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INDIA’S FINEST jungle<br />
SAFARI LODGES
India<br />
New Delhi<br />
Jaipur<br />
Agra<br />
Pashan Garh<br />
Panna National Park<br />
MADHYA PRADESH<br />
Mahua Kothi<br />
Bandhavgarh National Park<br />
Banjaar Tola<br />
Kanha National Park<br />
Baghvan<br />
Pench National Park<br />
Kolkata<br />
Mumbai<br />
Goa<br />
www.tajsafaris.com<br />
3
Birth of a tiger safari<br />
Breaking new ground in India, a joint venture<br />
between <strong>Taj</strong> Hotels, Resorts and Palaces,<br />
&Beyond and Cigen offers the country’s first and<br />
only wildlife circuit. This partnership, known as<br />
<strong>Taj</strong> <strong>Safaris</strong>, provides guests with the ultimate<br />
interpretive wildlife experience in India, based<br />
on a proven sustainable ecotourism model.<br />
&Beyond’s collaboration with <strong>Taj</strong> Hotels rests on<br />
decades of expertise in operating luxury jungle<br />
safari lodges offering unique wildlife experiences,<br />
coupled with legendary service.<br />
This union of like-minded hospitality companies<br />
pools vast resources and experience to build a<br />
circuit of extraordinary lodges in India’s renowned<br />
tiger reserves. In keeping with shared and deeply<br />
entrenched social and conservation principles,<br />
development programmes are being established<br />
to engage neighbouring communities in making<br />
small, meaningful differences.<br />
<strong>Taj</strong> <strong>Safaris</strong> own and operate four luxurious jungle<br />
safari lodges in Central India, situated on the<br />
borders of well-known tiger reserves in Madhya<br />
Pradesh. This collection of spectacular lodges<br />
createds an easily accessible tiger wilderness<br />
circuit that celebrates the natural highlights of<br />
this remarkable Indian state.<br />
4 www.tajsafaris.com
“What a fantastic trip! It was so much more than I expected. My hope<br />
and dream was to see one tiger (or even the tip of a tiger’s tail) in the<br />
wild. I did not see one tiger……I SAW 14!!!!! In addition, I saw all the prey<br />
animals, jungle cat, jackal, mongoose, langurs, macaques, a plethora of<br />
birds, and even a cobra! I cannot say enough about the lodges. I could<br />
never imagine such comfort and service in the Indian jungle. The staff was<br />
incredible and the meals superb.”<br />
~ <strong>Taj</strong> <strong>Safaris</strong> Guest Book<br />
Expect the unexpected<br />
Our guests experience first hand the beautiful<br />
Indian jungle with its towering, ancient trees,<br />
enchanting chorus of forest birds and herds of<br />
gentle chital (spotted deer). Twice-daily jungle<br />
drives are conducted in the comfort of a specially<br />
designed open 4x4 safari vehicle, accompanied<br />
by an expert &Beyond trained naturalist. The<br />
Indian jungle is a birdwatcher’s paradise and<br />
guests delight in identifying each lodge’s ten<br />
unique Star Birds.<br />
The adventure continues on afternoon safaris.<br />
Bask in the early evening light and witness a<br />
sounder of wild boar or a family of sambar in the<br />
open meadows. Pause briefly and listen to the<br />
call of a jungle fowl as the sun gently dips over<br />
the huge horizon.<br />
The morning peace of the jungle can be abruptly<br />
interrupted by the sharp alarm calls of chital and<br />
the constant chattering of langur monkeys. This<br />
could mean a tiger is on the prowl and perhaps<br />
guests may catch a glimpse of this magnificent<br />
endangered predator. Elephant safaris offered<br />
by the park authorities also provide an exciting<br />
jungle safari experience.<br />
N<br />
Pashan Garh<br />
Panna Wilderness Lodge<br />
MADHYA<br />
PRADESH<br />
Baghvan<br />
Pench Jungle Lodge<br />
Mahua Kothi<br />
Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge<br />
Banjaar Tola<br />
Kanha Tented Camp<br />
india<br />
••<br />
• •<br />
www.tajsafaris.com<br />
7
Beauty and the beast<br />
BANDHAVGARH<br />
NATIONAL PARK<br />
Cradled among the picturesque Vindhya and<br />
Satpura ranges in the central Indian state of<br />
Madhya Pradesh, the renowned tiger reserve<br />
of Bandhavgarh National Park is one of India’s<br />
most beautiful wilderness areas. The dramatic<br />
landscape features tropical forests and woodlands,<br />
as well as steep rocky hills with flat grasslands in<br />
the valleys below.<br />
Bandhavgarh supports one of the highest densities<br />
of tiger on the subcontinent. The Park is also<br />
home to a large variety of mammals: leopard,<br />
chital (spotted deer), sambar deer, nilgai, wild<br />
boar, chinkara, sloth bear, rhesus macaque, grey<br />
langur, jungle cat, hyena, porcupine, jackal, fox<br />
and wild dog.<br />
MAHUA KOTHI<br />
BANDHAVGARH<br />
JUNGLE LODGE<br />
Just 10 minutes from the Park entrance,<br />
the Lodge sprawls invitingly over 16 hectare<br />
(40 acre) grounds. Spacious guest areas<br />
welcome guests into the gracious, original kothi<br />
(homestead). Private courtyards with shaded<br />
seating and traditional mud floors lead into each<br />
of the twelve charming guest suites, or kutiyas.<br />
Ensuite bathrooms have twin hand basins, indoor<br />
showers, bath and separate w.c. Rich textiles<br />
in shades of rust and burnt orange reflect the<br />
accents of this exotic land.<br />
Early morning tea, coffee and homemade spice<br />
biscuits are set out among aromatic burning<br />
incense in the courtyard. Bicycles parked<br />
alongside are an invitation to explore.<br />
12 kutiyas (jungle suites) – air conditioned<br />
Member of Relais & Châteaux<br />
Swimming pool<br />
Baghiya (traditional garden)<br />
Interactive kitchen<br />
Safari Shop<br />
In-room massage<br />
Only 10 minutes from the Park entrance<br />
“Mahua Kothi is delightfully unique. It is a treat from which<br />
you come away feeling truly restored. This lodge has it all<br />
– nature, tranquillity, hospitality and eco-mindedness. Truly<br />
delightful people have been chosen to run this lodge. They<br />
clearly take the greatest pride and pleasure in welcoming<br />
guests and making them feel immediately at home. We had<br />
a fabulous time, and being able to follow tigers through the<br />
dense jungle was something we will never forget!”<br />
Mahua Kothi Guest Book<br />
Mahua Kothi’s Conservation Achievements<br />
Mahua Kothi conducts Conservation Lessons for school children from the surrounding community. The focus is on teaching<br />
the children the importance of conserving the jungle for future generations and how responsible travel can make a small but<br />
meaningful difference.<br />
10 www.tajsafaris.com
So much more than the bare necessities<br />
PENCH NATIONAL PARK<br />
Made famous by Rudyard Kipling’s classic Jungle<br />
Book, Pench National Park is situated in the Seoni<br />
and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh. The<br />
Pench River meanders through hills, forests and<br />
valleys in the 757 km² (290 square miles) Park.<br />
The river runs from north to south, dividing the<br />
park into almost equal western and eastern<br />
halves – the well forested districts of Chhindwara<br />
and Seoni respectively.<br />
A typical Central Indian teak jungle, Pench<br />
supports a rich variety of wildlife, including<br />
tiger, leopard, wild dog, gaur, sambar, chital<br />
and brilliant birdlife. The Park’s open habitat is<br />
not only ideal for wildlife viewing but also<br />
strikingly beautiful.<br />
BAGHVAN PENCH<br />
JUNGLE LODGE<br />
Twelve charming suites with a cheeky 1950’s<br />
ambience line a lovely nullah (dry riverbed)<br />
surrounded by forest. A covered passage takes<br />
guests from their bedroom to a generously<br />
proportioned bathroom with twin hand basins,<br />
separate w.c. and indoor and outdoor showers.<br />
Stairs lead up to a machan (a covered jungle<br />
rooftop platform) that is perfect for romantic<br />
sleepouts, complete with mosquito net, overhead<br />
fan and hookah pipes.<br />
Spacious guest areas are elegantly finished with<br />
delicate handmade Parsi tiles, woven hyacinth<br />
furniture and giant ebony chests. Baghvan’s<br />
interactive open kitchen spills out to the dining<br />
area, where guests are encouraged to learn how<br />
to prepare traditional Indian dishes – recipes and<br />
spices provided!<br />
12 bungalow suites – air conditioned<br />
Swimming pool<br />
Library<br />
Interactive kitchen<br />
Safari Shop<br />
In-room massage<br />
Only 10 minutes from the Park entrance<br />
“We had the most incredible time in India! Baghvan is fantastic<br />
and we were treated like royalty. Everything was perfect, we<br />
could not fault a thing and after being in the industry for<br />
22 years I have never experienced such genuine friendliness<br />
and true hospitality in all our travels. The lodge is out of this<br />
world, the food exceptional, and the jungle fascinating and<br />
beautiful. We arrived as strangers and left as friends having<br />
had the privilege of meeting the most wonderful people. They<br />
were our sunshine in India!”<br />
Baghvan Guest Book<br />
Baghvan’s Conservation Achievements<br />
Baghvan’s community project involves selling school satchels filled with stationery at the lodge. Guests can purchase the<br />
bags, which are then distributed to neighbouring community schools. To date, many classrooms have been supplied with<br />
much needed stationery.<br />
12<br />
www.tajsafaris.com
Luxury, naturally<br />
KANHA NATIONAL PARK<br />
Kanha National Park is one of India’s largest<br />
parks, covering 1 945 km 2 (750 square miles) of<br />
pristine Indian wilderness. This national park is<br />
one of the first nine tiger reserves established<br />
with the initial launch of Project Tiger in 1973,<br />
aimed at protecting tigers and their ecosystems.<br />
The central parklands are home to approximately<br />
22 animal species, including the three-striped<br />
palm squirrel, jackal, wild pig, black buck, striped<br />
hyena, leopard, mouse deer, chinkara and anteating<br />
pangolin. Kanha also supports a thriving<br />
population of the highly endangered hardground<br />
barasingha. With over 200 recorded bird species,<br />
the Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise.<br />
BANJAAR TOLA KANHA<br />
TENTED CAMP<br />
Banjaar Tola is situated right on the edge of the<br />
Banjaar River and overlooks Kanha National Park<br />
on the opposite bank. The two intimate camps,<br />
each consisting of only nine elegant tented suites,<br />
have been designed with a light footprint so as<br />
to protect the sensitive riverine environment.<br />
Each contemporary suite features bamboo floors,<br />
canvas roof and walls, and glass doors leading<br />
out onto a floating veranda overlooking the river.<br />
Each camp boasts its own comfortable guest<br />
sitting area with a spacious open-air dining area<br />
and interpretive library.<br />
18 tented suites – air conditioned<br />
Set in a 90 acre property<br />
Swimming pool<br />
Library<br />
Interactive kitchen<br />
Safari Shop<br />
In-room massage<br />
Only 10 minutes from the Park entrance<br />
14 www.tajsafaris.com
A stone’s throw away<br />
PANNA NATIONAL PARK<br />
Situated in the Vindhya Hills along the Ken<br />
River, Panna National Park links the eastern and<br />
western populations of resident wildlife. It is a<br />
vast plateau dominated by tropical forests, deep<br />
ravines, cascading waterfalls and thick teak<br />
forests. Panna is located a mere 50 km (30 miles)<br />
from Khajuraho, whose pristinely preserved<br />
10th century Hindu Temples are a famous World<br />
Heritage Site. These intricately carved sandstone<br />
temples feature erotic sculptures dating<br />
back 1 000 years.<br />
Panna is home to the majestic Bengal tiger, as<br />
well as the sloth bear, leopard, wolf, hyena, and<br />
jackal. The reserve is also well known for sightings<br />
of nilgai, sambar, chital, and wild boar.<br />
PASHAN GARH PANNA<br />
WILDERNESS LODGE<br />
Pashan Garh, meaning ‘stone house’, draws<br />
inspiration from the dry-packed stone houses of<br />
north-central India. The 12 luxury stone cottages,<br />
located a mere 12 km (seven miles) from the park<br />
entrance, are spread out along a small stream<br />
and are surrounded by 190 acres (75 hectares) of<br />
private jungle wilderness. The overall character<br />
of Pashan Garh is rough hewn, with white marble,<br />
leather furniture, ebony and chocolate highlights.<br />
Each suite has been created using dry-packed<br />
stone and features block printed black silks and<br />
cotton lace chandeliers. Delicious Indian fare,<br />
prepared by expert chefs, is discreetly delivered<br />
to guests using the unobtrusive butler hatches.<br />
12 luxury stone cottages – air conditioned<br />
Fort-like guest area with lookout tower<br />
Set in a 190 acre property<br />
Swimming pool<br />
Safari Shop<br />
In-room massage<br />
16 www.tajsafaris.com
India at your fingertips<br />
Getting there<br />
Access to Mahua Kothi<br />
Flight from Delhi to Jabalpur, followed by a fourhour<br />
chauffeured journey by road to the lodge.<br />
Alternatively, flight from Mumbai to Bhopal<br />
(Indian Airlines/Jet Airways), with a connecting<br />
flight from Bhopal to Jabalpur, followed by a<br />
four-hour chauffeured journey by road.<br />
Access to Pashan Garh<br />
Flight from Delhi to Khajuraho (Jet Airways),<br />
followed by a 60-minute chauffeured journey by<br />
road to the lodge.<br />
There is an option to fly between the lodges in<br />
small aircraft – maximum 4 people each. Please<br />
enquire at time of booking.<br />
“The rooms are fantastic with just the right amount of amenities. It was a<br />
pleasure to be here. I felt totally at home, at ease and very well looked after. I<br />
felt that every need, be it to see a tiger or rest for the afternoon was perfectly<br />
understood and addressed with an easy obliging hospitality. THANKS.”<br />
Mahua Kothi Guest Book<br />
Access to Baghvan<br />
Flight from Mumbai to Nagpur (Kingfisher Airlines/<br />
Jet Airways), followed by a two-hour chauffeured<br />
journey by road to the lodge. Alternatively, flight<br />
from Delhi to Nagpur (Indian Airlines/Indigo),<br />
followed by a two-hour chauffeured journey<br />
by road.<br />
The months between October and March are an ideal time<br />
to celebrate the highlights of our wildlife circuit.<br />
Please ask about our long stay and multi lodge rates and<br />
Seasonal Signature Offers.<br />
In the know: Tiger sightings are red hot in April, May and<br />
June, when the summer heat entices the tigers to the<br />
water to cool off.<br />
Access to Banjaar Tola<br />
Flight from Delhi to Jabalpur (Air Deccan),<br />
followed by a five-hour chauffeured journey<br />
by road to the lodge. Alternatively, flight from<br />
Mumbai to Nagpur (Kingfisher Airlines/Jet<br />
Airways), followed by a five-hour chauffeured<br />
journey by road.<br />
To Delhi<br />
Gwalior<br />
N<br />
Mahoba<br />
Town/Village<br />
Road<br />
Railway<br />
Airport<br />
Station<br />
National Park, <strong>Taj</strong> <strong>Safaris</strong> Lodges<br />
NH12<br />
Bhopal<br />
MADHYA<br />
PRADESH<br />
Nagpur<br />
Pench<br />
Jhansi<br />
Khajuraho Panna Satna<br />
Pashan Garh Lodge<br />
Jabalpur<br />
Katni<br />
NH7<br />
Mahua Kothi Lodge<br />
Bandhavgarh<br />
Kanha<br />
Banjaar Tola Lodge<br />
Baghvan Lodge<br />
Raipur<br />
www.tajsafaris.com
Recognition for our lodges<br />
2009 Pashan Garh is recognised in the US Condé Nast<br />
Traveler 2009 Hot List of the World’s Top New<br />
140 Hotels<br />
2009 Baghvan profiled in Architectural Digest<br />
2009 Condé Nast Traveller Gold List includes Baghvan as a<br />
Best Hotel for Ambiance and Design<br />
2008 Banjaar Tola named among National Geographic<br />
ADVENTURE magazine’s 50 Top Ecolodges<br />
2008 Baghvan features in the next generation of the world’s<br />
best Design Hotels on Concierge.com<br />
2008 Volumes 11 and 12 of the Andrew Martin Interior<br />
Design Review include Chris Browne, &Beyond<br />
Creative Director, as one of the world’s 35 most<br />
talented designers for his work on Mahua Kothi<br />
and Baghvan<br />
2008 Mahua Kothi welcomed into Relais & Châteaux<br />
2008 Baghvan listed in 101 Best Hotels in the World by UK<br />
Tatler magazine<br />
2007 Mahua Kothi included as one of 15 to Watch in Travel<br />
+ Leisure’s World’s Best Awards<br />
2007 Mahua Kothi features in Elite Traveler’s 101 Best<br />
Suites of the Year<br />
2007 Travel + Leisure mentions Mahua Kothi on editor’s list<br />
of top hotels recently visited and highlights Baghvan<br />
on the It List of favourite new places<br />
2007 Mahua Kothi was named the Best Wildlife Resort<br />
at the inaugural Madhya Pradesh Tourism State<br />
Awards presented by the Honourable Chief Minister<br />
of Madhya Pradesh.<br />
2007 Mahua Kothi and Baghvan highlighted among the top<br />
five hotels in India on Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List<br />
of the Year’s 138 Top New Hotels<br />
2007 Mahua Kothi included in the Condé Nast Traveller Hot<br />
List of the World’s 65 Cool New Places to Stay<br />
2007 Mahua Kothi was included in the UK Sunday Times<br />
Hot List<br />
20 www.tajsafaris.com
Royal Tiger Safari<br />
The 16-day Royal Tiger Safari unveils the beauty,<br />
mysticism and timeless appeal of India, from<br />
the bustling city of Delhi to the princely state of<br />
Rajasthan and ending in the jungle wilderness of<br />
the central state of Madhya Pradesh.<br />
On arrival in Delhi, witness grand architecture,<br />
palaces, tombs, mosques, medieval ruins and,<br />
of course, an overwhelming choice of shopping<br />
and restaurants. The first two nights of the safari<br />
are spent at the The <strong>Taj</strong> Mahal Hotel, one of the<br />
capital’s most distinguished addresses.<br />
The adventure continues as you board an airconditioned<br />
express train to Agra. Explore the<br />
beautiful red sandstone monument of Fort Agra<br />
and marvel at the breathtaking <strong>Taj</strong> Mahal, the<br />
world’s most famous monument to love. Rest<br />
from your sightseeing at the Oberoi Amar Villas.<br />
Your journey continues on India roads, as you<br />
are driven to Jaipur, stopping at the ancient<br />
abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri for a quick visit<br />
en route. In Jaipur, check in for a two night stay<br />
at the luxurious Rambagh Palace, surrounded by<br />
beautiful gardens. Explore Jaipur’s spectacular<br />
forts, bustling bazaars, colourful markets and<br />
rich culture.<br />
Take a morning flight from Jaipur to Mumbai and<br />
onwards to Nagpur, followed by a gentle two and<br />
a half hour drive to Pench National Park for a two<br />
night stay at Baghvan, surrounded by forests and<br />
overlooking a lovely nullah (dry riverbed). Explore<br />
the beauty and mystique of Pench – straight out<br />
of the Jungle Book. A four-hour drive deeper into<br />
Madhya Pradesh will bring you to Kanha National<br />
Park. Here you will spend three nights in an<br />
elegant tented suite at Banjaar Tola right on the<br />
edge of the Banjaar River.<br />
From Kanha, a chauffeured journey by road<br />
takes you to Bandhavgarh National Park, where<br />
three nights will be spent at Mahua Kothi, deep<br />
in the heart of the Indian jungle. Witness India’s<br />
extraordinary wildlife on twice-daily jungle drives<br />
with expert &Beyond trained naturalists who will<br />
reveal dramatic wilderness landscapes and an<br />
abundant diversity of flora and fauna, including<br />
the great Bengal tiger.<br />
Travel north to Panna National Park and Pashan<br />
Garh for two nights. From here explore both the<br />
National Park and Khajuraho’s world-famous and<br />
pristinely preserved 10 th century Hindu temples,<br />
with their erotic sculptures, which certainly<br />
deserve their World Heritage Site status.<br />
A short flight from Khajuraho will take you to<br />
back to Delhi, where a day room at The <strong>Taj</strong><br />
Mahal Hotel will give you a chance to relax and<br />
refresh yourself before your flight home. This<br />
grand Royal Tiger Safari is a truly memorable and<br />
unique introduction to India’s history, culture,<br />
wilderness and architecture.<br />
www.tajsafaris.com
TS09a<br />
MAHUA KOTHI BANDHAVGARH JUNGLE LODGE<br />
BAGHVAN PENCH JUNGLE LODGE<br />
BANJAAR TOLA KANHA TENTED CAMP<br />
PASHAN GARH PANNA WILDERNESS LODGE<br />
Extend your journey of discovery of India by visiting some of the exquisite Grand Palaces of the<br />
<strong>Taj</strong> in Rajasthan and leading city hotels in Mumbai and New Delhi<br />
TAJ PALACE HOTELS<br />
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur<br />
<strong>Taj</strong> Lake Palace, Udaipur<br />
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur<br />
Nadesar Palace, Varanasi<br />
The <strong>Taj</strong> Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai<br />
The <strong>Taj</strong> Mahal Hotel, New Delhi<br />
www.tajhotels.com<br />
www.andBeyond.com<br />
Special thanks to Art Wolfe, Dook and Ron Magill for their breathtaking photography<br />
Reservations and information<br />
Toll Free:<br />
Worldwide: 00 800 4588 1825<br />
USA & Canada: 1 866 969 1825<br />
India: 1 800 111 825<br />
(Non-MTNL/BSNL customers: +91 22 66011825)<br />
Fax: +91 22 67021825<br />
Email:<br />
reservations@tajhotels.com<br />
tajsafaris@tajhotels.com<br />
www.tajsafaris.com
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