VIP meet and greet on arrival at the Delhi airport. You will be met at the aerobridge, and assisted through baggage and customs. Then then you will be taken to the VIP Lounge where you will be met by our ground staff who will transfer you to the hotel and assist in completing the check in formalities.
Hand over of all your travel documents for India.
*visa required for travel to India. Evisa can be applied for prior to travel.
VIP meet & greet on arrival.
Transfer to your hotel.
Flights to India.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be collected from your hotel for the drive to Agra, which takes about 3hrs30minutes.
Check into your hotel, and enjoy a a spa treatment or swim in the pool.
In the afternoon you have guided visit to the impressive Red Fort, built by Emperor Akbar in between 1567 and 1573. It encompasses an enormous complex of courtly buildings and is now a UNESCO world heritage site.
Then cross the Yamuna River, for an evening visit the Mehtab Bagh gardens to photograph the Taj Mahal at sunset.
*we also have a secret spot to photograph the Taj Mahal reflecting in the river. It's somewhat of an adventure to access, though very worthwhile for keen photographers.
Breakfast in Delhi.
Private road transfer to Agra.
Afternoon private tour of the Red Fort and Mehtab Bagh.
Lunch & dinner.
Spa.
Early this morning you will be collected from the hotel for guided tour of the Taj Mahal. Experience the surreal effects caused by the reflections of the sun rising from behind the white marble clad Taj Mahal. Its perfect proportions and exquisite craftsmanship have been described as “a vision, a dream, a poem, a wonder'.
After your sunrise tour, return to the hotel for breakfast
After breakfast, you will be collected from the hotel by your driver for the drive to Delhi,
On arrival in Delhi, proceed for guided tour of Humayun’s Tomb - first Mughal garden tomb and inspiration for several later monuments such as the incomparable Taj Mahal, and drive past the Vijay Chowk - a vantage point for grand sweep of British Raj Era Buildings
Late afternoon transfer to your hotel close to the airport.
*Taj Mahal is closed on Friday's*
Breakfast in Agra.
Private tour to Taj Mahal.
Private road transfer to Delhi.
Afternoon Delhi tour.
Lunch & dinner.
Early this morning you will be collected by your driver for a transfer to the airport.
Check in to your flight to Nagpur departing at 6:10am. (check in one hour prior to departure)
On arrival in Nagpur at 7:45am, you will be met by a driver for the road transfer to Pench National Park.
The drive to Pench takes between 3 to 4 hours, with much to see enroute. Each small town or village offers scenes of Indian life.
Arrive at Pench Tree Lodge in time for lunch and and afternoon game drive. Or, a bike ride throug the local farms and villages.
Afternoon jungle excursion by 4WD exclusive vehicle accompanied by English speaking lodge naturalist who sometimes is also the driver besides the local park guide.
*Domestic flights in India allow 15kgs (33lbs) of luggage per passenger. If required, additional weight can be purchased ahead of time.
**Pench National Park is closed for game drives on Wednesday afternoons.
Transfer to Delhi Airport.
Scheduled flight to Nagpur.
Private transfer to Pench.
Lunch & Dinner at Pench Tree Lodge
Afternoon jungle excursion.
Early morning, and after for tea / coffee you set off for a game drive into Pench National Park, in an open top 4WD exclusive vehicle accompanied by English speaking lodge naturalist.
Spend the morning in search of tigers and and other forest animals, such as sloth bears, leopard and an array of deer.
Afternoon game drives by exclusive 4WD vehicles accompanied by local naturalist.
Picnic lunch in the park, before driving back to the lodge, arriving in time for lunch.
Relax during the middle part of the day, before another excursion into the park.
Pench National Park is lesser know but most conveniently located Tiger habitat. Only 3 hrs driving distance from well connected Nagpur Airport. Panoramic beauty of this region that has been described as early as the beginning of the 20th century by naturalists like Captain J. Forsyth in ‘Highlands of Central India' and by Rudyard Kipling in the 'Jungle Book'. The park takes its name from Pench River. The park has mainly Southern tropical dry deciduous and dry mixed deciduous forest dominated by teak trees. During the dry season the river ceases to flow, forming pools which provide the primary watering holes for Tigers and its prey. On the southern boundary of the park the river is dammed and around its banks are hordes of water-birds. Mugger Indian Marsh crocodile, Indian Flap Shell Turtle and Peninsular Black Turtle can also been seen. Almost all the animals seen in Kanha NP, except barasingha are in habitants of Pench like Gaur, Wild Boar and Common Langurs, Sambar, Spotted and Barking Deer. With luck we might also see sloth bear, Dhole (wild dog), or even a Leopard which are generally seen in the peripheral areas of the parkwhere they can more easily avoid Tigers. Brilliant birdlife over 170 species recorded here.
Breakfast (packed), lunch & dinner.
Game drives in Pench National Park.
The activity today, is for those looking to be active and are adventurous. A day's cycle through the forests, inhabited by tigers and other animals. The forest you cycle through is outside the national park, so game is shy. By taking part in this activity, you are helping the conservation of these pristine forests, and the wildlife inhabitants.
After an early breakfast we drive (45 minutes) to Rukhad Wildlife Sanctuary and have the privilege to explore the sanctuary and its surrounding forest by cycles. We will be accompanied by a local park guide. For the most part the ride is flat ground, though initially there are some steep decents over rougher terrain, so some decent off road biking experience is required. However there is a back up vehicle following up, so you can hop on and take a ride if need be. In total you are riding for 25kms - it's a long morning ride, though very rewarding. For advanced riders, a professional cyclist can guide you at a faster pace. Email or call us for further details on this unique cycling activity.
A sumptuous late lunch awaits at the Sakata Forest Rest House, a 1904 colonial bungalow.
After lunch, drive back to Pench Tree Lodge for a swim and cold drink.
Dinner at the lodge.
The Japanese practice of forest bathing has been proven to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormone production, boost the immune system and to improve overall feelings of well being!
*If cycling is not your thing, the stay at Pench can be shortened to two nights.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Cycling excursion.
After breakfast at Pench, you wil be collected from the lodge by a driver, for the journey to Kanha National Park.
The drive is about 4 hours through local towns, villages and farms - never boring.
Arrive at Kanha Earth Lodge in time for lunch. Check in to the lodge and relax, before the afternoon game drive.
*Optional upgraded accommodation is Banjaar Tola.
In the afternoon jungle excursion by 4WD exclusive vehicle accompanied by English speaking lodge naturalist who sometimes is also the driver besides the local park guide.
Return to the lodge, in the late afternoon.
Evening talk and presentation on the Kanha National Park before dinner.
*Kanha National Park is closed for game drives on Wednesday afternoons.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Private road transfer to Kanha.
Afternoon game drive.
After early morning tea / coffee, set off for a game drive by open top 4WD exclusive vehicle accompanied your English speaking lodge naturalist, for a morning in search tigers in Kanha. Enjoy a picnic breakfast inside the Park.
Return to lodge around 11 AM.
After lunch and relaxation during the middle of the day, you head off on an afternoon game drive. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon.
Kanha National Park encompasses nearly two thousand square kilometres of deciduous forest, grasslands, hills and gently meandering rivers - home to literally hundreds of species of animals and birds, including tiger. The setting for Rudyard Kipling’s famous “Jungle Book”. It is an important project tiger reserve and has the maximum population of tigers and along with Bandhavgarh is one of the best places to spot the elusive Tiger. The park is the only habitat of the rare hardground Barasingha deer.
There is a large tiger population in the park. One can also find leopards, the sloth bear and Indian wild dog. The most abundant prey species for the large predators is the spotted deer or chital, followed by Sambar deer which constitute an important prey base of the tiger. Other commonly observed mammals include the common grey langur, wild boar, gaur and barasingha or swamp deer. Barasingha were only 60 left in this planet when measures were taken to prevent extinction. Other larger mammal species of the park are rhesus macaque, golden jackal, Bengal fox, smooth-coated otter, honey badger, small Indian civet, Indian grey mongoose, ruddy mongoose, striped hyena, jungle cat, leopard cat, Indian spotted chevrotain, Indian pangolin, Indian porcupine, Indian hare, The Indian jungle fowl, which is the ancestor of domestic hens, is common.
Kanha's reputation as a prime tiger habitat does not over shadows other forms of life in this magnificent paradise. There 250+ species of Indian birds in Kanha including migratory species. For bird watchers and photographers, Kanha offers scope to study the forest birds and variety of water birds that thrive on wetlands, lakes and river ecosystem.
Breakfast (packed), lunch & dinner.
Game drives in Kanha National Park.
Optional final morning game drive in search of Indian wildlife. (This would be a short drive, exiting the park by 9 AM)
Breakfast at the lodge, before being collected by a driver for the road transfer to Raipur (5 hour drive to Raipur).
On arrival at Raipur Airport, check in to your flight to Mumbai departing at 4:55pm. (check in at least one hour prior to departure).
Arrive in Mumbai at 6:45pm.
Meet and assistance on arrival at Mumbai airport and then transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at Trident Nariman Point – Superior Room.
At an additional price, stay at Taj Mahal Tower – Superior City View Room .
Breakfast at Kanha.
Packed lunch for drive to Raipur..
Private road transfer to Raipur.
Scheduled flight to Mumbai.
Private transfer to your Mumbai hotel.
Dinner.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be collected by your driver & guide for your Mumbai day tour.
Accompanied by local guide you will be transferred from Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves by Ferry (on shared basis). Located only 10 kms away on the tranquil and forested island of Elephanta on Mumbai’s eastern shore, these caves are beautifully chiseled into a rock cliff and date back to 5th-8th centuries AD. Some great masterpieces of Indian sculpting can be seen here – a collection of shrines, courtyards, inner cells, grand halls and porticos, arranged in a classic Indian rock-cut architectural style. One of its main attractions is the massive Trimurti ‘three-faced’ Lord Shiva sculpture.
*Elephanta Caves remain closed on Mondays.
Mumbai is long, narrow promontory (430 Sq Kms) which juts into the Arabian Sea. You guided city tour this afternoon will include: Gate Way of India – Mumbai’s famous landmark; Prince of Wales Museum – A grand Inda-Saracenic building it has a good collection of Rajput miniatures paintings and sculptures; Mahatma Gandhi Museum (Mani Bhavan); Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus -formerly Victoria Terminus it is the most remarkable example of Victorian Gothic architecture in India and drive through Crawford Market, Marine drive and Flora fountain.
Return to the hotel in the evening
Breakfast.
Private morning & afternoon tours.
Lunch & dinner.
Very early this morning, you will be collected from the hotel for a transfer to the airport.
Check in to Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi departing at 6:35am. (optional later flight at 4:40pm).
Arrive in Nairobi at 10:10am.
Arrive Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya.
Clear Kenya Immigration. Canadians & American passport holders require a visa, obtainable on arrival or prior to travel through the Kenya High Commission in Ottawa, or Kenya Embassy in Washington DC.
Once you have collected your luggage, make your way outside the terminal. You will be met in the arrival meet & greet area by a Bush & Beyond driver, look for him holding a welcome sign with your names.
Road transfer through Nairobi National Park to The Emakoko. You are now on safari in Kenya!
Arrive at The Emakoko in time for lunch, and and afternoon siesta! In the late afternoon, enjoy a game drive through this unique park, or visit the Sheldrick Wildlife Orphanage and its baby elephants and rhinos.
Private road transfer to Mumbai Airport.
Private road transfer to your hotel in Nairobi.
Afternoon activity.
Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi.
Kenya visa fees.
After breakfast, you have a game drive transfer through the park to Wilson Airport. Connect with a scheduled flight to Lewa Conservancy. (1 hr flight).
On arrival at the Lewa airstrip, you will be met by a guide for a game drive transfer to Lewa House. Arrive in time for lunch and and an afternoon safari activity.
Enjoy the next three days on the wonderful Lewa Conservancy with views across the plains to Mt Kenya.
Breakfast at The Emakoko.
Transfer to Wilson Airport.
Scheduled flight to Lewa
Lunch & dinner at lewa House.
Scheduled afternoon safari activity.
Scheduled twice daily game drives and conservation activities from Lewa House.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Scheduled activities.
Scheduled twice daily game drives and conservation activities from Lewa House.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Scheduled activities.
After breakfast and a game drive transfer to the airstrip. You will be flown by scheduled flight to the Masai Mara. This flight may stop enroute in Nairobi.
On arrival at the Mara airstrip, you will be met by a guide from Serian Camp (The Original). Enjoy a game drive transfer to the camp on the banks of the Mara River.
Arrive in time for high tea and an afternoon game drive.
Activities from Serian are on a private basis, so you have you own guide and vehicle for your stay. Activities are flexible, you stay out on safari as long as like, its up to you.
Breakfast at Lewa.
Scheduled flights to Masai Mara
Lunch & dinner at Serian.
Enjoy exciting safari activities from Serian. The Masai Mara is Kenya's prime wildlife reserve, with sightings of the main predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah possible.
During the migration season - July to October, the huge herds of wildebeest arrive from the Serengeti.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Private safari activities
Other than game drives, other activities include walking safaris with a local Masai guide. Balloon flights over the plains can also be arranged at additional cost.
On a longer stay, you also have the option of camping out in a remote area.
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Private safari activities
Your journey ends today. After breakfast and a game drive transfer to the airstrip, fly back to Nairobi on a scheduled flight.
On arrival at Wilson Airport, you will be met for a transfer to Jomo Kenyatta International.
Connect with your onward flights.
Breakfast at Serian.
Scheduled flight to Nairobi.
Transfer from Wilson to Jomo Kenyatta.
Lunch & dinner.
Day room in Nairobi, if required.
Onward flights from Nairobi.
