February, March, April & November
Straight out of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’, Central India’s finest national parks, including Kanha and Pench offer some of the best photo opportunities for wildlife buffs. In Assam, we visit the Kaziranga sanctuary, home to the critically endangered one-horned rhinoceros, in one of the most stunning natural surroundings anywhere in the world. Next you will travel to Dibrugarh and stay in heritage bungalows amidst rolling tea gardens. Fly back to Delhi and drive to Agra, home to the stunning Taj Mahal.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
• Visit two Project tiger national parks in central India – Kanha and Pench with less tourism pressure.
• Elephant safari in Kaziranga to get up close to one horned rhino’s
• Long distance transportation in comfortable Vehicles
• Stay in certified eco-friendly lodges, with all modern comforts
• Visit the tea gardens and tea factory in Dibrugarh
• Stunning views of the Taj Mahal
• Experience the colonial splendour of life of Tea Planter
• Experience of a Tea Tasting session
• Enjoy a local dance performance.
• Spend a day out on one of the numerous islands of River Brahmaputra, the 2nd longest and one of the least polluted rivers in the world
Bagh Van Lodge means “Tiger forest Lodge†in native language. At a 5-minute drive from the entrance of the Reserve at Turia, the lodge It is hidden away amongst the thickly wooded banks of a seasonal stream. There are 12 cottages which blend the charm of the old forest rest houses with modern conveniences. Each unit in the cottage is completely independent with bedroom, bathroom and verandah designed to blend into the environment and enhance one's sense of being in the wilderness. Yet the entire design as also the operation of the lodge is focused around eco-friendly practices – harvesting of rainwater, recycling liquid waste and careful disposal of waste. The main dining and lounge area is a pleasant blend of open and enclosed spaces, admitting light and air into an atmosphere of warmth and conviviality. The lodge is designed as the perfect base from which to explore the jungles and learn about its inhabitants. The Lodge naturalists can organize apart from game drives - elephant rides, boat-rides on the Pench reservoir to observe birds and wildlife along the banks, guided nature walks in the reserve forest, picnics in quiet and lovely locations, visits to the local villages and colourful haat bazaars.
Hotel DetailsSituated on the periphery of UNESCO World Heritage site - The Kaziranga National park - Diphlu River Lodge provides guests with a never-before intimacy with the natural world. Established in 2008, the lodge was purposely built to blend into the surrounding foliage and terrain. Its thatch-and-bamboo cottages on stilts are inspired by the simple architecture of Mishing tribal homes and the unique weaves and artifacts that adorn the lodge are handmade by local artisans. There are 8 individual cottages and 4 semi-detached cottages. The raised cottages are made of natural materials like bamboo and wood, topped with thatched roofs to blend in with the forest surroundings. The large verandah offers some great views and is the perfect place to watch for birds or to scan the opposite bank for wild animals. The smaller verandah overlooks lovingly tended farmland and is an appealing location for al fresco breakfasts.
Hotel DetailsIORA the retreat is situated amidst the lush tree gardens. It is a luxury resort which preserves the tranquillity of the region and provides comfortable and modern accommodation. It has 42 spacious rooms, landscaped gardens and a small tea garden. Other facilities include a swimming pool, a spa and a multicuisine restaurant. The hotel organises elephant rides, jeep safari, bird watching, cycling and dolphin sighting on the Brahmaputra river.
Hotel DetailsJamtara Wilderness Camp gets its name from the village Jamtara. It has 10 luxury tents in the heart of rural Pench. Each tent overlooks thick lush forest and has ample light. The rooms are tented however the bathrooms are permanent structures so that guest can be comfortable. The camp provides the experience of a star bed or machaans under the starry sky for those who wish to sleep in the open. Each bed can accommodate two and is fitted with mosquito netting. The camp organises game drives and nature walks.
Hotel DetailsKipling Camp was established in 1982 on the edge of Kanha Tiger Reserve in Central India. Managed and owned by Belinda and Anne Wright, Kipling Camp serves to follow the policy of conservation and believes in the motto of treading softly into the jungle. Kipling Camp offers 14 double rooms in cottages under shades of trees with a lake close by. The camp is open to naturalists, conservationists and those who wish to relax in idyllic surroundings. It is also the home of TARA, the much-loved elephant who starred in Mark Shand's best selling epic "My Travels on an Elephant". Kipling Camp is a simple and comfortable resort offering enjoyable stay and nourishing cuisine.
Hotel DetailsThe Mancotta Tea Estate is set in the outskirts of Dibrugarh, in Upper Assam. This iconic bungalow is built on stilts and showcases the colonial tea bungalow architecture to perfection. These structures, supported by stilts, are called "chang ghars" in the local dialect and the present-day name of the "Mancotta Chang Bungalow" is derived thus. This bungalow has a unique and rather interesting feature of not having used any iron nails in its flooring. All the nails are made of wood and are believed to have been handcrafted by traditional Chinese artisans. Surrounded on all sides by the tea gardens, this bungalow encapsulates the serene, simple, yet utterly comfortable lifestyle of a tea estate manager. The bungalow no doubt served for decades as the superintending managers' official residence but in the year 2001 was converted into a heritage property for tourists to Upper Assam to enable them to get a feel of the life in an estate away from the hustle bustle of a busy and hectic city life.
Hotel DetailsThe Oberoi Grand, fondly referred as the 'Grande Dame of Chowringhee' offers the ultimate classical residence in the City of Joy. Standing stately for over 125 years, The Oberoi Grand combines classic victorian architecture and charm with state of the art amenities and facilities, offering our guests an oasis of tranquillity amidst this bustling city. Located in the heart of the commercial and administrative hub of Kolkata, this heritage hotel features elegantly appointed rooms, award winning restaurants and exclusive spa and fitness centre. Personalised, efficient and unobtrusive service combined with the unique luxury offering makes The Oberoi Grand the preferred hotel for travellers on leisure and business alike.
Hotel DetailsA heaven for the nature junkie…Absolutely the most extraordinary bed in Pench. Up in the branches of the tree of 40 acres of private jungle, Pench tree lodge has only six massive tree houses, clock in at 700 square feet each, 5m off the ground in all their luxurious glory. Beautiful four poster beds and spacious outdoor porches frame the Jungle surrounds with poetic aplomb and privacy is tantamount. In addition, there are 6 resplendent cottages around a water body. They are large and spacious and can accommodate a family. These tree houses merge so perfectly into the greenery that they stay hidden until you are almost at the bottom of the wooden stairs leading up to the door of your room. There's plenty of space inside with a sleeping and living area, and glass doors leading to a balcony from your bedroom and en-suite shower room, so you can bathe with the sound of the wind blowing through the leaves and view of the jungle. Back down on terra firma the main dining area is overlooking a water hole and has a swimming pool under huge manhua tree. The food is delicious, and the setting is perfect! The lodge can organize nature walks, bird watching and cycling trips.
Hotel DetailsShergarh is located four kilometres from the Mukki entrance to the reserve and accommodates up to 12 guests in six cozy tents, each with its own bathroom and verandah. Tents are set amongst woodland and specifically placed to give privacy from one another. Meals are served in the dining area, a homely room that provides the ideal setting for swapping stories around an open fire, or place to relax quietly with a book. Deep, lazy verandahs surround the building, and overlook a large waterhole that attracts an array of bird life. As a small camp, they are entirely flexible to attend to all their guest's needs and specific areas of interest, such as bird watching, photography, filmmaking and artistry, and research projects. The camp staff is well tuned to wildlife enthusiasts and visitors incorporating a safari experience within their cultural exploration of India. Apart from Wildlife safari one can also go cycling through the forest for a swim in the Banjar river which is a satisfying activity for the warmer months - rewarded with afternoon tea on the rocks; visiting a local village on market day is a unique opportunity to experience traditional trading and bustling rural life, enjoying a riverside picnic en-route.
Hotel DetailsThe Singinawa Jungle Lodge is located 20 minutes' drive from the Mukki Gate of the Park. The lodge is spread across 110 acres, of which 55 acres have been regrown and maintained to ensure diversity as well as richness. There are 12 cottages, one bungalow with four and another one with two bedrooms at Singinawa Jungle Lodge, totalling 18 two-bedroom living units. All the rooms are airy and large, with verandas where you can laze under a sun umbrella. They are all air-conditioned with two queen-size beds each, so that a family of four can be accommodated quite comfortably. There's plenty of room for an extra bed, and each cottage has two washbasins to manage the morning safari rush. The lodge also has a spa with Indian & Oriental treatments for holistic healing.
Hotel DetailsMuch simpler than the five star hotels is the Fairlawn with only 21 rooms furnished traditionally in Raj style. It is well located for sightseeing and full of character. Dine in the restaurant or take tea on the lawn surrounded by the pretty gardens, either way, you can absorb the timeless atmosphere. For 218 years Fairlawn has stood on the junction of Madge Lane and Sudder Street, the heart of the most cosmopolitan and vibrant area of the city and within two minutes walks from the famous New Market area. The hotel is defined by its idiosyncrasies. Colonial charm and décor and a potpourri of styles ranging from it's past, combined with modern facilities and home comforts mark the place as unique. Sitting in the lush greenery of the garden or on the terraces, one can easily drift off to any period in the last 200 years, the props are all around you, and they are the real thing too.
Hotel DetailsTrident Gurgaon is a five-star hotel for business as well as leisure travellers. It is conveniently located and is about 15 minutes' drive from the International airport on the Delhi to Jaipur highway and 25 minutes' drive from downtown New Delhi. Set in seven acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, the hotel has an imposing yet serene presence, a resort-like ambience. It is characterised by domes, long walkways, inner courtyards, reflection pools and fountains. The hotel has 136 rooms, which includes a presidential suite and six executive suites, overlooking the garden, courtyards and pools.
Hotel Details