11 days Central India wildlife tour

Three of India's great tiger reserves — Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh — back to back, then the temples of Khajuraho and the Taj Mahal at sunrise.

At a glance

Duration

11 days, 10 nights

Start / end

Delhi / Delhi

Parks

Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh

Safaris

Up to nine jeep safaris

Transport

Private AC car, flight to Nagpur, train to Agra

Tour type

Private

Best season

October to June; best tiger sightings March to May

What makes this one worth it

• Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh — the country that inspired The Jungle Book
• Bandhavgarh, with one of the highest densities of tigers in India
• Barasingha, the rare hard-ground swamp deer, in Kanha's meadows
• Leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, gaur and over 250 bird species
• Khajuraho's UNESCO-listed temples and the Taj Mahal at sunrise

Your day by day

1. Day 1

   Arrive in Delhi

   Our representative meets you at the airport and drives you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours.

2. Day 2

   Old and New Delhi

   A full day with your guide: Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid and the Red Fort in the old city, then Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate and the government buildings of Lutyens' Delhi.

3. Day 3

   Fly to Nagpur, first safari in Pench

   Morning flight to Nagpur and about two hours by road to Pench Tiger Reserve. Check in and head out on your first evening jeep safari.

4. Day 4

   Pench safaris

   Morning and evening jeep safaris along the teak forests of the Pench river — tigers, leopards, wild dogs and rich birdlife.

5. Day 5

   Pench to Kanha

   A last morning safari in Pench, then about five hours to Kanha National Park. Evening at the lodge.

6. Day 6

   Kanha safaris

   Morning and evening safaris through Kanha's sal forests and open meadows, where the barasingha herds graze and tigers hunt.

7. Day 7

   Kanha to Bandhavgarh

   A final morning drive in Kanha, then about five hours to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

8. Day 8

   Bandhavgarh safaris

   Morning and evening jeep safaris in Bandhavgarh, below the old hill fort — the park best known for tiger sightings in Central India.

9. Day 9

   Bandhavgarh to Khajuraho

   About five hours to Khajuraho. The afternoon is free to rest after the early safari starts.

10. Day 10

    Khajuraho temples, train to Agra

    A guided morning at the Western and Eastern group of temples, famous for their carving. Drive to Jhansi and take the afternoon train to Agra.

11. Day 11

    Taj Mahal at sunrise, back to Delhi

    The Taj Mahal at first light and Agra Fort with your guide, then the expressway back to Delhi for your onward flight.

What the price covers

• 10 nights in hotels and jungle lodges with daily breakfast
• Private AC car and driver for all transfers and road journeys
• Up to nine jeep safaris with park permits and a naturalist
• Licensed English-speaking guides for sightseeing
• Jhansi to Agra train tickets
• Tolls, parking, fuel, driver allowance and taxes

What it does not cover

• Delhi to Nagpur flight (we book it at cost)
• Monument entry tickets
• Lunch and dinner
• Camera fees in the parks
• Tips

Questions people ask

When are the parks closed?

The core zones close for the monsoon, from July to mid-October. March to May gives the best tiger sightings as animals gather at water.

How many safaris are included?

Up to nine — evening on arrival in Pench, then morning and evening drives in each park.

Is the flight included?

We book the Delhi to Nagpur flight at cost so you can choose the timing. Everything on the ground is included.

Can we add Satpura or Panna?

Yes. Both fit into this route with an extra two nights.

How long are the drives between the parks?

About five hours each from Pench to Kanha, Kanha to Bandhavgarh and Bandhavgarh to Khajuraho, mostly on quiet rural roads through forest and villages. Your driver stops for tea and photographs whenever you like.

What do you need from us to book the safari permits?

The name, passport number and nationality of each traveller, as the permits are issued in your name and released in advance in limited numbers. Carry the same passport on every safari, as it is checked at the gate.

What should we pack for the jungle?

Neutral-coloured clothes, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars and a scarf for dust. From December to February the early drives in open jeeps are close to freezing, so warm layers and gloves matter; by April and May it is hot by mid-morning.

What is the train from Jhansi to Agra like?

It is an afternoon train of a few hours, and the tickets are included. Your driver sees you onto the train at Jhansi and our representative meets you at Agra station to take you to your hotel.

What if our Taj Mahal morning falls on a Friday?

The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, so we plan the dates to keep Day 11 clear of it. If your flights are fixed, we rearrange the Agra visit so you still see it before returning to Delhi.

On the route