Sugar up your tiger tour in India's most beautiful safari lodges and enjoy comfort in the wilderness with incredible design and world-class food. The Taj Group Lodges, harmoniously and lovingly integrated into the surrounding landscape, are a class of their own and leave nothing to be desired. This trip, which is accompanied by local English speaking guides, can be booked flexibly on request within the dates given. Please note that safari permits usually have to be applied for at least 4 months in advance. Short-term bookings are therefore usually not possible.
Itinerary
Delhi – Khajuraho – Panna – Bandhavgarh – Kanha – Pench – Nagpur – Delhi
Transport
Flight, drive with private driver
Big Cats
Tiger, leopard
Possible travel time
October 16 – June 30
Duration of the tour
15 days
Prices
at luxury class lodges of the Taj Group
for 2 pers. CHF 9900.–* per person
for 2 pers. CHF 11'300.–* per person
* The prices indicated represent the lowest margin. Final pricing depends on effective travel dates.
Lodging
2 nights in Delhi
3 nights in Panna
3 nights in Bandhavgarh
Tour Program
Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
Individual arrival in Delhi. Pick-up and welcome at the airport by our English speaking representative, who will take you to your hotel, assist you with check-in and hand over the remaining travel documents. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Delhi – Khajuraho – Panna
Flight & 1 hour drive, 40 km
Early in the morning transfer to the airport. Flight to Khajuraho at 10.45 am with arrival at 1.35 pm. You will be picked up at Khajuraho airport and taken to Panna by private transfer.
Upon arrival, check-in and lunch at Pashan Garh Lodge, where you will reside on a small hill in spacious stone bungalows and enjoy breathtaking views over the nearby waterhole and surroundings – a perfect setting for romantic outdoor dinners. Tigers and antelopes are often seen in the immediate vicinity of the bungalows. The afternoon is at your leisure. Use the time and enjoy the amenities of Pashan Garh! Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Day 3
In Panna
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge. Morning and evening jeep safari in the National Park. Panna is located in the Vindhya Mountains and is the most important protected area in the northern part of the Central Indian Highlands. The breathtaking landscape with deep gorges, rushing waterfalls and dense teak forests lies predominantly on an uneven and rocky plateau. Tiger sightings in Panna are still a bit less frequent than in other parks, but you have good chances to see other predators such as leopards and bears here. The biodiversity of the park is second to none!
Remark: Panna is closed on Wednesday afternoons. An alternative program will be provided upon request.
Day 4
In Panna
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge. Morning river cruise on the Ken River to observe Gharials – a separate sanctuary has been established for these ancient and rare species of crocodile. One of the highest population of paradise flycatchers worldwide can also be found here. In the afternoon jeep safari in the park.
Day 5
Panna – Bandhavgarh 5 hours drive, 240 km
After breakfast drive to Bandhavgarh. Upon arrival check-in and lunch at the spectacular Mahua Kothi Lodge. The name is derived from one of India's most beautiful trees – the Mahua or Butter Tree. Twelve enchanting guest suites were built here in the traditional clay style of Madhya Pradesh and luxuriously furnished. In the afternoon first jeep safari in Bandhavgarh. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Days 6 – 7
In Bandhavgarh
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge. Morning and evening jeep safari in the National Park. From Bandhavgarh comes the last known wild white tiger – the father of all today in captivity existing specimens.
Today Bandhavgarh scores with its high tiger density – in hardly any other park are the chances as good to encounter a striped big cat. Don't miss a visit to the Vishnu statue near the temple hill, to which a pilgrim procession leads twice a year. This enchanted place surrounded by tropical vegetation will captivate you.
Remark:
Bandhavgarh is closed on Wednesday afternoons. An alternative program will be provided on request.
Day 8
Bandhavgarh – Kanha 6 hours drive, 280 km
Last morning safari in Bandhavgarh and then transfer to Kanha. After arrival check in and lunch at the sensational Banjaar Tola Lodge, consisting of two parts – each with nine luxurious tent suites built on the fertile banks of the Banjaar River, overlooking the heart of the National Park.
Each suite has been lovingly furnished with local materials in classic jungle style and has a private outdoor area with views.
Days 9 – 10
In Kanha
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the lodge. Morning and evening jeep safari in the National Park. Kanha is known for its picturesque landscape and good tiger sightings. You will have breakfast as a picnic on the hood of your jeep inside the park – a special experience!
Remark:
Kanha is closed on Wednesday afternoons. An alternative program will be provided on request.
Day 11
Kanha – Pench 4–5 hours drive, 210 km
Last morning safari in Kanha and after an early lunch drive to Pench. Upon arrival check-in and lunch at the enchanting Baghvan Lodge. Baghvan was appropriately named after the king of the local jungle – in Hindi Bagh stands for tiger and Van for forest.
The lodge boasts 12 air-conditioned bungalow suites and a palace-like swimming pool surrounded by extensive gardens. Thanks to a dreamlike machan (covered wooden roof terrace) on each bungalow overlooking the nearby Nullah (dry riverbed), you are constantly immersed in the sounds of the Indian jungle. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and sleep outside under the roof of the jungle! And don't be surprised if you find a Sambar deer outside your front door in the morning.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Tage 12 – 13
In Pench
One jeep safari each morning and afternoon in the national park. Pench is supposed to be the place that inspired Rudyard Kipling for his famous Jungle Book – even if Kanha claims this fact for itself as well. Situated between the four mountain ranges Aravali, Vindhyanchal, Satpura and Maikal, the lovely landscape of Pench is home to the densest population of ungulates of any Central Indian park. Ideal conditions for a high number of tigers and leopards, which are regularly seen here.
Catering and overnight stay at the lodge. Breakfast and lunch are served on a deck by the magnificent pool where you can see the Nullah – a frequent itinerary for the resident tigers. The sunset is celebrated with cocktails under the huge Banyan tree.
Remark: Pench is closed on Wednesday afternoons. An alternative program will be provided on request.
Day 14
Pench – Nagpur – Delhi 2 hours drive, 100 km & Flight
Last morning safari in Pench. After lunch transfer to Nagpur airport. Flight to Delhi at 7.45 pm with arrival at 9.30 pm. After arrival transfer to the nearby hotel.
Day 15
Delhi & individual home or onward journey
Day at leisure in Delhi or individual onward journey. In the evening transfer to the international airport.
Included services
The above prices per person include:
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Hotel in Delhi including breakfast
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Lodge in Panna, Bandhavgarh, Kanha und Pench with full board
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Continuous supply of bottled drinking water in hotels, lodges and vehicles
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6 pieces of laundry a day included in the Taj Lodges
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Domestic flights in economy class Delhi – Khajuraho und Nagpur – Delhi
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Entrances and guides in Panna, Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench
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4 safaris in a jeep by Taj Safari in Panna with a maximum of 6 guests
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1 boat safari once during stay in Panna
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4 safaris in a jeep by Taj Safari in Bandhavgarh with a maximum of 6 guests
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5 safaris in a jeep by Taj Safari in Kanha with a maximum of 6 guests
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5 safaris in a jeep by Taj Safari in Pench with a maximum of 6 guests
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Assistance at the airports and hotels
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All land transfers with private driver in air-conditioned Toyota Innova
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All currently applicable taxes
The following is not included:
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Individual travel to Delhi
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Visa: all foreign visitors need a valid visa for India: the easiest way is to apply for an e-Tourist-Visa directly online: indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa. The e-Visa can be applied for up to 120 days in advance and is valid from the day of entry. For a regular visa you must send your passport to an Indian representation in your home country. More information can be found on the website of the Indian representations in the US indianembassyusa.gov.in, in Australia cgisydney.gov.in, in the UK hcilondon.gov.in and in Switzerland indembassybern.gov.in. The passport should in any case be valid for 6 months beyond the validity period of your visa.
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Tips for drivers and guides: Tips are expected when you are satisfied – for exceptional services you may also exceed our recommendations. Calculate with 400-600 INR per guide and 300-500 for the driver per day or half of it for half a day or a single safari.
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Tips in hotels/lodges: we recommend not to tip individual staff members such as the concierge as this would be unfair towards others. Instead, at the end of your stay, put something in the most common tip box – the tip will then be evenly distributed among the staff. We recommend about 5 US $ or 350 INR per person and day.
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Possible fees for photo and video cameras in the national parks and at monuments
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Elephant safari in Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh à INR 2000 per person for 30 minutes. Subject to availability, cannot be booked in advance.
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Personal expenses such as smoking, soft drinks, alcohol, laundry and telephone calls.
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Travel Insurance
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Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Remarks
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Check-in and check-out are always at 12.00 noon.
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If the intended hotel or normal room category is sold out, alternative accommodations will be suggested.
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Single room surcharges or larger groups on request.
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Ideally you should travel in groups of two or four, as the jeeps can accommodate a maximum of 4 tourists (5 are possible, but not very comfortable).
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The allocation of the park zone in which the individual safaris take place depends on the forestry authority and can only be influenced to a limited extent, depending on the park.
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Entrance costs to national parks or state taxes may change at any time. Such changes will be communicated to you in good time.
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Safari permits must be applied in most parks 120 days prior to departure. It is therefore often not possible to book at short notice or to change your name less than 120 days before the start of your trip.
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The above travel times from one location to another are based on normal road conditions and may vary. Every break for food, tea, toilets etc. prolongs the travel times.
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Travel safety: please refer to the recommendations of the US Department of State Travel Advisory, the Smart Traveller of the Australian Government or the UK Government foreign travel advice respectively for safety and security information on the areas you want to visit.
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Vaccinations: please check the current recommendations of your country such as cdc.gov/travel for the US, myvaccination.com.au/travel-vaccinations for Australia or safetravel.ch for Switzerland. In general, standard vaccinations and hepatitis A are recommended. Malaria proyphylaxis or the carrying of standby emergency treatment as well as good mosquito protection and long-sleeved outdoor clothing are recommended at dusk.