Depart the US and fly to India.

Arrive into Delhi the capital of India. Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Please note this program operates from October 1-May 15 annually. This evening welcome dinner and orientation 7 pm at the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast spend a full day exploring the walled city called Old Delhi and the cosmopolitan New Delhi. Old Delhi pulses with the energy and color, the hustle and bustle of thronged bazaars is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the Indian subcontinent. Visit Jama Masjid with its tapering minarets and wonderful marble domes, and have the unique opportunity to enjoy rickshaw ride. In the afternoon explore New Delhi, a city of wide boulevards offering changing perspectives of Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a city known for its formal parks, magnificent Parliament Building, the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India designed by Sir Edwin Lutyen, and India Gate. Also visit Qutab Minar, the 240 feet high tower dating back to 13th century and Humanyun's Tomb which was built in the 16th century and architecturally the fore runner of the Taj Mahal.

After breakfast drive to Jaipur, which is a 5-6 hour drive. Jaipur, The capital city of the state of Rajasthan, also known as "Pink City" owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city sits on a dry lakebed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls. Upon arrival, have the remainder of the day free for leisure activities or go for walking tour of bazaar. The streets are redolent of spices - turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom and more. Women haggle over the price of bangles and sarees, the faithful offer prayers in tiny roadside shrines, vendors sell sweetmeats and spicy delicacies, and the chai stalls do brisk business. Old arts and crafts still flourish in the bazaars.

After breakfast we leave to the outskirts of Jaipur to walk through the grounds and structures of the Amber Fort. Originally constructed by a tribe called the Meenas and dedicated to "Amba" or the "Mother Goddess," was built over the remains of an earlier structure, the present palace complex was commenced in 1592 under the reign of Raja Man Singh, commander of Akbar's army and a member of the emperor's inner circle of nine courtiers. The fort was modified by successive rulers over the next 150 years, until the Kachwahas shifted their capital to Jaipur during the time of Maharaja (a great or high king) Jai Singh II. Have the choice of reaching the fort either on foot or atop an elephant! The short steep ascent provides views of Jaipur, Maotha Lake, and the original city walls. One of the fort's most striking features is the Hall of Mirrors. When the palace was occupied by royalty, the hall could be lit at night by a single candle reflected in thousands of tiny, intricate mirrors. After lunch visit Jantar Mantar; an open air astronomical observatory. Then stop at the Hawa Mahal 'Palace of the Winds' facade for photo stop behind which the ladies of the court could watch the busy activities in the street below without being seen. Jaipur's main focus is the huge City Palace complex, home to the Maharaja, where you'll see the numerous rooms, formal gardens and the fascinating Maharaja's Museum containing his personal collection of weaponry, miniature paintings, royal attire and jewelry. The old city showcases the best of what Jaipur has to offer and this experience has been designed to help you discover what makes it truly unique. You Starting from the whimsical Hawa Mahal, we will lead through the labyrinth of colorful alleys where artisans make puppets, bangles, and other local handicrafts. You will visit the jewelry market - Johari Bazaar, explore architecturally interesting havelis (mansions), and stop by bangle shops in Maniharo.

After breakfast drive to Agra en route visit to Fatehpur Sikri, the red Sandstone city, Emperor Akbar built it as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza - the largest gateway in the world.
Agra finds mention in the Mahabharata as Agraban and was established by Badal Singh in 1475 AD. Sikandar Lodi made Agra his capital but was defeated by Babur. Babur not only captured Agra but also laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire. In the mid-16th century and earlier 17th century AD, Agra witnessed a frenzied building activity and it was during this time when the symbol of love Taj Mahal was built. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. In the afternoon visit Red Fort and then visit Taj Mahal by sunset. Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder, which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen. (Closed on Fridays)

After breakfast transfer to railway station to board train to Jhansi, the journey takes almost 3 hours before reaching Jhansi and then after a short drive arrive at Orchha. Explore Orchha beginning within the Fort Complex. The city's grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection. Complementing the noble proportions of their exteriors are interiors which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. In the Laxminarayan Temple and Raj Mahal, vibrant murals encompassing a variety of religious and secular themes, bring the walls and ceilings to rich life. Enjoy lunch at Orchha then continue on to Khajuraho. Khajuraho is well known for its magnificent temples, which were built between 950 and 1050 A.D. Khajuraho derives its name from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree) which can be found in abundance in the area. The divine sculptures in these temples, are a tribute to Life itself, embodying everything that is sublime and spontaneous about it. The murals depict the life and times of the Chandelas, and celebrate the erotic state of being. They not only testify to the mastery of the craftsman, but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose reign, these temples were constructed.

This morning tour the Kamasutra Temples, have an early lunch and then continue the approximately 5 hour drive to Bandhavgarh passing through the villages and countryside of Madhya Pradesh. Upon arrival check in to the lodge. Bandhavgarh National Park is set amongst the Vindhya Hills in Madhya Pradesh, and consists of 168 sq. miles of mixed forest of Sal, bamboo, grassland, and a complex of deciduous forests. There are at least 150 species of birds in the park, along with other mammals such as Tigers, Sloth Bear, Langur Monkeys, Wild Boar, Mongoose, 3 Kinds Of Deer - Chital, Sambar And Barking, to name a few.

Early morning wake-up call with a knock on your room door and Tea/Coffee. You will wake up to misty mornings and sounds of birds calling, which will make an exciting start to your day. As soon as dawn breaks, leave for your Jungle Safari, accompanied by a resident naturalist and forest park guides in 4x4 Jeeps. Return to the lodge for lunch and then have a second visit to the park. Please note; India's famous tiger parks are quite popular and therefore visits are tightly controlled. Upon arrival at the park gate, vehicles are assigned a prescribed route-whether or not tigers have been seen on this track recently. The vehicles may only go forward, which can present a problem if a tiger appears out of photo range behind the vehicle. To insure the best viewing and photo opportunities, there is an optional upgrade to a "golden permit" which allows entry into the park 15 minutes earlier than regular permit, access to all zones without any time restrictions, and allows 15 additional minutes in the park at the end of the day. Return to lodge for evening tea and rest of time free to relax.

Early morning wake-up call with a knock on your room door and Tea/Coffee. As soon as dawn breaks, leave for your Jungle Safar by 4x4 Jeep. Return to lodge for evening tea and rest of time free to relax.

Early morning jungle safari, and then drive approximately 7 hours to Kanha. The drive is through rural countryside & colorful towns and villages. Stop in the sleepy town of Mandla (sacred city for Gond tribes) where the Narmada river, second holiest to the Ganges, is the center of activity. Also break up the long drive with a stop for a picnic lunch before arriving at the lodge. Kanha National Park, set on The Chhota Nagpur Plateau in Madhya Pradesh, provides breathtaking vistas of grassy plains and strands of sal forests. This 366 sq. mile preserve was set to save two endangered species, the tiger and the Barasingha. The park offers a variety of species including Tigers and Leopards, Cheetal, Gaur, Barking Deer, Sambhar Deer and the endangered Barasingha Deer.

This morning wake up to a misty morning and sounds of birds calling. As soon as dawn breaks, set out on a Jungle Safari, accompanied by a resident naturalist and forest park guides in 4x4 Jeeps. Explore the area's abundant nature and enjoy a picnic breakfast. Spend the remainder of the morning at leisure or go for nature walk, visit to nearby village/school or experience a cooking demonstration. Have lunch at the lodge and then this afternoon there is a second safari by 4x4 open jeep. Return to lodge for evening tea and rest of time free for star gazing.

Today explore the park's jungle again with the afternoon at leisure.

After one last morning game drive into the park depart for Jabalpur. After lunch proceed to Jabalpur airport to board flight for Delhi. Arrive in Delhi and transfer to the hotel for wash and change followed by transfer to International Terminal to board flight back home.

Arrive home.