Wild India
Tracking India's Big Cats
Wild India Adventure
The jungles of Central India were the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’ and remain the home of leopards, elephants and the mighty Bengal tiger, amongst a plethora of other rare wildlife species and a fascinating array of birdlife. From the grasslands of Panna and Khana Reserves to the jungles of Ranthambore and Bandhavgarh you will witness a staggering array of animals and varying landscapes interspersed wiith the opportunity to savour India’s fascinating history and colourful culture with city stays in Agra, Jaipur and Mumbai. Luxury tents, treehouses perched amid the crowns of Mahua trees, jungle cottages and 5 star hotels are showcased in this itinerary, however we can tailor this extraordinary journey to suit your style, pace and price – you simply need to get in touch.
You will love
- The ultimate feline fix!
- Safari chic accommodation
- Brilliant for bird watchers
- Fascinating culture & history
- A photographers dream
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
21 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
DAY 1 | DELHI | 1 NIGHT
On arrival in Delhi have your first evening at leisure as you adjust to the time difference and relax after your long flight. You will meet your driver who will accompany you throughout your journey, transferring you from location to location, this evening.
DAY 2 | AGRA | 1 NIGHT
After a leisurely breakfast drive Delhi to Agra (approx 4 hours) with sightseeing in Agra on arrival. Visit the impressive Agra Fort for your first glimpse of the iconic Taj Mahal before watching the sunset over the Taj from Mehtab Bagh – the gardens on the Yamuna River.
DAY 3 | RANTHAMBORE NP | 2 NIGHTS
An early start this morning tgo reach the Taj Mahal before sunrise. Watching the colours of the Taj change as the sun climbs into the sky is a sight to behold. Enjoy your guided tour of the grounds, abundant gardens and the marble tomb. Later drive to Ranthambore (approx 5 hours) visiting the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri enroute.
DAY 4 & 5 | RANTHAMBORE NP
Ranthambore National Park sits at the junction of the Aravallis and the Vindhya Hills and offers a unique juxtaposition of natural and historical richness. Join morning and afternoon jungle safaris intgo the park, accompanied by a qualified naturalist who will help you interpret the exotic flora and fauna of the region. Get up close to nature on a guided walking trail or visit the formidable Ranthambore Fort in the heart of these former hunting grounds of the Maharajahs of Jaipur.
DAY 6 | JAIPUR | 2 NIGHTS
Travel from Ranthambore to Jaipur (approx 3.5 hours) today arriving in time to take an afternoon tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jantar Mantar. This evening is at leisure.
DAY 7 | JAIPUR
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Jaipur including visiting the imposing Amber Fort, passing by the Hawa Mahal and exploring the City Palace and Museum.
DAY 8 | JAWAI | 2 NIGHTS
Road transfer from Jaipur to Jawai (approx 6.5 hours) today, travelling through rural Rajasthan There will be plenty of rest stops and, no doubt, many photographic opportunities as you pass through picturesque farmlands and vast tracts of land studded with granite hills. Check in to your lodge on arrival with the remainder of the afternoon & evening at leisure.
DAY 9 | JAWAI
Jawai is prominently known for leopards, but the area is also home to striped hyena, sloth bear, Indian fox, Indian boar, chinkara, nilgai and migratory birds. Accompanied by a highly experienced ranger you have the opportunity to set out on morning and afternoon jungle safaris to view and photograh the impressive native flora & fauna.
DAY 10 | MUMBAI | 1 NIGHT
Depart early this morning for Udaipur (approx 3.5 hours) arriving in time to visit famous Lake Pichola before continuing to the airport in time to board your flight to Mumbai. On arrival check in to your hotel with the remainder of the evening at leisure.
DAY 11 | PENCH NP | 2 NIGHTS
If you wish to rise before dawn you have the opportunity to undertake a ‘Good Morning Mumbai’ tour of he Dada Flower Markets – a hive of activity as the sun rises and a delight for your senses with a blaze of colour, sound & aromatic smells. Later transfer to the airport for flight to Nagpur and onward drive to Pench (approx 2 hr drive). Check in and relax.
DAY 12 | PENCH NP
Pench National Park derives it name from the Pench River that flows through the park and is a wild playground harbouring a staggering density of wildlife. Enjoy morning and afternoon jungle drives in the area showcased in Sir David Attenborough’s BBC wildlife series with BBC ‘Spy in the Jungle’ .
DAY 13 | KANHA NP | 3 NIGHTS
Undertake a final morning game drive in Pench before proceeding to Kanha National Park (approx 5 hours). The largest National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha is one of the best places in India to spot the Royal Bengal tiger, leopards, sloth bears, sambhars, chitals, gaur and the Indian wild dog all reside in the sal and bamboo forests.
DAY 14 & 15 | KANHA NP
Enjoy morning and afternoon jungle drives specifically hoping to see barasingha (swamp deer).
Kanha is renowned to be the only park in India to house this species which is also why it is known as the jewel of Kanha National Park.
DAY 16 | BANDHAVGARH NP | 3 NIGHTS
A leisurely check out after breakfast for your drive to Bandhavgarh (approx 6 hours). Extremely popular as one of the best reserves for tiger spotting Bandhavgarh National Park is also the original home of ‘white tigers’. It is estimated that only one in every 10,000 tigers born in the wild is white (and spoiler alert – there are currently no white tigers in BNP – sorry).
DAY 17 & 18 | BANDHAVGARH NP
Spread across 450 sq km the hills of sandstone and rocks and the marshy terrain makes Bandhavgarh one of the most beautiful reserves to explore on your morning and afternoon drives.
Apart from the tiger you are also likely to find Indian bison, sambars, langurs and cheetals.
DAY 19 | PANNA NP | 1 NIGHT
Check out and drive to Panna (approx 5 hours).
Another hugely popular national park Panna boasts both tiger and leopard along with chital, chinkara, nilgai, sambhar and sloth bears, plus 200 species of birds. Jungle drives are on offer morning, afternoon and evening, and a popular activity in Panna is to take a boat on the mesmerizing Ken River to view crocodiles and the spectacular birdlife.
DAY 20 | DELHI | 1 NIGHT
Enjoy a morning activity in Panna before driving to Khajuraho airport (approx 1.5 hours) in time for your flight to Delhi. Pending your time of arrival, or departure tomorrow, you may be able to include a sightseeing drive through the New City or venture into the colourful and chaotic alleyways of Delhi’s Old City.
DAY 21 | END OF ITINERARY
Your Wild India Adventure ends today with a transfer to the airport to begin your return home, or to start your next adventure.
PLEASE NOTE:
This itinerary provides the perfect framework for a spectacular opportunity to see India’s iconic wildlife, however it can be designed to suit your preferred pace, price and pursuits. Contact us for a tailormade journey.
NEED TO KNOW
Please enquire for pricing based on your preferences
Start: Delhi, India
|
Finish: Delhi, India
This itinerary provides the perfect inspiration for a spectacular journey and can be tailored to suit your style, pace, preferences and budget. Elements of this trip may vary based on your chosen season and dates of travel and, once the timing of internal flights is known, this may also present the opportunity to see & do even more!
An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.
Judith & Roger Williams
Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!
The McGowan Tribe
It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.
Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud
The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.
Annette Whiley
Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10
Di & Kingsley Yates
Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.
Ron & Alison Guthrie
If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.
Miriam & Joseph Harrison
Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.
Andrew & Pip Stevens
Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!
Ros Wheeler
Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.
Simon & Jackie Adams
The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.
Emma Jeffcoat
You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!
Buckingham Family
Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.
Tim Bradley
Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!
Jane & Robert Happell
Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.
Paul Cozzi
An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!
Sheryl & Robert Taylor
We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!
Laurence & Remi Cunningham
Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.
Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones
The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.
Rowntree family
We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.
Kim & Brad Balance
Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.
Milford family
We wanted the opportunity to see as many wildlife parks as possible and the Classic Safari Company provided an action-packed itinerary that included six, with 11 tiger sightings and nine leopard. This was overlaid with an introduction to Jaisalmer, Jaipur and the 'real' India. Pench and Panna were the hidden gems of a really great trip, very well organised, seamless and enjoyable. As a solo traveller I felt incredibly safe at all times. I want to go back!
Mark Taylor
Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.
Elizabeth Mackintosh
Thank you for putting together the ancestral adventure of a lifetime. I cannot speak highly enough of the trip.
Jenny Kidd