India holidays, Hotels in India
India Travel Centre
  Your India Holiday is 100% Protected
  LoginRegister

Classic Central India Tour: 13 Nights & 14 Days

 
What's Book/ Reserve?
   
 

£ 2554 Per Person

See larger version of this tour map
 
» Tour Overview   » Tour Highlights   » Detailed Itinerary   » Accommodations   » Price   » Inclusions & Exclusions
 
 
Locations Covered:
DELHI » GWALIOR » ORCHHA » KHAJURAHO » BANDHAVGARH » KANHA » KAWARDHA » DELHI
 
 
Overview:
Attracting pilgrims and tourists from the world over, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (in Central India) constitute the geographic heart of India. Explore Delhi as it's your first destination in India to visit. Delhi bears the complexities and contradictions, the beauty and dynamism of a city where the past coexists with the present. Visit Khajuraho, famous for its ancient sandstone temples and their highly erotic sculptures. Go on wildlife safaris in Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks, following the trails of the tigers and watching other wild animals in their natural habitat. Often described as India's finest game sanctuary and a model for wildlife conservation, Kanha's magnificent landscape combines grassy meadows and flat-topped hills with meandering streams and lush deciduous forests. The setting for Rudyard Kipling's famous 'Jungle Book', Kanha today is an important Tiger Reserve. Also visit Kawardha, a small town that lies in the Gond and Baiga tribal belt, famous for its natural beauty and the Bhoramdeo temple (which is also known by the sobriquet, "the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh")
 
 
Highlights:
  • Capital City of Delhi
  • Visit Gwalior fort.
  • Visit the Orchha fort complex.
  • Erotic temples of Khajuraho
  • Wildlife safaris at Bandhavgarh & Kanha National Parks.
  • In Kawardha, get an insight into the culture of the native tribes.
  • Watch and take part in Tribal dances.
 
 
Detailed Itinerary :
Day 01: Arrival Delhi
On arrival you will be met & greeted by an ITC representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel. On you first day in India, relax and unwind. Overnight at the hotel. (A vehicle is available for the transfer only)

Day 02: Delhi

After breakfast we will go on a sightseeing tour 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 as well as the Jama Masjid (India's biggest mosque). For those who want to see more, there is the Raj Ghat where Gandhi was cremated and which today is a peaceful and popular park. The British built New Delhi, carefully planning the city and the main metropolitan area, when they moved their capital here from Calcutta in 1911. 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 night-life options to complement its considerable historical and architectural interest. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle at disposal)



Day 03: Delhi – Gwalior (by Bhopal Shatabdi Express)

Early in the morning you will be transferred to the New Delhi railway station to board a train for Gwalior. On arrival check in at your hotel. Gwalior is the northern-most city of Madhya Pradesh, and is dominated by its imposing fort, which rises 100m above the town and dates back over 1000 years. Within its imposing structure are several palaces and temples, each with its own architectural and aesthetic beauty. Not much frequented by tourists, this city is free from the bustle that is usually associated with tourism, and exudes a unique charm of its own. After lunch we will visit the majestic Gwalior Fort. Gwalior was the capital of the Tomar kings and the fort was built by Raja Man Singh Tomar. Built on a rocky outcrop, it was among the most invincible forts in India. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfer and sightseeing)



Day 04: Gwalior – Jhansi (by Bhopal Shatabdi Express)

In the morning you will be transferred to the railway station to board a train for Jhansi. You will be met on arrival at Jhansi and driven to Orchha. Check-in at your hotel. After lunch go on a sightseeing tour of Orchha covering the fort complex, the Jahangir Mahal, the Raj Mahal, the Rai Praveen Mahal and the Chaturbhuj and Laxminarayan temples. Like something straight out of an Indiana Jones film, this sleepy village has much to show of its glorious past. Huge crumbling temples and palaces rise out of the surrounding jungle, overlooking the undulating hills and the wide boulder-strewn Betwa River. A small village can be found amongst the ruins of this once mighty city, which was the capital of the Bundela kingdom from 1531 to 1783. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfers & sightseeing at Orchha)



Day 05: Orchha – Khajuraho (180 kms/4 ½ hrs)

In the morning we will drive to Khajuraho and on arrival check-in at the hotel. After lunch we will visit the eastern & western groups of temples. The small sleepy town of Khajuraho was once the religious capital of the Chandela dynasty, which built 85 magnificent temples here and decorated them with intricate and lively erotic sculptures drawing inspiration from and illustrating the concepts of the Kama Sutra, an ancient Indian text on love. Only twenty-two of these highly erotic sandstone temples remain, though they are well preserved and showcase a prolific period of Hindu temple sculpture, though the importance of eroticism in these temples is still a mystery. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle at your disposal)



Day 06: Khajuraho – Bandhavgarh (270 kms/6 ½ hrs)

In the morning we will drive to Bandhavgarh and on arrival check-in at the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Set amidst the Vindhya and Satpura range of mountains, the Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the best places to view wildlife in India. It has a relatively high density of Tigers in addition to Deer, Langur monkeys, Sloth Bear and a variety of avian fauna. The park has a huge sandstone cliff in the centre, surrounded by Sal and Bamboo forests. Game safaris go out on jeeps in the early morning and in the afternoon. Domesticated elephants are also on hand and can be used for short explorations into the forest and for tiger sightings up-close. Between game drives, you may explore the temple in the park, which is guarded by a beautiful sleeping Vishnu. Bandhavgarh National Park is open from Oct till June (subject to change). Overnight at Hotel. (A Vehicle will be provided for transfer only)



Day 07: Bandhavgarh

In the morning enjoy the thrill of a game safari in the National Park. At mid-day you are free to take walks in and around the hotel and explore the forest close by or relax in the hotel. In the afternoon you will be taken on another game safari drive in the park. Overnight at the hotel. (No vehicle)



Day 08: Bandhavgarh – Kanha (265 kms/6 ½ hrs)

Early in the morning go on yet another game safari in the park. Later in the morning, we will drive on 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 count of 129 animals of the species within its boundaries. It is also the only place on earth where one can find the Hard Ground Swamp Deer or Barasingha, a species that was on the brink of extinction not very long ago with just 66 animals, but now numbers more than 450. Other animals observed at Kanha include Leopards, Bison, Wild Dogs, Sloth Bear, Antelopes, Nilgai, Pangolins 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 to June. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfer only)



Day 09: Kanha

In the morning enjoy a game safari in the National Park. Mid-day is free for walks in and around the Lodge. In the afternoon enjoy another game safari in the park. Overnight at the hotel. (No Vehicle)



Day 10: Kanha

Continuing with the previous day's activities, 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 11: Kanha – Kawardha(150 kms/04 hrs)

After breakfast we will drive to Kawardha, and on arrival check-in at the hotel. Of India's many jewels, Kawardha is truly a treasure trove of breath-taking beauty and fascinating reminders of the country's cultural heritage. Kawardha is a small town that lies in the region occupied by the Gond and Baiga tribes, and is famous for its natural beauty and the Bhoramdeo temple (which is also known by the sobriquet, "the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh")  Kawardha's magic lies in its tranquillity, and its isolation from India's well trodden paths. This peaceful town, at the foot of the Maikal Hills, is located in the relatively unexplored north western region of Chhattisgarh State. Another highlight of the area is the Italian designed Kawardha Palace which is an ideal base for visiting the surrounding tribal areas. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. In the evening you can watch and participate in a joyous tribal dance performance. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle at your at disposal)



Day 12: Kawardha

After breakfast we will go on a full day sightseeing tour of Kawardha. The city-tour will include a visit to the Radha Krishna Temple and the Bhoramdeo Group of temples. Later we will visit the Baiga and Gond tribal villages and gain an insight into their cultures. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle at your disposal)



Day 13: Kawardha – Raipur (150 kms/04 hrs)

The morning is free for you to enjoy at leisure. After lunch we will drive you to the Raipur airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival there we will transfer you to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel. (Vehicle for transfer)



Day 14: Delhi – Departure
Departure transfer to the airport for your return flight. (A vehicle will be provided for transfers)

 
 
Accommodation:
PlaceNtsResortRoom Type
Delhi2Le Meridien
Gwalior1Usha Kiran Palace
Orcha1Orcha Resort
Khajuraho1Lalit Temple View
Bandhavgarh2Bandhav Vilas
Kanha3Singhwa Jungle Lodge
Kawardha2Kawardha Palace
Delhi1Le Meridien
 
Prices:
Prices from £ 2554 per person
 
Tour Inclusions & Exclusions:
 
Prices are per person based on 2 people occupying 1 double/twin room. Prices may vary based on local market fluctuations. For single supplements please contact India Travel Centre. Price Includes: B&B at all hotelsmexcept where cited on the itinerary, All Internal transfers by private chauffeur driven air-conditioned car as per itinerary, Entrance fees, , Game viewing by shared jeeps as per the itinerary, forest and village walks, All applicable taxes (including service tax) & Train tickets .Price Excludes: International Flights & Internal Flights - Please contact India Travel Centre for booking flights.
 
 
What's Book/ Reserve?
Discuss this tour with a India Expert on
0800 195 4290

Quick Search

India Tours
Start Date

(yyyy-mm-dd)
Hotels & Resorts

Site Search

Special Offers for India Holidays
     
   
 
  * required fields  
Exploration Tour South Kerala
   
Home | India Tours | Downloads | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | About ITC |
Design by Alexander Rose Creative
   
India Travel Centre, (A Globe Travel Centre Ltd company)
113, Newland Street, Witham, Essex CM8 1BE United Kingdom
Your Financial Protection    
The air holiday packages shown on the website are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 9474. Please see our booking conditions for more information.
Copyrights © Reserved. 2008