Beautiful decorations are inscribed with in
this tower which surprise the on lookers. It iss situated 15 kms south of Delhi
& is visible from afar.
Lotus Temple Or Bahai Temple : Bahai faith represents the equality of
mankind and oneness of its soul. The same feeling has been successfully transcended
into the beautifully and scientifically degined Bahai Temple in Delhi, designed
by Fariburz Sahba, an Iranian-born Canadian architect, in shape of the lotus
flower, symbol of purity throughout India and predominantly celebrates the number
nine, which not only represents the highest digit but also unity in the Bahai
faith. There are nine pools that have been constructed on the elevated platform
signifying the green leaves of the lotus and also serves to cool the stark,
elegant interiors of the structure. The delicate and sleek architecture is built
in two layers. The first layer consists of nine white marble-covered petals
pointing towards heaven, while the second layer of nine petals serves to conceal
the portals. When seen from a short distance, it looks like a fabulous example
of origami work. The interior, especially, the Hall of Worship, conforms to
that of all Bahai temples and is so silent that even a low whisper echoes loudly
in the structure. No religious icons are housed here except the copies of the
Holy Scriptures and wooden pews. The construction of the temple was completed
in 1986.
Birla Mandir or Lakshmi Narayan Mandir : 
The
temple has been erected bearing Nagara style of architecture intermingled with
modern influences. The whole of the temple is festooned with relief carvings
that depict the scenes from Indian mythology. Remarkable in its construction,
101 skilled pundits headed by Acharya Vishvanath Shastri were imported from
Benares (Varanasi) to carve the idols of the temple. The temple has a number
of artistic sculptures and its highest Shikhara stands 160 ft high above the
sanctum sanctorum aspiring to touch the blue skies above. The temple is situated
on a high platform and faces eastwards. The main chamber of the temple is dedicated
to Lord Narayan and His consort, Goddess Lakshmi. Other smaller shrines in the
temple are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, the Holy Vedas
and also, Lord Buddha. The icons of the temple have been brought from Jaipur
and are made in marble. The temple premises have been constructed in Kota stone
brought here from Makarana, Agra, Kota and Jaisalmer. There are a number of
miniature rock temples too that look like toy temples to children and attract
them very much. An artificial landscape has been created complete with mountains
and gushing waterfalls adding to the scenic beauty of the temple.
Overnight in Delhi hotel
Day 3 New Delhi to Jaipur 
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (275 km / 5 hours ) On arrival check into the
Hotel Trident Hilton. Overnight in Jaipur.
Jaipur Envisioned and built by the great and mighty king, Sawai Raja Jai Singh,
the name of the city 'Jaipur' has twofold emphasis. 'Jai' means conquest and
is also the first name of its maker. Today, the city is a foremost tourist attraction
in India because of its superlative forts, grandiose palaces, vivacious temples,
multicolored bazaars, pulsating streets and its distinguished pink color to
which the city owes its oft-used name 'The Pink City'. This illustrious pink
color symbolizes 'welcome' and was embraced during the times of the ruler Ram
Singh II when he expected the Prince of Wales in 1876. The color was selected
after several experiments to cut down the severe glare from the reflection of
the glowing rays of the sun. Today, every home in the old city is obliged by
law to maintain this distinctiveness of the city. Throughout the old city you
can see the traditional, fabulous, pink-colored houses with latticed windows
lending charisma to a scene, which is almost miraculous at sunset
Day 4 : In Jaipur
After breakfast Full day city tour of Jaipur.
Amer Palace : Raja Man Singh erected Amer Palace in 16th century. It
is a mesmerizing amalgamation of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Rajputs made
use of this Amber Fort from the 16th century up to the foundation of Jaipur
in 1727 both for defense reasons as well as the residential reasons. Thus within
its powerful walls, one finds charismatic gardens and magnificent palaces made
from marble and precious stones, richly festooned with intricate stonemason
works and paintings, which corresponded to royal splendor and luxury.
Situated at Jaipur, the mirror image of Amber Fort in the lake below looks almost
divine. It is not at all surprising to know that this grandiose and stately
fort was once the Capital of Minas. Amer Fort accommodates Jai Mandir, a famous
temple which has Sheesh Mahal, a delightful hall of mirrors that are so artistically
set that even a tiny ray of light gets replicated in the mirrors and illumines
the hall flamboyantly. Sheesh Mahal is famed all over the world as one of the
most sought-after tourist attraction. Other places of interest in this fort
are Sukh Niwas and Ganesh Pole. A Elephant is booked to take you upto the Fort.
Jantar Mantar : Jantar Mantar of Jaipur, the 'Yantralaya' of Sawai Jai
Singh II built on his designs, is the largest of five astronomical
observatories
founded by him in 1716. The others are at Delhi, Ujjain, Mathura and Varanasi.
It is a marvel in itself with its huge masonry instruments of extraordinary
precision that can still be used quite efficiently.
The Jantar Mantar was visualized as a quest for ascertaining the mysteries of
the Cosmos. The Jantar Mantar found its name from the Sanskrit word 'yantra
mantra', which meant 'instruments and formulae'. Built not only to verify astronomical
observations but also to kindle interest in science of astronomy, which had
been entangled in theory, superstition and religious terminology, Jantar Mantar
was built on the basis of an observatory at Samarkand. The huge instruments
could determine the position of the equator, latitudes and longitudes on the
grounds of the rules of the astronomy. The main instruments stationed at Jaipur
are the Samrat Yantra, the Jaiprakash Yantra, Ram Yantra and the 'composite
instrument' that included a sundial and an enormous hemisphere on the northern
wall.
Government Central Museum : Conceived by Colonel Sir Swinton Jacob in
1876, Government Central museum or Albert Hall Museum is the
oldest museum of the state. Located in the Ramnivas Gardens, it has Indo-Persian
style of architecture. The museum has a wide range of domestic metal objects,
miniature paintings from the Bundi, Kishangarh, Kota, Udaipur and Jaipur schools
of painting, traditional ceremonial dress worn by royal families and samples
of wood block printing.
Shopping Attractions : Jaipur is well known all over the world for its
gemstones master cutters, polishers and gemstone dealers and also for its cut
and polished emeralds. A world leader in semi-precious stones and Kundan - Meena
jewellery, one can can also find good bargains for Lacquered Bangles, Hand Block
Printed Textiles, glazed Blue Pottery with its origin in Persia, Tie & dye
Fabrics (Bandhani/Bandhej), Stone Craft Marble and sandstone articles and traditional
miniature paintings in Jaipur.
Hawa Mahal : Hawa Mahal is a multi-layered palace with a beehive structure
built by Sawai Pratap Singh (grand son of Sawai Jai Singh andson of Sawai Madho
Singh) in 1799 and was designed by Mr. Lal Chand. The beautiful use of red and
pink sand stones outlined with delicate white borders and motifs are simply
out of this world.
Overlooking one of Jaipur's main streets, it was originally constructed for
the women of the court so that they may pass their time by watching hustle-bustle
of the bazaar without being watched by people on the streets. The entire building
is shaped to resemble a crown adorning Lord Krishna's head. It offers splendid
views of the city, including the many old palaces and houses. Surprisingly,
there is a total lack of ornamentation in the interiors of the building and
chambers are stark and plain with a mass of pillars and passages that lead to
the top storey.
City Palace : Chandra Mahal, prevalently known as City Palace, is still
the dwelling place of the royal family, at least, in part, while MaharajaSawai
Man Singh II Museum engages the ground floors and outer courtyards. The museum
offers rare manuscripts, Mughal and Rajasthani miniatupaintings, Mughal carpets,
royal costumes and textiles and armory. re
Jal Mahal : An 18th century pleasure palace, hoveringover Mansagar Lake,
Jal Mahal is noted for its convoluted design and magnificent structural design.
Situated across the cenotaphs, there is a land bridge that leads one to the
Jal Mahal Palace.
Over night in Hotel Trident Hilton Jaipur
Day 5: Jaipur to Bharatpur 
After breakfast drive to Bharatpur Bird sanctuary Known as keoladeo National
Park On arrival check into hotel .
Bharatpur is a paradise for the avian world, and the pilgrimage for the bird
lovers, it was known as the best duck shooting reserve in the British empire.
But was declared a reserve for birds in 1956 and later upgraded to National
Park. UNESCO has listed it as a world heritage site. The geographical location
is ideal as it is on the main North-South avian route of India. Although small
in size, 29 sq km. Only, it boasts to house more than 375 species of beautiful
birds, and more than 132 of them breed inside the Keoladeo Ghana National Park
and nearly every year new ones are added to the list.
The sanctuary not only attracts birds from India but also from places like Europe,
Siberia, China and Tibet Before monsoons resident birds activity starts on the
babool and kadam trees of the park. Water coming through the Ajan Bandh starts
filling the various ponds and lakes of the Park. When assured of enough food,
hundreds of large, medium and little cormorant, darter, purple and grey heron,
various species of egret, painted, open-billed, white necked and black necket
stork, white ibis, spoonbill, night heron and other birds get busy in courting
and mating. The trees are overflooded with nest, one can observe a tree housing
nests upto fifties and sixties in number belongign to different species of birds
looking after theri loving young onces. The nests on the trees look like pearl
necklaces. Gracious Saras cranes, the tallest flight birds nest in exposed and
open area, both partners share the duty of hatching, while changing incubating
duties, they come together, raise their neck and give out shrill trumpetic calls
in unison and at the same time fan their feathers.
The newly born chicks are only 10cm. in size but grows up to one meter in height
within a year. As the monsoons arrive birds from every part of the country start
pouring into the park. The water-fowls visit the park in millions during the
month of October. Rosy starling marks the beginning of the arrival of migratory
birds. The most noticeable water-fowl coming to the park are barheaded and greyleg
geese.
The ducks spotted here are pintail, common teal, ruddy shelduck, mallard, widgeon,
shoveler, commong shelduck, red crested pochard, gadwall etc. predatory birds
like imperial eagle, steppe and tawny eagee, spotted eagle, marsh harrier and
laggar falcon are attracted towards the park completing the avian food chain
of the ecosystem. Some of them like short toed eagle, lesser spotted eagle and
shikra are the residents of Park.
About 11 sq km Area of the park is covered with water the remaining portion
is rich with Kingfisher, Red Vented and white cheeked Bulbuls, Babblers, Quails,
Partridges,Sunbirds, Sparrows, Parakeets and orioles which live in bushes and
burrows. The year round activity of the winged beauties has made the park a
pilgrimage for bird lovers and an ornithologists delight. The animal populace
also show their presence although they are thoroughly dominated by feathers,
wings and beaks. The animals include the Black Buck, Sambhar - the largest Indian
Antelope, Spotted deer, and Nilgais.
Pythons can also be observed at some places bask in the sun. Vehicles are only
permitted upto Shanti Kutir inside the park. The Electra Van of forest department
can be engaged in the sanctuary, although the best way to explore the park is
on foot or bicycles which are available on hire. Cycle rickshaws can also be
hired.
Day 6 : Bhartpur to Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri (12 kms)
Fatehpur Sikri - This exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in 1569, in
red sandstone, with its forts, palaces and mosques was abandoned 14 years after
its creation due to political reasons. The Diwan-i-am - a vast courtyard in
which the emperor gave daily public audience; Diwan-i-khas - a large quadrangle
which contained all the major functions of the Palace, Pachisi court, the Emperors
private living quarter, Jodha Bhai’s Palace, Mariam’s Palace, Birbal’s
Palace, Hawa Mahal and Panch Mahal are some of the important buildings of this
residential complex. The Friday Mosque and the exquisite tomb of Sheik Salim
Chisti are in the religious grounds set aside in a separate enclosure adjacent
to the secular buildings.
Continue drive to Agra after visiting Fatehpur Sikri (49 kms). After Lunch start
city tour of Agra
Agra had been the chosen city of Mughals for years as it was close to
Delhi. However, the history of Agra is much older than the times of Mughals.
The great Hindu epic 'Mahabharat' refers to 'Agraban' as an integral part of
the Brij Bhumi or the land of Lord Krishna. It is claimed that this was the
region of Agra, covered by forests then. However, the city is said to be founded
in 1475 during the reign of Raja Badal Singh. Mughal monarchs transformed the
land into one of the great centres of art, culture, learning and commerce. Massive
monuments, majestic buildings and still flourishing arts and crafts including
leatherwork and pietra dura marble-inlay work along with delicious Mughal cuisine
have now become an inseparable part or more, the identity of the city.
Taj Mahal : The source of the name 'Taj Mahal' is not very clear but
scholars believe that it originated from the abbreviation of the empress
'
name, Mumtaz Mahal and translated to 'Crown Palace'. As the small details integrate
together, one is awed by the costliness and large quantities and finery of the
materials used, which ranges from marble to precious gemstones. The first illustration
that might come to one's mind at a remark about Taj Mahal is that of a central
domed building but the true appreciation comes only when one sees it as the
manifestation of one man's unfathomable and unshakable desire for the woman
he loved - the woman who proved her loyalty and everlasting friendship to him
till her last breath, a woman of great physical and inner beauty and a woman
of substance and strength.
It took twenty-two years, thirty-two million rupees and hard toil of more than
twenty thousand workers to construct Taj Mahal. Completed in 1648, the documents
regarding construction of Taj cite the name of Ustad Isa, a very famous architect,
well versed in the Islamic architecture, as its chief architect. The documents
also list the names of persons employed for this grand work and and the inventory
of the construction materials and from where they were brought. From this source,
we have learnt that expert craftsmen from Delhi, Kannauj, Lahore, and Multan
contributed to the task along with the specialized tasks being handled by the
renowned Muslim craftsmen that came here from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara.
Itmad-ud-daulah : Sometimes known as 'Baby Taj', this mausoleum is considered
as the imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as far as
elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. Itmad-ud daulah, stands across
the River Yamuna from the Taj Mahal. Belonging to the age of Jahangir, it contains
cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas and Asmat Begum, parents of the powerful Mughal Empress
Nurjahan, queen of Jahangir. Jahangir made him his prime minister with the title
Itmad-ud-daulah (Pillar of the State). The tomb was built in the famed Char
Bagh style that Itmad-ud-Daulah had himself laid out six years before his death
1622. The monument is beautifully conceived in the white marble with mosaic
and lattice.
The tomb is not a very large structure as Taj Mahal with a height of only 21
m and a dome-roofed octagonal minaret of 12 m each at each corner. It is the
inlay work or pietra dura on the walls of mausoleum that makes it extremely
attractive. Marble screens of geometric latticework permit soft lighting of
the inner chamber. On the engraved walls of the chamber is the recurring theme
of a wine flask with snakes as handles.
Agra Fort : On the shores of River Yamuna, to the northwest of the Taj Mahal,
Emperor Akbar started a majestic fort, which gained Jehangir and Shah Jahan
as its future benefactors who added rose-red sandstone and marble buildings
to it respectively. Within 2.5- km-long and 20 feet high fortified walls, the
premises of the fort houses many visionary palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace
and the Khas Mahal, audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful
mosques. The massive gateway of Amar Singh gate towards the south is the entry
point of the fort. The myriad buildings and structures inside the fort give
an impression of a city within the city. The marble pearl mosque inside the
fort is one of the most beautiful mosques in India, while the two gardens within
the pavilions are small but well kept.
Sikandra : 10 km from the city centre of Agra, the construction of the
mausoleum of Akbar was started by Akbar himself. It is a perfect amalgamation
of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain architectural styles. His son Jehangir
completed it and also did many modifications in the original plan of the building.
Named after Sikander Lodhi, the tomb has three-storey-minarets on its four corners.
These minarets are built in red sandstone with stunning inlay work of marble.
There are a number of 'langurs' wandering about in the place as it is surrounded
by a beautiful garden. In its premises lies the Baradi palace in the gardens
built by Sikander Lodhi. A broad paved causeway leading to the tomb has five
storeys and is in the shape of a truncated pyramid. The main tomb has a unique
square design which is unparalleled by all other Mughal buildings
Overnight in Agra
Day 7 : Jhansi - Orchaa – Khajuraho 
Transfer to railway station to board a train for Jhansi. On arrival, assistance
and later drive to Khajuraho (181 kms/04.50 hrs) enroute visiting Orchaa which
boasts of its palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and
17th century. Jahangir Mahal, a tiered palace crowned by graceful chhatris has
a spectacular view of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs.
After lunch drive to Khajuraho covering a distance of 178 kms ( 04 hrs ). Check
in at hotel. Discovered by chance, India's second biggest single tourist attraction,
Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval temples that are adorned with numerous
sculptures of extraordinary grace and delicacy celebrating the stylized and
refined courtly accomplishments of beauty, love and creative arts. Once the
religious capital of the Chandela Rajputs, the temples of the city date from
950-1050 AD. A wall with eight gates encloses the entire area and two golden
palm trees flank each of them. Originally, there were over 80 temples, of which
only 22 now can be said remarkably preserved. The set of temples at Khajuraho
celebrating Hindu religious thought in its mystifying variety of scope and inclusion
stands distinguished from rest of the Hindu temples. The temples highlight the
existential ethos in religion that venerates 'Yoga' and 'Bhoga'. 'Yoga' is union
of the self with the Almighty, while 'Bhoga' is the path to God through physical
pleasure. The temples at Khajuraho, dedicated to physical love and pleasure
are a testimony to this philosophy. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1986,
Khajuraho is a prominent, must-see destination and its temples are India's unique
gift to the world as they capture life in every form and mood in stone.
Temples of Khajuraho : Conforming to the central Indian style of temple
architecture, the temples of Khajuraho are adorned with explicit
erotic sculptures with utmost architectural harmony and beauty. Built within
a 200-year span, the temples plan, from the simplest to the most inspiring,
follow the same pattern and all of them are ornately carved. The temples of
Khajuraho are divided into three groups - the Western group, the Eastern group,
and the Southern group. The largest and most easily accessible is the Western
group.
1. The Eastern Group, which encompasses five detached sub-groups in and
around the present village of Khajuraho. It includes three Brahmanical temples
known as Brahma, Vamana and Javari and three Jain temples, the Ghantai, Adinath
and Parsvanath.
2. The Southern Group, which is the most distant and has two main monuments
near and across the Khudarnala, namely, the Duladeo and the Chaturbhuja temples.
3. The Western Group, which is the largest, compact and centrally located
group in Khajuraho, includes some of the most prominent monuments, built by
the Chandela rulers. The Lakshmana Temple, the Matangesvara Temple and the Varaha
Temple form one complex and the Visvanatha and Nandi temples are not far from
this complex. The Chitragupta, Jagadambi and the Kandariya Mahadeva temples
are about a furlong to their west. The western group of monuments is best maintained
by the Archaeological Survey of India and is set amidst green lawns, colorful
shrubs and flowerbeds.
In the evening go for the Son et Lumiere show at the temples. Simply mesmerizing
a must for the person seeking peace in body mind and soul. Overnight hotel in
Khajuraho.
Day 8 : Khajuraho to Bandhavgarh 280kms / 6hrs drive 
Morning : visit the Eastern and Southern group of temples. The Parsvanath temple
of the Eastern group is the group’s largest Jain temple. The themes depict,
in charming detail, everyday activity. Also visit the Duladeo temple dedicated
to Shiva and the Chaturbhuj temple of the Southern group. Afternoon We drive
from the historic monuments of Khajurho to the wilderness of The Bandhavgarh
national park.
Bandhavgarh is a new National Park with a very long history. Set among the Vindhya
hills of Madhya Pradesh with an area of 168sq miles (437sq kms) it contains
a wide variety of habitats and a high density of game, including a large number
of Tigers. This is also the White tiger country. These have been found in the
old state of Rewa for many years. The last known was captured by Maharaja Martand
Singh in 1951. This white Tiger, Mohan is now stuffed and on display in the
Palace of Maharaja of Rewa. Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around
Bandhavgarh had long been maintained as a Shikargarh, or game preserve of the
Maharaja of Rewa. The Maharaja and his guests carried out hunting - otherwise
the wildlife was well protected.
Day 9 to 10 : In Bandhavgarh 
HISTORY
Bandhavgarh has been a center of human activity and settlement for over 2000
years, and there are references to it in the ancient books, the Narad-Panch
Ratra and the Shiva Purana. Legend has it that Lord Rama, hero of the Hindu
epic, the Ramayana, stopped at Bandhavgarh on his way back to his homeland after
defeating the demon King Ravana of Lanka. Two monkey architects, who had engineered
a bridge between the isles of Lanka and the mainland, are said to have built
Bandhavgarh's fort. Later Rama handed it over to his brother Lakshmana who became
known as Bandhavdhish "The Lord of the Fort". Lakshmana is the particular
God of the fort and is regularly worshipped in a temple there. The oldest sign
of habitation in the park are caves dug into the sandstone to the north of the
fort. Several contain Brahmi inscriptions dating from the 1st century B.C. Various
dynasties have ruled the fort, for example, the Maghas from the 1st century
A.D., the Vakatakas from the 3rd century A.D., From that time onwards Bandhavgarh
was ruled by a succession of dynasties including the Chandela Kings of Bundelkhand
who built the famous temples at Khajuraho. The Baghel Kings, the direct ancestors
of the present Royal family of Rewa, established their dynasty at Bandhavgarh
in the 12th century. It remained their capital till 1617 when the center of
court life moved to Rewa, 75 miles (120Kms) to the north. Without royal patronage
Bandhavgarh became more and more deserted until forest overran the area band
it became the royal hunting reserve. This helped to preserve the forest and
its wildlife, although the Maharajas made full use of their rights. At independence
Bandhavgarh remained the private property of the Maharaja until he gave it to
the state for the formation of the National Park in 1968. After the park was
created poaching was brought under control and the number of animals rose dramatically.
Small dams and water holes were built to solve the problem of water shortage.
Grazing by local cattle was stopped and the village within the park boundaries
was relocated. The Tigers in particular prospered and the 1986 extension provided
much needed forest to accommodate them.
WITHIN THE PARK 
Bandhavgarh is justifiably famous for its Tigers, but it has a wide range of
other game. The undergrowth is not as dense as in some northern terai forests,
but the best time to see the park inhabitants is still the summer months when
water becomes more scarce and the undergrowth dies back. There are several good
weather roads in the park. A forest guide must accompany all visitors into the
park. Entry in to the park is allowed only during daylight hours. For both elephants
and jeep rides the hours immediately after dawn and before sunset are best.
Chinkara, still rather shy, can be sighted on the grassland areas of the park,
particularly on the formerly cultivated land in the southern extension area,
on the edges of the main viewing area. Also to be seen in the grasslands are
nilgai, chausingha, and sounders of wild boar, as well as the occasional jackal
or fox. Muntjac and sambhar prefer denser vegetation. The main prey animal,
however for the Tigers and the park's rarely sighted leopards are the chital,
which now number a few thousand. There are two types of monkeys common in the
park, the rhesus macaque and the black-faced langur. Drives can also reveal
jungle cats, hyenas, porcupines, ratels, and a variety of other mammals. Bandhavgarh
attracts many migratory birds in the winter months, including the birds of prey
like the steppe eagle and a variety of wildfowl.
If the early morning Safari is a thriller then the late afternoon rendezvous
to get another glimpse of the Tiger, and watch the shadows grow taller as dusk
approaches and the cacophony of birds grows louder in the trees, is not to be
missed experience. The nights in Bandhavgarh are an enigma- the twigs of the
bonfire crackling in the resort lawn, combined with the calling of the jackal,
the silhouettes of the trees against a starlit sky and perhaps, a distant rumbling
roar deep in the heart of the forest.
Day 11: Bandhavgarh National Park - Kanha National Park 250 kms /6 hrs drive
Early morning drive by car to Kanha National Park. On arrival check in to Tuli
Tiger Resort for three nights. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at the Lodge. Game
drives are organized by The Park both in the early mornings and late afternoons
by open jeeps and will be accompanied by a trained naturalist. Once the tiger
is spotted anywhere in the jungle, through radio contact with the drivers, visitors
will be driven to the location and then taken by elephant back to the actual
site to see the tiger. This is an excellent arrangement and is very exciting.
The park is closed between July 01 and October 31 owing to the monsoons. Morning
and afternoon proceed on a game drive to the sanctuary. Overnight in Tuli Tiger
Resort Kanha.
Day 12 to 13 In Kanha
Kanha is one of India’s largest national park and Asia's finest park. India’s
one of the most successful conservation efforts of saving the Barasingha (Swamp
Deer) was done here. Kipling Country In Madhya Pradesh, one can see the forests
immortalized by Rudyard Kipling in his Jungle Book - the home of Balu, Bagheera
and Mowgli. Two National Parks here, preserve pockets of what were once splendid
forests that extended across Central India.
Kanha National Park 
Kanha National Park (which is now officially known as Kanha Tiger Reserve) is
located in the Maikal range, the eastern sector of the Satpura Hills of the
Central Indian Highlands. The park lies 160 km (100 miles) southeast of Jabalpur
in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
The name Kanha itself may be derived from kanhar, the local term for the clayey
soil in the valley bottoms, or from Kanva, a holy man who once lived there in
a forest village. Two river valleys are prominent features of the park's topography:
the Banjar in the west and the Halon in the east. Both these rivers are tributaries
of the Narmada, which flows through the district headquarters town of Mandla,
64 km (40 miles) to the northwest of the park's western entrance. Kanha's valleys
are enclosed by hills topped with plateaux, locally called dadar.The park consists
of a core area of 940 km2, which is surrounded by a buffer zone of 1,005 km2,
thus comprising a total area of 1,945 km2. The core area of the park and most
of the buffer zone are located in two districts: Mandla to the west and Balaghat
to the east. In addition, a small section of the buffer zone in the southeastern
sector is part of Rajnandgaon District. There are nearly 150 villages in the
buffer zone and over 260 villages within a radius of 10 km.
Day 14 : Kanha – Nagpur to New Delhi Morning safari to the Park After
lunch drive to Nagpur 250kms / 6 hrs drive to board a flight no 9W 368 at 2025
hrs to arrive New Delhi at 2155 hrs. On arrival check into hotel. Overnight
in Hotel The Park.
Day 15 : New Delhi to Fly Back
Morning free for leisure activity. Late evening after dinner transfer to International
Airport to board a flight back home.
End of Our Service
The costing based on this Itinerary will be: 2625USD per person on twin
Single Supplement will be 1138USD
Hotel Used for this Itinerary
New Delhi : The Park, www.theparkhotels.com
Jaipur : The Trident Hilton, www.trident-hilton.com
Bharatpur : The Bagh, www.thebagh.com
Agra : The Trident Hilton, www.trident-hilton.com
Khajuraho : Usha Bundela, www.ushashriramhotels.com
Bandhavgarh : Deluxe Cottages at Tigerden Resort, www.tigerdenbandhavgarh.com
Kanha : Tuli Tiger Resort, www.tuligroup.com
The cost includes :
Accommodation in New Delhi, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Agra & Khajuraho on Bed and
Breakfast basis only
Accommodation in Bandhavgarh & Kanha on Room, All Meals and Game drive basis
Assistance at Railways Station and Airports
All land transfers in A/C mini Coach
Guided sight seeing in New Delhi, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Agra & Khajuraho
Your entrance fee into the National parks in Bharatpur, Bandhavgarh & Kanha
Naturalist charges in the National Parks
rickshaw ride in Bharatpur Bird sanctuary
Entrance and Monuments fee in all Cities
Elephant Ride at Amer Fort in Jaipur
A/C Chair Car Train from Agra to Jhansi (Khajuraho)
Economy Class Airfare From Nagpur to New Delhi
All currently applicable taxes
However the cost does not include:
Any expenses of personal nature like smokes, liquor, laundry and
telephone calls
International Airfare
Still / Video Camera fee at Monuments & National Park
Elephant Safari in Bandhavgarh & Kanha @ USD 14 per Person (as subject to
availability)
Jewels of Northern
India, Fixed Departure Tour Reservation Form
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