SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Mumbai

You will be met at Mumbai Airport by your driver and transferred to this bustling city, formerly known as Bombay. This is the most populous city in India and its commercial capital, as well as the home of the Bollywood film industry.

On arrival enjoy a half day city tour to see some of the highlights. Time permitting, these can include the Gateway of India, the Prince of Wales Museum, Crawford Market, Jain Temple, the beautiful Hanging Gardens, the circular Tower of Silence, the open-air laundromat at Dhobi Ghat or Gandhi's house at Mani Bhavan. Afterwards check in to your hotel.

Note: Price of Wales Museum is closed on a Monday.

Day 2: Fly to Nagpur & transfer to Tadoba

Transfer to Mumbai Airport for your flight to Nagpur.

You will be met at Nagpur Airport and transferred 3.5 hours to Tadoba Andhari National Park in the state of Maharashtra. This is one of India's most important tiger reserves, dedicated to preserving these magnificent predators.

Check in to your jungle lodge and relax in this wonderful wildlife region.

Note: There is a complete ban on alcohol in the Chandrapur District, where Tadoba is situated and alcohol cannot be carried, purchased or served. If this is important to you, we suggest you select a different tiger reserve.

Days 3 to 4: Tadoba Andhari National Park

Today explore the wildlife of Tadoba Andhari National Park, which covers an area of over 240 square miles and is covered with thick bamboo forest and verdant flora.

This tiger reserve is the oldest and largest national park in the central state of Maharashtra and stretches across the densely forested Chimur Hills of the Tadoba Reserve, as well as the Moharli and Kolsa ranges of the Andhari Sanctuary. It is one of the best places in India to see sloth bears and also offers great tiger sightings, with more than 100 of these magnificent animals.

Early morning is the best time to see tigers, but be aware that it is extremely difficult to find them in the jungle and sightings are never guaranteed. Best viewings are generally at the end of the dry season (March to May, although it is extremely hot from April onwards), when the tigers search out the waterholes - but you need to take at least 4 game drives for a good chance of a sighting.

Tadoba has a lake that provides a perennial water source for mugger (marsh) crocodiles and water birds. It is also home to leopards, gaur, wild dogs, hyenas, civets, jungle cats and many species of deer - such as sambar, chital, nilgai and barking deer.

Two private jeep safaris per day are included - one in the early morning and one in the late afternoon.

Note: No alcohol can be served at any lodge in Tadoba. The tiger reserve is closed every Tuesday, but it is still possible to have a game drive in the buffer zone. The park is also closed during the Holi & Diwali festivals, as well as during the monsoon season (July to early October).

In the winter months, morning safaris require warm clothes including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle.

Day 5: Transfer to Pench

Today leave Tadoba and transfer 5 hours to Pench National Park, situated in the lower reaches of the Satpura Hills.

Check in to your lodge in this beautiful tiger reserve that is rich in diversity and supports an abundance of flora, fauna and aquatic life.

Days 6 to 7: Pench National Park

This morning enjoy a shared game drive in beautiful Pench National Park that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his famous children’s story - The Jungle Book - featuring Mowgli the man cub, Shere Kahn the tiger, Baloo the sloth bear, Kaa the snake and King Louis the amusing ape.

Tiger sightings are good in this small reserve which is divided by the Pench River, but are never guaranteed. You may also see chital, sambar, nilgai, wild boar, jackal and barking deer. Jungle cats and leopards are also present but rarely seen. There are also over 170 different species of birds.

In the afternoon return to the park for another game drive.

Note: This tiger reserve is closed every Wednesday afternoon, when only a morning game drive is offered. The park is also closed during the Holi & Diwali festivals, as well as during the monsoon season (July to early October).

Please note we always try to book jeep safaris, but these can only be reserved 120 days in advance and cannot be guaranteed - in which case your game drive will be in a 20-seater canter. In the winter months, morning safaris require warm clothes including woolly hats and gloves to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle.

Day 8: Fly to Mumbai

This morning transfer 2 hours to Nagpur Airport for your flight to Mumbai and onward connecting flight to Goa.

You will be met at Goa Airport and transferred to your hotel in this holiday city, which was once a Portuguese colony and is the smallest state in India. Check in and relax at your beach resort, offering miles and miles of golden beaches and spectacular sunshine.

Day 9: Explore Goa

Today we suggest an optional a half day tour of historic Old Goa (Panjim City) with its many inner streets, small hotels, restaurants and shops.

Founded by Adil Shah in the 16th century and later conquered by Afonso de Albuquerque, you will visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus - a World Heritage Site built in red stone, in three different architectural styles. This splendid marble and silver mausoleum is the final resting place for the relics of St. Francis Xavier. Also visit the impressive Se Cathedral of Santa Catarina, with its numerous chapels.

Afterwards visit a Tropical Spice Plantation, including a guided walk through the spicy world of black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, clove and nutmeg, before returning to your hotel.

Day 10: At Leisure

At leisure to relax and enjoy the splendid beaches of Goa on the Arabian Sea.

Goa is a great destination for eating out, with delicious curries and other international cuisine. The shopping is also outstanding. Tailors will make you a fitted suit, tailored dress or whatever you fancy for a fraction of the cost back home, and prescription spectacles are very cheap. The local markets are also fantastic and don’t forget to sample feni spirit, made from cashew apples or coconut palm sap.

You can visit historic Old Goa (Panjim), a World Heritage Site, and the 16th century Portuguese fort, Fort Aguda. Take a guided tour of a restored colonial mansion, such as the Palacio do Deao by the Kushavati River in Quepem, and in Loutolim visit the Ancestral Goa Centre (or Big Foot Museum) that has recreated a traditional Goan village to showcase local customs.

Other optional activities include a guided birding nature walk along the mangrove-lined River Sal, or a boat ride to Chorao Island, home to Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Dudhsagar Falls are one of the highest in India and southern Goa has many quiet fishing villages with sandy beaches, temples and waterfalls waiting to be discovered.

Goa is also renowned for its holistic spas and new age treatments, as well as its yoga sessions and fantastic sunsets over the Arabian Sea.

Day 11: Fly Home

Transfer to Goa Airport for your flight home.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, with full board on safari. All transfers are included. International and domestic flights are not included and will be quoted separately.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.