The Jungle Book: Wildlife of India

Fly to Delhi on the British Airways overnight flight. (N)

Arrive and transfer to the Taj Mahal Hotel for an overnight stay. This evening enjoy a masterclass in contemporary Indian cuisine by a Master Chef at VARQ as he prepares a three-course meal, revealing the secrets of some of his most prized recipes, with an opportunity to taste each course. After the masterclass, enjoy an exquisite three-course dinner at Varq. (D)

Transfer by road to Agra. Visit the Taj Mahal; built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, this magnificent white marble mausoleum commemorates the life of his favourite wife, Mumtaz. The classical gardens with their shimmering mirror pools create the perfect backdrop to this truly breathtaking sight. Continue to the red sandstone Agra Fort and discover the many chambers and elaborate archways. This evening take the overnight train to Katni. (B)

Drive from Katni to Bandhavgarh for a 3-night stay at Mahua Kothi, a luxury boutique camp set in 16 hectares of land. (B,L,D)

The park was the private property of the Maharaja of Rewa until 1968 and this helped preserve the forest and the wildlife. Today the park is famous for its tigers, but it also has a wide range of other animals. The undergrowth is not as dense as in some other monsoon forests and animals that can be viewed here include chausinghas, wild boars, jackals, foxes, muntjacs, chitals, Rhesus macaques, black-faced langurs, jungle cats, and elusive leopards. Bandhavgarh attracts many migratory birds in the winter months, including the steppe eagle. Search for the park's inhabitants with a full-day wildlife viewing. (B,L,D)

Full-day wildlife viewing. (B,L,D)

Drive to Kanha and spend 3 nights at the luxury Banjaar Tola tented camp, situated along the Banjaar river and overlooking Kanha National Park. The camp is located only a few minutes from the quieter Mukki gate entrance to the national park. (B, L, D)

One of the inspirations for Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book', Kanha is considered to be one of India's best managed wildlife reserves. Kanha's lush Sal and bamboo forests, lush grassy meadows and rolling hills are home to hundreds of species. Formerly a hunting ground for high-ranking British army officers and civil servants, Kanha is now a vast protected area with a wide variety of wildlife including tigers, leopards, deer, langur monkeys and gaur. Enjoy a full-day wildlife viewing. (B,L,D)

Full-day wildlife viewing. (B,L,D)

Drive to the Pench tiger reserve for 2 nights at the outstanding Baghvan Jungle Lodge. Just 5 minutes' drive away from the park entrance, the lodge overlooks a dry river bed that is a favourite route of the nearby park's inhabitants. (B,L,D)

Pench Tiger Reserve occupies a beautiful location that comprises teak forests, meandering rivers and open grassland. The fauna is varied with cheetah, sambar and nilgai regularly seen grazing on the open sites on roadsides and river banks . While not as common, jackals, wild dogs, gaur, sloth bears and tigers are also present. Enjoy a full day of wildlife viewing. (B,L,D)

Drive to Nagpur and take the afternoon flight to Mumbai. Stay overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. (B)

Transfer to the airport for the afternoon British Airways direct flight to London. (B)