Taj Mahal & Tiger Tour
Duration:
11 Nights / 12 Days
Destinations:
Delhi - Ranthambore - Bharatpur – Agra - Bandavgarh – Kanha -
Nagpur – Delhi
Day
01: Delhi Company representatives will receive you on arrival at
the international airport in Delhi late in the night or midnight. Transfer
to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires
is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the
present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient
land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight
will be at Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi - Ranthambore: By Train 400
km in 6 hr Transfer to the station for train to SAWAI MADHOPUR
after breakfast.
Reach and transfer to the resort. Evening free
at the resort and you can relax or watch some slides on the tiger.
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, at the junction of the Aravalis and the
Vindhyas, is a unique example of natural and historical richness, standing
out conspicuously in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan,
barely 14 kilometers from Sawai Madhopur. Get in tune with nature for a
luxury holiday in the heart of the jungle. Ranthambhore - perhaps the best
place in the world to sight a tiger in the wild. The Ranthambhore National
Park has had more Tiger sightings than any other National Park in the
country. It has come to be known as "The land of the Tiger", where
most of the documented footage of this majestic beast has been recorded.
It spreads over a highly undulating topography varying from
gentle to steep slopes; from flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the
conical hillocks and sharp ridges of the Aravalis, from wide and flat
valleys to narrow rocky gorges. An important geological feature the 'Great
Boundary Fault' where the Vindhya plateaus meet the Aravali hill ranges,
meanders through the Reserve. The National Park is bound by the rivers
Chambal in the south and Banas in the north.
Ranthambhore
forest is of tropical dry deciduous type, further classified as Dhok climax
forest because of the predominance of Dhok (Anogeissus pendulla) found
nearly everywhere. Dhok is an extremely hardy tree, capable of withstanding
prolonged droughts. The leaves of this tree are good fodder and they are
browsed by herbivores, and form a significant part of their diet. Even the
dry, fallen leaves, eaten by them, are rich source of nutrition.
Palas or Cheela or the Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperms) blooms
magnificently around mid-April. During the period, Kachida and Anatpura
provide an amazing view, like a forest on fire. Around Kamaldhar massive Gum
trees (Sterculia urens) with smooth white trunk stand out conspicuously.
Similarly, Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica) with greyish trunks at the banks of
the lakes and soft wood Salar (Boswellia serrata) dotted atop hills are
noticeable.
Fruits of Ber (Zizyphus spp.) and 'crocodile bark'
Tendu (Diospuyros melanoxylon) are highly relished by Sloth Bears.
The lakes abound with aquatic vegetation including duck weeds, lilies
and lotus.
A haven for a multitude of wild animals, the Park
boasts of playing host to tigers, leopards, the elusive caracals, hyenas,
sloth bears, wild boars, crocodiles and so on. Besides, there are over 300
species of birds, from the majestic Crested Serpent Eagle to the exotic
Golden Oriole.
Tiger, at the apex of the food chain, lord over
the kingdom in a subtle way. Solitary by nature, it operates in stealth.
Therefore tiger sightings, frequent as they are, are always a matter of
chance. However, even evidences of tiger's activities are very exciting.
The other kinds of cats found in Ranthambhore are Leopard
(Panthera pardus), Caracal (Felis caracal), Leopard Cat (Felis bengalensis),
Fishing Cat (Felis viverrina) and the Jungle Cat (Felis chaus). Besides the
big cats, the other large predators found in Ranthambhore include Sloth
Bear, Striped Hyena, Wolf, Wild dog (or Dhole), Jackal, Indian Fox, Palm
Civet, Small Indian Civet, Common Indian Mongoose, Small Indian Mongoose,
Ratel (or Honey Badger), Marsh Crocodile and the Indian Python. There are
two species of Antlers, namely the Spotted Deer (or Chital) and the Sambhar
Deer, and, two kinds of Antelopes, namely the Indian Gazelle (or Chinkara)
and the Bluebull (or Neelgai). Black Buck (another kind of antelope), which
is rarely found in the National Park is common in Devpura area, in the
outskirts of the park.
Overnight at resort.
Day
03: Ranthambore A full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two
safaris)
Overnight at the resort.
Day 04:
Ranthambore - Bharatpur: Keoladeo Ghana National Park By Road 400 km in 6 hr
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Bharatpur.
Just 176 km from Delhi
is a very special wilderness - the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, one of the
finest water-bird sanctuaries in the world. The Maharaja of Bharatpur
artificially created the lake and wetland in the 19th century. By building
small dykes and dams and diverting water from an irrigation canal, he
converted this low-lying area into a fine wild fowl shooting preserve. In a
few years, the new wetland surrounded by marginal forests was able to
support thousands of water birds.
Commonly referred to as
Bharatpur, the Park is a delight for bird watchers. Over 375 species of
birds are found here and raised paths, camouflaged by babul trees and
undergrowth make viewing easy. A quiet ride by boat in the early hours of
the morning is also unforgettable experience. The cacophony is unbelievable
as painted storks, open bills, spoonbills, egrets, cormorants, white ibis
and multitudes of others, tend their young. Jacanas with their iridescent
colors and elegant tail feathers and purple moorhen can be seen delicately
treading over the floating vegetation.
Every year Bharatpur
waits with bated breath for the arrival of the Siberian cranes. There are
only two wintering places for this rare species one in Iran and the other
Bharatpur and these beautiful birds with their distinctive red beaks and
facial patches, fly over 6400 km from their summer retreats.
Colorful kingfishers, graceful pelicans rare Siberian cranes and Trans-
continental fliers - the migratory water - fowl are amongst the 375 species
of birds found in the Keoladeo National Park. The most spectacular nesting
is that of the egrets, storks, herons and cormorants, which make over 10,000
nests every year. This makes outstanding bird havens of the world. The park
covers an area of 28.73km.
The story of Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
is incomplete without an account of the migratory waterfowl. The most
prominent waterfowl coming to this park are bareheaded and greyleg geese.
Ducks also create a lot of fluttering in the lakes. The ducks usually found
here are pintail, widgeon, common shelduck, shoveler, garganey, teal, etc.
Attracted by the influx of the waterfowl the predatory
birds-tawny eagles, spotted eagles short-toed eagles imperial eagles and
fishing eagle also arrive. They all form the apex of the biological pyramid
of the sanctuary and complete the avian food chain of the ecosystem. There
are large herds of the nilgai, chital, wild boar and fear cows in addition
to a few herds of sambar.
Reach and check in at the hotel.
Proceed on RICKSHAW for viewing the birds. RICKSHAW PULLERS have been
trained by the forest department in bird watching and are knowledgeable.
Return to the lodge in the evening and relax.
Overnight at Bharatpur.
Day 05: Bharatpur - Agra: By Road 55 km in 1 hr Early morning
RICKSHAW RIDE at the Bird Park.
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to
Agra.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan,
transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of
the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the
Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting
edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint
buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals
still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its
Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets
of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai
cuisine.
Reach Agra. Check in at hotel.
Overnight
will be at Agra.
Day
06: Agra - Umaria (Bandavgarh): By Overnight train Proceed to visit
Taj after breakfast. Enjoy battery van ride to the Taj.
TAJ
MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is
always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by
Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz
Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and
planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's stunning design
balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its
elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work
ever seen.
Proceed for sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by
the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red
sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a
major tourist attraction.
Visit Itmadullah's Tomb built by
Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors of which are
considered better than the Taj).
Transfer to station for train
to UMARIA. Overnight will be on train.
Day 07: Arrive at
Bandavgarh Reach UMARIA and transfer to Bandavgarh. Reach and enjoy
breakfast.
Bandavgarh 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 km) 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.
Maharaja Martand Singh captured the last known in 1951. This white Tiger,
Mohun is now stuffed and on display in the Palace of Maharaja of Rewa. Prior
to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandavgarh had long been
maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. The
Maharaja and his guests carried out hunting - otherwise the wildlife was
well protected. It was considered a good omen for Maharaja of Rewa to shoot
109 tigers. His Highness Maharaja Venkat Raman Singh shot 111 Tigers by
1914.
There are 32 hills in this part of the park, which has a large natural fort
at its center. The fort's cliffs are 2625 feet (800 meters) high, 1000 feet
(300 meters) above the surrounding countryside. Over half the area is coverd
by Sal forest although on the upper slope it is replaced by mixed forest of
sal, saj, dhobin, and saja. Winter temperatures (Nov-mid-February) vary from
almost freezing at night to around 68 degree Fahrenheit in the daytime.
Summer nights are also cooler than the daytime temperatures, which rise to
104 degree Fahrenheit. This park is closed during the breeding season, which
coincides with the monsoon (July-October). Rainfall in the park averages50
inches (120cm) per year.
Bandavgarh 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
Bandavgarh 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 isle of Lanka and the mainland, are said to have built Bandavgarh's
Fort. Later Rama handed it over to his brother Lakshmana who became known as
Bandavdhish "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 BC. Various dynasties have ruled the fort, for example, the
Maghas from the 1st century AD, the Vakatakas from the 3rd century AD, From
that time onwards Bandavgarh 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 Bandavgarh 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 Bandavgarh
became more and more deserted until forest overran the area and it became
the royal hunting reserve. This helped to preserve the forest and its
wildlife, although the Maharajas made full use of their rights. Each set out
to kill the auspicious number of 109 Tigers.
At independence
Bandavgarh 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.
Bandavgarh 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.
A full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris).
Day
08: Bandavgarh A full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two
safaris)
Trip to the Bandavgarh Fort: The oldest fort in India -
considered to be more than 2500 years. One-hour trek up the fort is worth
the effort. The charm of this trek lies in discovering these monuments in
the jungle, unspoiled and unexplored. Some of the statues lie off the main
path and so it is best to take a guide. Apart from the avatars, well worth
seeing are three small temples of around the 12th century. These temples are
deserted but the fort is still used as a place of worship. Kabir Das, the
celebrated 16th century saint, once lived and preached here. The natural
ramparts of the fort give breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside.
The fort still belongs to the Maharaja of Rewa and permission is required to
visit it. However permission is available locally and no trip to Bandhavgarh
is complete without making an effort to climb up the fort. The staff of the
resort carries your lunch while you are busy negotiating the trek to the
fort.
Overnight at the resort.
Day 09:
Bandavgarh - Kanha: By Road 255 km in 6 hr After breakfast drive to
Kanha.
This is the place that has been described by RUDYARD
KIPLING in his great book "The Jungle Book". Located in the Mandla
district of Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is a tiger reserve that
extends over an area of over 940 square km. A horseshoe shaped valley
bounded by the spurs of the Mekal presents an interesting topography. Steep
rocky escarpments along the edges offer breathtaking views of the valley.
Realizing the danger on the Tiger population in the country, the Government
started the "Project Tiger" at Kanha and in 1974 the area was
declared a Tiger reserve. The park is also the habitat of the high ground
Barasingha.
In
1930s, the Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries - Hallon and Banjar
of 250kms to 300kms each. Though one of these was subsequently disbanded
.The area remained a protected one until 1947. Depletion of the tiger
population in the year that followed led to the area being made an absolute
sanctuary in 1952.
Patient watching should reward the visitor,
with a sight of Indian Fox, Sloth bear, Striped hyena, Jungle cut, Lepord,
Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned antelope, Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine
Kanha has some 200 species of birds. Watchers should station themselves in
the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour many species and in
the grassy forest clearings. Water birds can be seen near the park's many
rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water birds and the
area in front of the museum.
Excursion to Kawardha just east of
the Maikala Range (up to 1100m) to the south east of Kanha National Park,
Kawardha is a small town in Chhattisgarh (34 forts) region of M.P. In this
remote area Maharaja Viswaraj Singh has recently opened his palace to
visitors. It provides a delightfully quite unspoiled contrast with India's
big cities and with the much busier tourist circuit of Rajasthan's 'palace
circuit'. This town is in the center of the Baiga tribe, who live in forest
surrounding the town, and these are several eleventh century temples in the
immediate region.
Reach in the afternoon and relax at the
resort.
Overnight at the Kanha Resort.
Day 10:
Kanha A full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris)
Overnight at the resort.
Day 11: Kanha - Nagpur
Proceed to Nagpur by surface & stay overnight.
Day 12:
Nagpur Flight to Delhi. Spend day doing last minute shopping and
transfer to airport for flight home.
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