Chasing Big Cats Tour

Destinations Covered:-
In Delhi, Khajuraho, Panna, Bandhavgarh, Katni, Agra, Bharatpur, Ranthambhore, Jaipur, Ahemdabad, Bhavnagar via Nalsarovar, Gir, Rajkot
Duration of the Tour:- 19 Days and 18 Nights

Day 01 : IN / DELHI :-
Upon arrival from your international flight, our representative will meet and transfer you to Hotel for check-in and overnight.

Day 02 : DELHI :-
After breakfast, accompanied by our guide, drive past the 6th, 5th & 7th city of Delhi viz. Purana Qila or Old Fort (16th cent), Ferozshah Kotla (15th cent) & Red Fort (17th Cent) - the seat of Mughal power for nearly 200 years; visit Jama Masjid – the biggest mosque in Asia; and Rajghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. On to the CAPITAL COMPLEX, comprising the impressive drive Raj Path that leads from the war memorial India Gateto the imposing President’s palace Rashtrapati Bhawan, flanked by the cupolas & towers of pink & buff Secretariat buildings - the center of all government activity. After lunch at a restaurant, visit Humayun’s Tomb - final resting place of the 2nd Mughal Emperor, said to be the architectural forerunner to the Taj Mahal. Later we visit the 12th century QUTUB COMPLEX to see the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the 1st ever built in India & the Qutub Minar – for centuries the tallest structure in the environs of Delhi. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 : DELHI / KHAJURAHO :-
After an early breakfast, our representative will transfer you to airport to connect flight (0935 / 1155hrs) to Khajuraho. Upon arrival, you would be met and transferred to Hotel. After lunch at the hotel, visit with our guide the temples of the Western Cluster - Laxman Temple & Kandaria Mahadev Temple and Jain Temples in the Eastern Cluster. In the evening, we attend Sound & Light Show at the Western Cluster of Temples to learn about the temples and the dynasty that built them. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 : KHAHJURAHO / PANNA :-
After breakfast we drive to Panna (50 kms approx) and check in at Jungle Lodge. In the afternoon we take a JEEP SAFARI into the Panna National Park – where see variety of wildlife including tigers, leopards, antelope, deers and sambars. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 05 : PANNA / BANDHAVGARH :-
Early morning, take another JEEP SAFARI into the Park for a different feel of the same environment. After breakfast, we check out and drive to Bandhavgarh (196 kms Approx) and check in at jungle Lodge for overnight. 

Day 06 : BANDHAVGARH :-
After an early breakfast, take a Elephant safari to the Bandhavgarh National Park (it has the world’s highest-density tiger population, there is 99.99% chance of spotting a big cat). After lunch, we take a Jeep Safari into the Park for a different feel of the same environment. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 07 : BANDHAVGARH / KATNI / OVERNIGHT TRAIN :-
After breakfast, morning free for independent activities. After an early lunch, we drive to Katni (127 kms) to connect the overnight train (1720pm/0412am+1) for Agra. Overnight on the train. 

Day 08 : OVERNIGHT TRAIN / AGRA  :-
On arrival, you would be met and transferred to Hotel. After freshening up & breakfast, we visit with our guide Agra Fort - stronghold of the Mughal Dynasty for over 150 years & built over the reigns of 3 Mughals from 1565AD onwards; Itmud-ud-Daulah - the tomb of 4th Mughal Jahangir’s father-in-law and his prime minister. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 :AGRA / FATEHPUR SIKRI / BHARATPUR :-
Early morning, visit with our guide to view The Taj Mahal at sunrise - situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, built by grief stricken 5th Mughal Shahjahan, as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. After breakfast back at the hotel, we drive to Bharatpur visiting en route Fatehpur Sikri, one of the Mughal Capitals built by Akbar The Great during 1569-72AD. It crystallizes within itself fragment of the Mughal era and their way of life. We examine their buildings, constructions techniques and engineering marvels and history. Continue to Bharatpur and check-in at Hotel for overnight.

Day 10 : BHARATPUR / RANTHAMBORE :-
Early morning, take a cycle rickshaw ride at Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary – having more than 400 species of birds. After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Ranthambhore, where we check in at jungle Lodge. In the afternoon, we take a Jeep safari into the Ranthambhore National Park - one of the largest national parks in northern India famous for its large tiger population. Overnight at the lodge.

Day 11 : RANTHAMBORE / JAIPUR :-
Early morning, take a JEEP SAFARI into the Ranthambhore National Park and if you’re lucky, spot a Bengal tiger in its habitat. After breakfast check out and drive to Jaipur - the Pink City and the Capital of the state of Rajasthan, with a midway stop to use the restrooms. On arrival, check-in at Hotel. Later visit with our guide Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds from behind whose latticed screens, the royal ladies once viewed ceremonial processions and everyday street life; the City Palace & Museum - where the son of the last Maharaja still resides; and Jantar Mantar - the Royal Observatory built along ancient astronomical principles in the 18th century. Return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 12 :JAIPUR :-
After an early breakfast, visit with our guide the Fortress Palace of Amber - former Capital of the Jaipur rulers till 1727AD. RIDE AN ELEPHANT from the parking lot to the fort gates atop a hill. Afternoon free for independent activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 : JAIPUR / AHMEDABAD :-
After breakfast, our staff will transfer you to the Airport to connect the flight (1035 / 1150 hrs) for Ahemdabad, where you would be met and transferred to Hotel. After lunch at the hotel, visit with our guide, Sidi Sayyid’s Mosque whose fine stone grill has become the picture postcard symbol of the city. We also visit Bhadra Fort and Jhulta Minar or oscillating minarets attached to a mosque. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14 : AHMEDABAD :-
After breakfast, we visit Hutheesingh Jain Temple, Sabarmati Ashram founded by Mahatma Gandhi – from where he started the Quit India movement in 1942; the Antique Car Museum of Pranlal Bhogilal, a private collector, displaying over a 100 vintage cars. Return to the hotel for overnight. 

Day 15 : AHMEDABAD / NALSAROVAR / BHAVNAGAR :-
After breakfast, we drive to Nal Sarovar (60 kms approx) – a lake spread over 116kms - one of the best bird sanctuary of its kind in India during the winter months. Here we can see thousands of cranes, flamingoes, pelicans, ducks, storks and other birds, during a boat ride on the lake. After a basic lunch here, we drive to Bhavnagar (110 kms approx) where we check into the Hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16 : BHAVNAGAR / SASAN GIR :-
After breakfast, we drive to Sasan Gir (160 kms approx) and check-in at a jungle Lodge. After lunch at the lodge, we take a Jeep Safari in the Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, the only home to Asiatic Lions, besides leopards hyenas, wild boars, deers amongst other animals and birds. We also visitCrocodile Breeding Centre. Dinner & overnight at the Lodge. 

Day 17 : SASAN GIR :-
Early morning, take a Jeep Safari again into the Park for a different feel of the same environment. Breakfast at the hotel, followed by another Jeep Safari in the jungle to see the lions. Overnight at the Lodge.

Day 18 : SASAN GIR / MUMBAI via JUNAGARH & RAJKOT :-
After breakfast, we drive to Junagarh (45 kms approx), where we visit Nawab Mahabat Khan’s Tomb & Uperkot Fort. After lunch we proceed to Rajkot to connect the flight for Mumbai, where you would be met and transferred to Hotel for dinner & overnight.

Day 19 : MUMBAI / OUT :-
After breakfast, at an appropriate time you would be transferred to the International airport to connect flight home.