Wild India

After touching down in Mumbai, we’ll transfer to our hotel.

We’ll spend the morning on the island of Elephanta, an hour’s boat ride from Mumbai. Elephanta is famous for its UNESCO-listed cave temples, carved out of the rock between the 5th and 8th centuries. A walk through this maze of temples reveals pillars, courtyards and sculptural reliefs, including an impressive 7m-high shrine to Shiva. This afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps join us for a tour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), a Victorian Gothic masterpiece boasting turrets, painted arches, a huge central dome and decorative flourishes in iron, brass and marble. We’ll also admire Mumbai’s art deco architecture.

Excursions & visits:

Visit to Elephanta caves (morning)

After a short flight, we’ll drive to Pench National Park, in the lower southern reaches of the Satpura hills. Our lodge is just a kilometre from the park, so we’re perfectly placed to explore this wildlife-filled reserve - the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’. A guided nature walk introduces us to the local flora and fauna, while early morning and late afternoon Jeep safaris take us deeper into the park in search of its inhabitants. Sloth bears doze on rocky outcrops, flying squirrels leap between trees, and crocodiles wallow in the network of lakes. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for elusive leopards and tigers, too. An evening of stargazing will be led by a local expert, who’ll show you the wonders of the Milky Way.

Excursions & visits:

Nature walk (evening) 2 jungle safari drives (morning and afternoon) Guided stargazing (evening)

After a final jungle tour in Pench this morning, we’ll drive to Kanha National Park, a 940-square-kilometre park famous for its population of tigers and deer.

Excursions & visits:

Jungle safari drive (morning)

We’ll rise early on our days here and travel into the jungle by Jeep, accompanied by an experienced ranger. Heading into the park at sunrise allows us the opportunity to watch the wildlife wake and patrol in the cool morning temperatures. An afternoon safari might take us into a different park zone for further opportunities to spot the wildlife along riverbanks, in open savannahs or in ancient woods. Birdwatchers should keep binoculars handy - 200-plus species are found here, including the black ibis, hawk eagle and the red-wattled lapwing. We’ll also visit a Gond tribal village nearby, where we’ll have the chance to have a cup of chai with the locals, see traditional tribal paintings and perhaps learn a few skills from the artists themselves.

Excursions & visits:

3 jungle safari drives (morning/afternoon) Visit to Gond tribal village (afternoon)

Our final national park awaits, as we make our way north to Bandhavgarh. It’s a fairly long drive (five hours), but once we arrive, we’ll have time to unwind at our lodge and enjoy our lush surroundings. Relax beside the tree-shaded pool or sit out on your private terrace with a book and a coffee.

Another three jungle safaris punctuate our stay here. A former hunting ground for maharajahs, Bandhavgarh is now a protected reserve that’s home to white and Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears and a host of other creatures. More than 250 species of bird can be spotted here, too. We’ll also get a closer look at the flora as we explore the forest on foot, guided by an expert naturalist.

Excursions & visits:

3 jungle safari drives (morning/afternoon) Nature walk (afternoon)

Today, we’ll head for Khajuraho, where we’ll tour a selection of the UNESCO-protected temples. It’s another long drive (six hours), but well worth the effort. Built around 1,000 years ago by the ruling Chandella dynasty, they perfectly marry architecture and sculpture. We’ll see Mahadev, the largest and most ornate temple, wander through the circular Chaunsath Yogini temple, and admire the 11-headed sculpture of Lord Vishnu at Chitragupta Temple.

Excursions & visits:

Visit to Khajuraho temples (afternoon)

The little village of Orchha is a bit of an underrated gem. Overlooked by many tourists, it’s home to an incredible array of palaces and temples - a reminder of this unassuming village’s past as the capital of a powerful kingdom. After lunch in Orchha, we’ll make our way to the train station at Jhansi, ready for our express service into Delhi. Rail travel is a huge part of life here and experiencing a train ride is a must on any trip to India. Enjoy city and countryside views as we speed through Uttar Pradesh, arriving into Delhi in the early evening.

Excursions & visits:

Train ride from Jhansi to Delhi (afternoon)

Our tour comes to an end today as you transfer to the airport for your return flight back to Bengaluru. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.