Duration : 7 Days
Places Covered : Delhi - Nagpur - Pench - Kanha - Nagpur
- Delhi
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.
