Itinerary

Day 1

Depart London and fly overnight to Delhi

Day 2

On arrival into Delhi a transfer will be provided to your hotel. In the afternoon there will be a half day sightseeing tour of New Delhi to include the incredible 73m minaret of Qutab Minar, the tomb of Moghul Emperor Humayun, the Parliament buildings and the India Gate. Overnight in Delhi. (Hotel) Meals: lunch

Day 3

This morning you will leave Delhi and take the train to Sawai Madhopur and from here take a short drive (10km) to reach Ranthambore National Park. Ranthambore is a vast 1300 sq km of wild jungle, lakes, crags and crumbling temples. Wildlife in the park includes: langur, crocodile, jackal, sloth bear, hyenas and around 42 tigers. As many as 272 bird species have been recorded in the park. Once you have settled into your lodge you will head out on an afternoon game drive. Overnight in Ranthambore. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 4

This morning you will venture out on an early morning game drive, and after lunch visit the spectacular Ranthambore Fort high up on a 65m escarpment and offering fantastic views of the park. Overnight in Ranthambore. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5

Today you leave Ranthambore, and drive out toward Orchha. En-route you will pass through many rural communities and the Shivpuri Wildlife Sanctuary, reaching Orchha in the early evening. Overnight Orchha. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 6

Today you have a full day to explore Orchha. Starting with the famous temple and palace complex. This palace was once the capital of the fearless Rajput warriors and positioned on the banks of the Betwa River. In the afternoon you can stroll around the quiet villages and adjust to the pace of life in rural India. Overnight in Orchha. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Day 7

After breakfast you will drive to the ‘Temple City of Central India.' Khajaraho is famed for the sheer number of temples all of which are intricately carved and each dedicated to a different deity, some of the carvings are stunningly explicit! Overnight in Khajuraho. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Day 8

Today you will take a drive out to the small Panna National Park (57km) the park has some breath taking scenery and a high concentration of mammals including tigers. Optional trips in the park include elephant safari or a boat ride on the lake, both trips offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Late afternoon you will return to Khajuraho. Overnight in Khajuraho. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Day 9

This morning you leave Khajuraho and begin the long drive (270km) to the little National Park of Bandhavgarh. On arrival you will check-in and relax in the peaceful surroundings. Overnight in Bandhavgarh. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Day 10

You have a full day today to spend exploring the park, there will be a morning and afternoon game drive with time in between to relax at the lodge or do a spot of bird watching. Overnight in Bandhavgarh. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11

In the morning there will be one last game drive before heading off to Katni. Overnight in Katni. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Day 12

Early in the morning you will transfer to the train station. The day will be spent on the day train to the holiest city in India : Varanasi. You will arrive in Varanasi in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Varanasi. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Day 13

Today you take a drive out of the noisy, bustling city of Varanasi to the haven of tranquillity that is Sarnath. Sarnath is one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world as it was here that Lord Buddha preached his first sermon having gained enlightenment. Pilgrims flock to Sarnath daily, the site is surrounded with temples built by Buddhists from around the world. In the afternoon you return to Varanasi and take a rickshaw ride through the city to the famous ghats. Varanasi is a very auspicious place to be cremated for Hindus and the cremation ghats are burning night and day. You can take a boat trip after dark to see the burning ghats and watch the incredible Aarti ceremony performed by the Hindu priests. Overnight in Varanasi. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Day 14

At first light you can return to the Ganges and take a boat ride along the ghats to see the local people bathing in the holy waters and watch the sun rising across the river. After breakfast you can visit one of the silk workshops that Varanasi is also famed for. In the early evening you will board the overnight train back to Delhi. Overnight in Delhi. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Day 15

Today you will conclude your tour with a cycle rickshaw ride through Old Delhi including the Chandni Chowk Bazaar, you will pass by the immense Red Fort and visit India's biggest mosque. Overnight in Delhi. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Day 16

Today your tour ends in Delhi. Depending on flight times there may be time for some additional sightseeing in Delhi before transferring to the international airport for onward flights. Fly from Delhi. Meals: breakfast

Extra Information

Inclusions -

21 meals

Extras -

At Diverse Earth we want our guests to really experience their chosen destination. We want them to come home having sampled the local cuisine, learnt a little of the dialect, seen the famous sights as well as the not so famous sights and most importantly made friends. We have an excellent relationship with all our local suppliers, this is through long standing friendships and our commitment to sustainable tourism which ensures that our guests get the most out of every tour and the local people also benefit and thus welcome us back time and time again.

Our tour leaders and guides are all local to the area and are therefore able to provide an inside view of their home country. Our team at HQ are all extensively travelled and therefore well equipped to answer any questions and provide all the necessary support from initial enquiry to home-bound flight.

As an ABTA and ATOL bonded operator, we ensure that our standards of service are high and that payment for your holiday is well protected.