India

Delhi

Feb 25

Your day in Delhi offers a curated selection of activities that highlight the city's heritage. The journey begins at Humayun’s Tomb, a stunning example of Mughal architecture that predates and inspired the Taj Mahal. It's a must-visit site for locals and tourists alike.

Next, explore Shahjahanabad, where you can participate in an ittar-making workshop at an 8th generation studio. This experience allows you to craft your own unique fragrance while learning about the ancient tradition of perfumery. You may also indulge in a classic Old Delhi snack.

Continue your adventure with a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, once a bustling market filled with silver and gold. Visit the majestic Jama Masjid, Delhi's largest mosque, renowned for its architectural beauty and serene atmosphere. Here, you can take a moment to absorb the historical and cultural significance of the site.

Savor the flavors of Delhi with a taste of the city's famous cuisine at a local eatery. You will then transition from the old to the new as you travel to New Delhi, where British colonial architecture stands in stark contrast to the older Mughal structures. This part of the journey offers insights into the colonial era and its influence on the city's landscape.

The agenda concludes at the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, where the soothing sound of the gurbani creates a tranquil atmosphere. This peaceful setting provides an opportunity to reflect on the day’s sensory experiences. Afterwards, explore Khan Market, a hub of boutiques, cafes, and bookstores.

Bandhavgarh

Feb 26 – Mar 1

Catch a flight from Delhi to Jabalpur, then drive (4 hours) to Bandhavgarh National Park, a wildlife reserve in Madhya Pradesh, India. The park covers 172 square miles and is known for its rich biodiversity including over 25 mammal species, 250 bird species, and a high density of tigers.

The Sankhala family, renowned for their conservation efforts, owns the Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge, offering an immersive wildlife experience. The lodge, close to the park, blends with nature and provides a unique opportunity to observe wildlife and learn about India's conservation challenges. The first evening includes an introduction to the wilderness of Central India and the management of national parks in India. The lodge is designed to reflect an Indian village and offers a friendly, relaxed environment. You can enjoy the sounds of the jungle, sightings of spotted deer and langur monkeys, and a rich variety of birds and insects. The experience emphasizes the passion and dedication of the lodge's team toward wildlife and community conservation.

You will have 3.5 days in Bandhavgarh National Park. The days start early with a wake-up call and tea or coffee, followed by a morning safari in 4x4 jeeps with a resident naturalist. After lunch, you'll head out for an afternoon safari. You will have one full-day permit for jeep safaris. The full-day permit offers unique advantages such as no zoning or routing restrictions and extended park access (15 minutes before opening and 15 minutes after closing). The permit allows you to explore the park freely throughout the day, including late mornings and early afternoons, times restricted to full-day permit holders.

Evenings will include educational lectures and discussions led by naturalists and the expedition leader. The sessions will focus on key topics such as the current state of Indian tigers, conservation challenges, comparisons with African wildlife management, and the role of tourism in protecting India's wildlife, including tigers, elephants, and rhinos.

Kanha

Mar 2 – 5

After the morning safari at Bandhavgarh, you'll drive to Kanha National Park, a scenic journey through rural areas and the town of Mandla. Set on the Chhota Nagpur Plateau in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha offers breathtaking landscapes of grassy plains and strands of sal forests. This 366 square mile preserve was created to save two endangered species: the tiger and the barasingha. One of the largest and most scenic national parks in India, Kanha provides an ideal habitat for both tigers and their prey. The lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows, and ravines of Kanha shelter a significant population of rare species such as tiger, leopard, sloth bear, barasingha, and wild dog.

Upon arrival, you'll check in at Kanha Jungle Lodge, managed by Tarun, a knowledgeable wildlife enthusiast. The lodge, surrounded by rich sal forest, offers a unique jungle experience with minimal environmental impact. Guests can enjoy wildlife sounds and sightings from the lodge, which is close to the Mukki entrance gate of the park. The family-run lodge also includes Tarun's son, Jai, a young naturalist, and Dimple, an avid learner and self-taught naturalist who shares her knowledge of the area's flora and fauna.

Your first evening will include an orientation about the national park, focusing on the park's core and buffer zones and the successful breeding program that saved the barasingha. The lodge provides a friendly, relaxed environment, perfect for observing nature and supporting conservation efforts.

Your following days begin with early wake-up calls and tea or coffee, followed by a morning safari in a 4x4 jeep, accompanied by a resident naturalist and forest guide. You'll enjoy a picnic breakfast in the jungle. After lunch, you'll head out for an afternoon safari.

During your stay, one full-day permit for Kanha National Park provides unrestricted access to all zones and routes. The permit allows you to enter the park 15 minutes before opening and stay 15 minutes after closing, maximizing your wildlife experience. In the evening, you'll have the opportunity to interact with the Sankhala family and watch the award-winning documentary TIGERLAND, which features Kailash Sankhala's conservation efforts.

Pench

Mar 6 – 8

After the morning safari and an early brunch, drive to Pench (4–5 hours). The Satpura-Maikal region, spanning Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, contains various protected areas, including Pench National Park. The park, which inspired Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, is known for its tigers as well as leopards, wolves, wild dogs, and birds. The park is named after the Pench River, which flows through its center and supports a rich ecosystem of wildlife and vegetation. The Pench Tiger Reserve, spread over almost 300 square miles, comprises Indira Priyadarshini Pench National Park, Pench Mowgli Sanctuary, and a buffer. It is recognized for its exceptional biodiversity, including rare flora and fauna. The park's picturesque landscape, lush forests, and diverse wildlife make it a paradise for nature lovers and photographers.

The Pench landscape includes various habitats, such as dense forests, open grasslands, and rivers, offering a haven for a wide range of species. The park's ecological significance and conservation efforts have earned it recognition as a key area for biodiversity conservation in India. Pench offers you a unique opportunity to experience the region's natural beauty and wildlife while learning about the rich cultural and historical heritage of the area.

You'll stay at Jamtara Wilderness Camp, which is  comprised of  ten luxury tents overlooking the jungle and farmlands. Each tent has uninterrupted views of the surroundings, allowing guests to enjoy nature at its finest. The camp offers unique experiences like the sleep-out option, where you can sleep under the stars on a machaan, a raised platform. Your stay at Jamtara Wilderness Camp will deepen your understanding of conservation efforts and the unique wildlife of Pench.

In addition to daily safari experiences, you'll learn about wildlife and local culture. The mornings start with tea or coffee, followed by an early morning safari. A mid-afternoon safari will also explore the park's wildlife. Optional activities include night safaris and nature walks with expert naturalists, offering the chance to spot nocturnal species. The camp's expert naturalists will guide you through the park, sharing their knowledge and insights into the local wildlife and ecosystems.

Return to Delhi

Mar 9

After a final morning game drive, return to Delhi for a relaxing evening reliving your exploits.

Depart for home or join our Taj Mahal Extension.

Mar 10

Arrive home or enjoy the Taj.

Mar 11