BOUTIQUE RAJASTHAN & TIGERS

Arrive

Day 1 Arrive Delhi

Arrive into Delhi from your international flight, where you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel. The Manor is an award-winning boutique hotel in the New Friends Colony, an affluent neighbourhood in South Delhi. There are 14 beautifully designed rooms in a fifties modernist construction, softened by surrounding greenery and an interior with a country-house palette of beige and caramel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: The Manor

Day 2 Explore the capital

Your private guide and driver will be at your disposal all day for a guided tour of Old and New Delhi. New Delhi's sights include Lutyens' Delhi, where the government buildings are found, as well as Humayun's Tomb (a red sandstone predecessor of the Taj Mahal) and the Mughal victory tower, the Qutb Minar. Late afternoon, return to The Manor to freshen up for a delicious meal at the hotel.

Overnight: The Manor

Day 3 Fly to Jodhpur

After a relaxing night's sleep and sumptuous breakfast, you will be met and driven to the airport for part two of your Indian adventure. Fly to Jodhpur, just one hour west, and transfer to your hotel. The Raas is nestled at the foot of Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort and right at the heart of the main bazaar; the fantastic location is complemented by chic, stylish accommodation. Enjoy the incredible sound of morning and evening prayers, a soul-stirring reminder that you are in the very heart of Rajasthan.

Overnight: RAAS

Day 4 Guided sightseeing in Jodhpur

Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Jodhpur alone. You are within walking distance of the spectacular Mehrangarh Fort, which is well worth a visit. Meander through the many streets, shop for trinkets and traditional goods, and sample the delicious street food before returning to your accommodation for a refreshing swim and early evening drinks on the terrace.

Overnight: RAAS

Day 5 Train to Jaipur

Rise early and collect your breakfast box before transferring to the station for your early departure to Jaipur. With a journey time of around four and a half hours, enjoy watching the scenery roll by as you travel through rural India's villages and towns. On arrival in the Pink City, you will be transferred to wonderful heritage property Dera Mandawa and welcomed by Durga Singh and his wife for your traditional home-stay experience.

Overnight: Dera Mandawa

Day 6 Pink City and Elephant Safari

Today your driver and guide are at your disposal. In the morning you will visit the magnificent Amber Palace. Capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs until 1727, this fort is situated a little way out of Jaipur and there are great views of the temples of Amber village from the top. Spend some time walking through the city's winding streets and visit one or two of its Hindu temples. Back in Jaipur itself, you will discover the treasures of the City Palace, which has a wonderful, intricate facade and houses an important museum as well as the fascinating Jantar Mantar (observatory). Early evening, you will be driven to Dera Amer for an evening with Udaijit Singh - a safari with his wonderful elephants and a delicious private dinner.

Overnight: Dera Mandawa

Day 7 Back to Delhi

Following a wonderful stay with Durga and his wife in the Pink City, transfer to Jaipur Airport for your short flight to Delhi. On arrival, you will travel by car the short distance to The Trident Hotel in Gurgaon for a convenient one night stop before you embark on your safari adventure.

Overnight: Trident Gurgaon

Day 8 Travel into Bandhavgarh

Rise early for your Jet Airways flight to Jabalpur. Your private driver will meet and transfer you by road to Samode Safari Lodge in Bandhavgarh National Park - a fascinating journey into the wilderness of around six hours. Here you are in the heart of India, where the density of tigers is the highest in the world. Cradled by the Vindhya Mountains of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park is justly described by the guidebooks as a 'new park with an old history'. Although the tigers are hard to spot, you can be sure of spotting lots of other animals and birds. Enjoy an afternoon game drive and an evening to relax.

Overnight: Samode Safari Lodge

Day 9 - 10 Tiger Safari

Enjoy two full days with two game drives per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Time around the game drives is at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the surrounding area of towering ancient trees and a captivating chorus from the birds and wildlife. Listen to calls from the jungle fowl and watch sounders of wild boar in the open meadows. Dine on delicious cuisine taken around the campfire, enjoy alfresco showers, and retreat to little nooks and crannies where you can scour nature books and photos hanging on the wall.

Overnight: Samode Safari Lodge

Day 11 Kanha National Park

Today leave Bandhavgarh behind and travel south for around five hours to Kanha National Park. This is The Jungle Book - lush sal and bamboo forest, grassy meadows and 'Sunset Point', where one can enjoy the most awe-inspiring backdrop of a sunset, which magnifies the natural splendour of the area. Enjoy three nights with Karan Modi and his wife as they host you in their delightful lodge. If you arrive early enough, enjoy an afternoon safari and an evening at leisure.

Overnight: Flame of the Forest

Day 12 - 13 Wildlife and village life

Rise early each morning to see the park at its most active. Keep your eyes peeled for elusive tigers as well as a vast array of other wonderful animals and birds. You may wish to venture out on foot with one of the lodge owners who will take you into the buffer zone to closely study pug marks. There are also intriguing rural villages nearby, bicycles to borrow and a plateau to visit where you can relax with sun downers before taking a steady stroll back to the lodge for a delicious home-cooked dinner.

Overnight: - Flame of the Forest

Day 14 Depart for home

Today, you will leave the national park behind and travel back to Jabalpur for your flight to Delhi and your onward flight.

Depart