Walk on the Wild Side - Absolute Asia Tours

On arrival in Delhi, you'll be met by a Myway representative, who will accompany you to your hotel.

Starting early to avoid the heat, join a shared cycling tour led by an expert local guide to explore Old Delhi as the city wakes. Once the capital of the Mughal dynasty, Old Delhi is a maze of narrow lanes, and you'll have to keep your wits about you to avoid sleeping dogs, dawdling cows and rickshaw wallahs! Stop to admire India's largest mosque, and flood your senses in Delhi's busiest market, which sells everything from textiles to spices, and, importantly, breakfast. After some food and the chance for a chat with your fellow cyclists, you'll be taken back to your hotel for a rest.

This afternoon, accompany your guide behind New Delhi’s majestic boulevards and tree-lined avenues to experience local life in this extraordinary city. On a quiet back street you'll discover the community of 60 washer-men who scrub laundry for hotels, hospitals and better-off residents - many of their families have done this for generations, but the trade is dying out. Explore a well-preserved ancient step well, and spend time at a prominent Sikh temple, where you'll have the chance to lend a hand in the community kitchen - a traditional part of Sikh temples, which feed people of all religions in their large dining halls. If you wish, you can have a snack in the hall amongst the other diners before returning to your hotel.

Head to New Delhi station to catch the train to Agra, where you’ll be met and driven to the Wildlife SOS Bear Sanctuary. This inspiring project is home to over 200 Indian sloth bears, rescued from tragic situations such as being forced to dance for tourists, or being sold for traditional Chinese medicine. With Wildlife SOS, the bears are harboured in park-like grounds similar to their natural habitat, and the NGO works hard to protect and conserve Indian wildlife. Return to Agra to visit the palatial Agra Fort for a taste of life as a Mughal lord, before heading to your hotel to check in and enjoy some time at leisure.

Rise early to witness the first rays of today's sunshine illuminate the white marble Taj Mahal. The Taj is considered the pinnacle of Mughal art in India, and you’ll be sharing the spectacle with many other admirers - this doesn’t, however, detract from the experience. After breakfast back at your hotel, catch a train from Agra Station to Gwalior, a historic town known for its imposing fortress, which you'll explore this afternoon. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the settlement, the immense carved sandstone fort dominates the skyline. It is regarded as one of India's most impenetrable fortresses, and was prized by successive dynasties and colonists. Within the well-preserved complex, you'll find Jain and Hindu temples, ancient water tanks and several palaces. Nearby, you can also visit Jai Vilas Palace, the grand 19th century home of a ruling family. Their descendants still reside here, but many rooms have been converted into a fascinating museum - amongst its exhibits, we're particularly awed by the silver model train that was used to serve the family during meal times.

Board the train and head into the countryside, where you'll be driven to Orchha for a day exploring some of this historic town's incredible architecture. Start your afternoon with your guide at Jahangir Mahal, an elaborately decorated sandstone palace built in the 17th century. Continue to the royal Raj Mahal, whose interior is covered in colourful murals and frescoes which are extremely well preserved, despite being over 500 years old. Next stop are some 17th cenotaphs by the river, all excellent examples of regional monumental architecture, and also very well preserved. Having stopped back at your hotel to freshen up, accompany your guide to the Ram Raja, the only Indian temple where Lord Rama - a popular incarnation of the deity Vishnu - is worshipped as a king. Crowds of pilgrims flock here, and your visit will be timed to witness the atmospheric evening ritual, with chanted prayers and a gun salute performed to honour the god-king.

Head out through the rural landscape towards the Panna Tiger Reserve. Your destination is the Sarai at Toria, an eco-lodge run by Joanna, a wildlife photographer & writer, and Raghu, a biologist known for his pioneering tiger research. After a warm welcome from your hosts, you’ll have time to relax at the lodge before boarding a traditional wooden boat along the river, on the lookout for a huge variety of bird life, including kingfishers, storks and, if you’re lucky, eagle owls.

Rise early and join the lodge's resident naturalist on a jeep safari deep into Panna Tiger Reserve. Spend the morning looking for wildlife, before returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, brace yourself for the eyebrow-raising sculptures of Khajuraho, which you'll explore with a knowledgeable local guide. Dating to the 10th and 11th centuries, Khajuraho's temples don't all feature risque sculptures - you'll find depictions of more prosaic daily life alongside the wild orgies - but some are more graphic than others!

Drive to your lodge at Bandhavgarh National Park, where you'll have time to settle in before a shared safari at dusk, when the animals are typically most active. Your lodge's resident naturalist will be on hand to show you what to look for, and you'll be back at the lodge in time for dinner.

Spend the day spotting the creatures of Bandhavgarh on two shared safaris, the first at dawn, watching and listening as the park's residents noisily greet the new day. The lodge will provide a picnic breakfast, and your naturalist will of course be on hand to point out signs of wildlife. After a few hours relaxing back at the lodge, return to the park in the late afternoon for further exploration.

After breakfast at the lodge, you’ll be driven south through the wooded landscape towards Kanha National Park, where you’ll arrive at your lodge for a few hours at leisure after the drive.

Fingers crossed for a tiger sighting today, as you head out into Kanha on two shared safaris, accompanied by an experienced naturalist.

Rejoin your now familiar naturalist for a final dawn safari, keeping your eyes open for tigers while you listen to the cacophony of jungle creatures waking up. In the afternoon, visit one of the tribal villages on the national park boundary for a fascinating insight into local life. Although the younger generation is embracing modern ways, life in these farming communities hasn't changed all that much, with traditional clothing still worn by many, and buildings still made of sun-baked mud, hand-decorated with motifs.

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.