Day 01: Arrival Mumbai
On arrival you will be welcomed by an ITC representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Mumbai earlier known as Bombay, is the capital of the western state of Maharashtra, and is India's greatest port and financial centre. Located on an island by the Arabian Sea and separated from the mainland by a winding creek, Mumbai is a world unto itself, with a unique intensity that hits you the moment you land. Its culture is contemporary and vibrant and reflects both the affluence and poverty of the more than 15 million people living in this great city. Restaurants, bars, museums and shops intermingle with shining new skyscrapers, congested streets, bright neon lights and the glamorous film industry of Bollywood. After lunch visit the Gateway of India, the principal landmark of Mumbai. Another landmark of this vibrant city is the Victoria Terminus or VT as the locals call it, which was designed in Italian Gothic style by F. W. Stevens. Stop at Mani Bhawan, a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi, and the bustling Crawford Market, before returning to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfer and half day sightseeing tour only).
Day 02: Mumbai – Rajkot (by Flight)
In the morning you will be transferred to the airport to catch a flight to Rajkot, and on arrival there you will be driven to your lodge near the Gir National Park (170 km /4 ½ hrs approx). Gir is the last remaining bastion of the Asiatic Lion, and is also home to one of the largest populations of leopards in any park in India, making it an excellent place to see these big cats in their natural surroundings. The lion sanctuary project was initiated in 1972 to create a balance between the endangered lions and the indigenous Maldhari tribe. With over 800 guards patrolling the entire park, Gir has become one of the best-protected sanctuaries in India; it is no wonder that from only 20 lions at the turn of the century, there are now over 300 lions in the Gir National Park. Apart from the wildlife, Gir is also a great place to interact with local tribes. The main tribe is a nomadic pastoral community called Maldhari that lives in scattered settlements called 'Nesses'. Gir is also home to a Negroid community known as Siddis, who are African in origin but speak Gujarati. After lunch you will be taken for an evening safari in the park. The Gir National Park is open from 16th Oct till 14th June. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfers).
Day 03: Gir
Early morning and afternoon game safari's in the Gir National Park in search of the Asiatic Lion and other wild animals. Overnight at the hotel. (No Vehicle)
Day 04: Gir
Today we continue with the same activities as the day before, going after big game in the Gir National Park. Overnight at the hotel. (No Vehicle)
Day 05: Gir – Rajkot - Mumbai (by Flight)
The morning is free to spend at leisure. After lunch you will be transferred to Rajkot airport to catch a flight to Mumbai. On arrival there, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfers)
Day 06: Mumbai – Nagpur - Pench (by Flight)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Mumbai domestic airport for a short flight to Nagpur. On arrival there, you will be driven to the Pench National Park. After lunch you will be taken for an evening game drive in the park. Project Tiger's Pench National Park / Tiger Reserve is on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and has been known through the ages for its rich flora and fauna. The park, named after the river that flows through it, was made famous by Rudyard Kipling. Pench was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1983 and has a total area of 758 square kilometres dedicated to the protection of wildlife specimens. The undulating terrain is covered with a mixed deciduous forest composed of Sal, Teak and Mahua trees. Pench is a popular park amongst birders and a handy stop for a night or two for those travelling to or from Kanha. Pench National Park is open from 1st Oct to 30th June (subject to change). Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfer)
Day 07: Pench
In the morning and the evening enjoy game safaris in the National Park. Afternoon is free for walks in and around the lodge / hotel. Overnight at the hotel. (No Vehicle)
Day 08: Pench
Continuing from where we left off the previous day we will have game safari's in the National Park in the morning and the evening, with the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. (No Vehicle)
Day 09: Pench – Nagpur - Delhi (by Flight)
In the morning you will be transferred to Nagpur airport to catch a flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, you will be transferred to your hotel. After lunch we will go on a half-day tour of New Delhi. With many interesting museums and art galleries, and several monuments constructed by the mighty Mughal Emperors such as Humayun's Tomb and the Qutab Minar, there is plenty to explore in Delhi. Drive past the India Gate and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (The Presidential Palace). Visit also the prominent Sikh temple at Bangla Sahib. Delhi is a shopper's paradise. It is one big emporium for all of India's handicrafts, and home to some of the best contemporary designers that India can boast of. This energetic city now has good dining and nightlife options to complement its considerable historical and architectural interest. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfer and at disposal)
Day 10: Delhi – Guwahati - Kaziranga (by Flight)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the Delhi airport to catch an onward flight to Guwahati. On arrival there you will be transferred to the Kaziranga National Park. This national park, sprawling over 430sq km in the north-eastern state of Assam, is one of the last bastions of the endangered great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, whose population was believed to have dropped to just 12 in the 1950s, but has since increased to around 1500. Kaziranga's stunningly beautiful landscape comprises of Savannah grasslands and the green and fertile plains of the Brahmaputra River, as well as moist deciduous forests and swamps. The park is also a haven for over 300 species of birds, as well as wild elephants, wild Asiatic buffalos, tigers, leopards, sloth bears and many species of deer. The Kaziranga National Park is open from 01 Nov till 30 Apr. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfer)
Day 11: Kaziranga
Early morning elephant safari (duration 01 hour approx.) in the park. After breakfast go out for a jeep safari in the park. Post lunch go out on another jeep safari in the park. Overnight at the hotel. (No Vehicle)
Day 12: Kaziranga
In the morning go on a safari in the park by jeep. Post lunch visit a local village. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for village visit).
Day 13: Kaziranga – Guwahati – Delhi (by Flight)
After breakfast drive to Guwahati airport and fly to Delhi. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfers only)
Day 14: Delhi – Departure
Departure transfer to the airport for your return flight. (Vehicle for transfer)
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