India
Temples, Tigers and Tribes Tour

Begin your Tigers tour when you arrive in Delhi, the capital of India, meet your driver and transfer to hotel accommodation. Depending upon timings it may be possible to arrange local excursions. Overnight at Taj Hotel or similar. No meals are included today.

After breakfast, head to the railway station and board the express train to Jhansi. On arrival in Jhansi drive the short but picturesque 18km road route to Orchha, a small but historic village in northern Madhya Pradesh, one-time bastion of the Bundela dynasty. The Temples, Tigers and Tribes group tour is underway! Overnight Amar Mahal or similar. (B)

This morning embark on a guided tour of Orchha. Huge monuments which once defined the capital of the Bundela kings now surround and dwarf the small rural village. The largest of these is the palace complex, where the Raj Mahal and Jehangir Mahal display a unique combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture, painted decorations, and ornate tile work. Afterwards, visit Chaturbhuj temple and the enormous riverside cenotaphs. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. Overnight at Amar Mahal or similar. (B)

Today, drive from Orchha to Khajuraho. Take a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, a complex of 25 temples dating from 950AD to 1050AD that manifest the finest art and architecture of medieval India. Delicate, sable-coloured sandstone is covered by finely detailed stone carvings. Scenes are sublime and sensuous, ranging from erotic art to subjects drawn from Hindu and Jain religious teachings. Overnight at Ramada Khajuraho. (B) 

The drive from Khajuraho to Bandhavgarh National Park traverses an undulating tree-clad landscape through protected areas of Madhya Pradesh.  Bandhavgarh is one of the best places in India for a Tigers tour and to spot a Royal Bengal tiger. It is also home to a wide range of wildlife including leopard, nilgai antelope, jungle cat, wild boar and hyena. The park’s birdlife too is prolific with over 150 species recorded. This compact park, with a core area of 105 square kilometres, has the distinction of being the place where the world’s first wild albino tiger was spotted. Overnight at Nature Heritage Resort or similar. (BD)

Activities in the park include morning and afternoon jeep safaris escorted by expert wildlife guides. The day begins just before dawn with a wake-up call and an invigorating cup of tea of coffee. Game viewing is from open vehicles, bringing you closer to nature and ideal for photography. Tigers may be the draw for most but other flora and fauna and their place in this complex ecosystem are not ignored. Overnight at Nature Heritage Resort or similar. (BLD)

Today we drive to Kanha Tiger Reserve, the original inspiration for Rudyard Kipling when he wrote ‘The Jungle Book’.  Today a similar abundance of wildlife still exists in one of the largest sanctuaries in India, in total covering an area in excess of 2,000 square kilometres. Extensive grasslands and sal and bamboo forests have led to comparisons with Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Ravines and hills create diverse habitats, home to Royal Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, swamp deer, sambar and Indian bison, along with a rich birdlife. Overnight at The Courtyard House, or similar. (BD)

Today, morning and afternoon jeep safaris explore different habitats, each excursion taking around three hours. Early morning drives offer the best opportunities to see wildlife, leaving at dawn as the sun streaks through the mist and the forest comes alive. However, after lunch, when temperatures have risen, there’s a chance to observe animals as they search out water. Overnight at The Courtyard House, or similar. (BLD)

After breakfast we drive Bhoramdeo, an isolated village in north-western Chhattisgarh. The Maikal Hills that surround the village are home to the indigenous Baigas and Gonds tribal people, whose tolas (villages) are dotted through the countryside. This is an opportunity to attune to life in rural India as we’ll stay for three-nights at a simple well-run rural retreat where comfortable farmhouse-style accommodation of just five rooms, is set in idyllic gardens. A few minutes’ walk from the village lies a striking 11^th century temple complex dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, almost a miniature Khajuraho and of similar antiquity. Here, there’s an opportunity to attend an evening puja (offering) ceremony and experience the concurrent enthusiastic burst of bells, smells and minor pyrotechnics. Food throughout the stay is prepared in Chhattisgarhi village style, mainly vegetarian and representative of real Indian cuisine. Overnight at Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat. (BLD)

In the company of a local guide, today visit some of the villages around Bhoramdeo. There’s the chance to spend an afternoon at a pottery village, trying your hand at the wheel or paddling the clay with bare feet, later calling in at bamboo workshop, and afterwards at the Yadav (cattle herder) villages and Agaria (blacksmith) villages. The area is notable for many colourful weekly haats (tribal markets), taking place almost every day of the week, and there’ll be a chance to visit at least one of these. Overnight at Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat. (BLD)

Today there’s a short, guided trek into the forested hills to search out local wildlife. Species commonly seen include langur monkey, barking deer and jackal, together with a wealth of bird, butterfly and other insect life. Later, it’s possible to hire bicycles and independently explore the nearby area, calling in at villages and interacting with local people. Overnight at Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat. (BLD)

A three-hour drive takes you to Raipur airport, where you can board a flight back to Delhi. Overnight at a hotel close to Delhi airport. (B)

We end the Temples, Tigers and Tribes tour and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (B)