India
A Wildlife and Culture India Luxury Tour
Experience exquisite luxury with Tigers and Taj, Ker & Downey's India luxury tour focusing on the country's wildlife and culture. This customizable sample itinerary explores Northern India, including the major tourist hubs of Delhi, Varanasi, and Agra.
Along the way, an expert guide offers an in-depth look at both ancient and modern Indian culture. Also spend plenty of time spotting wildlife in three of India's best national parks. And stay at some of India's most exclusive luxury hotels and safari lodges.
Itinerary-at-a-glance:
- Day 1 - 2: Arrive Delhi
- Day 3 - 5: Kanha National Park
- Day 6 - 8: Bandhavgarh National Park
- Day 9 - 11: Varanasi and Agra
- Day 12 - 14: Ranthambore National Park
- Day 15: Depart Delhi
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This wildlife and culture India luxury tour begins with a late arrival into Delhi, the country's capital city. This bustling metropolis juxtaposes ancient and modern structures, culture, religion, and art to create a feast for all senses.
After settling in, enjoy a full-day tour of both Old and New Delhi. Set out on a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, also stopping at Jama Masjid Mosque along the way. Then peruse the colorful offerings found within the city's Spice Market before lunch.
The afternoon includes photo stops at the Presidential Palace and India Gate. Then visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of Delhi's Sikh temples, to learn about Langar (community kitchen/dining). Finally, visit Humayun's Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Your India luxury tour then continues with a flight to Raipur and a transfer by road to Kanha National Park. Protected under Project Tiger, this large conservation area proves ideal for tiger safaris. The landscape is home to lush sal and bamboo forests, grassy meadows, and a stretch of the Banjaar River.
Explore the dense jungles on early morning and afternoon game drives in an exclusive open 4x4 vehicle. In addition to tigers, the region is also home to spotted and swamp deer and dhole (Indian wild dog).
Next, transfer onward to Bandhavgarh National Park, home to one of India's highest concentrations of Bengal tigers. Indeed, this is one of the best places to encounter a tiger in the wild.
Spend three nights at a luxury lodge and explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives. In addition to tigers, Bandhavgarh also play hosts to beautiful bird species. Nearby, the Bandhavgarh Fort features ruins dating between the 11th and 12th centuries CE.
Then continue your India luxury tour with two of northern India's major tourist destinations, Varanasi and Agra. These two cultural centers have distinct and fascinating histories.
While in Varanasi, embark on an early morning private boat ride on the Ganges River to witness the burning and bathing Ghats at dawn.
Also visit Sarnath, an archaeological site and museum. Gautama Buddha may have given his first sermon here in the sixth century BCE. Then in the evening, return to the banks of the Ganges to witness the evening aarti (prayer) ceremony.
You will eventually fly back to Delhi where you will transfer onward to Agra, home to the famous Taj Mahal. Upon arrival, enjoy a sunset viewing of the Taj Mahal, the immortal monument to love. The following morning, begin the day with a sunrise tour of Taj Mahal. Then experience a private tour of Agra Fort with its famous Sheesh Mahal (mirrored palace).
Finally, conclude your India luxury tour in Ranthambore National Park for three nights.
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in an open 4x4 Jeep through one of India's oldest wildlife sanctuaries. Founded in 1955 as part of Project Tiger, it is one of the country's original tiger reserves. It therefore has a well-established population, meaning chances for tiger viewing here are good. In addition, the park hosts plenty of leopard, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, nilgai, and sambar, as well as over 250 species of birds.
On the final morning, return to Delhi by road. Check into a day room at one of the airport's nearby hotels before departing onwards in the evening.
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