
WILDLIFE & CULTURE OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS
13 Days / 12 Nights


WILDLIFE & CULTURE OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS
Combine exploring some of India’s lesser-visited national parks in search of tigers with seeing elaborate temple complexes, sacred ceremonies and exceptional architecture in historic Lucknow. This tour is ideal for those wanting to delve deeper into the complexities of Indian culture and wildlife in the central plains and northern India. 4- & 5-star accommodation. Direct international flights with Virgin Atlantic Internal flights in India. Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle 4 included safaris accompanied by expert naturalists. Guided sightseeing & entrance fees. Porterage at airports & stations

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◉
Day 1: Fly to Delhi (N)
◉
Day 2 : Delhi
Arrive and transfer to the Holiday Inn Aerocity (or similar) for
1 night. In the afternoon, explore some of the capital’s
lesser-visited sights including Hauz Khas, Agrasen-ki Baoli
and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. (N)
◉
Day 3 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Fly to Jabalpur before driving to Bandhavgarh
National Park, home to one of the highest tiger populations in
the country. Stay 2 nights at the Bandhav Vilas (or similar). (B, D)
◉
Day 4 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Early morning and afternoon 4x4 safaris. As well as
tigers, the park is home to leopards, hyenas, bison and
over 150 species of bird including hornbills and
kingfishers. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 5 : Khajuraho
Drive to Khajuraho and transfer to the Radisson for
a 2-night stay. (B)
◉
Day 6 : Panna National Park
Full-day excursion to Panna National Park with its
verdant forests, cascading waterfalls and populations of tigers,
leopards, sloth bears and nilgais. En route, stop at the Ken
River Lodge for lunch overlooking the Ken river. (B, L)
◉
Day 7 : Varanasi
Explore Khajuraho’s majestic temples with their exquisite
carvings depicting scenes from famous battles, banquets and
even icons from the Kama Sutra. This afternoon, fly to
Varanasi for a 2-night stay at the Radisson. This evening, observe
the aarti ceremony. (B)
◉
Day 8 : Varanasi
Morning boat ride on the Ganges then visit the Brijrama
Palace for breakfast overlooking the river. Afternoon
tour of Sarnath. (B)
◉
Day 9 : Lucknow
Morning train to Lucknow for a 2-night stay at the Vivanta By
Taj Gomti Nagar. Early evening heritage and culinary walk
exploring the chowks and bustling bylanes of Lucknow. (B)
◉
Day 10 : Lucknow
Explore Lucknow's key sites including the Bara Imambara and
Chota Imambara; the Residency, which came under siege during
the 1857 Indian mutiny; and La Martinière College. (B)
◉
Day 11 : Dudhwa National Park
Morning drive to Dudhwa National Park for 2 nights
at the Jaagir Lodge, a grand former colonial mansion
surrounded by sprawling farmland. Dudhwa is home to tigers,
onehorned rhinos, leopards, Gangetic dolphins and over
400 species of birds. (B, D)
◉
Day 12: Dudhwa National Park
Morning 4x4 safari. Afternoon at leisure for further safaris,
village walks, photography classes or interactive
culinary lessons. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 13: Dudhwa National Park • Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
This morning visit the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary for
another 4x4 safari. The park has an intricate ecosystem inhabited by
tigers, dolphins and swamp deer as well as an array of exotic birdlife.
Return to Lucknow before flying back to Delhi for an overnight
stay at the Holiday Inn Aerocity. (B, L)
◉
Day 14: Fly home (B)
Day 1: Fly to Delhi (N)
◉
Day 2 : Delhi
Arrive and transfer to the Holiday Inn Aerocity (or similar) for
1 night. In the afternoon, explore some of the capital’s
lesser-visited sights including Hauz Khas, Agrasen-ki Baoli
and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. (N)
◉
Day 3 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Fly to Jabalpur before driving to Bandhavgarh
National Park, home to one of the highest tiger populations in
the country. Stay 2 nights at the Bandhav Vilas (or similar). (B, D)
◉
Day 4 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Early morning and afternoon 4x4 safaris. As well as
tigers, the park is home to leopards, hyenas, bison and
over 150 species of bird including hornbills and
kingfishers. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 5 : Khajuraho
Drive to Khajuraho and transfer to the Radisson for
a 2-night stay. (B)
◉
Day 6 : Panna National Park
Full-day excursion to Panna National Park with its
verdant forests, cascading waterfalls and populations of tigers,
leopards, sloth bears and nilgais. En route, stop at the Ken
River Lodge for lunch overlooking the Ken river. (B, L)
◉
Day 7 : Varanasi
Explore Khajuraho’s majestic temples with their exquisite
carvings depicting scenes from famous battles, banquets and
even icons from the Kama Sutra. This afternoon, fly to
Varanasi for a 2-night stay at the Radisson. This evening, observe
the aarti ceremony. (B)
◉
Day 8 : Varanasi
Morning boat ride on the Ganges then visit the Brijrama
Palace for breakfast overlooking the river. Afternoon
tour of Sarnath. (B)
◉
Day 9 : Lucknow
Morning train to Lucknow for a 2-night stay at the Vivanta By
Taj Gomti Nagar. Early evening heritage and culinary walk
exploring the chowks and bustling bylanes of Lucknow. (B)
◉
Day 10 : Lucknow
Explore Lucknow's key sites including the Bara Imambara and
Chota Imambara; the Residency, which came under siege during
the 1857 Indian mutiny; and La Martinière College. (B)
◉
Day 11 : Dudhwa National Park
Morning drive to Dudhwa National Park for 2 nights
at the Jaagir Lodge, a grand former colonial mansion
surrounded by sprawling farmland. Dudhwa is home to tigers,
onehorned rhinos, leopards, Gangetic dolphins and over
400 species of birds. (B, D)
◉
Day 12: Dudhwa National Park
Morning 4x4 safari. Afternoon at leisure for further safaris,
village walks, photography classes or interactive
culinary lessons. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 13: Dudhwa National Park • Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
This morning visit the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary for
another 4x4 safari. The park has an intricate ecosystem inhabited by
tigers, dolphins and swamp deer as well as an array of exotic birdlife.
Return to Lucknow before flying back to Delhi for an overnight
stay at the Holiday Inn Aerocity. (B, L)
◉
Day 14: Fly home (B)
◉
Day 1: Fly to Delhi (N)
◉
Day 2 : Delhi
Arrive and transfer to the Holiday Inn Aerocity (or similar) for 1 night. In the afternoon, explore some of the capital’s lesser-visited sights including Hauz Khas, Agrasen-ki Baoli and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. (N)
◉
Day 3 : Bandhavgarh National Park
FFly to Jabalpur before driving to Bandhavgarh National Park, home to one of the highest tiger populations in the country. Stay 2 nights at the Bandhav Vilas (or similar). (B, D)
◉
Day 4 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Early morning and afternoon 4x4 safaris. As well as tigers, the park is home to leopards, hyenas, bison and over 150 species of bird including hornbills and kingfishers. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 5 : Khajuraho
Drive to Khajuraho and transfer to the Radisson for a 2-night stay. (B)
◉
Day 6 : Panna National Park
Full-day excursion to Panna National Park with its verdant forests, cascading waterfalls and populations of tigers, leopards, sloth bears and nilgais. En route, stop at the Ken River Lodge for lunch overlooking the Ken river. (B, L)
◉
Day 7 : Varanasi
Explore Khajuraho’s majestic temples with their exquisite carvings depicting scenes from famous battles, banquets and even icons from the Kama Sutra. This afternoon, fly to Varanasi for a 2-night stay at the Radisson. This evening, observe the aarti ceremony. (B)
◉
Day 8 : Varanasi
Morning boat ride on the Ganges then visit the Brijrama Palace for breakfast overlooking the river. Afternoon tour of Sarnath. (B)
◉
Day 9 : Lucknow
Morning train to Lucknow for a 2-night stay at the Vivanta By Taj Gomti Nagar. Early evening heritage and culinary walk exploring the chowks and bustling bylanes of Lucknow. (B)
◉
Day 10 : Lucknow
Explore Lucknow's key sites including the Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara; the Residency, which came under siege during the 1857 Indian mutiny; and La Martinière College. (B) ◉
Day 11 : Dudhwa National Park
Morning drive to Dudhwa National Park for 2 nights at the Jaagir Lodge, a grand former colonial mansion surrounded by sprawling farmland. Dudhwa is home to tigers, onehorned rhinos, leopards, Gangetic dolphins and over 400 species of birds. (B, D)
◉
Day 12: Dudhwa National Park
Morning 4x4 safari. Afternoon at leisure for further safaris, village walks, photography classes or interactive culinary lessons. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 13: Dudhwa National Park • Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
This morning visit the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary for another 4x4 safari. The park has an intricate ecosystem inhabited by tigers, dolphins and swamp deer as well as an array of exotic birdlife. Return to Lucknow before flying back to Delhi for an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Aerocity. (B, L)
◉
Day 14: Fly home (B)
Day 1: Fly to Delhi (N)
◉
Day 2 : Delhi
Arrive and transfer to the Holiday Inn Aerocity (or similar) for 1 night. In the afternoon, explore some of the capital’s lesser-visited sights including Hauz Khas, Agrasen-ki Baoli and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. (N)
◉
Day 3 : Bandhavgarh National Park
FFly to Jabalpur before driving to Bandhavgarh National Park, home to one of the highest tiger populations in the country. Stay 2 nights at the Bandhav Vilas (or similar). (B, D)
◉
Day 4 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Early morning and afternoon 4x4 safaris. As well as tigers, the park is home to leopards, hyenas, bison and over 150 species of bird including hornbills and kingfishers. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 5 : Khajuraho
Drive to Khajuraho and transfer to the Radisson for a 2-night stay. (B)
◉
Day 6 : Panna National Park
Full-day excursion to Panna National Park with its verdant forests, cascading waterfalls and populations of tigers, leopards, sloth bears and nilgais. En route, stop at the Ken River Lodge for lunch overlooking the Ken river. (B, L)
◉
Day 7 : Varanasi
Explore Khajuraho’s majestic temples with their exquisite carvings depicting scenes from famous battles, banquets and even icons from the Kama Sutra. This afternoon, fly to Varanasi for a 2-night stay at the Radisson. This evening, observe the aarti ceremony. (B)
◉
Day 8 : Varanasi
Morning boat ride on the Ganges then visit the Brijrama Palace for breakfast overlooking the river. Afternoon tour of Sarnath. (B)
◉
Day 9 : Lucknow
Morning train to Lucknow for a 2-night stay at the Vivanta By Taj Gomti Nagar. Early evening heritage and culinary walk exploring the chowks and bustling bylanes of Lucknow. (B)
◉
Day 10 : Lucknow
Explore Lucknow's key sites including the Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara; the Residency, which came under siege during the 1857 Indian mutiny; and La Martinière College. (B) ◉
Day 11 : Dudhwa National Park
Morning drive to Dudhwa National Park for 2 nights at the Jaagir Lodge, a grand former colonial mansion surrounded by sprawling farmland. Dudhwa is home to tigers, onehorned rhinos, leopards, Gangetic dolphins and over 400 species of birds. (B, D)
◉
Day 12: Dudhwa National Park
Morning 4x4 safari. Afternoon at leisure for further safaris, village walks, photography classes or interactive culinary lessons. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 13: Dudhwa National Park • Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
This morning visit the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary for another 4x4 safari. The park has an intricate ecosystem inhabited by tigers, dolphins and swamp deer as well as an array of exotic birdlife. Return to Lucknow before flying back to Delhi for an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Aerocity. (B, L)
◉
Day 14: Fly home (B)
◉
Day 1: Fly to Delhi (N)
◉
Day 2 : Delhi
Arrive and transfer to the Holiday Inn Aerocity (or similar) for
1 night. In the afternoon, explore some of the capital’s
lesser-visited sights including Hauz Khas, Agrasen-ki Baoli
and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. (N)
◉
Day 3 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Fly to Jabalpur before driving to Bandhavgarh
National Park, home to one of the highest tiger populations in
the country. Stay 2 nights at the Bandhav Vilas (or similar). (B, D)
◉
Day 4 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Early morning and afternoon 4x4 safaris. As well as
tigers, the park is home to leopards, hyenas, bison and
over 150 species of bird including hornbills and
kingfishers. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 5 : Khajuraho
Drive to Khajuraho and transfer to the Radisson for
a 2-night stay. (B)
◉
Day 6 : Panna National Park
Full-day excursion to Panna National Park with its
verdant forests, cascading waterfalls and populations of tigers,
leopards, sloth bears and nilgais. En route, stop at the Ken
River Lodge for lunch overlooking the Ken river. (B, L)
◉
Day 7 : Varanasi
Explore Khajuraho’s majestic temples with their exquisite
carvings depicting scenes from famous battles, banquets and
even icons from the Kama Sutra. This afternoon, fly to
Varanasi for a 2-night stay at the Radisson. This evening, observe
the aarti ceremony. (B)
◉
Day 8 : Varanasi
Morning boat ride on the Ganges then visit the Brijrama
Palace for breakfast overlooking the river. Afternoon
tour of Sarnath. (B)
◉
Day 9 : Lucknow
Morning train to Lucknow for a 2-night stay at the Vivanta By
Taj Gomti Nagar. Early evening heritage and culinary walk
exploring the chowks and bustling bylanes of Lucknow. (B)
◉
Day 10 : Lucknow
Explore Lucknow's key sites including the Bara Imambara and
Chota Imambara; the Residency, which came under siege during
the 1857 Indian mutiny; and La Martinière College. (B)
◉
Day 11 : Dudhwa National Park
Morning drive to Dudhwa National Park for 2 nights
at the Jaagir Lodge, a grand former colonial mansion
surrounded by sprawling farmland. Dudhwa is home to tigers,
onehorned rhinos, leopards, Gangetic dolphins and over
400 species of birds. (B, D)
◉
Day 12: Dudhwa National Park
Morning 4x4 safari. Afternoon at leisure for further safaris,
village walks, photography classes or interactive
culinary lessons. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 13: Dudhwa National Park • Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
This morning visit the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary for
another 4x4 safari. The park has an intricate ecosystem inhabited by
tigers, dolphins and swamp deer as well as an array of exotic birdlife.
Return to Lucknow before flying back to Delhi for an overnight
stay at the Holiday Inn Aerocity. (B, L)
◉
Day 14: Fly home (B)
Day 1: Fly to Delhi (N)
◉
Day 2 : Delhi
Arrive and transfer to the Holiday Inn Aerocity (or similar) for
1 night. In the afternoon, explore some of the capital’s
lesser-visited sights including Hauz Khas, Agrasen-ki Baoli
and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. (N)
◉
Day 3 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Fly to Jabalpur before driving to Bandhavgarh
National Park, home to one of the highest tiger populations in
the country. Stay 2 nights at the Bandhav Vilas (or similar). (B, D)
◉
Day 4 : Bandhavgarh National Park
Early morning and afternoon 4x4 safaris. As well as
tigers, the park is home to leopards, hyenas, bison and
over 150 species of bird including hornbills and
kingfishers. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 5 : Khajuraho
Drive to Khajuraho and transfer to the Radisson for
a 2-night stay. (B)
◉
Day 6 : Panna National Park
Full-day excursion to Panna National Park with its
verdant forests, cascading waterfalls and populations of tigers,
leopards, sloth bears and nilgais. En route, stop at the Ken
River Lodge for lunch overlooking the Ken river. (B, L)
◉
Day 7 : Varanasi
Explore Khajuraho’s majestic temples with their exquisite
carvings depicting scenes from famous battles, banquets and
even icons from the Kama Sutra. This afternoon, fly to
Varanasi for a 2-night stay at the Radisson. This evening, observe
the aarti ceremony. (B)
◉
Day 8 : Varanasi
Morning boat ride on the Ganges then visit the Brijrama
Palace for breakfast overlooking the river. Afternoon
tour of Sarnath. (B)
◉
Day 9 : Lucknow
Morning train to Lucknow for a 2-night stay at the Vivanta By
Taj Gomti Nagar. Early evening heritage and culinary walk
exploring the chowks and bustling bylanes of Lucknow. (B)
◉
Day 10 : Lucknow
Explore Lucknow's key sites including the Bara Imambara and
Chota Imambara; the Residency, which came under siege during
the 1857 Indian mutiny; and La Martinière College. (B)
◉
Day 11 : Dudhwa National Park
Morning drive to Dudhwa National Park for 2 nights
at the Jaagir Lodge, a grand former colonial mansion
surrounded by sprawling farmland. Dudhwa is home to tigers,
onehorned rhinos, leopards, Gangetic dolphins and over
400 species of birds. (B, D)
◉
Day 12: Dudhwa National Park
Morning 4x4 safari. Afternoon at leisure for further safaris,
village walks, photography classes or interactive
culinary lessons. (B, L, D)
◉
Day 13: Dudhwa National Park • Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
This morning visit the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary for
another 4x4 safari. The park has an intricate ecosystem inhabited by
tigers, dolphins and swamp deer as well as an array of exotic birdlife.
Return to Lucknow before flying back to Delhi for an overnight
stay at the Holiday Inn Aerocity. (B, L)
◉
Day 14: Fly home (B)