CENTRAL INDIA & BENGAL TOUR

After your stay of two nights in Delhi and sightseeing, you shall fly to Jabalpur, by the morning flight, arriving in Kanha in time for the afternoon wildlife safari. Created in 1935, and then known as Banjar Valley Reserve and 99 Sq. miles, the Kanha NP is spread over 950 Sq. Km of prime ‘core’ forest in the Mandla & Balaghat divisions, together with the buffer zone of 1009 Sq. Kms.

Apart from the large tiger population, Leopards, Wild Dogs, Sloth Bears, Wild Ox the ‘Gaur’, Sambhar, Cheetals & a lot of lesser game are to be found. The Barasingha or the hard ground swamp deer is found in Kanha & in the words of Brander, “is one of the handsomest representatives of deer tribe that exists in the world”. Their numbers have come down to about 400, all located in Kanha.

There are also about 175 species of birds found in the park. Of the trees the predominant species is Sal, Bamboo, Tendu, Jamun Arjun & Lendia.

Your stay at Kanha will be at the Flame of the Forest, located on the banks of the river Banjaar, with delightful cottages and ground machaans; with bush meals and evening bonfires, is a fabulous destination by all accounts!

Your next port of call is Calcutta, where you shall stay in the ‘‘Grand Dame of Chowringhee’ Hotel Oberoi Grand. The heritage walk in Calcutta, the next morning, takes you through some of the colonial parts of the city. You will notice the ‘Writer’s Building’ where the English took employment with East India Company, as junior writers, some rising to be Governor Generals, like Warren Hastings or John Shore!

The programme includes a visit to South Park Cemetery & Victoria Memorial.

Finally, drive to Howrah Bridge and observe the going-on on the river Hooghly, from the banks of the Ghats, observing also the skyline of north Calcutta…an experience in itself!

Darjeeling is well known for finest tea and some of the oldest estates in Asia. It is a delight to be travelling on the World Heritage ‘Toy Train’ from Darjeeling to Ghoom, a jouney of about 45 minutes. The small steam engine stops for a ‘breather’ midway, as it runs out of steam!!!, before continuing the slow travels to the Batasia loop. The sightseeing takes you through the typical Indian Hill Bazaars; early morning sunrise at Tiger Hill (8547’), the 19th century Buddhist Gompas and the mountaineering institute.

Finally, you shall arrive for a relaxing stay at the Glenburn Tea Estate, with fabulous views of both Darjeeling and Sikkim from your bedroom!

While at the estate you shall be given the ‘Tea Tour’, with the guide giving you insight into the tea plantations, plucking of ’02 leaves& the bud’, how it is transported to the factory & finally categorized after ‘tasting’, packed & sent off to the auction houses, in distant Calcutta. Interact with the tea estate workers doing their daily chores.

Walk back to the tea factory where the manager will give you insight in the total gamut of tea processing including the much specialized job of ‘tasting’.

Fly back from Bagdogra airport for onwards travels.
Tentative Itinerary

A short flight away from Delhi is Lucknow, synonymous with art and culture of an era long past gone. The sightseeing in Lucknow takes you to Bara Imambara, the Machhi Bhawan, Secunder Bagh and the Le Martinier Boys School and thewell-preserved British Residency, all closely associated with the famous siege of Lucknow 1857. The Awadh cuisine, slow cooked is a delight to partake of and region is also associated with Indian classical music based on Ragas. Your stay in Lucknow shall be at the Taj Residency.

Your next port of call is Varanasi, well known for an experience of intense religious fervor. The chiming of evening bells and the Ganges ‘aarti’ are an experience which will last a lifetime. Hereon, Khajuraho with the erotic temples of Western Enclosure are a delight to visit. In the month of February the week-long Festival of Dance, in the background of well lit temple spires is highly recommended.

Gwalior is next on your agenda. The Gwalior Fort, perched up high on the hill overlooking the city was referred to by the first Mughal, the intrepid Babar as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Hindustan. It was an impregnable fortress which also served as incarceration for subsequent rulers and rebels alike. The evening Sound and light programme at the fort, morning visit to Jai Vilas Mahal are a highlight of your stay at this destination.

Bhopal has a lot to offer in the way of sightseeing and the trickle of tourists makes it all the more delightful! Visit the World Heritage Bhimbhekta caves and the Buddist stupas at Sanchi.

Thereafter, your tour takes you to Fort Ahilya at Maheshwar. Fort Ahilya is a magnificent destination for a few days away from the crowds, where one can be all by oneself! It locates on the banks of the river Narbada and has been restored into a boutique fort-palace. It is an all-inclusive hotel with a la carte breakfasts served on the ramparts, lunch in the courtyard and candlelit dinners by the pool. The ghost town of Mandu, with tales of romance between Baaz Bahadur and the shephardess Rani Roopmati form a part of local folklore are but a stone throw away.

Fly out from Indore to Mumbai for a couple of nights, on the Arabian Sea, at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel & Towers.
Tentative Itinerary