Kipling’s India – Tigers and Taj Mahal (10 days) BT129

Introduction

Begin your tour by enjoying the splendour and beauty of the Taj Mahal at both dawn and sunset.  Drive through Khana’s magical forests and grasslands on the trail of a tiger in the early morning light – a sighting of this most iconic animal is the quintessential Indian experience of a lifetime!  Here, too are India’s exceptionally rare wild dogs (Dhole) and the world’s largest wild cattle (Gaur).  You should see antelope, deer, jackals, perhaps even a Jungle Cat, as well as many birds.  Watch Indian Skimmers, Marsh Crocodiles and rare fish-eating Gharials as you relax on the calm waters of the Chambal river.  Throughout the tour you’ll be surrounded by colourful birds, especially at Bharatpur’s wetlands and woodlands: raucous storks, egrets, herons and cormorants busily nesting in waterside trees, snoozing owls well-camouflaged in tree holes, squawking parakeets, dazzling Purple Sunbirds and bustling mynas.

Itinerary and price

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Meals: Payable directly today Arrive at Delhi International Airport where you will be welcomed by our representative and taken to check in at a local guest house/hotel. Your car and driver will be available for the remainder of the day. Meals: Breakfast Leave after early breakfast for the drive to Agra (approx. 4 – 6 hrs) depending on rush hour traffic. Check in at your hotel (from 12 noon).  Enjoy a mid to late afternoon visit to the Taj Mahal and learn all about its fascinating history with the help of a local guide. Stay until approaching sunset, then your driver will transfer you to your hotel for the night.  This evening we recommend you order a packed lunch to take with you to Chambal the next day. Meals: Breakfast After breakfast, remember to collect a packed lunch (payable directly), then with a naturalist guide accompanying, your driver will take you to the National Chambal Sanctuary – approx. a 1½ to 2 hour drive.  You’ll travel through typical rural landscapes where local enterprise includes brick-making as well as farming.  Arrive at Dholpur and board your boat for a one-hour trip along the Chambal river with your naturalist guide.  Expect to get close views of Gharial, a rare fish-eating crocodile, also Marsh Crocodile, turtles and perhaps a glimpse of the rare Ganges River Dolphin (the Chambal is a tributary of the Ganges).  Many species of birds are also present, including Indian Skimmer, Indian Black Ibis, Bar-headed Goose, Painted and Woolly-necked Storks. Have your packed lunch, then return to Agra and relax for the remainder of the day.  Spend a second night at your hotel. Meals: Breakfast and packed dinner You could, if you wish, opt for seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise, then return to your hotel for breakfast.  You’ll need to check out of your room on time, then spend the rest of the day exploring two other World Heritage Sites, Agra Fort and Sikandra. Later in the afternoon you will be transferred to the railway station to board the Mahakoshal Express train to Jabalpur departing at 1918 hours.  Night on the air-conditioned sleeper train (pillow, sheet and blanket provided). Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Your train should arrive at 0935 hours in the morning and a new driver will be waiting for you at the platform.  You will stop for breakfast locally, then take a leisurely drive (approx. 4 hrs) to Kanha National Park where you will stay in a comfortable jungle resort.  No activities are included this afternoon, but we can provide a supplement for an extra safari if you wish. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner On these days enjoy early morning and afternoon jeep safaris (6 in total – 3 in Kanha and 3 in Kisli Zones) in search of Bengal Tiger and many other species of mammals and birds which share their jungle home.  Safaris are by open-sided and open-topped jeep (standard practice) with a park guide accompanying. Nights at the same comfortable jungle resort. Meals: Breakfast After breakfast, your driver will take you to Nagpur or Jabalpur in time to check in for an internal flight back to Delhi (excluded from the price, but we can advise a suitable flight to book). Tour ends Tour extensions available. Please contact us for details Prices for different hotel categories, the names of hotels and a list of inclusions/exclusions are shown below. Price per person for mid budget hotels option: 2 people travelling together (on a twin share basis) £1150 3 people travelling together (on a twin share basis) £970 4 people travelling together (on a twin share basis) £865 Single room supplement £230 Mid budget price is based on the following hotels:

Place	Hotel name	No. of nights
Delhi	Hotel Lohmod, Executive Room	1
Agra	Seven Hills Tower, Deluxe Room	2
Agra - Jabalpur	2nd AC overnight sleeper train	1
Kanha	Tuli Tiger Resort, Deluxe Cottage	4

Price per person for standard hotels option: 2 people travelling together (on a twin share basis) £1150 3 people travelling together (on a twin share basis) £975 4 people travelling together (on a twin share basis) £870 Single room supplement £260 Standard price is based on the following hotels:

Place	Hotel name	No. of nights
Delhi	Hotel Lohmod, Executive Room	1
Agra	The Retreat, Superior Room	2
Agra - Jabalpur	2nd AC overnight sleeper train	1
Kanha	Tuli Tiger Resort, AC Cottage	4

Price per person for deluxe hotels option: 2 people travelling together (on a twin share basis) £1330 3 people travelling together (on a twin share basis) £1155 4 people travelling together (on a twin share basis) £1050 Single room supplement £410 Deluxe price is based on the following hotels:

Place	Hotel name	No. of nights
Delhi	Justa The Residence, Gurgaon, Superior Room	1
Agra	Crystal Sarovar Premium, Premier Taj View Room	2
Agra - Jabalpur	2nd AC overnight sleeper train	1
Kanha	Tuli Tiger Corridor, Luxury Cottage Tent	4

Note: Please enquire if you would like to know the supplement for staying at Earth Lodge in Kanha. Price includes

• Accommodation in the above mentioned hotels with meals as listed
• All mentioned transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
• Entrances to the monuments visited as per the itinerary (visit to the Taj Mahal is included twice) and English speaking local monument guide
• 1 hour boat safari on the Chambal river (Route 1) with entrance fee and local boat guide - supplement is available for a longer boating experience
• 2nd class air-conditioned train from Agra to Jabalpur - a supplement for 1st class is available
• 6  jeep safaris inside Kanha National Park (3 in Kanha Zone and 3 in Kisli Zone) on an exclusive basis with mandatory park guide and lodge naturalist guide inclusive of entrance fee
• A bird guide to accompany you to Chambal for most of the day
• All currently applicable taxes

Price excludes

• Any international airfare to/from India including International airport tax
• Internal flights
• Meals not specified
• Tourist visa and travel insurance
• Camera fee
• Any additional taxes levied by the Government of India on the tourism sector in future
• Any expenses of personal nature such as hard/soft drinks, laundry, phone/fax calls, tips etc.
• Any item not mentioned in the price includes section
• Any increase in the entrance fee to National Parks or Sanctuaries in the future. The price is based on the current entrance fee
• Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control

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