The extensive grasslands and temperate forests of India are home to a vast range of wildlife and some of the world's most stunning national parks. These reserves were once the hunting ground of the various rajas and maharajas, and their hunting lodges have now been converted into hotels.
Drive to Corbett National Park. Check into your jungle lodge. Post lunch park safari on elephant back accompanied by a naturalist. Evening bonfire and bar-be-cue. Overnight Corbett.
Morning and evening park visits to see a variety of wildlife in jeeps and elephant back. Evening at leisure at the poolside or the riverside or view a tiger film. Overnight Corbett.
Early morning repeat safari, later drive to Agra. Check into a hotel in Agra. Afternoon city sightseeing of Agra fort and visit the Taj Mahal in the soft light of the setting sun. It is the world's greatest monument to love, built by Shah Jehan as a memorial to his beloved wife, Mumtaz. Overnight Agra.
Morning transfer to the airport to board a flight to Khajuraho. Transfer to hotel in the afternoon. Visit the Chandela dynasty temples. Famous for their spectacular sculpture and erotic carvings. Overnight Khajuraho.
Drive to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. Check into the jungle lodge. Evening park safari on jeeps. Overnight Bandhavgarh.
Drive to Kanha, your journey takes you deep into the Madhya Pradesh heartland and the setting of Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book. Check into the fascinating Kipling’s camp. This national park is the only one in the country that can boast of having the same abundance of wildlife and variety of species since the days Kipling wrote his book. Originally the area was famed as a hunter's paradise but now the valley has been developed as a national park. The park has deciduous forests, rolling grasslands and meandering streams it has over 22 species of wildlife including the rare barasingha (swamp deer) and over 230 species of birds. Evening jungle drive. Overnight Kanha.
Morning and evening jungle drive. You will spend time on machines (viewing platforms) near water holes. Overnight Kanha.
After the early morning jungle drive, proceed to Kawardha. Check into Palace Kawardha, which has been recently opened to visitors by the Maharaja. It is delightfully quiet and unspoilt in contrast with India's other "place circuits". Kawardha is in the centre of the Balga tribe who live in the forest surrounding the town. The Radha Krishna family temple with underground roofs and the holy water tank are fascinating. It is a unique experience to visit the tribal settlements. Overnight Palace Kawardha.
Morning at leisure with the Royal family. Later transfer to Raipur for a connecting evening flight to Delhi.