Day 01: Arrival Mumbai
Greeted by an ITC representative at the airport, you are 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 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 – Gir (170 km/4 ½ hrs)
Fly to Rajkot in the morning. You are welcomed on arrival and driven to a lodge near the Gir National Park. 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 safaris 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 (170 km/4 ½ hrs) – Mumbai
Spend the morning at leisure. After lunch you’ll be transferred to Rajkot airport for the flight to Mumbai. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfers).
Day 06: Mumbai – Nagpur – Pench (85 km/2 hrs)
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, is famous for being the land of 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 01st Oct till 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 safaris in the National Park in the morning and the evening, with the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. (No Vehicle)
Day 09: Pench – Kanha (210 km/5 hrs)
In the morning we will drive to Kanha, and on arrival check-in at the hotel. The Kanha Tiger Reserve is primarily a Sal, Bamboo and mixed deciduous jungle covering 1,954 sq. km, and situated amongst the plateaus and valleys of the beautiful Maikal Hills in Central India. It is one of India's premier Tiger Reserves, having an official number of 129 of the animals within its boundaries. It is also the only place on earth where the Hard Ground Swamp Deer, or Barasingha – now numbering 450 – can be found, coming back from the brink of extinction from its earlier figure of just 66 animals. Other mammals observed at Kanha include Leopard, Gaur, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Chausingha, Nilgai, Pangolin and Flying Squirrels to name a few. Reptiles and amphibians are found in abundance and a record of almost 300 species of birds have thrilled ornithologists, with each year bringing an unusual newcomer or two to the area. The Kanha National Park is open from Oct till June. The afternoon is free to spend at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfer only)
Day 10: Kanha
Like we did in Pench, we will go on morning and evening safari's in the National Park and spend the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. (No Vehicle)
Day 11: Kanha
Continuing with the previous day’s activities, we’ll have game safaris in the National Park in the morning and the evening, with the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. (No Vehicle)
Day 12: Kanha – Nagpur (260 km /5 hrs) – Delhi
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival there you will be transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfer and at disposal)
Day 13: Delhi
After breakfast we will spend the day taking in the sights of Delhi. As the capital city of India, its former rulers always prized Delhi for its strategic location. A visit to Old Delhi is always an experience. Walk through the ancient bustling, twisting alleyways of Chandni Chowk, the bazaar area and the Red Fort (Closed on Monday) as well as the Jama Masjid (India's biggest mosque). For those who want to see more, there is the Raj Ghat, the memorial in honour of Mahatma Gandhi. New Delhi was built by the British when they shifted the capital from Kolkata in 1911. With many interesting museums, art galleries, and monuments such as Humayun's Tomb and the Qutab Minar constructed by the mighty Mughal rulers, there is plenty to explore in Delhi. Drive past the Rastrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) and the India Gate. Delhi is also a shopper's paradise, being one big emporium for all of India's handicrafts, and home to some of the best contemporary designers India has to offer. This energetic city now has good dining and nightlife options to complement its considerable historical and architectural interest. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle at disposal)
Day 14: Delhi – Departure Departure transfer to the airport for your return flight. (vehicle for transfer)
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