Jungles of Central India

Day 1: Arrive Mumbai

Lapped by the Arabian Sea, this urban seaside peninsula is a melting pot of old and new India. Towering office blocks and shiny apartment buildings shoulder crumbling grand dames of architecture. Men play cricket in the leafy central parks, taxis navigate the jam packed streets and families stroll along the seaside promenades of Mumbai, while kilometres away children beg on the peripheries of Asia’s biggest slum. In the wide avenue of Colaba’s high street, western culture overshadows the brightly lit storefronts, where Levi’s, Adidas and McDonalds vie for retail space.

Fly into Mumbai where you will be met by your Trail Blazer Tours Representative who will transfer you to your hotel of stay.

Day 2: In Mumbai

Fullday tour of Mumbai, starting with an excursion to Elephanta Caves [closed on Monday] followed by a tour of the city

Elephanta Caves

The UNESCO World Heritage site is a fine specimen of rock cut architecture and art of medieval India. To state the trivial, there are no elephants in Elephanta! The name was given by the Portuguese as there was a large elephant sculpture in the island, when it was held by them. Otherwise this island was known as Gharapuri. The island is known for the 7th century caves with boldly executed mythical themes.

Gateway of India

Located on the waterfront in Apollo Bunder, the Gateway is a basalt arch 26 metres (85 ft) high. The arch is in Muslim style while the decorations are in Hindu style. The Gateway is built from yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. The stone was locally obtained, and the perforated screens were brought from Gwalior.

Prince of Wales Museum

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, is one of the premier art and history museum in India. Situated on the southern tip of Mumbai on the ‘Crescent Site’, the Museum building is a fine example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.

Dhobhi Ghat

A unique feature of Mumbai, the dhobi is a traditional laundryman, who collects dirty linen, washes it, and return it neatly pressed. The most famous of these Dhobi Ghats is Mahalaxmi dhobi ghat, the world’s largest washerman colony where almost 731 dhobis and their families work together in what has always been a hereditary occupation. This area is strangely popular with foreign tourists looking for a piece of quintessential Indianness. Mahalaxmi dhobi ghat was made in the year 1890 and since then it has been here to stay. Mahalaxmi dhobi ghat is one of the biggest dhobi ghat in Mumbai and one of the favorite tourist spots in Mumbai.

Marine Drive

Marine Drive (officially, “Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road”) is a 3km long, six lane concrete road which stretches north along the coastline, forming a natural bay. Known world over as Marine Drive, this tourist spot has also been called Sonapur by the locals of the city. Large crowds of people come to this place to stride along the beautiful walkway and to view the stunning sight of the setting sun at dusk. The scenic beauty of the perfectly lined palm trees offers its visitors an enthralling experience. Marine Drive is also referred to as ‘Queen’s necklace’, because the street lights make the road look like a string of pearls and create an illusion of a necklace, when viewed at night from any elevated point along the pathway of the drive.

Day 3: Mumbai- Nagpur- Tadoba

Morning after breakfast, transfer to the airport for a short scheduled flight to Nagpur.

Arrive Nagpur where you will be met and transferred to Tadoba (approx. 150 Kms / 03 Hours drive)

Day 4&5: In Tadoba

Enjoy morning &afternoon shared jeep safaris in the National Park on both the days

[On Wednesdays the park remains closed for the afternoon safari]

Tadoba National Park is a popular tiger reserve that’s affably known as ‘The Land of Tigers’ as large number of tigers (approx.43) are found here. Apart from the species of Bengal Tiger, this park is home to other mammals like Sloth Bear, Leopard, Rusty Spotted Cat, Gaur (Indian Bison), Indian Mouse Deer, Ratel, Sambar, Wild Pig, Spotted Deer, Flying Squirrel, Four Horned Antelope.Above all, there are approx.. 195 species of birds that include honey buzzard, crested serpent eagle, the shy jungle fowl, grey-headed fishing eagle, paradise flycatcher, etc.

Day 6: Tadoba- Pench

Resting in the lower southern reaches of the Satpuda Hills, Pench National Park is renowned for having the highest concentration of prey of any park in India, increasing the chances of seeing predatory cats such as leopard and tiger.

This impressive expanse of wilderness features typical central Indian teak jungle and is bisected by the spectacularly scenic Pench River. Aside from the river, the park also contains a number of bamboo-lined jungle streams providing a valuable water source for the local wildlife which includes, among others: wild dog, sloth bear, wolf, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, gaur, sambar, and chital. Pench is also a bird lover’s paradise with over 250 species of bird inhabiting the area, including: parakeets, hornbills, kingfishers, orioles and wagtails, as well as a large selection of birds of prey.

Morning after breakfast, leave for Pench National Park [approx. 250 Kms /5-6 Hours drive]

Day 7&8: In Pench

Enjoy morning &afternoon shared jeep safaris in the National Park on both the days

[On Wednesdays the park remains closed for the afternoon safari]

Day 8: Pench- Kanha

Also known as the Kanha Tiger Reserve, the Kanha National Park is widely considered to be the greatest of India’s wildlife reserves and the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s classic, ‘The Jungle Book’. This impressive expanse of wilderness is set in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, encompassing about 950 square kilometres of lush rolling hills, peaceful rivers, saal and bamboo forest, and endless stretches of savanna grassland. This spectacularly scenic environment provides a diverse range of habitats for an extraordinary array of wildlife including tigers, leopards, jackals, swamp deer, foxes, porcupines, sloth bears, pythons, hare, chitals, gaur monkeys,  mongooses, and hundreds of species of bird.

Morning after breakfast leave for Kanha National Park [approx. 200 Kms /4-5 Hours drive], an intresting drive through

the country side.

Day 9 &10:  In Kanha

Enjoy morning &afternoon shared jeep safaris in the National Park on both the days

[On Wednesdays the park remains closed for the afternoon safari]

Day 11: Kanha- Bandhavgarh

One of the most popular parks in India, Bandhavgarh National Park is renowned for the highest density of tigers in the region. The park has a large array of wildlife including sloth bears, deer, leopards and jackals. Birdwatchers will delight in the plethora of bird species inhabiting all terrains from rocky crags to the auburn forest floor and mottled forest canopy. Declared a national park in 1968, Bandhavgarh was named after an ancient fort built on 800-metre-high (2,624 foot) cliffs in the park. From its zenith one can enjoy incredible views of the park, however prior permission is required.

Morning after breakfast, leave for Bandhavgarh National Park (approx. 220 Kms/ 5 Hours drive), yet another interesting drive through the buffer zones of the park and the country side.

Day 12&13: In Bandhavgarh

Enjoy morning &afternoon shared jeep safaris in the National Park on both the days

[On Wednesdays the park remains closed for the afternoon safari]

Day 14: Bandhavgarh- Jabalpur- Delhi

India’s largest city, Delhi, has been one of the country’s commercial and economic hubs for centuries and, as a result, is incredibly rich in culture and history. Made up of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern sector, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of beautiful architecture, notable monuments and age-old temples, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Red Fort, Qutab Minar and Humayun’s Tomb.

Morning after breakfast transfer to Jabalpur airport to board the scheduled flight for Delhi (approx. 175 Kms / 4 Hours drive)

Upon your arrival at Delhi airport, you will by your Trail Blazer Tours Representative, who will assist you and transfer to an airport hotel.

Day 15: Delhi Departure

At an appropritate time, your Trail Blazer Tours Representative will assist and provide you the necessary transfer to the international airport.