Wildlife & Cultural Tour

Upon arrival our representative will welcome you at the Airport and transfer you to your hotel.

Kolkata: Located along the eastern bank of the Hooghly River in the lower Ganges Delta, Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. This 350-year-old metropolis is the heart and soul of eastern India with its crumbling colonial architecture, elegant gardens, countless temples and bustling bazaars. Celebrated as the birthplace of the early 20th-century Bengal Renaissance, Kolkata is a major centre for drama, art, film, theatre, literature, spirituality and music. Visitors can roam the streets and soak up the atmosphere of faded grandeur, or take a ride in a rickshaw to one of the many Indian restaurants serving mouth-watering Bengali cuisine. Must-see highlights include: the Victoria Memorial, with its east-meets-west architecture; the Indian Museum, with its range of rare artefacts; and the Kali Temple, an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus.

Overnight stay in Kolkata.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Kolkata.

Spend the day exploring this city of amiable contrasts, taking in its main sites such as the Victoria Memorial, Dalhousie Square, the Writer’s Building and learn of its colonial history. Visit the Jain temple richly decorated with mirrors and Venetian glass mosaics, and the Kali temple. Also drive past the Howrah Bridge, one of the largest cantilever bridges in the world.

Overnight stay in Kolkata.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure transfer to the Airport to board a flight to Varanasi.

Travel Kolkata – Varanasi By Flight.

Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.

Varanasi: Beginning at the cosmic centre of the city, Kashi, the city of light, get familiar with rite and ritual by exploring ancient pathways to the temples and mosques of Hindus & Muslims as well as observe the age old cremation rituals of Manikarnika, the burning ghat. The highlight is Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Mandir which is said to hold the first of the Jyotiralingas, the sacred shafts of light, which self-emanated from the earth, but how many know that this temple has been rebuilt not just once but four times in three different locations, two of which have mosques perched on top! Come seek the original foundations of the city of light.

In the evening proceed to Dasashwamedha Ghat on the holy River Ganges for an evening boat ride followed by attending the evening ritual – ‘the aarti ceremony’.

The evening Aarti Ceremony –  Every evening, an illuminated aarti is performed at Dasashwamedha Ghat. The boat will be halted right at the steps for the best view. The presiding priests stand on a wooden Chauki in the water. To the chant of Sanskrit mantras and the clash of cymbals and drums, the river is worshipped with flowers, incense, sandalwood, milk and vermilion. First the blazing camphor lamp and then the many flamed aarti lamps are raised high and then arched back to the water, the dark river reflecting the golden flames as Ganges accepts the worship. It is the Ganges that gives Varanasi its spiritual resonance.

Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed for a morning excursion to Sarnath, a major Buddhist centre in the world.

After achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Buddha, the ‘Awakened One’, delivered his first sermon here. It was the sixth century then, when he also set in motion the wheel of law, the Dharma-chakra. Buddha gave his first sermon in the Deer Park where he initiated his first five disciples into Buddhist monkshood.

In the afternoon proceed for a Walking Tour – ‘Hidden Varanasi’. The Walk Expert will lead you through the labyrinthine streets of the oldest part of the city to see hidden sights far away from the main tourist thoroughfare. Through low arches, around secret side streets and in the city’s oldest neighbourhoods lie all sorts of interesting places that our team of guides have spent years researching. Often only metres away from a busy area may lie a concealed temple, inner city garden, viewpoint over the ghats or the dwelling of an individual who had a hand in shaping the country as we know it today.

Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning departure transfer to the Airport to board flight to Khajuraho.

Upon arrival in Khajuraho, transfer to the hotel.

Khajuraho – Located southwest of Kanpur, Khajuraho is considered one of India’s seven wonders and listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The city encompasses the nation’s largest array of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, decorated with intricately detailed erotic sculptures and reliefs. The site incorporates close to 100 sacred structures, some of them exquisitely preserved, and each evening, a light and sound show is staged here, covering the history, philosophy and craftsmanship encapsulated in this archaeological goldmine. Other highlights include: vibrant Annual Dance Festival of Khajuraho; the Panna National Park, home to leopards; the Arhanta Yoga Ashram, where visitors can take classical Hatha yoga classes. The city also boasts a wide variety of wonderful shops, markets and restaurants.

In the afternoon proceed for sightseeing of the Western Group of Temples.

Western Group of Temples – The western complex of the Khajuraho group of temples houses the most important temples in Khajuraho. Kandariya Mahadeo it is the largest temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The height of the temple is 31 meters. The depictions of gods and goddesses on the main shrine are very popular. Chaunsath Yogini Temple is the popular granite temple which is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Lakshmana Temple is dedicated to the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Vishwanath Temple this temple has enshrined the three headed image of Brahma.

Overnight stay in Khajuraho.

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning drive to Bandhavgarh. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.

Bandhavgarh National Park –

One of the most popular parks in India, Bandhavgarh National Park is renowned for the highest density of tigers in the region. The park has a large array of wildlife including sloth bears, deer, leopards and jackals. Birdwatchers will delight in the plethora of bird species inhabiting all terrains from rocky crags to the auburn forest floor and mottled forest canopy. Declared a national park in 1968, Bandhavgarh was named after an ancient fort built on 800-metre-high (2,624 foot) cliffs in the park. From its zenith one can enjoy incredible views of the park, however prior permission is required.

Overnight stay in Bandhavgarh.

After early morning refreshments at the hotel proceed for an early morning jeep safari into the National Park.

The Bandhavgarh National Park beckons nature enthusiasts to embark upon a jungle safari. The park is divided into three zones, namely the Tala zone, the Magadhi zone and the Khitauli zone which feature sub-zones.

Return to the hotel for breakfast.  You will be at leisure till afternoon.

Please note: The Park is closed for afternoon Safaris on Wednesdays.

In the afternoon procced for another jeep safari into the National Park.

Overnight stay in Bandhavgarh.

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning drive to Kanha. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel.

Kanha National Park – Also known as the Kanha Tiger Reserve, the Kanha National Park is widely considered to be the greatest of India’s wildlife reserves and the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s classic, ‘The Jungle Book’. This impressive expanse of wilderness is set in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, encompassing about 950 square kilometres of lush rolling hills, peaceful rivers, sal and bamboo forest, and endless stretches of savanna grassland. This spectacularly scenic environment provides a diverse range of habitats for an extraordinary array of wildlife including tigers, leopards, jackals, swamp deer, foxes, porcupines, sloth bears, pythons, hare, chitals, gaur monkeys, mongooses, and hundreds of species of bird.

Overnight stay in Kanha.

After early morning refreshments at the hotel proceed for an early morning jeep safari into the National Park.

Experience its lush forests that are home to Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards, wild dogs and Barasingha. The duration of the safari is around 03 hours and accompanied by an experience naturalist.

Return to the hotel for breakfast.  You will be at leisure till afternoon.

Please note: The Park is closed for afternoon Safaris on Wednesdays.

In the afternoon procced for another jeep safari into the National Park.

Overnight stay in Kanha.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to Nagpur airport to board flight to Mumbai.

Upon arrival in Mumbai, transfer to hotel for check in.

Mumbai – The thriving metropolis of Mumbai is a go-to destination for travellers curious to experience a modern Indian city. Lapped by the Arabian Sea, this urban seaside peninsula is a melting pot of old and new India. Towering office blocks and shiny apartment buildings shoulder crumbling grand dames of architecture. Men play cricket in the leafy central parks, taxis navigate the jam packed streets and families stroll along the seaside promenades of Mumbai, while kilometres away children beg on the peripheries of Asia’s biggest slum. In the wide avenue of Colaba’s high street, western culture overshadows the brightly lit storefronts, where Levi’s, Adidas and McDonalds vie for retail space.

Overnight stay in Mumbai.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed for a city tour of Mumbai. Start with a visit to the Prince of Wales Museum built in grand Indo Saracenic style. Later drive past Marine Drive, Mumbai’s most popular seaside promenade and see the Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens on the slopes of the Malabar hills, offering a nice view of the marine lines and the Chowpatty Beach. Visit the Jain temple, Mani Bhawan where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay and the Dhobi Ghat. Drive past the Flora Fountain, the colourful Crawford Market and Victoria Terminus Train Station.

Overnight stay in Mumbai.

Breakfast at the hotel.

This day is free for independent activities (no transport or guide services envisaged).

Late in the evening transfer to Mumbai International Airport to board a flight for your onward journey.

**** End of Tour ****