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DAY 1: ARRIVE IN NEW DELHI

Arrive in New Delhi, the bustling capital of India, and transfer to our comfortable hotel in the city. This evening we will have dinner and our orientation meeting.
Overnight in New Delhi.

DAY 2: CITY TOUR OF NEW & OLD DELHI

We spend the day in Delhi, exploring some of the sights in both the "Old" and the "New" cities. In Old Delhi, we visit the Jama Masjid - India's largest mosque, and also enjoy a rickshaw ride through Chandi Chowk, Delhi's famous "Silver Street". In New Delhi, we see the Qutab Minar, Gandhi's tomb, as well as see India Gate - the "Arc de Triomphe" that leads to the Indian Parliament, which we drive through.
Overnight in New Delhi.

DAY 3: FLY TO UDAIPUR

Today we have an early morning flight to Udaipur.

Udaipur is set in the Girwa Valley amidst the Aravalli Hills of south Rajasthan. Udaipur is a beautiful city, regarded by Indians and foreigners alike as one of the most romantic in India. It is a lovely city to explore with fairy tale white marble palaces, placid blue lakes and green hills that create a feeling of serenity. Udaipur is undoubtedly an oasis of color in an arid region of India.

Upon arrival we will have a walking tour of the small streets with a visit to an art studio for a demonstration of miniature paintings, an age old art form in Udaipur, symbolizing Rajasthan in many ways - colorful, detailed and opulent. In the evening we will attend a culture show followed by dinner.
Overnight in Udaipur.

DAY 4: UDAIPUR

We have a full day to enjoy Udaipur and an opportunity to visit the City Palace. Located on the bank of the peaceful Lake Pichola, the City Palace is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, boasting an interesting blend of Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture. Made of granite and marble, the palace is a wonderful assortment of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. At sunset take a boat ride around the lake to get a different perspective of Udaipur's beautiful setting.
Overnight in Udaipur.

DAY 5: JAWAI DAM, RABARI VILLAGE LIFE

Today we drive to the area of Jawai Dam and visit the village of Bera, which is home to the Rabari shepherds, a nomadic tribe of cattle herders. This area is also home to a big, but very shy cat - the elusive leopard. The leopard roams in the wild here, which makes for an exciting safari. In the afternoon we will go for a village walk to meet the Rabari shepherds and learn about their history and traditions. If time allows, we will go for an evening safari.
Overnight in Bera (near Jawai Dam).

DAY 6: LEOPARD WILDLIFE SAFARI

We enjoy both an early morning and afternoon jeep safari to explore the wildlife. The area of Bera boasts vast and varied vegetation and wildlife including the elusive leopard, the crocodile, the ever so mischeivous hyena, the mighty bluebull, the graceful pelican, the greylag goose, robin accentor, demoiselle crane, and the barheaded goose to name a few. 
Overnight in Bera (near Jawai Dam).

DAY 7: TO AHMEDABAD, ROOFTOP DINNER

Today we will have a long drive to one of India's largest cities, Ahmedabad. The Sabarmati River divides the city into sections with the ancient architectural remains contrasting sharply with the modern mills and factories in the newer parts of the city. 

Tonight we will enjoy a traditional dinner on the rooftop of a beautiful heritage building.
Overnight in Ahmedabad.

DAY 8: TO SASAN GIR NATIONAL PARK, SABARMATI 'GANDHI' ASHRAM

After breakfast we visit the Sabarmati Ashram, a simple ashram that has had a profound affect on India. The following is taken from the official website:

"While at the Ashram, Gandhi formed a school that focused on manual labour, agriculture, and literacy to advance his efforts for self-sufficiency. It was also from here on the 12 March 1930 that Gandhi launched the famous Dandi march 241 miles from the Ashram (with 78 companions) in protest of the British Salt Law, which taxed Indian salt in an effort to promote sales of British salt in India. This mass awakening filled the British jails with 60 000 freedom fighters. Later the government seized their property, Gandhi, in sympathy with them, responded by asking the Government to forfeit the Ashram. Then Government, however, did not oblige. He had by now already decided on 22 July 1933 to disband the Ashram, which later became asserted place after the detention of many freedom fighters, and then some local citizens decided to preserve it. On 12 March 1930 he vowed that he would not return to the Ashram until India won independence. Although this was won on 15 August 1947, when India was declared a free nation, Gandhi was assassinated in January 1948 and never returned.
Over the years, the Ashram became home to the ideology that set India free. It aided countless other nations and people in their own battles against oppressive forces.
Today, the Ashram serves as a source of inspiration and guidance, and stands as a monument to Gandhi’s life mission and a testimony to others who have fought a similar struggle." 

After our Ashram visit, will begin a long drive to Gir National Park. Besides Africa, this is the only place in the world you can spot lions roaming free in the wild. With its dry and deciduous vegetation, it provides an ideal habitat for Asiatic lions. Although Gir is most famous for its lions, it also features the chousingha (4 horned antelope), in addition to over 200 bird and over 40 reptile species. 
Dinner and overnight in Gir.

DAY 9: LION SAFARIS

Today we will have morning and afternoon jeep safaris to explore for lions and other exotic wildlife. In 1913, due to over-hunting practices, the lion population had declined to 20. It was through the efforts of the Dungar Garh royal family that it became protected territory and in 1965 it became a national park. Today it covers approximately 1412 square kilometers and is home to over 500 lions.
Overnight in Gir.

DAY 10: FLY TO MUMBAI, INDIAN GATE

Today we fly from Diu to Mumbai, the most populous city in India. Home to 21 million people, it serves as the entertainment capital and India's financial powerhouse. The city is diverse, vibrant and multi-cultural. Upon arrival, we visit the iconic Gateway of India stone arch, built by the British Raj in 1924, and later enjoy dinner in the action packed city. 
Overnight in Mumbai.

DAY 11: MUMBAI SITES, CHHATRAPATI SHIVAJI TERMINUS

We will explore the sights of Mumbai today, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a bustling railway station that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a brilliant specimen of Victorian Gothic architecture. We visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum. We will also visit the Dhobi Ghat, a laundry nook. 
Overnight in Mumbai.

DAY 12: FLY TO NAGPUR, TO TADOBA NATIONAL PARK

Today we take a short flight to Nagpur, where upon arrival we will drive to Tadoba National Park, one of the finest and largest national parks in Maharashtra state. This beautiful and wild paradise has abundant dry deciduous forests and lakes teeming with rich aquatic life. 
Overnight in Tadoba.

DAY 13: TADOBA - JEEP SAFARIS IN SEARCH OF ROYAL BENGAL TIGERS

We will enjoy both a morning and evening jeep safari in search of India’s national animal, which is also one of the biggest and most beautiful cats in the BIG CAT family - the Royal Bengal tiger. The hilly terrain provides perfect shelter for the animals, yet its excellent accessibility makes it an ideal area for a wildlife safari. 
Overnight in Tadoba National Park.

DAY 14: TO KANHA TIGER RESERVE

Today we have a longer drive (approx 7 hours) to picturesque Kanha National Park, where we will spend 2 nights. Time permitting we will have an opportunity to stretch our legs during our nature walk this afternoon. This evening we will enjoy a cooking class. 
Dinner and overnight in Kanha.

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DAY 15: KANHA TIGER RESERVE

We have a morning and evening jeep safari in Kanha Tiger Reserve to enjoy the wildlife and the activities. Animals you may see in the park include tigers, leopards, wild dogs, foxes and jackals, swamp deer, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer and Indian gaur (part of the ox family). Kanha is arguably the most beautiful of the parks that we visit.
Dinner and overnight in Kanha.

DAY 16: TO BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK

Today depart for Bandhavgarh National Park, (approx 6 - 7 hours) known for its large population of Royal Bengal tigers. Bandhavgarh is one of the better parks to search for the magnificent Royal Bengal tiger. In addition to our goal of seeing these majestic cats, we can also enjoy the incredible biodiversity of the tropical forests and grassland area of central India.
Overnight in Bandhavgarh National Park.

DAY 17: BANDHAVGARH - TIGER SAFARIS

Today we have both a morning and an evening jeep safari in the famous tiger reserve in Bandhavgarh National Park. We will search for the famed Bengal tigers, but we will also be on the lookout for white tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and deer. The area is also home to scores of bird species, including eagles.
Overnight in Bandhavgarh National Park.

DAY 18: TIGER SAFARI, TO KHAJURAHO

Enjoy your last wildlife and tiger safari before the drive to Khajuraho, a historical place which is famous for beautiful temples from the 12th century AD, and known for its erotic figures.
Overnight in Khajuraho.

DAY 19: EROTIC TEMPLES OF KHAJURAHO, TO NEW DELHI

Today enjoy a guided tour of the famous erotic temples of Khajuraho before lunch. After lunch we will drive to the airport to catch our flight to Delhi. 

Upon our evening arrival, we will have our farewell dinner and overnight at our airport hotel.
Overnight in Delhi.

DAY 20: DEPART NEW DELHI

Today we say goodbye to India and its majestic big cats. We transfer to the airport for our international flights home.