Wild Encounters: Temples & Tigers

Day 1: Arrival & A Moment of Calm
Touch down in India’s capital and transfer to The Imperial, a sanctuary of colonial grandeur and calm. After your long journey, take time to unwind beside the pool, stroll through marble corridors lined with vintage art, or enjoy a restorative massage in the spa. As evening falls, dine at one of the hotel’s acclaimed restaurants or sip a cocktail in the 1911 Bar.

Day 2: New Delhi’s Elegance and Grandeur
Ease into the city with a tour of New Delhi’s historic landmarks. Visit the serene Lodhi Gardens, Humayun’s Tomb, the architectural forerunner of the Taj Mahal, and the soaring Qutub Minar. Pause for lunch at a stylish café before visiting a contemporary art gallery or boutique showcasing Indian design. Return to The Imperial for an indulgent evening.

Day 3: The Buzz of Old Delhi
Today, step into the vibrant heart of Old Delhi, where India’s soul beats strongest. Board a rickshaw to weave through Chandni Chowk’s spice-laden lanes, where silver merchants, temples, and sizzling street food stalls coexist in glorious chaos. Visit the grand Jama Masjid and experience the hum of centuries-old commerce at Khari Baoli spice market. In the afternoon, discover a hidden haveli for a quiet chai break. Return to The Imperial to unwind, a world away from the city’s energy. Old Delhi leaves you exhilarated, enlightened, and enchanted.

Day 4: Beyond the Taj Mahal
Travel to Agra and check into The Oberoi Amarvilas, where every room gazes upon the ethereal Taj Mahal. Begin at sunrise as the monument glows in soft hues of pink and gold, before exploring the imposing Agra Fort, rich with Mughal stories of love and power. In the afternoon, head beyond the city to the SOS Sloth Bear Sanctuary, witnessing the incredible conservation work protecting these gentle creatures. Return to your hotel for dinner on the terrace with the Taj illuminated beyond. Agra becomes more than a postcard,  it’s an encounter with heritage and heart.

Day 5: Echoes of the Past
Arrive in Bhopal and settle into Jehan Numa Retreat, a tranquil escape surrounded by forest and lakes. Venture to the UNESCO-listed Bhimbetka rock shelters, where prehistoric paintings whisper stories from millennia past. Visit nearby tribal villages to meet artisans who keep traditional crafts alive. As evening falls, enjoy birdwatching by the lake as storks and kingfishers glide across the water. Back at the retreat, dine beneath lantern light, savouring organic farm-to-table cuisine. Bhopal is a gentle introduction to rural India, soulful, authentic, and brimming with quiet discovery.

Day 6: Traditions and Tranquillity
Start the day exploring Bhopal’s architectural treasures.Wander the old bazaars, tasting fragrant street snacks before heading out for a guided forest walk. Watch for spotted deer, langurs, and vibrant birdlife. In the afternoon, enjoy a private cooking experience with a local chef, learning recipes passed down through generations. Return to Jehan Numa Retreat for an evening by the pool, surrounded by cicadas and starlight. Bhopal balances culture and nature in perfect harmony, offering a glimpse of India few travellers ever experience.

Day 7: Into the Wild
Journey into the wilds of Satpura National Park, where Reni Pani Jungle Lodge blends barefoot luxury with immersive adventure. This evening, set out on a jeep safari through teak forests and meadows alive with leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, and, with luck, a tiger slipping through the shadows. Guided by expert naturalists, learn the language of alarm calls and tracks in one of India’s quietest reserves. Return to camp for cocktails by the fire and dinner beneath a canopy of stars. Reni Pani captures the essence of untamed India, intimate, exclusive, and far from the crowded tiger circuits.

Day 8: In Rhythm with the Wilderness
Wake before dawn for a thrilling safari as mist drifts through the forest, light catching pawprints in the dust. Later, discover Satpura at a gentler pace, on horseback. Ride through woodland, villages, and open farmland, where Marwari and thoroughbred horses move silently among grazing deer and curious nilgai. Pause for a bush breakfast before returning for an afternoon drive or sundowners overlooking the hills. The family-run lodge’s deep roots in the land bring warmth to every encounter. This is safari re-imagined, graceful, sensual, and thrilling in its simplicity.

Day 9: River, Forest and Firelight
Spend your final day exploring Satpura’s softer rhythms. Glide along the Denwa River in a canoe, spotting crocodiles basking and bright kingfishers darting above the water. For the adventurous, mobile camping offers an overnight trek through Pachmarhi’s hills, tracing Captain Forsyth’s old route. As darkness falls, gather around the campfire for stories beneath starlit skies, a perfect farewell to Satpura’s wild, poetic soul.

Day 10: The Journey Between Worlds
Continue deeper into Satpura with a journey that feels like part of the adventure. Travel by jeep through 90 kilometres of wild terrain, or glide by private boat across the Denwa River, spotting leopards, sloth bears, and tigers along the way. By late afternoon, arrive at Bori Safari Lodge, a contemporary retreat surrounded by open woodland and village farmland. The lodge’s earthy tones, wide verandas, and home-style hospitality create an atmosphere of easy elegance. Enjoy a sundowner as peacocks call in the distance, then dine under a canopy of stars, wild luxury at its most personal.

Day 11: Walking with the Wild
Wake to birdsong and mist rising over the fields. Bori is one of the few places in Central India where walking safaris are permitted, an intimate way to feel part of the forest. With your naturalist, trace animal tracks, identify butterflies, and learn to read the rhythm of the land. Later, take a relaxed jeep drive across the plains or simply unwind by the pool, surrounded by silence and birdsong. As dusk falls, gather around the fire for a final toast to the wilderness. Bori’s beauty lies in its simplicity, raw, real, and quietly unforgettable.