India's Majestic Tigers
$9,125
November 29 - December 15, 2008
See the brochure (pdf)
Trip Overview
Visit Corbett, Ranthambore and Bhandavgarh national parks, as well as the Taj Mahal on our autumn tour of India.
Trip Itinerary
Saturday, November 29: United States / Delhi
Depart the U.S. for Delhi. (Meals aloft)
Sunday, November 30: Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to your hotel with the evening free. Taj Mahal Hotel
Monday, December 1: Delhi
After breakfast and a brief orientation, head out to explore Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), the Red Fort and the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. Enjoy lunch at the acclaimed Veda Restaurant. Visit a Sikh temple, the Parliament Building and the India Gate. End the day at the 16th-century Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. Taj Mahal Hotel (B,L,D)
Tuesday, December 2: Corbett National Park
Take private cars to Corbett National Park, the first tiger reserve of India that also is home to leopards and elephants. It was named after legendary naturalist Jim Corbett. This evening, take a nature walk and participate in a presentation on the wildlife and ecosystems of the area. Spend the next three nights in well-appointed thatched cottages with wraparound verandas on a 10-acre jungle camp bordering the park. Jim's Jungle Retreat (B,L,D)
Wednesday, December 3: Corbett National Park
Participate in two safaris today in the Bijrani area of Corbett National Park—one by jeep in the morning and another atop elephants in the afternoon. Search for mongooses, otters, goat-antelopes called ghorals, langurs, rhesus monkeys, crocodiles, crested serpent eagles and blossom headed parakeets. Jim's Jungle Retreat (B,L,D)
Thursday, December 4: Dhikala / Jhirna
Take an excursion to a reserve near the village of Dhikala, where grasslands provide a habitat for wild elephants, herds of graceful spotted deer called chital and raptors. Enjoy an afternoon safari in Jhirna, an area of Corbett National Park that was designated a wildlife preserve under Project Tiger in 1994. Search for tigers, leopards, deer and wild boar. Jim's Jungle Retreat (B,L,D)
Friday, December 5: Delhi
Return by car to Delhi, making stops along the way. Check into our distinguished hotel and reconvene for dinner at the hotel. Taj Mahal Hotel (B,L,D)
Saturday, December 6: Ranthambore National Park
Ride an express train to Sawaimadhopur and drive the short distance to Ranthambore National Park. Originally the private hunting grounds of Jaipur's maharajas, Ranthambore was declared a national park in 1980. It stretches across 830 square miles and is one of seven tiger sanctuaries in India. Its dense deciduous forests, semi-arid scrub, lakes and waterfalls are havens for tigers and other wildlife, including leopards, blue bulls, Indian gazelles, Indian foxes, jackals and striped hyenas. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure at our resort, where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip once stayed as guests of the maharaja. Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge (B,L,D)
Sunday, December 7: Ranthambore National Park
Enjoy early morning and late afternoon jeep safaris. While never guaranteed, of course, this area of India provides an ideal opportunity to spot the elusive Bengal Tiger in the wild. Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge (B,L,D)
Monday, December 8: Fatehpur Sikri / Agra
Transfer to the train station for this morning's rail journey to Bharatpur. Proceed to Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted red sandstone city that was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital in the 16th century. Abruptly abandoned after 14 years once its wells went dry, the sandstone palaces and mosques are nearly perfectly preserved. Continue to Agra. Explore the Agra Fort, with its Hall of Public Audience and Royal Pavilions.
At sunset, visit the magnificent Taj Mahal. Taking 22 years, 20,000 laborers and artists and a fleet of 1,000 elephants to build, this monument—dedicated to love—is widely considered the most beautiful structure on Earth. Mughal Sheraton (B,L,D)
Tuesday, December 9: Orccha / Khajuraho
Board India's fastest train, the Shatabdi Express, to Jhansi. Take a short drive to Orccha, an off-the-beaten-path destination that was formerly the capital of the flourishing Bundela Empire; it’s now a village of farmers and artisans. Jungle growth has overtaken several square miles of temples and palaces. Explore the monuments and stroll along the Betwa River and look for monkeys and birdlife. Later, drive four hours to Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site of elaborately carved temples. It was once the capital of the Chandela Dynasty (950-1050 AD). Taj Chandela (B,L,D)
Wednesday, December 10: Bandhavgarh National Park
Depart on a seven-hour drive to Bandhavgarh National Park. This tranquil area was the well-preserved property of the Maharaja of Rewa until 1968. It boasts the highest Bengal tiger density of any park in India, providing a good chance of seeing the big cat. It is here that the legendary white tiger named Mohan was captured in 1951; his offspring live at zoos across the world. The park ranks among the top three wildlife preserves in India. Steep cliffs provide nesting habitat for long-billed vultures and the peregrine falcon. Among more than 250 bird species, the lesser adjutant, brown fish owl and mottled wood owl are perhaps most easily seen here. Spend three nights at a recently built eco-lodge. King's Lodge (B,L,D)
Thursday, December 11: Bandhavgarh National Park
Spend the day on safari with park rangers, exploring by jeep and elephant transport. In addition to the tigers, it's possible to spot wild boar, jackals, gaur, Indian bison, porcupines, Rhesus macaques, blackfaced langurs and leopards. The park is also home to such birds as blue bearded bee-eaters, white-bellied drongos and stunning Malabar hornbills. King's Lodge (B,L,D)
Friday, December 12: Anant Van / Bandhavgarh National Park
Take a special excursion to Anant Van (meaning "infinite forest"). Anant Van is a wildlife camp spread over 21 acres, with the goal of self-sustenance through responsible tourism. Park officials work on wildlife conservation with community members and park visitors. Spend the day with a team of conservationists, learning more about the project. Later, embark on another wildlife-spotting safari in the national park. King's Lodge (B,L,D)
Saturday, December 13: Khajuraho
Drive to Khajuraho. Upon arrival, relax before dinner. Taj Chandela (B,L,D)
Sunday, December 14: Khajuraho / Delhi
This morning, head out to explore the Chandela Temple complex, considered by many to represent the finest temple architecture in northern India. Adorned with bands of exceedingly artistic stonework, the intricate carvings depict many aspects of every day Indian life a millennium ago. This afternoon, fly from Khajuraho to Delhi. Enjoy a farewell dinner before transferring to the airport for your flight home. (B,L,D)
Monday, December 15: United States
Arrive in the U.S. (Meals Aloft)
