This itinerary has been prepared using our Opulent Level of service and the incomparable Taj Safaris Lodges & Camps. Included in this package is unique and imaginative lodging that incorporates local materials and building techniques with modern conveniences. Cuisine that is among India’s finest, with all meals as well as house wines, beers, and spirits included. Experience a level of service beyond what most luxury hoteliers would even aspire to, with attentive staff and expert naturalists to cater to all your needs, including little details like your laundry.
The care and detail that you see in the preparation of this itinerary will be reflected throughout your experience with us. Our expertise and local presence empowers us to offer great values on the finest lodging on this planet. The upgraded vehicles provide for a much more comfortable ride on Indian road’s rough surfaces. Our preference for air travel and the most efficient and logical routing (and forms of travel) saves you from some long and pointless road journeys, while keeping you away from some very distasteful & insanitary experiences that are a part of most train travel. We include train and road travel, but only where it makes the most sense and where it provides unique experiences that cannot be found elsewhere.
We are passionate about India and everyone that assists you will share their passion with you. The Taj Safaris staff is exceptionally well trained and interaction with them will significantly enhance your wildlife experience. Just like our staff, they are committed to making sure that your exploration of India exceeds your expectations.
Compare our services with other tour operators. A few of them may quote the same hotels at a few destinations, but none of them will provide the exhaustive local expertise or the extreme level of personalized service that we offer.
Note: There are no afternoon safaris on Wednesdays.
Day 1: Delhi/Any Other City – Panna. (L, D) You are picked up from your hotel and driven to the airport where you are assisted with boarding the morning flight to Khajuraho. If you are starting
out from elsewhere in India, you will connect to this flight at Delhi and, in most cases, will be able to check your bags through from your original port of embarkation. You are greeted by a Facilitator on your arrival at Khajuraho and introduced to your chauffeur and Khajuraho guide. A facilitator and your chauffeur will be with you for the next 8 days. There are charter flights available (at a significant cost) to an airport near Bandhavgarh from any city in India.
There is a break for a late lunch (included) at a local Hotel.
Start your guided tour of the famed Khajuraho temples, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These magnificent examples of Hindu religious art were constructed about a thousand years ago. Thousands of extremely detailed rock sculptures adorn the facades of these temples and the subject matter includes some very explicit erotic scenes. The sophisticated design and building techniques that were used in the creation of these temples and the detailed artistry of the sculptures cannot be described in words – you have to experience them personally to grasp their impact.
After your exploration of the temples you are driven to nearby Panna National Park. Check-in to the Pashan Garh Lodge. You can explore the area around the lodge with their naturalists. Dinner is included at the lodge this evening. Unlike Bandhavgarh and Kanha, drinks are not included at Panna.
Day 2: Panna – Bandhavgarh.
(B, L, D) Join your chauffeur and facilitator in the morning after an early breakfast. You are driven to the Mahua Kothi in Bandhavgarh National Park. Upon your arrival at Bandhavgarh (about 5.5 hours later), you are greeted by the Taj Safari staff and assisted with your check-in.
Enjoy the afternoon safari at the park.
There are a number of activities available for the time that you will have between safaris. This includes guided treks into the jungle.
Trained naturalists will share the rich biodiversity of Central India with you. A unique Taj Safaris program allows you to identify and spot Bandhavgarh’s ten Star Birds.
Day 3: Bandhavgarh. (B, L, D) Safaris are conducted in the early mornings and late afternoons. You are driven in large open jeeps and accompanied by a trained naturalist. Individual Jeeps can usually be arranged for
a nominal surcharge.
Bandhavgarh is one of India’s largest National Parks and many wildlife enthusiasts consider it to be Asia's finest Park. One of the India’s greatest conservation successes -saving the Barasingha (Swamp Deer) - was accomplished here. Bandhavgarh National Park covers an area of 1945 sq kms, including a core zone of 940 sq kms. The setting of Kipling’s Jungle Book, it is a beautiful area of forest and lightly wooded grassland, with many streams and rivers. It is the home of a variety of animals including tiger, panther, and many species of deer, wild pig, bison, a variety of monkeys, as well as some 200 species of birds. It is also a part of ‘Project Tiger,’ one of India’s most important conservation efforts.
Day 4: Bandhavgarh. (B, L, D) Safaris are conducted in the early mornings and late afternoons. You are driven in large open jeeps and accompanied by a trained naturalist. Individual Jeeps can usually be arranged for a nominal surcharge.
Bandhavgarh is one of India’s largest National Parks and many wildlife enthusiasts consider it to be Asia's finest Park. One of the India’s greatest conservation successes -saving the Barasingha (Swamp Deer) - was accomplished here. Bandhavgarh National Park covers an area of 1945 sq kms, including a core zone of 940 sq kms. The setting of Kipling’s Jungle Book, it is a beautiful area of forest and lightly wooded grassland, with many streams and rivers. It is the home of a variety of animals including tiger, panther, and many species of deer, wild pig, bison, a variety of monkeys, as well as some 200 species of birds. It is also a part of ‘Project Tiger,’ one of India’s most important conservation efforts.
Day 5: Bandhavgarh – Kanha. (B, L, D) After the early morning safari, check out of your hotel and join your chauffeur for the drive to Bandhavgarh National Park. The best day to do this is on a Wednesday, as there are no afternoon safari’s permitted on that day. It will take about 6 hours to cover the distance between Bandhavgarh and Kanha. There are charter flights available with a significant cost.
Arrive at Kanha in the afternoon and you are greeted by the Taj staff and assisted with your check-in. Depending on your time of arrival, there are a number of activities available for the remainder of the afternoon. This includes guided treks into the jungle.
Day 6: Kanha. (B, L, D) Enjoy morning and afternoon safaris’ into the Park. Individual Jeeps can usually be arranged for a nominal surcharge. The density of the tiger population at Kanha is also high. Just like at Bandhavgarh, a large variety of different species of animals and birds are found at Kanha.
Trained naturalists will share the rich biodiversity of Central India with you.
Day 7: Kanha. (B, L, D) Enjoy morning and afternoon safaris’ into the Park. Individual Jeeps can usually be arranged for a nominal surcharge. The density of the tiger population at Kanha is also high. Just like at Bandhavgarh, a large variety of different species of animals and birds are found at Kanha.
Trained naturalists will share the rich biodiversity of Central India with you.
Day 8: Kanha – Raipur - Delhi / Any Other City. (B, L) Enjoy a morning safari into the park. You will check-out of your lodge in the mid morning and join your chauffeur and facilitator for the 4 hour drive to Raipur. A packed lunch is provided for this journey. Arrive at Raipur airport and board the flight to Delhi, which allows you to connect with many other cities in India, as well as international flights. You can also choose to take the short hop to Varanasi, for guided tours of the amazing 5000 year old city.
There are charter flights available (at a significant cost) from
an airport near
Kanha to any city in India.
