Highlights
- Catch a glimpse of the elusive Bengal tiger
- Find animals like leopards and sloth bears on safari
- Visit the iconic Taj Mahal and the Red Fort of Angara
- Take an overnight train to Jabalpur, an authentic Indian experience
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights |
Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Delhi | Delhi |
| Day 2 | Delhi City Tour & Train to Ranthambore | Sawai Madhopur |
| Day 3 | Morning & Evening Game Drives in Ranthambore | Sawai Madhopur |
| Day 4 | Visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park | Bharatpur |
| Day 5 | Guided Wildlife Tour | Agra |
| Day 6 | Tour the Red Fort of Agra & Overnight Train to Jabalpur | Overnight Train |
| Day 7 | Arrive in Jabalpur, Transfer to Kanha National Park | Kanha |
| Day 8 | Morning & Evening Game Drives in Kanha National Park | Kanha |
| Day 9 | Drive to Bandhavgarh National Park | Bandhavgarh |
| Day 10 | Morning & Evening Game Drives in Bandhavgarh | Bandhavgarh |
| Day 11 | Transfer to Khajuraho | Khajuraho |
| Day 12 | Morning Temple Visit & Afternoon Train to Delhi | Delhi |
| Day 13 | Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Delhi
Welcome to Delhi, the capital of India! Upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, you'll be met by a representative and transferred to your accommodation. Think of Delhi as two distinct cities: Old Delhi, founded in the 17th century, and New Delhi, established in the early 20th century by the British. Old Delhi offers an exotic vibe with bustling streets and historical monuments spanning several kingdoms and empires, and sprawling New Delhi offers international hotels, wide tree-lined avenues, and foreign embassies.
If you're feeling energized, you could visit Dilli Haat, an outdoor craft market bazaar selling handmade souvenirs from all 29 of India's states. The bazaar is also home to various food stalls selling tasty regional cuisine.
Day 2: Delhi City Tour, Train to Ranthambore
Today you have a half-day sightseeing excursion in Delhi. Visit the walled city of Old Delhi—crowded and full of activity, it's an excellent place to view the architectural influences of the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort.
Stop in at Jama Masjid, a beautiful mosque from the 17th century, then take a walk through the famous Chandni Chowk, a typical Indian market abuzz with activity. Finish the day with a stop at the Rajghat memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, known as the '"Father of the Nation." You'll also drive past the Presidential Palace, and the Secretariat Buildings and down the impressive Rajpath to the India Gate.
Later this afternoon, you'll transfer to the railway station to board the train to Sawai Madhopur, a small town in Rajasthan that has gained popularity for its proximity to Ranthambore National Park.
Day 3: Morning & Evening Game Drives in Ranthambore
Today you'll have two game drives into the park to try to catch a glimpse of one of the elusive tigers. Head out early in the morning—one of the best times to catch a glimpse of these secretive animals—for your first safari into the National Park. Ranthambore has one of the largest populations of tigers in India, and your experienced guides know the best locations with the highest possibility of seeing the tigers.
After the drive, you'll return to your accommodation for breakfast and a free morning before returning to the park for your second safari drive later in the afternoon.
Day 4: Visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park
In the morning, drive to Bharatpur to visit the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a vast bird sanctuary and former royal game reserve in the north Indian state of Rajasthan. It is home to egrets, ducks, coots, storks, kingfishers, owls, eagles, and harriers, among others. Years ago, the Maharajah ("Prince") of Bharatpur diverted water from a nearby irrigation canal and used the created habitat to organize hunting parties for his guests. In 1956, it was converted into a bird sanctuary and is now home to over 360 species.
Day 5: Guided Wildlife Tour
In the morning, pay another visit to the bird sanctuary with a local naturalist. In the afternoon, drive to the city of Agra via Fatehpur Sikri, a majestic monument built with red sandstone. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became Emperor Akbar's capital in 1571 but was deserted after 14 years due to water scarcity. The buildings are still well-preserved, and worth a visit.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Tour the Red Fort of Agra & Overnight Train to Jabalpur
At sunrise, visit the Taj Mahal, which stands on the southern bank of the Yamuna river. This stunning monument symbolizes eternal love, and its beauty never fails to impress first-time visitors. Nearby is the imposing Red Fort of Agra, which exhibits a blend of the Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. The afternoon is free for individual sightseeing or visiting the bazaar, where you can see the famous marble inlays produced by the descendants of the artisans who worked on the Taj Mahal.
In the evening, board the overnight train to Jabalpur.
Day 7: Arrive in Jabalpur, Transfer to Kanha
Arrive in Jabalpur early this morning before continuing your drive to Kanha National Park. Created in 1974, Kanha covers approximately 750 square miles (1945 sq km) of diverse terrain with grasslands, plateaus, and rocky escarpments, providing a home to several species of wildlife. Tigers, leopards, bison, many species of deer, monkeys, and many birds roam freely within its wild spaces. Your afternoon is free to relax and soak in the atmosphere or visit the nearby village.
Day 8: Morning & Evening Game Drives in Kanha National Park
Today, take two jeep safaris into the park: one early in the morning before the heat of the day and the second in the afternoon after lunch.
Day 9: Drive to Bandhavgarh National Park
Early this morning, make the drive to Bandhavgarh National Park. Bandhavgarh is home to a wide variety of rare and endangered animals, including the insectivorous sloth bear, the impressively large gaur (the largest living bovine native to India), the majestic sambar deer, chital, wild pig, and a wide variety of birds. The park also has the highest Bengal tiger density in the world, so keep your eyes peeled for signs of tracks. Like in Kanha, most game drives in Bandhavgarh are also undertaken by Jeep.
Day 10: Morning & Evening Game Drives in Bandhavgarh
Today, following the rhythm of the other mornings, take your first game drive early in the morning for the chance to see a variety of wildlife species. After lunch, you'll make another foray into the park. Besides tigers, you may also catch a glimpse of the leopards that have a large breeding population in this national park.
Day 11: Transfer to Khajuraho
This morning is your transfer to Khajuraho, a small town located in the Bundelkhand region (Chhatarpur District) of Madhya Pradesh. Famous for groups of unique Hindu and Jain temples, these temples comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their beautiful rock carvings. Behind the village, the Vindhya mountain range forms an incredible backdrop. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and explore.
Day 12: Morning Temple Visit & Afternoon Train to Delhi
In the morning, you'll visit both the western and eastern groups of temples. There were originally nearly 100 separate temples built between 950 and 1050 CE, each dedicated to a different deity. Today, only 20 of these temples still exist, and are considered the finest in India for their unmatched workmanship and intricate details.
In the afternoon, transfer to the Jhansi railway station for the train to Delhi.
Day 13: Depart
Make your way to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to board your flight home or to your next destination. Safe travels!
More Great India Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to India? Check out these other India itineraries, explore different ways to spend 13 days in India, or discover the best time to visit India.
Map
