India’s capital, New Delhi, lies on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, within the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Made up of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern sector, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of beautiful buildings, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the grand, sandstone Red Fort, striking Qutab Minar, and fascinating Humayun's Tomb. Architecture enthusiasts will delight in the iconic Lotus Temple. Hear ‘qawwalis’ (devotional music) at the dargah (tomb) of the Sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya; or wander through the 17th century Chandni Chowk marketplace – still one of the city’s most popular retail centres today, famous for its traditional jewellery and saris. The gorgeous Sunder Nursery and Lodi Garden provide calm, flower-filled oases for picnicking.
Dubbed the ‘Jewel of the West, Gujarat is a vast state encompassing 1600 kilometres of coastline and myriad natural habitats, ranging from the undulating hills of Saputara, to the salt plains of Kutch and the forests of Gir National Park, where the last wild population of Asiatic lions still roam free. The birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, Gujarat is home to a varied array of religious groups: Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians, as well as one of India’s most prominent Jain communities, a devout sect that follows a strict path towards liberation and is responsible for the region’s impressive white marble temples, and delicious vegetarian cuisine (as well as the prohibition laws that have been in place there since 1961).
Dubbed ‘Orange City’ due to its thriving citrus industry, Nagpur is a vibrant city which serves as the commercial and political centre of the Vidarbha region, in the Maharashtra state of India. With its neat roads, landscaped gardens and countless religious and historical monuments, the city is considered to be India’s most livable city and a popular tourism hotspot. While the main attractions are undoubtedly the numerous national parks and tiger reserves of the surrounding area, the city itself features a number of visitor highlights including, among others: the Zero Mile stone, which marks the geological center of the Indian subcontinent; the impressive Sitabuldi Fort, dating back to 1757; and the Raman Science Center, which features an impressive planetarium, an interactive science gallery, and a prehistoric animal park.
Resting in the lower southern reaches of the Satpuda Hills, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Pench National Park is renowned for having the highest concentration of prey, compared to any other park in India. Visitors, therefore, have an increased chance of spotting predatory cats such as leopard and tiger. This impressive expanse of wilderness features a typical central Indian teak jungle and is bisected by the scenic Pench River. Aside from the river, the park also contains several bamboo-lined jungle streams providing a valuable water source for the local wildlife, which includes, among others: wild dog, sloth bear, wolf, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, gaur, sambar, and chital. Pench is also a bird lover's paradise, with over 250 species inhabiting the area, including; parakeets, hornbills, kingfishers, orioles, wagtails and a large selection of birds of prey.
Located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra state in central India, the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is Maharashtra's oldest and largest national park. The park is comprised of Tadoba National Park, Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary as well as large expanses of protected forest. The northern and western boundary of the park features densely forested hills which morph into smooth meadows and deep valleys as the terrain slopes from north to south. In the southwestern region the lovely Tadoba lake serves as a vital water source in which Muggar crocodiles thrive. In fact, the entire reserve area constitutes a unique ecosystem which boasts a diverse array of flora and fauna including, among others: leopard, wild dog, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, barking deer, flying squirrel and wild boar. However, the reserve’s prime attraction is undoubtedly its impressive population of over forty wild tigers which are frequently spotted roaming the exquisite natural landscapes that make up this remarkable wildlife haven.
