Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Safaris and the Taj Mahal with Three-night Varanasi & the Ganges Extension

Board your overnight flight for the journey to India.

Arrive in Mumbai, India’s largest city and be welcomed by your friendly local tour manager. 

The coach will take you to the first hotel, which is located near Nariman Point and looks out over the Arabian Sea. 

You can spend the rest of the day unwinding, perhaps having a drink in the lounge, with views of Marine Drive, or taking a dip in the swimming pool. 

Dinner will be enjoyed alongside your fellow travellers at the hotel.

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a guided tour of Mumbai, visiting several of the city’s historical and cultural landmarks. Mani Bhavan, a museum, and historical building dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, will be the first stop. Serving as Gandhi’s headquarters for around 17 years, this mansion houses a library, a photo gallery, and a room where Gandhi stayed. You can view his spinning wheel and bed on the floor, as well as the terrace where he was arrested in 1932. 

The Prince of Wales Museum is next, and in this ornate building with detailed lattice work, around 50,000 artefacts documenting the history of India can be found. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formally known as the Victoria Terminus Station, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another striking structure, with its Victorian Gothic Revival architecture built over 10 years. 

As you move on, you'll experience the unique spectacle of Dhobi Ghat, an open-air laundry where skilled dhobis (laundry workers) wash, dry, and press clothes in a traditional manner. Originally constructed in 1890, the site is made up of more than 700 washing stations and from the sides, you can observe the massive scale of this age-old practice. The day’s exploration ends at the Gateway of India, a grand arch monument located on the waterfront of the city. It was constructed to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911 and served as the exit point for the last British troops leaving India. 

The evening is yours to enjoy at your own pace before joining the travellers for dinner. 

Following breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel to the airport for your flight to Nagpur, also called the ‘Tiger Capital of India’ as it connects many tiger reserves in the country to the world. It’s also known as the ‘Orange City’ due to its citrus fruit production. You’ll then leave the bustling city and head for the tranquil wilderness of Pench National Park, the Indian jungle that inspired the setting of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. 

Upon arrival at the resort set within the jungle, you’ll check in and get settled, perhaps enjoying a drink on your private veranda. In the evening, a local naturalist will give a fascinating ‘tiger talk’. This briefing will introduce you to the ecosystem of the park, shedding light on the diverse flora and fauna and its conservation efforts 

Dinner will then be served before you fall asleep to the sounds of the surrounding nocturnal animals. 

Wake early this morning and board a Jeep for a safari in the wilderness of Pench National Park, an opportunity to explore the untamed landscapes alongside your knowledgeable naturalist guide. 

As the sun rises over the treetops, you’ll set off to witness the park’s incredible biodiversity. Keep your eyes peeled for the Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, jackals, wild dogs, and hyenas that call Pench home. Your naturalist will share their expertise, providing insights into the behaviour, habitats, and unique characteristics of the animals you encounter. 

Breakfast will then be served back at the lodge followed by some time to relax, perhaps by the swimming pool before lunch. 

In the afternoon, you’ll gear up for a safari, another chance to spot more animals on your wish-list and survey more of the prey-rich woodlands and 300 bird species that live around the Pench River. 

This evening, dinner will be enjoyed again at the camp’s restaurant.

Have breakfast, check out of the camp and travel to a different nature reserve, Kanha National Park, which also has ties to The Jungle Book and is known for its significant population of Bengal tigers. 

You’ll arrive at the lodge, set on the edge of the park, settle in, and enjoy some lunch. 

In the afternoon, enjoy your first safari with a naturalist. Kanha National Park's diverse landscapes offer different opportunities for wildlife sightings, ensuring that no two safaris are the same. 

As evening approaches, you’ll take a leisurely walk around the resort's surroundings, accompanied by the expertise of several naturalists. Their knowledge of the local flora and fauna will enhance your nature-inspired exploration. 

When the day comes to a close, you’ll join your fellow travellers for dinner. 

Enjoy an easy-going start to the day with breakfast, lunch and plenty of time at leisure. If you'd prefer to relax, spend some time by the poolside or at the wellness centre. Later on, embark on a cultural excursion as you visit a nearby tribal village. Here, you'll have the chance to interact with the locals and observe their way of life, traditions, and customs. 

This afternoon, head out in Kanha National Park in the company of your experienced naturalist guide for a thrilling Jeep safari. While the sun illuminates the dense forests and sprawling grassland, you can look out for the park’s inhabitants, including tigers, leopards, herds of deer, jackals, sloth bears, and an array of colourful bird species.

As the sun sets on another day of adventuring, you’ll return to the lodge for dinner.

Breakfast will be early again as you’ll be packing up and travelling to Bandhavgarh National Park. During this journey, you’ll witness the transition from Kanha's lush forests to the rugged terrain that characterises Bandhavgarh. This biodiverse park and former royal hunting ground is known for having the highest density of Bengal tigers in India. 

You’ll check into a resort near the park, which blends into the natural backdrop, and after lunch, have the opportunity to partake in an assortment of in-house activities. Choose from bird-watching and guided nature walks or watch a ‘tiger talk’ led by knowledgeable experts and learn about how white tigers were first discovered in the park in 1951. 

Alternatively, you might choose to simply relax by the swimming pool, or on your private sundeck bounded by jungle scenery. Dinner will also be served at the lodge’s open-air multi-cuisine restaurant. 

Today will unfold with an early morning safari in Bandhavgarh National Park, guided by an expert naturalist. 

As dawn breaks, you’ll venture into the jungle in search of the reserve’s most elusive residents while the naturalist shares their expertise. Traverse rocky hills, bamboo forests, expansive grasslands and verdant waterholes, spotting mammals, like four-horned antelope and wild boar, and the varied assortment of birdlife, such as hornbills and peacocks. 

Back at the resort, you’ll have breakfast and some time to recharge before lunch and a second-afternoon safari to witness more of its inhabitants. 

In the evening, join everyone at the lodge’s restaurant and share your wildlife sightings from the day over dinner. 

Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll check out of the lodge and take a scenic drive to Khajuraho, a historic town famed for its three complexes of UNESCO-listed temples. 

Upon arriving at the refined hotel, there’ll be some time to refresh before heading out on an excursion to explore these exquisite structures, adorned with intricate and alluring sculptures. 

Constructed between 950AD and 1050AD and representing two separate religions, this ancient site encompasses around 22 of the original 85 structures. The temples are split into three main groups, with the western group being the most well-known and including the Temple of Kandariya, one of the greatest masterpieces of Indian art, as well as the granite Chaunsat Yogini Temple. 

As you’re led around, the guide will describe how the complex was forgotten and overgrown by the jungle until a British engineer discovered the existence of them in 1838. You’ll also learn about the history, mythology, and artistry that define these remarkable buildings. 

The group will then return to the hotel for dinner in the evening. 

Enjoy breakfast, check out and board the coach for a journey to the ancient city of Jhansi in the region of Bundelkhand. On the way, you’ll stop for lunch in Orchha, a town steeped in history and known for its impressive forts, elegant palaces, and beautiful architecture. If time permits, you can experience an orientation tour, learning about its royal past and soaking up the old-world charm. 

Following the visit to Orchha, continue to Jhansi, where you'll board a train bound for Agra, on the banks of the Yamuna River. This journey along the tracks is the perfect way to take in the Indian countryside. 

From the train station in Agra, you’ll be driven to the hotel, a comfortable retreat amid the city’s vibrant atmosphere. 

Dinner will be served at the hotel, perhaps followed by a drink at the bar. 

Have breakfast and then venture on an excursion to the royal pavilions, palaces, and courtyards of the majestic, red sandstone Agra Fort. From this 16th-century fortress set on the Yamuna River, you’ll experience your first view of the incomparable Taj Mahal and its gardens. 

Explore the intricate maze of structures within the fort as you learn about how it served as the residence of Mughal emperors for over three centuries. This UNESCO-World Heritage Site was constructed in the 16th century by Emperor Akbar and later expanded by his successors. 

The afternoon will then be free to return to the hotel and relax or embark on some self-exploration around Agra, perhaps shopping in the markets or seeking out more of the sights. 

When dusk comes around, the group will continue to the Taj itself, and you’ll get to see the famed monument of eternal love up close, glistening, and golden as the sun sets. This ivory-white marble mausoleum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, encircled by expansive Mughal gardens, is one of the greatest architectural achievements and a wish-list spectacle. Completed in 1648 and built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, it’s renowned for its Mughal design and elements, including a central dome, minarets, and reflecting pool. 

Later in the evening, you’ll return to the hotel for dinner. 

Choose to return to the Taj Mahal at dawn, a time of day when its façade transforms into a pinkish shade while the sun rises. The contrasting shadows and light cast across the monument and the enclosing grounds is an incredible sight. 

Back at the hotel, you’ll check out and board the coach for Delhi. From here, you’ll be transferred to the airport with a stop at the Lotus Temple, a Bahá'í House of Worship. Renowned for its unique lotus flower-inspired design, this temple, ringed by beautiful gardens, is open to people of all faiths, religions, and backgrounds. 

From Delhi airport, you’ll fly to the sacred city of Varanasi, located on the banks of the River Ganges.  

Upon arrival, travel to your hotel and settle in before heading to the ghats this evening to witness the Aarti ceremony. This daily ritual takes place at sunset along the banks of the River Ganges, where priests perform a traditional prayer involving lighted lamps, chanting, and music. The ceremony is an important part of Hindu worship and offers an insight into the spiritual life of Varanasi. 

Wake up in Varanasi and make your way to the banks of the Ganges for a boat ride downstream. Here, under the rising sun, you’ll experience this sacred river and its idyllic surrounding landscapes at their most serene. Pass the city’s riverside ghats, which number 84 in total, and learn about their use in religious ceremonies. As the city rises from its sleep, you’ll enjoy a snapshot of life in Varanasi. 

Return to the hotel for a late breakfast and a few hours to relax before heading back into the heart of the city. Begin at the Benaras Hindu Campus, one of India’s finest universities. This grand building, founded in 1916 by Annie Besant, a key proponent for Indian independence, has since become a major research centre.  

Continue to Shri Viswanath Mandir, a major temple and shrine for Indian Hindus, where you’ll learn more about the religious history and the faiths that coexist in Varanasi. Your final stop, the Sankat Mochan Temple, worships the monkey god, Hanuman, and showcases Uttar Pradesh’s traditional Hindu architecture. 

Sarnath, a popular Buddhist pilgrimage spot on the outskirts of Varanasi, will be the backdrop for the afternoon’s exploration. Join a friendly local guide for a tour of the town’s assorted stupas, temples, and ruins. Learn about the region’s colourful history with a stop at the Sarnath Museum, which showcases a vast collection of archaeological finds and Buddhist relics.  

After some time to explore the town’s rich Buddhist heritage, return to Varanasi and unwind. 

Enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure before your afternoon flight back to Delhi. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for a final night in India.

After breakfast, travel to Delhi airport for a day flight back to the UK.