Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
On arrival at the Indira Gandhi International airport, you will proceed for Immigration clearance after disembarking. After collecting your luggage from the baggage carousel, walk to the Arrivals Lounge where you will be greeted and transferred to the hotel.

Delhi, Capital City of independent India rewards the determined sightseer with more than a thousand monuments and two old capital building complexes - including the present seat of Government, designed by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Cosmopolitan hotels, shopping, and fine restaurants abound. Delhi also offers a glimpse into the real India: the labyrinthine street bazaars of Old Delhi, and the temples and monuments of India’s chequered colonial past. In the deepest sense, from Old Delhi’s Red fort and Jama Masjid mosque to New Delhi’s chic art galleries and nightclubs, Delhi is a profoundly Indian city. Turbaned shepherds still lead goats and sheep through ravines in Delhi’s remaining open fields and near the airport. On Delhi’s golf courses Mughal monuments share fairways with peacocks. Rajasthani women in bright colored saris and men in dhoti (skirt like wrap) work with outdated tools in construction sites while executives work out on computerized equipment in health clubs. By day, you will see temples packed with the devout, and by night, hotel discos are packed with the affluent. Delhi is a city on the move and the gateway to India. (Check in is no earlier than 2 pm).
Overnight at Hotel Claridges (D)

Day 2: Delhi
Today we offer a relaxed, full day guided tour of Delhi. Old Delhi came into existence after Mughal emperor Shah Jahan moved the capital from Agra to Delhi in 1638, and took around ten years to be completed. This old city is a dense network of narrow alleys and tightly packed markets and houses. We begin our tour with a visit to the Red Fort (from the outside only). Built between 1639 and 1648 on the banks of the River Yamuna, the fort built of red sandstone from which it derives its name, is bulging with turrets and bastions. At the site of the Red Fort we exchange our motorized transport for an eco-friendly mode of transportation synonymous with Old Delhi – the cycle rickshaw. Using this unique vehicle, we traverse the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, teeming with people and cattle. Here we pay a visit to the famous Kinari Bazaar which is the unofficial centre of wedding accessories as well as Dariba Kalan street which is inhabited mainly by jewelers, dealing in silver and costume jewelry nowadays. Literally translated "street of the incomparable pearl", it derives its name from the Persian 'Dur-e be-baha', meaning pearl without compare. We also visit Jama Masjid which is India’s largest mosque (built between 1644-56 by 5000 artisans and workers). At any given time, 25000 devotees can assemble in the mosque for prayers.

After lunch we resume our tour of Delhi by visiting New Delhi, first with a visit to the central part of Delhi fondly known as Lutyen’s Delhi. Built by Sir Edwin Lutyens and designed by Hebert Baker, it consists of wide tree-lined avenues and grand colonial buildings. Here we visit the India Gate – memorial to the Indian soldiers who died in the 1st World War where an eternal flame pays tribute to the brave soldiers. From there, drive past the two secretariat buildings (known in government parlance as North and South blocks) on either side of the Rajpath (King's way) leading to the presidential palace. The two classical buildings, topped by Baroque tomb, borrows from the mughal and rajput schools of architecture, using decorated stone screens known locally as “Jalis” and screens slanting outside a building to protect it from the vagaries of weather known as "Chajjas". The drive leads up to the awe inspiring Rashtrapati Bhawan, the former residence of the Viceroys of India, and now the official residence of the Indian president. It is the finest example of Sir Lutyen’s expansive vision and stands atop the Raisina Hill. Built in Indo-Saracenic style, it is a masterpiece of symmetry, discipline, silhouette and harmony. Drive past the Indian parliament building which is circular in design and is known as the "Sansad Bhawan". The tomb of Emperor Humayun is an early example of the Mughal style of tomb. A precursor to Taj Mahal, it was built by the Empress Hamida Bano over a period of 8 years.

Welcome cocktails and dinner at the hotel this evening in the fine Indian Restaurant.
Overnight at Hotel Claridges (B,L,D)

Day 3: Delhi to Corbett National Park by private charter plane
After breakfast transfer to Delhi International airport to board our private charter flight to Pantnagar airport (1 hour duration). We are met on arrival and transfer to Camp Forktail Creek (80 kms, 2-3 hours).

Arrive at Camp by early lunch. After a quick clean-up and a sumptuous lunch, we enjoy an escorted nature and bird walk into the Sal forests surrounding camp. It is an excellent opportunity to walk in the cool of the forest, to be so close to nature and to appreciate the varied plants, insects, birds, mammals and reptiles that inhabit this part of the country. We will learn how to identify the footprints/tracks of various animal species and track them.

Walk back to camp by sundown, where we will gather around the campfire for cocktails, followed by a delicious dinner. Our Naturalist hosts will amuse and amaze us with their stories of exciting experiences in Corbett.
Overnight at Camp Forktail Creek (B,L,D)

Day 4: Corbett National Park – all day
Depart early this morning in two dedicated open top jeeps for a full day game drive into the Bijrani zone. We carry a packed breakfast to enjoy once in the Park, and we will travel deep into the Park where we will enjoy a private hot lunch to be served by our team from Camp at Malani Forest Rest House within this zone. After a quick wash on the return to camp late this afternoon, join our naturalists by the campfire for drinks and snacks and resume the discussions leftover from the previous night. For those of us weary from the long day, dinner will be ready under the Thatch after which you could settle into your comfortable beds in the Cottages.
Overnight at Camp Forktail Creek (B,L,D)

Day 5: Corbett National Park – two-day experience
After an early breakfast at the lodge, depart for the Forest Rest House at Dhikala. Enter through the Dhangari gate - a mere 6 kms from Camp. Our route today will be via Gharial pool, and then Champion pool on Champion road and High Bank – each one of them great observation points on the Ramganga River. Here we hope to spot Gharial and Otters and much more!

We plan to arrive at the Dhikala Forest Rest House by lunch. After a hot lunch at the rest house we will board Elephants for an elephant-back safari in search of wildlife in the Dhikala “chaur” – grasslands, to observe the varied bird and mammal species found in the area.

Back for an evening dinner and overnight stay at the Forest Rest House in Dhikala, located deep inside the Park on the shores of a reservoir, the wildlife viewing inside the Park here can be quite spectacular.
Overnight at Dhikala Forest Resthouse (B,L,D)

Day 6: Corbett National Park
We have a full day to explore the area around Dhikala with a morning game drive and another game drive after lunch. Enjoy a hot lunch again at Dhikala Forest Rest House before we begin the journey out of the Park and return to Camp. Along the way we will still be searching for wildlife, listening for the alarm calls from Spotted deer or Muntjac in case a leopard or tiger is on the prowl!
Overnight at Camp Forktail Creek (B,L,D)

Day 7: Corbett National Park to Bandhavgarh by private charter flight
We enjoy a cooked breakfast at Camp at around 06:30 am. After breakfast we bid farewell to our Naturalists and the rest of the camp team and depart for Pantnagar airport for the private flight to Bandhavgarh (we arrive at Umaria airstrip – 30 kms and only 30 minutes away from our lodgings at Bandhavgarh).

We are met on arrival at Umaria airstrip and transfer to Bandhavgarh National Park and lunch at Kings Lodge. This afternoon we enjoy an afternoon game drive with naturalist in open top Jeeps, our objective to spot tigers in this prime locale for tiger viewing. (Time Permitting)
Overnight at Kings Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 8: Bandhavgarh National Park
Early this morning we assemble for tea / coffee and then set off for a game drive. Mornings can be cold inside the forest but will warm up as the sun rises. Blankets will be provided by the lodge to keep you warm.

Today (or tomorrow) we will get special permission and visit the fort inside the park and explore it on foot and have breakfast close to vulture nesting sites. We return to Kings Lodge for lunch and this afternoon enjoy another game drive and return around sunset.
Overnight at Kings Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 9: Bandhavgarh National Park
Early morning we assemble for tea / coffee at and then set off for a game drive, return to the Lodge for a cooked breakfast around 10:30am to 11:00am. Siesta around lunchtime and then another afternoon game drive and return around sunset.
Overnight at Kings Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 10: Bandhavgarh National Park
Early morning we assemble for tea / coffee at and then set off for a game drive, return to the Lodge for a cooked breakfast around 10:30am to 11:00am. Siesta around lunchtime and then another afternoon game drive and return around sunset.
Overnight at Kings Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 11: Bandhavgarh National Park to Delhi by private charter flight and flights home
Early morning we assemble for tea / coffee at and then set off for a game ride. Return to lodge for a late breakfast. After a quick clean-up and packing we will transfer to Umaria airstrip to board our private flight to Delhi (2 hours duration). We are met on arrival and transfer to Oberoi Trident Gurgaon where rooms are reserved for day use.

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