Exploring the Wildlife & Cultural World of India

After breakfast, we’ll get you started on your tour: taking you to Old Delhi: visiting Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India –  and driving past Red Fort – once the most opulent fort and jewel of the Mughal Empire (Red Fort is closed on Mondays). Then a rickshaw ride in the old city market of bustling Chandani Chowk.

Then you will see the ‘other’ side – New Delhi. Interestingly, New Delhi offers more historical sites than Old Delhi but reflects a colonial past. At the same time, you will be amazed by the bustle of people getting about the malls, cinemas and of course the food – so many street food options and restaurants to indulge in. 

You will spend the first half of your day socialising with the Sankhala family and then watch the award winning documentary TIGERLAND which focuses on two conservationists, one of them being Kailash Sankhala.

You will then leave to the airport to board a flight to Raipur. Our representative will meet upon your arrival at Raipur Airport and then drive you to Kanha. A journey covering 200km, it will be a 4 hour journey, with a break enroute.

Set on the Chhota Nagpur Plateau in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha is a 366 sq mile preserve of grassy plains and sal forests and home to the endangered tiger, Barasingha or swamp deer, alongside leopard, sloth bear and wild dog,

You will start your day with a Morning Safari in a 4×4 jeep accompanied by a resident naturalist and forest guide. They will take you on trails for optimum sightings of Kanha National Park. There will be a break for lunch and a good rest before returning for the Afternoon Safari by 4×4 open jeep.

Kanha’s mixed forests, grasslands (known as ‘maidan’) and vast meadows create the ideal habitat for grazing by chital or spotted deer (Barasingha). Famously known for its vast spread of Sal forest, referred to as ”the Ngorongoro of India”, where the Barasingha frequent midst its teak and bamboo trees – brought back from the brink of extinction.

First thing in the morning, you will start your day with a Morning Safari. The drive to Bandhavgarh will take 6 hours covering a distance of 260 km.

Bhandavgarh has a large biodiversity, especially with large breeding populations of leopards and deer. You will see the richness of the Park as you take that Morning Safari. The Park derives its name from the most prominent hill, said to have been gifted by Lord Rama to his brother Laxman, to keep a watch on Lanka (now known as Sri Lanka). You will see numerous avifauna too, such as the coppersmith barbet, Indian grey hornbill, and the common myna, amongst others. 

Among wildlife enthusiasts in India it is commonly said “In most parks you have to be lucky to see a tiger, in Bandhavgarh you have to be unlucky to not see a tiger.” The National Park was included in the Project Tiger Network in 1993, given its status as an excellent tiger habitat. Bandhavgarh is also home to more than 25 species of mammals including: the tiger, panthers, wolves, hyenas, wild dogs, gaur, cheetal, sambhar, barking deer, sloth bears and many more. Additionally, the Park has over 250 species of birds along with about 80 types of butterflies and a number of reptiles.  

Come evening, after resting from your flight in, we will take you to witness the Aarti (prayer) ceremony, an ancient ritual carried out by the bank of the Ganges River. Conducted by priests of only the Vedas and Upanishads: five elevated planks, a layered brass lamp, an idol of Ganga Devi, flowers, incense sticks, conch shell and other ritualistic items, are all used to accompany the chanting and mantras. The air is punctured by the blowing of the conch shells and the aroma of incense sticks, as Mother Ganga is venerated for her blessings upon her faithful worshippers.

Many activities planned for you, we start with the Subah or Morning Banaras, a morning ritual. You will then visit ” Kedar Mandir” followed by attending a ritual called  “Kusthi Akharas”. Later we will take you on a walk. Walking along the southernmost embankment of the Ganges, listening to the story of Tulsidas; translator of the sacred Ramayana text, Banaras poet and mystic. Sometimes, we may be interrupted by bells and yelling ,signalling to step aside as funerals come through – a ritual common to Varanasi. 

After lunch, a late evening walk unravels the story behind Banaras being the great cremation ground of the god Shiva, ending with a late visit to the Sankata Devi temple (goddess of sorrows & a demon slayer) for a ritual worship service.

You will start your day with an early morning yoga session at Ghat: the Ganga Ghats of Varanasi are a combination of the physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements embodied in a very spiritual, even divine manner. Under the guidance of experienced yoga masters, practise yoga and enjoy the rejuvenation of your senses in the freshness of your morning. After that, it will be time to check out and prepare for your departure for Jaipur; a two hour flight.

Jaipur is bejewelled by grandeur, brilliant architecture and history. You will start your tour by heading for the Amber Fort which houses halls, temples and gardens. On to Sheesh Mahal where elaborate mirror work takes precedence. In the City Palace complex, the seven-storeyed Chandra Mahal is a wonder with each floor housing unique paintings, mirror work, intricate woodwork and sculptural works of art. There is a beautiful peacock gate at the entry to the Mahal complete with screened balconies and a pavilion at the roof with a panoramic view of the city. The evening will wind down with a walk through the bazaar, a maze of arts and craft, made by using rich traditional artisan skills.

If you are up for it, an Air Balloon Safari is a fantastic way to sightsee the forts, terrains, the villages away from the concrete jungles…experiencing the vastness of Jaipur.  It’s a totally different adventure to experience.

Alternatively, after breakfast we will take you to Agra. The city is 240 km away and is about a 5 hour journey – home of the Taj Mahal.

After touring the Taj Mahal, designed by Ustad Ahmed Lahori who brought to the fore Indo-Islamic architecture, the play of light shadow, symmetry and colour combination through stone and granite – you will head back to your hotel for breakfast. 

After that, you will visit Sheroes Hangout Café. This Café is testament to women who are survivors of acid attacks. Run solely by them, it houses a centre that runs campaigns, a library, a boutique where you can purchase handicrafts (and support their cause) and of course great food and drink.

The Café empowers these women and creates awareness for an issue that is very problematic in India. 

Come afternoon, it’s time to drive you to Delhi, for your departure.