Today you arrive in Delhi where you are met and escorted to your home for the next two nights, the Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla. This 208-room luxury hotel stands tall amidst of commercial and entertainment hubs of South Delhi. The elegant guestrooms offer free morning newspaper, DVD player, color television, work desk, dual line telephone, wired and wireless internet connection, tea/coffee maker. The hotel’s dining options satisfies your taste with scrumptious variety of Indian and international cuisines at these restaurants: Overnight at the CROWNE PLAZA NEW DELHI OKHLA. http://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/newdelhi/ndeol/hoteldetail

Spend today acclimating yourself to your new time zone and exploring one of the most fascinating cities in the world. India’s capital and political hub is an ancient city that has something for everyone. Settled seven times over the centuries, the city has grown in a way that reflects its past, while retaining its cosmopolitan flavor. Delhi is India’s showcase, be it architecture, religion, shopping, culture – everything is available here waiting to be discovered.

Venture off to Old Delhi for a visit to Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000. Visit one of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal Architecture, the Lal Quila or the Red Fort. Built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the Red Fort has walls extending up to 1.3 miles in length with the height varying from 59 feet on the river side to 108 feet on the city side. Old Delhi is also home to the Raj Ghat, the memorial site and last resting place of Mahatma Gandhi who was cremated here on January 31, 1950 following his assassination the day before. The memorial stone is a simple square platform made of black stone, where a commemorative ceremony takes place every Friday.

Next, drive past the Red Fort, once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal Empire. The main entrance to the fort is the Lahore Gate, named so for facing towards Lahore in Pakistan. Delhi Gate is similar to Lahore but grander in design and the gate was used by the emperor every Friday for ceremonial processions to the Jama Masjid.

Qutub Minar is another interesting visit, whose superb buildings date from the onset of Islamic rule in India. The Qutub Minar itself is a soaring 240-ft high tower of victory that was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. At its base is Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid (Might of Islam Mosque), India’s first. An inscription over the mosque’s eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing 27 “idolatrous” (read Hindu) temples. A 23-ft high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque and it’s said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it, your wish will be unfulfilled; however, the pillar is now protected by a fence.

Visit Humayun’s Tomb, built in the mid-16th century by the senior wife of the second Mughal emperor – the first significant example of Mughal architecture in India, and one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. The elements of its design are echoed in the later Taj Mahal. It comprises a squat building with high arched entrances topped by a bulbous dome and surrounded by formal gardens. Found at the gardens are the red-and-white sandstone and black-and-yellow marble tomb of Humayun’s wife and, somewhat surprisingly, the tomb of Humayun’s barber. Overnight at the CROWNE PLAZA NEW DELHI OKHLA.

Wake up early this morning for your flight to Jabalpur and proceed on a drive to Bandhavgarh, a wildlife retreat where history and nature meet. Set amidst the Vindhyan Mountain Range in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh National Park is home to the famous white tigers of Rewa. The prominent ones captured in the park include the legendary white tiger called Mohan, who supposedly fathered several offspring found in zoos the world over. Bandhavgarh’s history goes back 2,000 years and the earliest signs of habitation can be seen in the caves excavated from the cliffs to the north of the fort. Brahmi inscription here dates back to the 1st century BC. In more recent times, the park was a hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa, where an alarming number of tigers were hunted down in pre-independence India. Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968 and the tigers are now protected. The landscape is a unique mixture of steep and rocky hills, with flat tops and level grasslands in the valleys below. The vegetation found within the park is moist deciduous forest with fine sal trees and stretches of bamboo. Today, the sanctuary is one of the best places to witness the tiger in action, and has the highest density of tiger population in any wildlife park in the country. Other wild animals in Bandhavagarth are nilgai, chital, chinkara, gaur, sloth bear and wild boar along with some 250 species of birds.

Jungle safaris are conducted by jeep. It is advisable to go on every possible safari, because a tiger sighting is never guaranteed and no sighting is the same. In addition, Bandhavgarh is famous for the archaeological remains of the Kalchuri period that have been found here. Baghela Museum houses the private collection of the Maharajah of Rewa and the stuffed body of Mohan, the first tiger found in the park in 1951. In addition, there is a unique collection of military weapons and other hunting materials on display.

Rustic ambience is the main attraction of the Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge, which is themed after a typical Indian village. The lodge comprises 15 spacious mud huts with thatched roofs, an inner courtyard, and a 4-room house with basic modern facilities, including attached bath, running hot and cold water showers, toilet and comfortable furniture. A large thatched dining room serves Indian and Continental cuisine. The estate has a meadow that attracts deer after sunset. One can take a convenient walk in the reserve’s forest for bird watching, as the entire place is flourishing with fruit-trees. As darkness falls, in the peace and tranquility of the night and under the wonderful canopy of stars, you can hear various animals call, including the alarm call of the deer, the howling of jackals or the occasional roar of a tiger. Overnights at BANDHAVGARH JUNGLE LODGE. http://www.bandhavgarhjunglelodge.com/about-us.html

Begin your long drive to Khajuraho, situated in the northernmost part of Madhya Pradesh. The name Khajuraho is derived from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree), which is grown abundantly in the region. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and then embark on a tour of the Eastern group of Temples. Khajuraho is famous for its enchanting temples, considered the “high point” of Indian architectural genius in the medieval period. Originally there were 85 temples, of which only 22 still exist. The amazingly short span of 100 years, from 950 AD – 1050 AD, saw the completion of all the temples in an inspired burst of creativity. With the wane of the Chandela Empire, these magnificent temples lay neglected and vulnerable to the ravages of nature. It was only in this past century that they were rediscovered, restored, and granted the recognition that they justly deserve.

The temples are now a world heritage site and belong not just to India but to the world and are some of the best-preserved monuments of this antiquity. Most of the temples are built of sandstone in varying shades of buff, pink or pale yellow, and each belongs to a different sect – the Shiva, Vaishnava or Jaina Sects. However, they are often indistinguishable from one another to the untrained eye. The roofs are a series of graded peaks that resemble a mountain range and in all probability, represent the possibility of higher levels of spiritual attainment. Erotic scenes represent a relatively small part of the carvings but sensuous eroticism prevails throughout all of the sculptures. In general, lower indulgences appear lower on the temple while the deities appear near the top. The goddesses and gods represent the many manifestations of the divine Shakti and Shiva, the female and male principles, the Yin and the Yang. The divine sculptures in these temples are a tribute to life itself, embodying everything that is sublime and spontaneous about it. Popularly known as the 10th century temples, they represent a time frame when Khajuraho art was at its zenith.

Situated close to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Temples, the hotel offers a relaxing atmosphere and all the modern amenities. Relax at the spa, enjoy a delicious meal at the restaurant and a cool drink at the bar, access the business center, or just catch up with your email with the free Wi-Fi in all the public areas. Overnight at the RADISSON HOTEL KHAJURAHO. https://www.radisson.com/khajuraho-hotel-in/indkhaj/

Your drive takes you to the palaces and Orchaa which are of impressive size and there are pleasant views of the countryside from their upper levels. Continue with your drive to Jhansi where you board the Taj Express to Agra. Your rail journey is part of a chain of fast, intercity trains that link major cities and offer facilities for quick and comfortable travel.

Arrive in Agra this evening where you are transferred to your hotel for the next two nights. The Double Tree by Hilton Agra is located in the heart of the city center and offers panoramic views of the Taj Mahal from the pool area. Enjoy modern comfort in your garden, pool or city view room, and fine dining in one of the four stylish food and beverage outlets offering cuisines from around the globe. In the evening, enjoy live music and cultural performances in the inviting courtyard. The hotel offers a 24-hour fitness center and a sparkling outdoor pool, as well as a spa. Overnight at the DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON AGRA. http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/india/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-agra-AGRDTDI/index.html

Perhaps no other historical monument has evoked as much awareness and admiration from tourists and travelers alike as the magnificent Taj Mahal – fondly considered the ultimate requiem of love, from a great Mughal Emperor to his beloved wife. So overwhelming is the exquisite beauty and presence of this marble mausoleum that centuries later today, even the very land where it has been located has been immortalized as the City of the Taj. Yet, it doesn’t take much for the wandering eye to discover that there’s more to Agra than just the fabled Taj Mahal. The city is a virtual gateway to a world of discovery…a freezeframe from a resplendent era that’s long since gone by. Spend this morning discovering this imposing city and its fabled past as you explore the monuments, the majesty of the buildings and the exquisite arts and crafts… all cherished as priceless legacies of a nostalgic past.

Though the heritage of Agra is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi Dynasty) in the 16th century. Babur (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for some time in Agra and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here. Emperor Akbar, his grandson, built the Agra Fort and the city of Fatehpur Sikri in gratitude for the appearance of an heir after his wife bore him a son. Agra came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of the Empire. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture when he built the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife, whom he affectionately named Mumtaz Mahal (Jewel of the Palace). In his later years, Shahjahan shifted his capital to the new city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi and ruled from there. Shahjahan was dethroned in 1658 by his son, Aurangzeb who imprisoned him in the Agra Fort. Aurangzeb shifted the capital back to Agra till his death. After the death of Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire could not touch its peak and many regional kingdoms emerged. The post-Mughal era of Agra saw the rule of the Jats, Marathas and finally the British taking over the city.

The afternoon is at leisure or you can witness inlay work of precious and semi precious stone into the marble. Overnight at the DOUBLE TREE BY HILTON AGRA.

After having breakfast at your hotel, begin your drive to back to Delphi (147 miles-4 hours). En route visit the bear rescue center. Upon arrival in Delhi, check in at in the NOVOTEL AEROCITY where a dayroom is reserved for you. Later this evening you will be transferred to the airport for your return flights home.

Today finds you in USA with incredible memories of spectacular wildlife, ancient ruins and incredible people.