Jan Goldstein and Shereen Arendt
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy The Claridges in central Delhi, or stay at the restored Haveli (Mansion) in Old Delhi.
The remainder of the day and evening will be free for you to enjoy. If staying at the Haveli in Old Delhi, take a glimpse of the Old City from the terrace while enjoying a session of kite flying.
Overnight The Claridges, Delhi
Day 2
Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast, start your Delhi adventure. Visit the capital’s only heritage park, and take the pollinator walk. Learn about the role of birds, small mammals, bees, butterflies, moths, and bumble bees as pollinators, and how you can conserve their habitat. There is an option to dine at a café in the park.
Return to your hotel for rest and leisure time.
If you like, there is also an option to visit the Humayun’s Tomb, a marvelous Mughal architecture. Learn about the water channels and geometric patterns at the garden tomb.
Overnight The Claridges, Delhi
Day 3
Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast, set out for a tour of New Delhi and drive past the India Gate and Government buildings. Visit the rail museum and enjoy a short toy train ride.
Today, you will also visit a school run by an NGO. You will visit the community library at the school and if possible, meet the children and do a read-aloud session, or share about your culture and learn about the culture of the local kids.
Return to your hotel.
Day 4
Delhi – Agra – Chambal
You will be transferred to the railway station to board the express train to Agra.
Upon arrival, visit the Taj Mahal.
Later, you will drive to Chambal (an hour’s drive from Agra) for a three-night stay at Chambal Safari Lodge. It is a comfortable eco-lodge nestled in the wilderness close to the Chambal River.
The remainder of the day is free to get to know the surroundings.
Overnight Mela Kothi Chambal Safari Lodge
Day 5
Chambal
This morning, drive to the national Chambal sanctuary and enjoy the first river safari. Set against a stunning backdrop, framed by the ravines and sandbanks, the calm waters of the Chambal River are best explored on boats. The gentle pace of the River Safari is designed to provide spectacular sightings of the gharials, muggers, and turtles basking in the sun, the many migratory and resident birds, and the occasional glimpse of the Gangetic river dolphins breaking the surface.
In the late afternoon, take an excursion to the ancient settlement of Bateshwar, situated on a crescent bend of the river Yamuna, approximately a 20-minutes drive from the Chambal Safari Lodge. More than 40 temples dedicated to the glory of Shiva glisten pearly white along the ghats of the river. A multitude of architectural styles, time periods, and historical events are reflected in these simple shrines. Witness the sunset and offer an evening prayer at the temple.
Overnight Mela Kothi Chambal Safari Lodge
Day 6
Chambal
Enjoy a river safari in the morning. In the afternoon, take a Jeep safari in a wetland area.
Overnight Mela Kothi Chambal Safari Lodge
Day 7
Chambal – Agra – Jhansi – Panna
This morning you will transfer to the Agra station (1 hr) to board your train to Jhansi. Upon arrival in Jhansi, you will drive to Panna National Park (4 hrs drive). Upon arrival, check-in at the luxurious Pashan Garh or at the eco-luxury accommodation Sarai at Toria.
Overnight Pashan Garh
Day 8
Panna
After a leisurely breakfast, visit India’s first skatepark located in a village! Get a first-hand experience of how the skatepark has empowered the village as you join the village’s kids at the skatepark. Return to your hotel for lunch.
This afternoon, take the first game drive in the emerald forests of Panna National Park.
Overnight Pashan Garh
Day 9
Panna
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to the buffer zone of the forest. Take a walk in the wilderness accompanied by guides from the Pardhi community. Their traditional job was hunting, and now they are being mainstreamed and are part of various conservation programs in the region. As you walk, the guides will share with you their local knowledge and survival tricks of the forest.
Learn to pitch the tents with the nomadic community, and join them in making your picnic lunch in the jungle. This includes collecting firewood, making a stove using stones, and cooking a simple local cuisine. Return to your lodge.
The evening is free for rest and relaxation in the lodge.
Overnight Pashan Garh
Day 10
Panna – Bandhavgarh
Check out from the lodge in Panna, and drive to Bandhavgarh National Park (6-7 hrs). Upon arrival, check in at Taj Safaris Mahua Kothi.
Overnight Mahua Kothi
Day 11
Bandhavgarh
Enjoy a morning safari.
In the afternoon, visit a village to understand the coexistence of human and wild animals. These brave community members share their backyard with the tiger. Listen to their stories over slow fire-cooked food in the jungle, made in the traditional way of the locals.
Return to the lodge, and take a dip in the pool or enjoy the spa before returning to Delhi the next day.
Overnight Mahua Kothi
Day 12
Bandhavgarh – Jabalpur – Delhi
Heading back to Delhi this day, you’ll stay at the Claridges or at an airport hotel for one night, depending on your preference.
Overnight The Claridges
Day 13
Departure
A transfer will be arranged from your hotel to the airport for your onward flight.
