16 days India wildlife tour, Corbett to Kanha

The great wildlife journey of North and Central India — five national parks from the Himalayan foothills to the sal forests of Kanha, with the Taj Mahal and Khajuraho between them.

At a glance

Duration

16 days, 15 nights

Start / end

Delhi / Mumbai

Parks

Corbett, Ranthambore, Bharatpur, Bandhavgarh, Kanha

Safaris

Jeep safaris in every tiger reserve

Transport

Private AC car, AC train, flight to Mumbai

Tour type

Private

Best season

November to May

What makes this one worth it

• Five parks: Corbett, Ranthambore, Bharatpur, Bandhavgarh and Kanha
• Bengal tigers, leopards, wild elephants, sloth bears and wild dogs
• Birding at Keoladeo, a UNESCO World Heritage wetland
• The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Akbar's tomb at Sikandra
• Khajuraho's Chandela temples on the way into Central India

Your day by day

1. Day 1

   Arrive in Delhi, city tour

   Airport pickup and check-in, then Old and New Delhi: Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, the Red Fort, India Gate, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk.

2. Day 2

   Delhi to Corbett

   About six hours north to Corbett National Park. Evening at the resort.

3. Day 3

   Corbett safaris

   Jeep safaris through the Himalayan foothill forests — tigers, elephants and the birds of the Ramganga.

4. Day 4

   Another day in Corbett

   More time in the park for tigers, leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears and porcupines.

5. Day 5

   Corbett to Delhi

   Back to Delhi by road. Evening free.

6. Day 6

   Train to Ranthambore

   AC train from Delhi to Sawai Madhopur and a short drive to your lodge beside Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

7. Day 7

   Ranthambore safaris

   A full day of game drives in Ranthambore, among lakes, ruins and the old fort.

8. Day 8

   Ranthambore to Bharatpur

   About four and a half hours to Bharatpur and an afternoon of birdwatching with a naturalist in Keoladeo National Park.

9. Day 9

   Bharatpur to Agra

   Early birding, then on to Agra for the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Sikandra.

10. Day 10

    Agra to Khajuraho

    A long drive south into Bundelkhand to Khajuraho. Evening free.

11. Day 11

    Khajuraho temples, on to Bandhavgarh

    The Western and Eastern temple groups in the morning, then about five hours to Bandhavgarh National Park.

12. Day 12

    Bandhavgarh safaris

    A full day of jeep safaris in one of the best parks in India for tiger sightings.

13. Day 13

    Bandhavgarh to Kanha

    About five hours to Kanha, the 1,945 square kilometre tiger reserve of the Maikal hills.

14. Day 14

    Kanha safaris

    Morning and evening drives through sal forest and meadows — tigers, barasingha, gaur and wild dogs.

15. Day 15

    Kanha to Nagpur, fly to Mumbai

    Drive to Nagpur and an evening flight to Mumbai. Transfer to your hotel.

16. Day 16

    Depart from Mumbai

    A free morning, then transfer to Mumbai airport for your flight home or back to Delhi.

What the price covers

• 15 nights in hotels and jungle lodges with daily breakfast
• Private AC car and driver for all road journeys
• Jeep safaris in Corbett, Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh and Kanha with permits
• Naturalist at Bharatpur
• Delhi to Sawai Madhopur AC train tickets
• Licensed guides in Delhi, Agra and Khajuraho
• Tolls, parking, fuel, driver allowance and taxes

What it does not cover

• Nagpur to Mumbai flight (booked at cost)
• International flights
• Monument entry tickets
• Lunch and dinner
• Camera fees in the parks
• Tips

Questions people ask

Is sixteen days too long?

It is a big trip, but the parks are spaced so there is never more than one long drive in a row, and each reserve gets at least one full day.

Can it end in Delhi instead of Mumbai?

Yes. We change the last flight from Nagpur to Delhi.

When should we go?

November to May. Central Indian parks close from July to mid-October, Corbett from mid-June.

Can we shorten it?

Yes — the North India half (Corbett, Ranthambore, Bharatpur, Agra) or the Central India half both work on their own.

How long is the drive from Agra to Khajuraho?

It is the longest day of the tour, roughly eight hours with stops for meals and tea. If you prefer, we can make part of the journey by train via Jhansi and meet you there with the car.

Do you book the Nagpur to Mumbai flight?

Yes. We book it at cost once you confirm, so you can choose the timing, and it is added to your written price before you pay anything.

What do you need from us for the safari permits?

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

What clothes should we pack for five different parks?

Layers. Corbett and the winter months in Central India mean cold early mornings in open jeeps, while April and May are hot everywhere by mid-morning. Neutral colours, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars and a scarf for dust cover everything.

What if our Agra day is a Friday?

The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, so we plan the dates to keep Day 9 clear. If your dates are fixed, we rearrange the order so you still see the Taj.

On the route