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Passage Through India ~ A Tiger Safari
March 15 - April 1, 2009
ITINERARY
March 16th - Arrive Mumbai
Welcome to India! On arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Mumbai is young, its lively & a confluence of varied cultural currents & cross currents have given Mumbai a unique position of the most mult-ethnic city of India. Formely known a Bombay, Mumbai is the country's financial & commercial hub and is the hub of Indian film industry, "Bollywood".
Overnight: 2 nights
March 17th ~ Full day Mumbai City tour
Depart the hotel for a full day tour of Mumbai. The tour starts from the Gateway of India, which is a major landmark of Bombay, and was before the advent of air travel, the only gateway to India. We will be driving along Marine Drive, the seafront boulevard. We'll also be driving along Malabar Hill & Hanging Gardens, which are built over Bombay's reservoir. From here one can get a panoramic view of picturesque Marine Drive. We'll continue on to visit Gandi's Memorial, Mani Bhawan, the house where the Father of the Natioon stayed on his early visits to the city. Our last stop before returning to the hotel is the Prince of Wales Museum. Gothic & Moorish architecture, it boasts of a significan collection of Indus valley artifacts, some dating back more than 5000 years.
March 18th - Mumbai - Nagpur - Kanha
This morning we'll depart for Mumbai's airport for our flight to Nagpur. Upon arriving we'll be driven to the Kanha National Park, approximately 4 hours away. Once we arrive the rest of the day is ours to explore the hotel.
Overnight: 3 nights
March 19th & 20th - Kanha
We'll have the next two days for game viewing! Kahna National Park & Tiger Reserve is considered one of Asia's finest protected areas & probably the best place in the world to see tigers in the wild! Spread over a massive area of 1954 sq. km, Kanha is the heart of Kipling Country, the setting of the Jungle Book.
It offers a great diversity of wildlife, Indian bison, Dholes - the Indian wild dog and the last refuge for the Swamp Deer, only 400 or so survive in the wild & all of them are be found in Kanha.
March 21st - Kanha to Bandhavgarh
After breakfast we'll be driven to Bandhavgarh, 265 km away. After the six hour journey we'll check into our hotel & have an afternoon game viewing.
Overnight: 2 nights
March 22nd - Bandhavgarh
Today we'll embark on two game viewing drives around the park.
The reserve is named after the highest hill in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Bandhavgarh has been an excellent habitat of the tiger & is known for the highest density of tigers in the world!
During these drives we stand a very good chance of seeing the Lord of the Indian Jungle, the tiger. This magnificent striped cat was almost hunted down to extinction by 1970 after having numbered over 40,000 at the turn of the century.
A relatively small park, Bandhavgarh is one of the smallest tiger reserves holding such a large population of tigers. Set in rugged terrain with many hills, the forested area is interspersed with savanna like areas known as Chaurs. These wildernesses support a rich variety of wildlife that includes the tiger, leopard, gaur, sloth bear, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, chowsingha & wild pigs. It is also rich in birdlife.
Overnight: Jaypee Palace, Agra (1 night)
March 23rd - Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho
This morning, after our breakfast & morning game drive, we'll be heading off to Khajuraho, home of the famed erotic stone carved temples. Most of the temples of the north were destroyed by invaders, but Khajuraho escaped & stands today as an island of beauty. They are ornately carved, with each frieze & sculpture depicting the genius of the men who carved it & the king who inspired them.
Overnight: Orchha Resort (1 night)
March 24th - Khajuraho - Jhansi - Agra
After a leisurely breakfast, we will drive to Jhansi Railway station for our train to Agra.
Overnight: 2 nights
March 25th - Agra
This morning we'll be taken by horse & carriage a sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away & transported by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Maghal Emperor Shah Jahan as expression of his love in the mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world! After visiting Fort Agra, the rest of the day is ours to explore!
March 26th - Agra - Bharatpur - Ranthambore
After breakfast we'll travel by train to Ranthambore, and transfer to our hotel. Ranthambore National Park is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger's conservation efforts in Rajasthan. Sprawling over an estimated area of 400 sq. kms, this park involves a network of lakes & rivers. We'll relax & have lunch and this evening we'll enjoy an game viewing drive.
Overnight: 2 nights
March 27th - Ranthambore
Enjoy two game viewing drives today. Apart from the wildlife viewing we will also be taken to the Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century, which commands a panoramic view of the Tiger Reserve.
March 28th - Ranthambore - Jaipur
After one more early game drive, we'll head off to Jaipur. Once checked in, we have the city to explore.
Overnight: 2 nights
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March 29th - Jaipur
After our buffet breakfast, we'll be driven to the outskirts of Jaipur to the ancient city of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Built in the 17th century by Maghal Emperor Akbar's most successful General, it was once the seat of power. A friendly elephant ride will spare us the trek of reaching the fortress. Once on top, we'll scroll through a sprawling complex of courtyards & halls.
En-route to Amber, we'll stop & see the "Palace of Winds". It is really an elaborate façade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below.
This afternoon we'll take a city tour of Jaipur, seeing the City Palace. The rest of the day is ours to discover.
March 30th - Jaipur - Delhi
Once we're finished breakfast its on to Delhi, where we'll check into our hotel & be free for the remainder of the day!
Overnight: the Park (1 night)
March 31st - Depart Delhi
After our full day city tour of Delhi, we'll be taken to the airport for our return flight home.
Land Cost: $6489.00 CAD
Plus additional air taxes: $403.00 CAD
~per person sharing twin/double accommodation~
Single supplement: Please enquire
Nonrefundable deposit required: $750.00 CAD per person
Balance due by December 1st, 2008
Cancellation Penalties:
- More than 6 weeks prior to departure : loss of non-refundable deposit
- Between 42 -21 days prior to departure : 75% of net tour price non-refundable
- Less than 21 days prior: 100% of net tour price non-refundable
Inclusions in above land only prices:
- International airfare from Toronto
- All transfers as listed in the itinerary.
- Fully escorted by Gail Matier of Rhapsodie Tours
- Hotel accommodations listed in the itinerary based on twin share
- Entrances fees to sites and monuments listed in the itinerary.
- English Speaking local guides
- English speaking national guide
- Services of English-speaking naturalist during jungle safaris at Kanha National Park, Bandavgarh National Park and Ranthambore National Park
- 4 jungle safaris (by cantor) each at Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Ranthambore National Parks.
- India domestic airfare Mumbai - Nagpur in economy class
- Elephant ride to visit Amber Fort in Jaipur is subject to availability
- One hor carriage ride from the nearest parking to Taj Mahal in Agra
- One elephant/jeep ride to ascent Amber Fort in jaipur
- Train fare for Jhansi - Agra by air-conditioned chair car; Bharatpur - Sawai Madopur by air-condtioned 2 tire.
- Baggage handling where applicable.
- Meals as indicated on itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner). Lunch and dinner will be at local restaurants.
- travel bags and neck pillows
- Standard hotel check in/out time: 12:00 Noon
Exclusions in above land only prices:
- Personal items
- Meals unless listed in itinerary
- Tips & Gratuities
- Early check-in & late check out of rooms (standard check-in time is 2pm and check out 10am)
- Personal Insurance
- Visa/passport handling fee
