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The fascination with Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it again and again rebuilding it at least seven times. O/n hotel.
Day 2, Delhi - Raipur flight - Kanker drive
Early morning after breakfast transfer to the airport for flight to Raipur (ETD 0540hrs. ETA 0720hrs.)
Arrive Raipur, and drive about 3hrs. to the former princely State of Kanker. Arrive and check-in to the Kanker Palace. O/n in Palace Kanker, the family of the late Mahrajadhiraj Udai Pratap Deo have opened part of their private residence 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. Trophies of earlier times adorn the Palace walls. Simplicity is the hallmark of Kanker, with traditional touches like the cloth punkah (fan) in the bedroom suite as well as more conventional mod-cons.
Day 3, Kanker - Kondagaon - Narayanpur - Kanker
Morning after breakfast, climb the forested Keshkal Ghat which marks the border of Bastar 500m above the plain. You will encounter here the special nature of North Bastar. At Kondagaon and Narayanpur discover some of Bastar's finest handicrafts, and the people who make them. Kanker (Kaan-kair), a small historic town once capital of the princely state at the geographical boundary of Chattisgarh and Bastar. O/n Kanker Palace.
Day 4, Kanker - Jagdalpur (Bastar) drive
After breakfast, drive about 3hrs. to Jagdalpur, Bastar's main town and former capital. Tribal people comprise almost three fourths of Bastar's population, each with their own indigenous culture of spirits, deities, dialects, customs and food habits. Bastar tribal groups include Gonds, such as Marias, Murias, Abhujmarias, Dhurwa (Parja) and Dorla, as well as non - Gond groups like the Bhatra and Halba.
The Abhujmarias, an important sub caste of the Gonds, are the shyest of the tribal people. They live in splendid isolation, hunting and gathering produce in the deep interiors of the forests. The gregarious Bison Horn Marias are famous for their bison horn headdress worn during dancing rituals. You will find them a popular subject for craftsmen.
The agriculturist Muria of North Bastar are more settled and best known for their Ghotul. This is a special place meant for unmarried boys and girls to meet away from adults, where they conduct their own unique system of social education which also includes music, dancing, story telling etc. The practice is a very important aspect of Muria society.
Arrive and check in to the hotel. Afternoon visit to historical Jagdalpur and the Anthropological Museum is completed by a sunset idyl at the Chitrakote waterfall, Bastar's very own 'Niagara' on the Indravati River. You will also visit some of the local Bison-Horn Maria tribe, renowned for their spectacular ceremonial dancing. O/n hotel.
Day 5, Jagdalpur - Kanger Valley National Park - Jagdalpur
After an early breakfast, explore to the rich forests of the Kanger Valley National Park, the enchanting Tirathgarh waterfall and the extraordinary stalactite and stalagmite caves. Kanger retains the original intensity of the forests that once covered this whole region, in the natural habitat of leopard, tiger, sambhar, bison and the Bastar Hill Myna. O/n hotel in
Jagdalpur.
Day 6, Jagdalpur - Raipur drive
Morning after breakfast drive about 4hrs. to Raipur. Afternoon visit to Raipur's Mahant Ghasidas Museum. O/n hotel.
Day 7, Raipur - Kawardha drive.
Morning after breakfast drive about 5hrs.(120 kms) to Kawardha. Arrive and check-in to the beautiful Hotel Kawardha Palace (heritage). Kawardha located in the north-west of Chattisgarh under the slopes of the Maikal Hills, is the ancestral home and private residence of Maharaja Vishwaraj Singh and family. Palace Kawardha offers a unique blend of calm, history and old-world charm that has captivated and all those who love to explore India's many diverse and hidden paths.
Day 8, Kawardha - Explore Radha Krishna temple, Saroda Reservoir, wander around the ancient Bhoremdeo group of temples, the Lohara Bavli (well) and experience the gentleness of Baiga and Gond Tribal villages. O/n Kawardha Palace.
Day 9, Kawardha - Kanha National Park drive.
Morning after breakfast drive about 4hrs. (140 kms) to Kanha National Park. Kanha's beautiful landscape reminds you of the jungle book. Indeed it was the beautiful forests near here that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write the classic book. The park is noted for Langur, Sambar, Chittal, Barking Deer, Blackbuch, Wild Boar and Gaur. Predators include Leopard, Wild Dog and or course Tiger. Overnight at the Tuli Jungle Resort. Afternoon jungle safari to the national park.
Day 10, Kanha National Park
Morning and afternoon game viewing. Hidden deep inside the pristine forests of the Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the Kanha Tiger Reserve lies before you waiting to be explored and to be absorbed. The remarkable ecosystem of this jewel of Indian Wildlife research & connservation includes 4 principle types of vegetation : moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest, valley meadow & plateau meadow, about 15 major mammalian species & 15 rare ones, 40 Bird Species & a variety of snakes. The reserve has a core area of 940 square kilometers surrounded by a buffer zone of 1005 square kilometers. O/n resort.
Day 11, Kanha - Jabalpur drive - Bhopal (train) :
Morning after breakfast drive to Jabalpur takes about 3hrs. enroute visit Marble Rocks (near Bedaghat). These white rocks, with views of black / dark green volcanic seams, rise to 30 m on either side of the Narmada River. Arrive Jabalpur and board overnight train to Bhopal, leaves at 2140hrs.
Day 12, Bhopal - Early Morning at 0540hrs. arrive Bhopal and transfer to the hotel. Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh, combines scenic beauty, historicity and modern urban planning, situated on the site of an 11th century city, Bhojapal, founded by Raja Bhoja.
Afternoon visit Taj-ul-Masjid, the largest mosque in Asia, built by Shah Jehan Begum (1868 - 1901). Jama Masjid - gold spikes crown the minarets of this beautiful mosque, built in 1837 by Kudsia Begum. Bharat Bhawan - one of the most unique national institutes in India, Bharat Bhawan is a centre for the performing and visual art. O/n hotel.
Day 13, Bhopal - Sanchi - Bhopal :
Morning after breakfast, a full day excursion to Sanchi, known for its Stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars dating from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century. The world renowned stupa of Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site for its archaelogical and historical monuments. The most famous of these monuments, the Sanchi Stupa 1, was originally built by the Maurayan Emperor Ashoka, the then governor of Ujjayini, whose wife Devi was the daughter of a merchant from adjacent Vidisha. Their son Mahindra and daughter Sanghamaitra were born in Ujjayini and sent to Sri Lanka, where they converted the King, the Queen and their people to Buddhism. Also visit the Ashoka Pillar, one of the finest examples of the Ashokantions and exquisite structural balance. Evening return back to Bhopal. O/n hotel.
Day 14, Bhopal - Agra by train :
Morning free. Afternoon transfer to the railway station for express train to Agra takes about 5hrs. Evening arrive Agra and transfer to the Hotel.
Day 15, Agra - we visit India's most celebrated monument the Taj Mahal, built as a monument of eternal love by Shah Jahan to the bride Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal looks amazingly graceful from almost any angle. It was built over a period of 20 years by 20,000 laborers and craftsmen and displays superb craftsmanship. The close up details of the Taj Mahal is as exquisite as the overall architectural design, with semi-precious stones and beautiful patterns covering the marble surface. Red Fort, Akbar began Agra Fort in 1565, with additions of the citadel being made through to the time of Akbar's grandson, Shah Jahan (Kind of the World). The forts have fine views of the Taj across the River Yamuna, and consists of Deewan-i-Aam (hall of public audience) and Deewan-e-khas (the hall of Private audience), it also has a nice grape garden, beautiful fountain ways. O/n Hotel.
Day 16, Agra - Delhi :
Late morning drive back to Delhi takes about 5hrs. (230 kms). Arrive Delhi and transfer to the Hotel Ashok Country Resort for wash and change only. Late evening transfer to the International airport.
Day 17, Delhi - Europe fly back to home country.
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