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The
Jungle Experience
 Bandhavgarh
National Park, is unequaled by any other park in India as
far as wildlife sightings are concerned. With a core area
of 105 sq.km. and a buffer zone of 437 sq kms, this reserve
forest is home to leopards, sloth bears, various deer and
wild pigs apart from tigers. In the centre of the park is
a huge granite outcrop that until 1726 housed the great fort
of the Maharaja of Rewa at the top. This magnificent fort
which covered the whole of the plateau is now a deserted ruin
that looks down on the park some 500m below and provides a
fantastic backdrop to the national park.
An
excellent extension of this adventure trip is a visit to Khajuraho
with its world famous temples. The temples of Khajuraho were
built under Chandela kings between 950 and 1050 AD. Only 25
of the original 85 temples are intact and are among the finest
in India. Lost among the forests for centuries, they were
accidentally discovered by a British army engineer in 1838.
The sculptures inside the temples supposedly illustrate the
Kama Sutra and the sensuality outside the temple contrasts
with the serenity within.
BEST
TIME:
NOVEMBER to APRIL
DAY
1 Delhi - Umaria
Transfer to the Delhi train station for train to Umaria. O/n in Train.
DAY
2 Bandhavgarh Jungle Camp
Early
morning arrival at a small village called Umaria. Transfer
to Bandhavgarh Jungle Camp (the Maharajahs Hunting Lodge)
on the border of the Bandhavgarh National Park. After a wash
and breakfast, morning at leisure. After lunch, a jeep safari
into the National Park. The park offers first class game viewing
and is considered one of the best for tigers. Formerly part
of the princely state of Rewa, where the rare white tiger
originated, the forests of Bandhavgarh were protected as a
royal hunting reserve. O/n at Jungle Camp.
Day
3 Bandhavgarh Jungle Camp
Early
morning safari on the elephant, with the guides taking you
on and off the trails in search of game. You then return to
the Camp for a late breakfast. After breakfast Morning at
leisure. After lunch optional afternoon safari which begins
at 15.30 and includes a walk up to the fort. O/n at Jungle
Camp
DAY
4 Bandhavgarh-Khajuraho
In the
morning, another safari into the forest. After breakfast,
set off for the 5 -hour drive to Khajuraho. Check into hotel.
Sunset visit to the Khajuraho temples. Each of the 85 temples
(unfortunately only 25 remain) were constructed of interlocking
pieces of exquisitely carved sandstone, depicting the sensual
nature of the Chandelas' open society. Overnight at hotel.
DAY
5
Transfer
to airport for flight back to Delhi
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