1st Day : Arrival at Delhi
DELHI the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis
with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction
to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope -
that is India.
Overnight at hotel.
2nd Day : Delhi - Nagpur
By Air , Nagpur- Pench by road 92 kms/2 hr, Breakfast will
be at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Nagpur. On arrival in Nagpur,
we will drive to Pench Tiger Reserve (92 kilometers; 3-hour drive). We will
check into our resort for One nights. Later in the afternoon we will have our
first safari to the core area of Pench National Park.
Pench National Park is situated in the Seoni District of Southern Madhya Pradesh
and runs in continuation with Pench National Park in Maharashtra. It is situated
80 Kms from Nagpur. (2 hours of drive) and is well connected by an all weather
metalloid road network to other important places in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The nearest railhead of Nagpur (80 Kms.) serves as a comfortable air and railhead.
Recently in 1992, Pench has been included under the umbrella of "Project
Tiger "as the19th Project Tiger Reserve.
A total of 758 Sq. kms of this Southern Indian tropical moist deciduous forest
has its extent mingling with the tropical dry deciduous teak. The area is crisscrossed
by a number of streams and 'nallahs' most of which are seasonal. Though the
Pench River dries up in April end, a number of water pools locally known as
'dohs' are found which serve as water holes for the wild animals. The Pench
Reservoirat the center of the park is the only major water source during the
pinch period.
It is blessed with forests spread in all the direction. As per the physiognomy,
the forest type is southern tropical dry deciduous teak and southern tropical
mixed deciduous forest with other species of shrubs, trees and climbers. Teak
and its associates moyan, mahua, mokha, skiras, tendu, bija, achar, garari,
aonla, ghont, baranga, amaltas, kihamali, khair, palas. Bamboo occurs sparsely,
restricted to some valley.
As a prey concentration is high along the Pench River, tiger usually inhabits
frequents this belt. Leopards though generally operate in the peripheral areas
but are occasionally seen in the deep forest also. Jungle cats are commonly
seen. Leopard cats, small Indian civets and palm civets are common but seen
rarely.
In Pench, Cheetal, Sambar, nilgai are commonly seen grazing on the open sites
on roadsides and banks of river & reservoir. Jackals can be seen in search
of food anywhere in the Park. Packs up to 15 of wild dog can be seen near Chhedia,
Jamtara, Bodanala and Pyorthadi areas of the Reserve. Herds of gaur can be spotted
near streams and bamboo patches commonly in summer months. Sloth beer occupy
hilly, rocky out crops and favour mahul bel infested forest. Chnkara is present
in very small numbers and is found in open areas around Turia, Telia and Dudhgaon
villages.
Langoors are very common in Pench, whereas the Rhesus monkeys may be seen occasionally
on the fringes. Pench boasts of, more than 210 species of birds that include
several migratory ones also. Commonly seen are Peafowl, Red jungle fowl, Crow
pheasant, Crimson breasted barbet, Redvented bulbul, Racket tailed drongo, Magpie
robin And lesser whistling teal.
3rd Day : Pench - Kanha (By Road 250 Kms/4 hr)
In the morning go for a game drive with packed breakfast. Explore the areas
around the submergence zone, go boating on the Pench river. Simultaneously,
elephants will be used to track the tigers. When an elephant manages to spot
a tiger, you will mount the elephant and be taken to the area where the tiger
has been found.
In Afternoon drive to Kanha.
This is the place that has been described by RUDYARD KIPLING in his great book
"The Jungle Book". Located in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh,
Kanha National Park is a tiger reserve that extends over an area of over 940
square km. A horseshoe shaped valley bounded by the spurs of the Mekal presents
an interesting topography. Steep rocky escarpments along the edges offer breathtaking
views of the valley. Realizing the danger on the Tiger population in the country,
the Government started the "Project Tiger" at Kanha and in 1974 the
area was declared a Tiger reserve. The park is also the habitat of the high
ground Barasingha.
In 1930s, the Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries - Hallon and Banjar
of 250kms to 300kms each. Though one of these was subsequently disbanded .The
area remained a protected one until 1947. Depletion of the tiger population
in the year that followed led to the area being made an absolute sanctuary in
1952.
Patient watching should reward the visitor, with a sight of Indian Fox, Sloth
bear, Striped hyena, Jungle cut, Lepord, Mouse Deer, Chausingha or four horned
antelope, Nilgai, Ratel and Porcupine Kanha has some 200 species of birds. Watchers
should station themselves in the hills, where the mixed and bamboo forests harbour
many species and in the grassy forest clearings. Water birds can be seen near
the park`s many rivulets and at Sarvantal, a pool that is frequented by water
birds and the area in front of the museum.
Excursion to Kawardha just east of the Maikala Range (up to 1100m) to the south
east of Kanha National Park, Kawardha is a small town in Chhattisgarh (34 forts)
region of M.P. In this remote area Maharaja Viswaraj Singh has recently opened
his palace to visitors. It provides a delightfully quite unspoiled contrast
with India`s big cities and with the much busier tourist circuit of Rajasthan`s
and palace circuit,This town is in the center of the Baiga tribe, who live in
forest surrounding the town, and these are several eleventh century temples
in the immediate region.
Reach in the afternoon and relax at the resort.
Overnight will be at the Kanha Resort.
4th Day : Kanha
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Proceed for full day game viewing inside the jungle. (Two safaris with lunch
break in-between) Overnight will be at the resort.
5th Day : Kanha
Morning walking safari (12kms), escorted by a forest guide and the hotel staff.
You will enjoy an approximately 3 hour walk inside the park, with a packed breakfast.
Return to the lodge for lunch. Afternoons depart for Kanha (4 hrs). On arrival
in Kanha, check into your hotel.
Overnight in Kanha.
6th Day : Kanha- Nagpur
By Road 280 kms/6hr
After breakfast drive to Nagpur. Reach and check into hotel and relax after
a long journey. Overnight at hotel in Nagpur.
7th Day : Nagpur/Delhi
By Flight
After Breakfast Transfer to Airport for connecting flight to Delhi. On arrival
check into hotel and relax. In afternoon go for an extensive sightseeing tour
of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun`s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a
drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament
House, the President`s Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic
Enclave. In evening go for shopping.
In late evening departure to Airport for onward destination.
