
Bandhavgarh
If Kanha is Kipling's country, then Bandhavgarh is the jewel in Madhya Pradesh's crown. Situated at a distance of 195 km from Jabalpur and 225 km from Khajuraho, the Bandhavgarh National Park is a premier wildlife preserve in the Vindhya mountain range of Central India. It is a tiny park compared to Kanha but with nearly the same number of tigers and leopards, or at least that is the official figure. Besides tigers and leopards, Bandhavgarh is also extremely productive for medium-sized bison herds.
Bandhavgarh came into existence as a national park in 1968 with a core area of 105 sq. km, which was later extended to include two adjoining sal forests in 1986. Before becoming a national park, it was the game reserve of the Maharajas of Rewa. But due to loss of royal patronage, it remained neglected for a long time until the government declared it a national park to control rampant poaching in the area. Bandhavgarh has the highest density of tigers among all reserves in India and packs the same wealth of wildlife in a smaller area. It is famous as the original home of the white (albino) tiger, though this rare species has long become extinct here. Apart from tigers, Bandhavgarh is also famous for sloth bear sambar, chital, muntjac, nilgai, chinkara, and wild pigs. There are also interesting cave shrines scattered around the park, with Brahmi inscriptions dating from the first century B.C. You can visit the remains of the Bandhavgarh fort believed to be 2,000 years old. |
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Itinerary for Golden Square ( 6 NIGHTS 7 DAYS)
Delhi-Mandawa-Mukundgarh/Nawalgarh
Arrival / Delhi (Day 1):
You will be met by a represntative on arrival and transferred to the hotel. Traditional Welcome with garlands.
Day 2: Delhi :
Breakfast leisurely. Tour manager meets you for small oreintation/ briefing. Start the tour with local guide of old Delhi. We visit Raj Ghat, a beautifully serene monument was on the bank of the Yamuna River. This is where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Next, we take a short ride by cycle rickshaw through the crowded lanes of the Chandni Chowk bazaar to visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.
Lunch in local restaurant and continue our tour of New delhi.
The British laid out the broad, tree-lined avenues and neat street grid of New Delhi (in contrast to the narrow alleyways of the old part of the city). Today the former "Imperial City" continues as the center of government for the world's largest democracy, and we see the buildings of India's Parliament and (from the outside) the residence of India's President, a palatial building called Rashtrapati Bhavan. Nearby we see the India Gate, where a popular park surrounds a memorial to Indian soldiers who served Great Britain in World War I and Britain's 19th ,century war in Afghanistan. We also visit Qutab Minar, a spectacular example of Indo-Islamic architecture topped by a 72.5 Merters high tower . Begun in the 12 th century, this is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and the symbol of New Delhi.
Delhi is famous for handicrafts from all over India , but the most spectacular opportunity amongst them is the handicrafts that comes from the " Valley of Kashmir ". Apart from ornate wooden handicrafts, there are the world famous "Paschmina Shawls", exquisite Kashmir silk carpets with some of the finest weaves and designs of the world, textiles and brass inlays.
We dine in a local restaurant this afternoon and evening.
Day 3: Delhi to Mandawa/Mukundgarh/Nawalgarh: ( 170 KM, 6 hours drive)
We will visit and Tour Mandawa. Mandawa, a remote feudal principality in the centre of the Shekhawati region, was a trading outpost for the ancient caravan routes that stopped here from China and the Middle East. Thakur Nawal Singh, the Rajput ruler of Mandawa, built a fort in 1755 to protect this outpost. The township that grew around the fort soon attracted a large community of traders, who settled here.
This community of wealthy businessmen and traders constructed many havelis and baolis with colored paintings adorning their walls. In the late 18th century, the traders started leaving this place and created business empires in other parts of the country, but returned to Mandawa to build palatial mansions in their hometown
Located in the desert state of Rajasthan, the region of Mandawa is said to have the largest concentration of household frescoes in the world, inspired mostly by religion, folklore and great social events, such as man's first flight. We will visit the open art gallery what aptly describes Mandawa in Rajasthan. Mandawa Rajasthan is dotted with beautiful havelis, mansions and forts. This wealth of ancient architectural heritage is what that has made Mandawa a popular tourist destination in Rajasthan. Mandawa lies in the district of Jhunjhunu and havelis are the main tourist attractions in Mandawa.
Some of the havelis that you may visit on your Mandawa tour include the Binsidhar haveli, Ladia Haveli, Gulab Rai Haveli and Newatia Haveli. The Mandawa Fort or the Castle Mandawa as it is known is another important tourist attraction in Mandawa. Nawal Singh, the descendants of the Shekhawati ruler built the Mandawa Fort.
We wil visit Forts and Havelis of Nawalgarh . Founded in the 18th Century by Nawal Singh, it has some of the finest frescos in the Shekhawati region. A huge fort with colourful bazaar and numerous havelis with elaborate architecture makes it an interesting destination for a 1day / 1 night stay. There are a few prominent havelis like Anandilal Poddar Haveli, Aath Haveli, Hodh Raj Patodia Haveli etc., which are to be visited, and so are the two forts and the palace hotel Roop Niwas that is a beautiful heritage property and is renovated with modern facilities. The Palace offers spacious painted rooms, Luxurious interiors, graceful hospitality and great thematic evenings with sumptuous cuisine
Day 4 : Mandawa via Samod to Jaipur: ( 200 KM)
After breakfast we check out. we travel overland to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. En route we stop for lunch at the Samode Palace, originaly built by Rajput ruler Jai Singh II's finance minister. Built on three levels with wide-open terraces, the palace is set against the dramatic backdrop of the Aravali Mountains. Darbar Hall inside is known for its Meenakari or inlay of glass mirrors and stones—be sure to notice the adjustable louvers on the windows.
Passing under the Samode gates and through the narrow streets we continue to Jaipur. Arriving at our hotel late afternoon.
We have dinner this evening in our hotel.
Day 5 : Jaipur
After breakfast , we drive stopping at the picturesque stop , the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal, which has approximately 953 windows founded by Maharaja Pratap Singh in the eighteen century. The interesting thing about the building is that it has no foundation). We explore Jaipur's Amber Fort and Palace. We approach the hilltop Fort in the style of the Rajput rulers; on a cushioned seat on elephant back. The Fort is a stunning and well-preserved 16th-century structure, built on four levels. Among its many splendors is the Sheesh Mahal, a small room whose ceiling, covered with tiny mirrors, looks like a sky filled with brilliant stars. Here, in Rajput times, a dancing girl held candles during a dance of love for her Maharaja. We visit the Temple of Kali, dedicated to the blue-black-skinned goddess of blood and destruction, as well as the Hall of Victory. We make our way back down the hill by Jeeps to the parking area. We return to Jaipur, which is also world's biggest trading center for Gems and Jewelry. The heart of all semi precious and precious stones industry and for diamonds
We will have a lunch in a local restaurant.
Next we see the Jantar Mantar, a remarkable astronomical and astrological observatory built in the 18 th century. The giant sundials here are still accurate to two-tenths of a second! Then we go on to the City Palace Museum filled with an array of textiles, arms, carpets, paintings and manuscripts. Also, a great place for woolen carpets which are great value for money. A great center for colorful textiles with block printing and tie-dye prints dominating a vibrant range.We will Return to hotel in the evening and then you drive visitng a royal family for dinner.
Day 6: Jaipur-Agra via Fatehpur -Sikri :
After breakfast checkout drive to 250 Km to Agra. On the way in Bharatpur, we will have hot Lunch. Drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted city, where we will be met by a local guide who will come from Agra to show us Fatehpur Sikri , world heritage monument decalred by U.N.E.S.C.O), tour of Fatehpur Sikri we experience the vast rural countryside of India as we ride towards Agra. The mysterious ghost city founded by the Moghul Emperor Akbar the Great in the late 16 th century. The city occupies a Red sandstone ridge, and the area around it is enclosed within a 117-mile-long wall. We'll stroll about the fort and palace. We then continue to Agra and check in the hotel. Dinner in the same hotel..
Day 7: Agra / Delhi / Departure :

Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, no matter how many pictures you have seen or no matter how high your expectations are the Taj never lets you down - the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses beyond all human imaginations.
Early morning wake up call and visit Taj Mahal at sun rise to witness this spectacular monument built for love. Besides perfect symmetry in every aspect of its construction, the inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in pietra dura style is absolutely remarkable. We return back to the hotel for breakfast.
We continue our tour to visit and conquer the Red Fort of Agra which was founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar nd completed in 95 years, as this fort is the only fort where 4 Mughal Emperors set and rule the Mughla Dynasty. They ailed all of northern India having 3200 cities under them, from the early 16 th century until the consolidation by British colonial rule in the early 1800s. Agra Fort's architecture is an almost perfect fusion between military might and lavish beauty.
Return to hotel for having lunch, check out and drive straight to Delhi ( International Airport). Connect the flight as per your schedule.
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