India Tiger Safari

16 Days Starting and ending in Delhi

Visiting: India

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

WIW

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $4500 $3600 Operator discount: -$900 -20%

NB: Prices correct on 22-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Bengal tigers are a highly seductive class-A predator; they are also desperately endangered. Seeing one in the wild is intoxicating, which is why this comprehensive safari visits three of the best tiger parks in India. Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh national parks are all ideal for viewing both predator and prey, and with 15 game drives included the chances of seeing the magnificent Bengal tiger are greatly increased. There are many other animals to see, too, but tigers remain top of the agenda throughout.

Highlights

  • Immersive yourself in the wilds of India on an in-depth tiger-watching adventure

  • Maximise your chances of seeing a Bengal tiger with 15 game drives across three national parks

  • Search for other wildlife: leopards, sloth bears, monkeys and more

  • Visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, a New Wonder of the World

  • Support the TOFTigers campaign to protect biodiversity and restore habitats

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Delhi

The group flight arrives at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and we transfer to our hotel approximately 30 minutes away. You can normally check in around midday. Those not travelling on the group flight, please ensure you provide your flight details at least 2 weeks prior to arrival to secure your airport transfer.



There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, your Leader will advise the time and location on your arrival (the information will also be posted in the hotel lobby).



Accommodation: Hotel Deventure (or similar)

Day 2 : Fly To Nagpur; Transfer To Pench National Park

Meals Included: Dinner

The group will transfer to Delhi Domestic Airport for a flight (around 1hr 40min) to Nagpur. The drive to Pench National Park, where your safari adventures begin, will take approximately three hours.



Accommodation: Pench Jungle Camp (or similar)

Day 3 - 4 : Four Game Drives Over Two Days In Pench National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend two days exploring Pench National Park in the lower southern reaches of the Satpuda hills. It provided inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book and marks our first chance to see our very own Shere Khan.



This designated tiger reserve is home to around 45 Bengal tigers, plus leopards, wolves, monkeys, deer, and nilgai (the largest antelope in Asia). Our two days include four game drives, in which we’ll keep our eyes peeled for the incredible creatures that live here.



Accommodation: Pench Jungle Camp (or similar)

Day 5 : Transfer To Kanha National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We depart in the morning and drive to Kanha National Park. Although the distance is not far, the journey usually takes approximately four hours. On arrival, there is time to relax by the pool and share wildlife stories with your fellow travellers.



Accommodation: Celebration Van Vilas (or similar)

Day 6 - 8 : Five Game Drives Over Three Days In Kanha National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Created in 1974, Kanha National Park is often described as the greatest wildlife reserve in India – during our time here, we go on five game drives to explore it.



The park is vast, encompassing expansive grasslands, plateaus and dramatic rocky escarpments that house hundreds of wildlife species. The tiger population – which currently numbers around 500 – has been affected by poaching in recent years but the huge abundance of animals makes the game drives a memorable experience.



Accommodation: Celebration Van Vilas (or similar)

Day 9 : Transfer To Bandhavgarh National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We leave Kanha National Park after breakfast and drive to Bandhavgarh, stopping en route for refreshments. This journey will take approximately six to seven hours. On arrival there is free time to settle in.



Accommodation: Nature Heritage Resort (or similar)

Day 10 - 12 : Six Game Drives Over Three Days In Bandhavgarh National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Bandhavgarh is one of the smaller national parks and enjoys an impressive setting with a cliff-top fort overlooking grasslands, birch forests and bamboo.



It is home to a wide variety of game, including leopards, sloth bears, jungle cats, wild pigs and, of course, tigers. The healthy tiger population of approximately 60-70 means this park has the highest tiger density of any reserve in India. The park also hosts up to 150 bird species including many on the migratory trail, such as the steppe eagle. During our stay, we embark on six games drives.



Accommodation: Nature Heritage Resort (or similar)

Day 13 : Drive To Katni; Overnight Train To Agra

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we drive for approximately three hours to Katni Railway Station. We stop for refreshments, conveniences and photo opportunities along the way. In the evening, we catch the overnight train to Agra.



Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train

Day 14 : Arrive Agra; Visit Agra Fort; Sunset At The Taj Mahal

Meals Included: Breakfast

Arriving in Agra in the morning, we transfer to our hotel. No stay in Agra would be complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal, built by the Moghul emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first-time visitor – the white marble exterior changing colour according to the position of the sun. Nearby is the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque, palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains.



Please note: In December and January, our Taj Mahal visit is earlier in the afternoon to avoid fog that can limit visibility during sunset.



Accommodation: Royal Regent Hotel (or similar)

Day 15 : Drive To Delhi; Free Afternoon

Meals Included: Breakfast

We leave for Delhi after breakfast, stopping en route for lunch and arriving at our hotel in the afternoon. You are then free to relax or explore the sites of New and Old Delhi. Your Tour Leader can organise an optional sightseeing trip if you prefer.



Accommodation: Hotel Deventure (or similar)

Day 16 : End Delhi

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our adventure draws to a close after breakfast.



Those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport. If you are not travelling on the group flight, please ensure you provide your flight details at least 2 weeks prior to arrival to secure your return airport transfer. Alternatively, if you’d like a little more time in Delhi, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts and 11 dinners included

  • All accommodation

  • All transport as per itinerary

  • All entrance fees and activities as per itinerary

  • 15 Game Drives, including park fees

  • Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Visas and vaccinations

  • Single supplement

Food

Breakfast and 11 dinners are included.



Allow around 1,400 - 2,400 rupees (US$20-US$35) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants, you will spend more than the suggested amount. In Agra and Delhi, there is a good choice of restaurants and a selection of Indian and Western food. If you are a vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to travel to with a wide range of dishes on offer. Please note, there are usually some non-spicy curries while we’re at the national parks, but these are in limited supply. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large) bottle of beer is approximately 600 rupees (US$7). Mineral water is widely available. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow.

Accommodation

On our search for tigers, we spend 14 nights in hotels and lodges and one night on an air-conditioned sleeper train. The accommodation typically used is on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are a few of the notable places we stay on this trip.



Kanha National Park: Celebration Van Vilas (nights 5-8)







Just moments from the park entrance, Celebration Van Vilas is ideally placed for our exploration of Kanha. When you’re not out wildlife watching, take a refreshing dip in the pool or treat yourself to an Ayurvedic treatment in the spa. There’s also an outdoor yoga-meditation space, plus a gym and hot tub.



Bandhavgarh National Park: Nature Heritage Resort (nights 9-12)







Immerse yourself in the wilds of India at Nature Heritage Resort, which is just moments from Bandhavgarh National Park. We stay in air-conditioned cottages with views from the balcony over the Vindhyachal hills. There are also two multi-cuisine restaurants serving produce from local farms, plus a swimming pool with loungers. At night, our groups often gather around the campfire, swapping stories about the day’s wildlife sightings.



Katni to Agra: Overnight train (night 13)



Experience an icon of travel: the Indian sleeper train! Our journey takes us from Katni to Agra, skipping the long drive, while also allowing us to interact with the local people and sample the snacks often sold on board. The accommodation is basic: we normally stay in two-tier sleepers, the compartments sectioned off from the aisle by privacy curtains. Seats are allocated at the time the tickets are issued, so the whole group isn’t always together; however, our tour leader is an expert at making the journey as hassle-free as possible and will regularly check in with you.



Worth knowing



Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are only a couple of months when the weather can get cold. You can, however, request more blankets if needed or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.

On the rare occasion a lodge/hotel is overbooked, the accommodation in national parks will be in fixed safari tents, which are fitted with electric lights and an attached toilet with shower with hot and cold water readily available.

It’s common for hotels in India to have limited times in the day for hot water use to save energy. If you find your shower is cold, please let your leader or reception know so they can make sure the water heater is on.

Within the sleeper train, you may be sharing a compartment of four beds with members of the public depending on how the seats are allocated.

Single accommodation excludes sleeper trains.

Videos

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

A great trip to see tigers in the wild

Three tiger reserves, 15 game drives in total. We saw about 15 tigers of different ages and sexes, lots of very good clear and long sightings.

Tigers WOW!

We had such a good holiday, it was wonderful seeing tigers in their natural environment and visiting the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal at the end of the holidays was a special experience. There were only 6 of us in our group and our fellow travellers were lovely friendly people and we all got on well. Our trip started a day later than usual because of Diwali so we didn't get the chance to do an optional game drive (we'd have done a 16th drive just to maximise any tiger sightings) as Bandhavgarh park is closed on Wednesday afternoon so our 15th drive was on the Thursday morning before leaving for the train. And, again because of the day's delay, we went to the Taj at sunrise rather than at sunset and were treated to a beautiful blue sky and lovely light. We saw tigers on our very first game drive, a mother and her cubs were resting on rocks at a bit of a distance but easily spottable once we got our "eye" in. We saw a glimpse of a stripey back on drive 2 but then nothing tiger-wise until drive 8 when a magnificent male briefly stepped out in front of our jeep before melting back into the bush. We saw a leopard in the far distance on drive 14 and then on drive 15 at the very last minute we had a tiger dash past all the waiting jeeps into the bush. The other jeep with our fellow travellers had a wonderful tiger sighting in Bandhavgarh (the jeeps did different zones) and, I must admit, it's hard not to be envious when others have an experience that you don't. We were happy for them but.....

Land of the Tiger

Overall, a really excellent holiday. We received exactly what was described in the broacher. The staff were excellent and went out their way to provide for us.

LAND OF THE TIGER

What an excellent trip. The holiday was made perfect by being in the company of an exceptional group of like-minded people, Tigers were seen by all of our group although they were very elusive. Accommodation and food were of a high standard. To experience the busy chaotic streets of India teeming with noise and colour is something I will never forget.

Wonderful trip to see tigers in the wild

Very well organised trip to three parks where chances of tiger sightings are high and we were delighted to have many good sightings

LAND OF THE TIGER

A truly excellent trip, from start to finish. For any wildlife fanatic seeing tiger in the wild is a must - awe-inspiring and majestic.

Land of the Tiger

A fantastic trip with a group of fantastic people. All our accommodation was just perfect, clean and spacious. Food was excellent throughout the tour. The wildlife was amazing. I think we were quite lucky as we saw tigers on 11 of the 15 game drives. Quite a few out in the open crossing or walking along the tracks. We even got to see a sloth bear walking along the track. The only animal we didn't get to see was a leopard but I suppose we shouldn't be greedy. The overnight sleeper train journey from Katni to Agra was a fun experience. Everything was clean. A bit noisy with people backwards and forwards but that's part of the experience. Then we had Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. A must for everyone. Both beautiful sites with lovely architecture. you can't go to India without seeing them.

LAND OF THE TIGER

An unforgetable trip to see an amazing country and the privaledge of seeing tigers in their natural environs and on their terms. A great group of people, with a fantastic guide.

LAND OF THE TIGER

A great holiday for a variety of experiences in India - from seeing tigers, historic sites to visiting the local school.  India is a vast county with beautiful scenery but also be prepared to see great poverty.  Dehli illustrates the extremes between wealth and poverty

We saw tigers!

We travelled to India solely to see tigers in their natural habitat and we were not disappointed. We saw tigers in each of the three national parks we visited as well as many other animals, most notably three sightings of a leopard. The accommodation used on the trip was, we felt, of a good standard. We appreciated the pool at each of the hotels and went to the pool every day after the morning game drive.

Read all 101 reviews

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