Mumbai

Formerly known as Bombay, the bustling city of Mumbai sprawls along India’s West Coast and is the largest city in the country. This thriving metropolis is a go-to destination for travelers curious to experience a modern Indian city. It serves as the heart of India’s world-renowned film industry, the incomparable ‘Bollywood’, and offers a kaleidoscope of culture, colour and flavours to enjoy. Lapped by the Arabian Sea, this urban seaside peninsula is a melting pot of old and new India. Towering office blocks and shiny apartment buildings shoulder crumbling grand dames of architecture. People play cricket in the leafy central parks, taxis navigate the jam-packed streets, and families stroll along the seaside promenades of Mumbai. Visitors can look forward to viewing the iconic Gateway of India stone arch at the Mumbai Harbour waterfront, visiting the ancient cave temples on the nearby Elephanta Island or hopping on a tuk-tuk tour to experience the magic and madness of this incredible city.

Day Itinerary

Namaste & Welcome to India!

Today on arrival at Mumbai International Airport, after clearing all immigration & custom formalities proceed towards the arrival hall area wherein you will be met by an Lumle Holidays representative for your further transfer to the hotel.

Mumbai, earlier known as Bombay, is a city of paradoxes: renowned as the country’s financial nerve center, it is an important center of theater, art, music and classical dance. Today the cosmopolitan population of the city consists of people from all over the country. It is an industrial metropolis as well as the textile and film capital of the country.

Check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Overnight at the hotel.

Overnight: Trident Nariman Point

The 33-floor Trident Nariman Point overlooks Marine Drive, nicknamed the 'Queen’s Necklace' for its resemblance to a rope of diamonds when the evening lights begin to glow. It’s one of Mumbai’s finest hotels, with fabulous views, sterling service, a lovely spa and a seafront pool. Trident Nariman Point, looking out to sea, has a fantastic location: a short distance from the sights and historic buildings of Colaba and Fort, as well as Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, the Gateway of India and Mumbai’s museums. Southeast-Asian and Japanese cuisine are served at India Jones restaurant, where chefs entertain with spectacular sleight-of-hand cooking at the Teppanyaki Grill. The sushi is excellent, as is the dim sum. There’s the garden-side Mediterranean Frangipani restaurant.

Basis : Bed and Breakfast

Day Itinerary

After breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing tour of the city.

We will also stop at the Churchgate to see how the famous dabbawalas of Mumbai operate.

Overnight is at the hotel

Expert Tips

Dabbawala's do not operate on Saturday & Sunday's Activities

Hanging Gardens

Dabbawala

Gateway of India

Hanging Gardens

Hanging Gardens is a popular tourist destination situated in Mumbai. This terraced garden was built in 1880 and later renovated in 1921. The Hanging Gardens is dedicated to its barrister Pherozeshah Mehta, which is why these gardens are also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Garden. This renowned garden located on the Malabar Hills is known for its splendid green vegetation and animal shaped hedges, which is an interesting sight for anyone who visits this spot. Adding to the garden's beauty is the comforting view of the vast Arabian Sea. Watching the sunset from the Hanging Gardens would provide you with an experience worth remembering a lifetime. One interesting fact about Hanging Gardens is that it is built on a water reservoir, which provides fresh drinking water to the locals who live nearby. Varieties of plants and flowers can be seen within these beautiful gardens. A large number of tourists to Mumbai never forget to visit the beautiful Hanging Gardens.

Built on a water reservoir, the Hanging Gardens covers a vast area, which is chockfull with green bushes, trees and animal-shaped topiaries. The striking flower, clock situated in the center of the garden, serves as the main attraction for all tourists. The garden is maintained perfectly. The 'Old woman's shoe' or the 'Boot House' is completely made from stone, which is also a very interesting feature and a favorite among children.

One can spend an entire day exploring the natural beauty of these terraced gardens along with family and friends. You can also watch a glorious sunset from these gardens. If photography is your hobby, then Hanging Gardens is the best place for you to make use of your creative, photography skills. Hanging Gardens is the perfect place for early morning jogs and yoga as the air is clean and fresh.

Gateway of India

Basis: Bed and Breakfast

Pench National Park

Resting in the lower southern reaches of the Satpuda Hills, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Pench National Park is renowned for having the highest concentration of prey, compared to any other park in India. Visitors, therefore, have an increased chance of spotting predatory cats such as leopard and tiger. This impressive expanse of wilderness features a typical central Indian teak jungle and is bisected by the scenic Pench River. Aside from the river, the park also contains several bamboo-lined jungle streams providing a valuable water source for the local wildlife, which includes, among others: wild dog, sloth bear, wolf, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, gaur, sambar, and chital. Pench is also a bird lover's paradise, with over 250 species inhabiting the area, including; parakeets, hornbills, kingfishers, orioles, wagtails and a large selection of birds of prey.

Day Itinerary

In time transfer to the airport to board your flight to Nagpur. (Flight timing to the advised closer to date)

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to Pench. (02 hrs approx)

Pench National Park, rich in flora and fauna, is an abode to a large number of endangered species. The most dominant predator is the Tiger among others found here along with various species of birds.

On arrival in Pench, check in at the hotel and spend the rest of the evening relaxing.

Dinner & Overnight at the lodge.

Overnight: Pench Tree Lodge

The famous Jungle Book character Mowgli was a wolf befriending boy from the tribal village of Pench. If Mowgli could enliven his escapades, Pench tree lodge would be his time warped home in 21st century. He could certainly somersault with the monkeys here or luxuriously laze under the shade of Mahua Tree, in the comforts of stylish, spacious and snugly tree houses set in regal landscapes. Later, deciding to set out on a Jeep Safari to meet ‘Shere Khan’–the Tiger and ‘Baloo’-the Bear and check on his troop of ‘Bander log’– monkey folks and all other good old friends from Pench national park.

Pench Tree Lodge is the refuge of the au courant, adventurous and eco sensitive ‘Mowgli’. Our six well appointed tree houses are perched in the undisturbed 16 hectares of forested area in the small ‘Sarrahiri’ village of Pench in the Karmajhiri area. This is the first lodge to be set up in this underdeveloped zone and supports are conservation policy of not overcrowding areas and making them unsustainable with over exposure to tourism.

Basis : Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day Itinerary

Today enjoy early morning and afternoon game drives in Pench National Park accompanied by an experienced Naturalist.

Pench National Park also known as Indira Gandhi National Park is known for large population of chital and sambhar and has the highest density of herbivores in India. This is famous for large heards of gaur, nilgai and wild dog. The tiger, leopard, barking deer and chinkara found in large numbers along with over 285 species of resident and migratory birds.

The area of the present tiger reserve has a glorious history. A description of its natural wealth and richness occurs in Ain-i-Akbari. Pench Tiger Reserve and its neighborhood is the original setting of Rudyard Kipling's most famous work, The Jungle Book.

Lunch, Dinner & Overnight at the Lodge.

Expert Tips

All Central India National parks remains closed for game drives on Wednesday Afternoon.

Time Involved: Morning Safari 4 to 5 hours / Afternoon Safari 3 to 3.5 hours

Basis : Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Kanha National Park

Also known as the Kanha Tiger Reserve, the Kanha National Park is widely considered to be the greatest of India’s wildlife reserves and the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s classic, 'The Jungle Book'. This impressive expanse of wilderness is set in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, encompassing about 950 square kilometres of lush rolling hills, peaceful rivers, saal and bamboo forest, and endless stretches of savanna grassland. This spectacularly scenic environment provides a diverse range of habitats for an extraordinary array of wildlife including tigers, leopards, jackals, swamp deer, foxes, porcupines, sloth bears, pythons, hare, chitals, gaur monkeys, mongooses, and hundreds of species of bird.

Day Itinerary

Today enjoy another round of game drives in the Park.

On arrival in Kanha, check in at the hotel and spend the evening relaxing at the lodge.

Dinner & Overnight at the lodge.

Overnight: Kanha Earth Lodge

Kanha Earth Lodge is spread in 16 acres of natural forest, tucked away in a small hamlet bordering Kanha’s buffer zone. Its unique location, 30 minutes from the Khatia/Kisli park gate, ensures that it is close enough for easy access to the park, but still far enough from the glut of hotels lining Kanha’s tourist hub to offer guests a true wilderness experience. The 12 luxury bungalows with large open verandahs have been inspired by Gond tribal architecture and offer environmentally sensitive, low-impact accommodation through their design and use of local stone and waste wood. While the absence of neighbouring lodges or highways creates an ideal setting for nature walks, birding and cycling trips through the surrounding forest.

Basis : Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day Itinerary

Today enjoy early morning and afternoon game drives in Kanha National Park which boasts a fantastic wildlife.

The national park is being popularized as the Tiger reserve and interestingly is being declared as one of the finest wildlife areas in the world. The landscapes and the surrounding luxurious meadows along with the wooded strands and the dense maroons of forests offer magnanimous sightseeing experiences for the nature lovers. Making the land more beautiful and adorable, the crystal clear streams amidst the dense jungle cleanses the surroundings and makes the wildlife unrivalled. This vivacious land has been the source of inspiration for Rudyard Kipling, a famous writer for his outstanding creation- “The Jungle Book”.

The Kanha National Park is the ideal home for wide ranges of wild creatures; right from the mighty tigers to the most populated Barasingha and the countless species of plants, birds, reptiles and insects.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Overnight at the lodge.

Expert Tips

All Central India National parks remains closed for game drives on Wednesday Afternoon.

Time Involved: Morning Safari 4 to 5 hours / Afternoon Safari 3 to 3.5 hours

Basis : Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Bandhavgarh National Park

One of the most popular parks in India, Bandhavgarh National Park is renowned for the highest density of tigers in the region. The park has a large array of wildlife including sloth bears, deer, leopards, and jackals. Birdwatchers will delight in the plethora of bird species inhabiting all terrains from rocky crags to the auburn forest floor and mottled forest canopy. Declared a national park in 1968, Bandhavgarh was named after an ancient fort built on 800-meter-high (2,624 foot) cliffs in the park. From its zenith one can enjoy incredible views of the park, however prior permission is required.

Day Itinerary

Today enjoy another round of game drives in the Park.

Later return to the hotel, check out and leave for Bandhavgarh (approx 6 Hrs).

A former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa, Bandhavgarh National Park is known for the Royal Bengal tigers. Declared a national park in 1968, Bandhavgarh was named after an ancient fort built on an 800-meter-high (2,624 foot) cliffs in the park. The population of the tigers at Bandhavgarh is the highest in India. The park contains 37 species of mammals that include not only the Royal Bengal tiger but also sloth bears, deer, leopards, and jackals, more than 250 species of birds, about 80 species of butterflies, and several reptiles.

On arrival, check-in at the hotel and spend the evening relaxing at the lodge.

Dinner & Overnight at the lodge.

Overnight: Kings Lodge

Kings lodge is nestled between 2 Sal forested hills of Bandhavgarh National Park in a large natural forested estate of 14 hectares in Rancha village. The lodge is in the heart of wild country and only ten minutes drive from the Tala gate of the national park. Guests can benefit from the incredible location, an outstanding hospitality and naturalist team, and their commitment towards conservation and local communities. Kings Lodge has 10 cottage rooms and 8 stilt cottage rooms with en-suite modern bathrooms spread across a natural forest offering great ambiance and privacy. All cottage rooms are air conditioned, have large verandas with views of the forest, writing table and chair. Facilities at Kings Lodge include a multi-cuisine dining hall with a fire place overlooking expanses of wild grasslands back dropped by Sal forested hills, a small nature library and a watch tower, in house spa with a variety of Indian massages available by well trained staff, a swimming pool with a sundeck and more.

Basis : Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day Itinerary

Enjoy an early morning game drive in the park. A packed breakfast is provided.

Lunch is at the lodge.

After lunch, enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park.

Late afternoon, return to the lodge and enjoy an interactive session with your naturalist and other fellow residents. Share stories as you learn more about the place, its habitat, flora, and fauna. Dinner and overnight are at Kings Lodge.

Basis : Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Khajuraho

Located southwest of Kanpur, Khajuraho is considered one of India’s seven wonders and listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The city encompasses the nation’s largest array of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, decorated with intricately detailed erotic sculptures and reliefs. The site incorporates close to 100 sacred structures, some of them exquisitely preserved, and each evening, a light and sound show is staged here, covering the history, philosophy, and craftsmanship encapsulated in this archaeological goldmine. Other highlights include the vibrant Annual Dance Festival of Khajuraho; the Panna National Park, home to leopards; the Arhanta Yoga Ashram, where visitors can take classical Hatha yoga classes. The city also boasts a wide variety of wonderful shops, markets, and restaurants.

Day Itinerary

After breakfast, check out and drive to Khajuraho (approx 5.5 hours).

On arrival, check into the hotel and relax

Overnight is at the hotel

Overnight: Radisson Jass Hotel Khajuraho

The Radisson Hotel in Khajuraho is located just 4 km from the airport, railway station, market place and world heritage temple complex. The convenient setting of the hotel makes it an ideal destination for tourists. Onsite, the Radisson has 4 well appointed suites and 86 luxury hotel rooms for a Khajuraho vacation. Each room contains a plasma TV, wireless broadband internet access and showcases garden views of the property. The Radisson Hotel has an outdoor pool, a fitness center with a spa and a shopping arcade. Guests can also indulge at the multi cuisine restaurant and full bar or order room service, available 24 hours.

Basis : Bed and Breakfast

Day Itinerary

After breakfast, visit the Eastern Group of Temples, a UNESCO Heritage Site. It showcases the passion, art, culture, and lifestyle of the people of the Chandela Dynasty. The temples are a mix of Jain and Hindu temples with intricate carvings.

Next, set out to visit the Western Group of Temples of Khajuraho, a UNESCO Heritage Site. The western complex houses the most important temple, Kandariya Mahadeo. It is the largest temple at 31 meters and the most ornate Hindu temple in the medieval temple complex. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

In the afternoon, head to the Panna National Park for a Jungle Safari to explore the depth of the jungle, and spot animal species including tiger, leopard, chital, chinkara, gharial, etc.You can also choose elephant Safari or Boat Safari to discover the wilderness of the park

Overnight is at the hotel

Activities

Eastern Group of Temples

Western Group of Temples

Panna National Park

Eastern Group of Temples

Located in Khajuraho, India, the Eastern Group of Temples is a historic temple complex. The area of Khajuraho was once home to over 80 temples but only 22 remain today. The complex consists of Jain and Hindu temples such as the Parsvanath Temple, Adinath Temple, Ghantai Temple, The Brahma Temple, The Vamana Temple and the Hanuman Temple.

Western Group of Temples

The Western Group of Temples is a beautiful temple complex located in Khajuraho, India. The is complex is protected by a surrounding boundary wall. Temples featured in the Western Group of Temples include Devi Manda, Varaha Mandap, Lakshman Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Mahadev Shrine and Devi Jagdambi Temple.

Panna National Park

Also known as the Panna Tiger Reserve, the Panna National Park, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is an impressive 550-square-kilometer expanse of wilderness characterised by high plateaus, plunging gorges, vast teak forests, and rolling savannah grasslands. From peaceful boat rides watching crocodiles along the banks of the Ken River, to catching glimpses of tigers, leopards and sloth bears on jeep safari, Panna offers wildlife enthusiasts many exciting opportunities. Aside from the park’s famous big cats, visitors can look forward to spotting an array of exotic wildlife species including antelope, deer, monkey, wild dog, hyena, jackal, sloth bear, otter, and over 300 species of birds. Don’t miss the impressive Dhundwa Falls, situated on the Hinouta Plateau, and the Pandava Falls, which feature some remarkable ancient caves.

Basis : Bed and Breakfast

New Delhi

India’s largest city, Delhi, has been one of the country’s commercial and economic hubs for centuries and, as a result, is incredibly rich in culture and history. Made up of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern sector, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of beautiful architecture, notable monuments, and age-old temples, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Red Fort, Qutab Minar, and Humayun's Tomb. Other key attractions include the 17th century Chandni Chowk marketplace – still one of the city’s most popular retail centers today, particularly for jewelry and traditional Indian saris; the iconic Bahà’i Lotus Temple – an award-winning architectural gem; and the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque.

Day Itinerary

Morning we, will drive to Jhansi, en route we will stop at Orchha (approx 3.5 hrs)

On arrival at Orchha, proceed for some sightseeing tour of the city

Inside Orchha Fort, visit Jahangir Mahal, a three-storied structure, whose front wall is covered with turquoise tiles. Also located in the fort are Raj Mahal, noted for its fine murals, and Rai Praveen Mahala Palace in a dilapidated state. The temples in Orchha are worth a visit due to their unique architecture are Ram Raja Temple, Laxmi Narain Temple, and Chaturbhuj Temple.

After the tour, continue your drive to Jahnsi train station,

On arrival, you will be met and transferred to an airport hotel.

Enjoy your farewell dinner at the hotel

Overnight is at the hotel

Expert Tips

The Gatimaan express does not operate on Friday

Overnight: Novotel New Delhi Aerocity

Novotel New Delhi Aerocity is located in New Delhi. The accommodation features stylish guest rooms and suites equipped with modern amenities such as LED TVs, air conditioning, electronic safes, workstations and Wi-Fi access. Guests can enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant and have a refreshing drink at the hotel bar. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool fitness centre and a spa.

Activities

Orchha

Orchha

Situated on the banks of Betwa River, laid-back Orchha is often overshadowed by its neighbor, Khajuraho, famous for its erotic sculptures. But Orchha has charms of its own: this sleepy and timeless destination resembles a medieval Indian town, dominated by impressive ochre-colored palaces, forts, and temples. Most of these date to between the 15th and 18th century – when the city was the thriving seat of government for the Bundela kings – and make for a sensory day of sightseeing, with main attractions including the intricate palace of Jahangir Mahal, the 14 Cenotaphs, and the white-washed Ram Raja Temple.

Basis

Day Itinerary

In time transfer to the Delhi international airport for your flight back home

Bon Voyage!

Expert Tips

Check-out time at hotels in India is 1200 Hrs.

Basis : Bed and Breakfast