Duration : 16
Days Tour Destination : Delhi - Agra - Bandhavgarh - Kanha - Kawardha - Kanker
- Jagdalpur
Highlight : This tour takes you to fabled Taj
Mahal, two most celebrated Tiger reserves and less explored tribal land of
Bastar, where one gets an excellent opportunity to understand life of these
tribes and how they coexists with nature.
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive IGI international airport. Met by our representative and transfer to
hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi
Full day combined city tour of New and Old Delhi - In New Delhi visit Qutab
Minar 12th century four story tower and one of the tallest of its time,
Humayun Tomb considered to be one of the forerunner of Taj Mahal. Drive past
India Gate, President House and other government buildings. In Old Delhi
visit Red Fort ultimate symbol of Mughal power in India. Take a cycle
rickshaw ride exploring the narrow alleyways of Chandni Chowk and visit Jama
Masjid one of the oldest and biggest Mosque in India. Also, visit Raj Ghat
(cremation site of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi).
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 : Delhi to Agra and Umaria
Early morning transfer New Delhi railway station to board the train
Shatabdi Express (0600/ 0810 Hrs.) to Agra. Arrive Agra and transfer to a
hotel lobby to you the wash room facilities followed by visit to Agra Fort
from where four of the mighty ruler from Mughal dynasty ruled their vast
empire and the most beautiful monument of love the Taj Mahal (closed on
Fridays), which is flawless to its conception and execution.
Afternoon transfer to railway station to board overnight train (1550 Hrs)
for Umaria.
Overnight onboard the train.
Day 04 : Umaria to Bandhavgarh (35 Km)
Arrive Umaria in morning at (0616 Hrs) and drive to one of the most popular
tiger reserves of India, Bandhavgarh. Afternoon depart on an evening game
viewing drive in Bandhavgarh national Park situated in the north-east corner
of the most northerly spur of the Maikal range of hills Bandhavgarh National
Park is one of the most celebrated park in central India especially for
tiger lovers. The landscape of Bandhavgarh is a mixture of fairly steep and
rocky hills, often with flat tops and with fairly level grassland altitude
ranging from 200-1000 m. On a hill almost in the centre of the park,
Bandhavgarh Fort and its adjacent temple forms an additional asset of
considerable historical, religious and aesthetic interest. Semi evergreen
Sal forest mixed with Terminalia and bamboo are the predominant species
here.
Due to very good prey base Bandhavgarh has a very good density of predators
amongst which tiger is predominant. Other predators you might be lucky to
see include the Leopard, Wolf and Wild Dog. The lesser predators in the park
include the Jungle Cat, Indian Fox, Jackal, Ratel, Palm Civet and Mongoose.
Together, they prey on the park's abundant population of Chital, Sambar,
Barking Deer, Nilgai, Indian Gazelle, Wild Boar and Four-Horned Antelope.
Other mammals found here are the Sloth Bear, Pangolin, Porcupine and a
variety of bats. Primates here are the Common Langur and Rhesus Macaque.
Overnight at jungle lodge.
Day 05 : Bandhavgarh Morning
and evening game view drive in Bandhavgarh National Park.
Overnight at jungle lodge.
Day 06 : Bandhavgarh to Kanha (315 Km)
Morning depart Bandhavgarh by surface for Kanha. Arrive Kanha and check in
at jungle lodge.
In the east of the central Indian highlands which stretch west to east
across Madhya Pradesh in the Maikal branch of the Satpuras, Kanha is one of
the oldest and best managed parks of India. Known for its wilderness and
tiger sightings, Kanha has been immortalized by Rudyard Kipling by
incorporating it in his Jungle Book adventure of Mowgli. Very rich in
wildlife Kanha has the distinction of harbouring the last of the highly
endangered Hard Ground Barasingha. Tiger, Leopard, Wolf, Striped Hyena and
the Indian Wild Dog, Indian Fox, Common Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet,
Jackal are the greater and less predators here. The prey base includes
Sambar, Chital, Blackbuck, Nilgai, Chousingha and Barking Deer. Indian
Bison, Blue Bull and wild pig may also be sighted. Other mammals found here
are the Sloth Bear, Common Giant Flying Squirrel, Indian Flying Fox, Fulvous
Fruit Bat, Jungle Cat, Crested Porcupine and Pangolin. Common Langur and
Rhesus Macaque are the primates sighted here.
Overnight at jungle lodge.
Day 07 : Kanha
Morning and evening game viewing drives in Kanha National Park.
Overnight at jungle lodge.
Day 08 : Kanha to Kawardha (140 Km)
Morning drive to Princely State of Kawardha your first exposure to tribal
area of Bastar. Arrive Kawardha in time for lunch and check in at the
ancestral home and private residence of Maharaja Vishwaraj Singh and family
who has opened few rooms for the visiting guests. Kawardha Palace offers a
unique blend of calm, history and old-world charm
Afternoon explore 11th century Bhoremdeo Group of Temples - known as the
'Khajuraho of Chattisgarh' owing to their exquisitely tender (and sometimes
erotic) carvings. As these temples stands next to a beautiful lake it
provides extra incentive to avian life lovers. Other places of interest
includes Lohara Bavli (20 Km) a 120 years old step well with a number of
chambers, 180 years old Krishna Temple.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 : Kawardha
Morning depart on a full day excursion to visit Baiga - Baiga region
consists of tribal villages such as Gond villages and Tolas settlements. The
Baiga adhere rigidly to a simple lifestyle in the heart of the remote
forested areas. They are known as the 'Lords of the Animals' and are widely
believed to have magical powers. For generations they have resisted even
ploughing, believing it to scar the flesh of their Mother, the Earth.
Return to Kawardha in the late afternoon or evening.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 : Kawardha to Kanker (251 Km)
After breakfast, drive through the tribal country to Princely State of
Kanker. Arrive Kankaner by late afternoon and check in at Kanker Palace
royal residence of late Mahrajadhiraj Udai Pratap Deo have opened part of
the palace to visitors, maintaining an informal elegance amid many mementoes
of their royal past. Once a keen hunter, the former head of the Kanker
family became a dedicated conservationist, however one can still witness
trophies of earlier times adorn the Palace walls. Afternoon explore the
surroundings and interact with royal family who will be more than happy to
interpret and explain the folklore and tradition of the State they once
ruled. They will also introduce you to a performance of the traditional
music and dance of the region.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
11 : Kanker
Morning proceed on a full day excursion to nearby forests and villages to
witness more Tribal life of this region. Climb the forested Keshkal Ghat in
south of Kanker which marks the border of Bastar. You will encounter here
the special nature of North Bastar with a visit to colorful weekly markets.
It gives you a great opportunity to meet and observe the local tribes. At
Kondagaon and Narayanpur discover some of Bastar's finest and unique
handicrafts, and the people who make them.
Return to Kanker by late afternoon or early evening.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Kanker to Jagdalpur (120 Km)
After breakfast depart Kanker by surface for Jagdalpur. Jagdalpur former
capital of Bastar is the main commercial hub for the tribes of the region
and the heartland of Bastar tribes. Check in at hotel upon arrival at
Jagdalpur. In the afternoon visit Anthropological which provides a perfect
window-view of the life-styles of various adivasi tribes in Bastar. Also,
visit the Chitrakot (38 Km), gorgeous waterfall is on River Indravati,
Located in the west of Jagdalpur this widely spread horse-shoe shaped
waterfall is a fascinating site when water gushes from a height of about
100ft forming a rainbow. Chitrakot waterfall is often referred as 'Niagra'
of the east.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 : Jagdalpur
Full day explore the different tribal villages which comprises almost 3/4th
of the Bastar population., each with their own indigenous culture of
spirits, deities, dialects, customs and food habits. Predominant tribes are
the Halbas, Abudjamadis or Abujmariya or Hill Maria, Muria, Gonds etc. Halbas: derived their name from the term "Hal",
meaning the plough. They are primarily agriculturists. Halbas are one of the
developed and rich tribal groups and many of them are land owners or land
lords. Halbas enjoy high 'local status' amongst the tribal in the state,
because of their costume, dialect and social activities. Abudjamadis: these tribes are found in the
geographically inaccessible areas of Abujhmar Mountains and Kutrumar Hills
and speak a Dravidian language called Abujmaria. The Hill Maria are
semi-nomadic farmers who use the "slash and burn" method of
agriculture. After farming an area for two or three years, they abandon
their houses, move to a different location, and make new land clearings.
They survive by farming, hunting, and eating the fruits of the forests. They
hunt with spears, and bows and arrows, and eat the game that is killed. Wild
buffalo, boar, deer, and tigers live in the dense forests of the region. The
people vow to protect the tiger, which is highly honored, feared, and
respected. Although the Hill Maria tribes are less civilized they far
surpass the others in strength and ability. A strong sense of community
exists between them. Liberty, equality, and brotherhood are highly valued
principles. Muria: A sub-group of the Gond tribe the
Muria's are unlike the typically nomadic Gond, live in permanent villages.
They survive mainly by farming, hunting, and eating the fruits of the
forest. The Muria are generally live in bamboo, mud, and thatched roof
houses. Each house is surrounded by a fence. Gonds: the largest tribal group in India
Gonds are the majority in tribal population of Bastar. They are mainly a
nomadic tribe and also called as Koytoria. The name Gond is extracted from
the Telugu word 'Konda' which means hill. Agriculture, collecting minor
forest produce, forging metal goods in cottage industries, fishing, hunting,
are the main occupations of Gonds.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
14 : Jagdalpur
Get an opportunity to know some of the traditional arts and crafts of
Bastar, which comprise from wood-craft to terracotta, tribal weaving to
Bhatti-chitra (traditional wall paintings), stone carving to Bell metal
craft, Iron craft and the Bamboo crafts. These crafts reflect the subtle
creativity, inventive genius and the imagination of the local craftsmen, who
have tried to retain the original purity of perception and core-concepts
governing the life styles of their ethos.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 : Jagdalpur to Raipur (220 Km)
In time depart Jagdalpur by surface for Raipur to connect flight to Delhi.
Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 16 : Depart Delhi
In time transfer to international airport to board the flight for onward
destination.
Morning
and evening game view drive in Bandhavgarh National Park.
Day
11 : Kanker
Day
14 : Jagdalpur
