Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
India – Delhi – Bandhavgarh – Kanha – Pench – Satpura – Mumbai
100% customisable for you
Your Indian wildlife adventure kicks off today. Grab your khakis, head to the airport and whizz through security – it’s time to slip away to the lounge for some complimentary nibbles. The flight to Delhi takes around ten hours and connects through the Middle East, giving you plenty of time to (re)watch The Jungle Book before touchdown.
When you arrive in the Indian capital, breeze through customs and meet your private driver who’ll whisk you off into the heart of the city. Check in for two nights in your charming city-centre hotel before heading back out to tuck into the first of many (and we do mean many) mouth-watering meals.
Gear up for a jam-packed day, because you’re about to embark on back-to-back tours of Old and New Delhi with a friendly local guide. What better way to introduce the dual personalities of the capital?
Start with characterful Old Delhi, exploring its narrow streets while ticking off a treasure trove of monuments, including the Jama Masjid Mosque, the Chandi Chowk Bazaar and Raj Ghat (a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi). As you stroll along, your guide will be on hand to contextualise notable sites and recommend a suitable spot for a post-tour lunch.
Come afternoon, it’s time to become acquainted with New Delhi, a British colonial creation of the 1930s. Start with a drive along the Royal Way, offering spectacular views of the iconic India Gate. Afterwards, visit the Tomb of Humayun – whose Mughal-style dome inspired the Taj Mahal – and the Qutub Minar, a 235ft-high red sandstone tower built in the early 13th century, adorned with fluting and verses from the Quran.
This evening, return to Old Delhi to delve into the aromas of Chandi Chowk, sampling a range of local delicacies, including kebabs, paratha (flatbread), jalebi (a popular, spiral-shaped sweet) and kulfi (a frozen dairy dessert). Time to tuck in.
Bid the capital a fond farewell this morning as you head to the airport for the one-hour-and-35-minute domestic flight to Jabalpur.
When you land, you’ll be met by a private driver who’ll be at your disposal for the rest of your time in the state of Madhya Pradesh. So, buckle up and hit the road for the roughly two-and-a-half-hour drive to Bandhavgarh National Park, where you’ll check in for the next two nights.
Famed for having the largest tiger population in all of India, as well as an abundance of other wonderful wildlife species, Bandhavgarh is bound to kick off your animal encounters with a bang (or should we say a roar?).
Tuck into a bountiful breakfast this morning before heading out for a day of adventure on a jeep safari in the company of an expert naturalist guide. Cameras at the ready...
With a mixed landscape of savannah, forests and hills, beautiful Bandhavgarh covers 186 square miles. Originally created as a royal hunting reserve in 1968, it’s now home to over 35 different species of mammal. Look out for slinking tigers, tree-dwelling leopards, elusive sloth bears, elephants, jackals and more. Be sure to keep an ear out for bird calls and slithering snakes, too – over 250 bird species and 16 snake species dwell in the park.
Your safari will also take you past the historic Maharaja-built clifftop fort, an impressive structure perched atop 1,000ft-high cliffs. Talk about ending on a high note.
This morning, it’s onto the next stop on your wildlife adventure. After fuelling up on a hearty breakfast, your trusty driver will take you south to Kanha National Park, in the heart of the central Indian highlands. The journey takes around four-and-a-half hours, ideal for indulging in a big-cat-nap (see what we did there?) or taking in the shifting landscape.
When you arrive in Kanha, check in for two nights in your next home away from home, drop your bags and freshen up. Come evening, dine on an array of authentic Indian dishes before sinking into your pillow, eagerly awaiting tomorrow’s adventures.
Today, you’ll be delving into the jungle to discover even more fantastic flora and fauna. Covering 584 square miles, Kanha National Park is teeming with wonderful wildlife. Thanks to the tiger conservation movement ‘Project Tiger’, this sweeping site has also witnessed a steady rise in the number of protected mammals over the past few years, including tigers and deer.
From the vantage point of a 4x4 jeep, look out for little and large animals in a landscape of dense forests, vast pastures, blooming meadows and crystal-clear streams. You’ll be in with the chance of spotting exotic birds, porcupines, monkeys, mongoose and wild cats.
When you’re not out looking for the cast of The Jungle Book, kick back with a good book or a refreshing cocktail under the welcome cover of shade.
It’s time to hit the road again today, heading for the next park on your hitlist: Pench. You’re in for another long drive of around five hours. But don’t worry, just hit play on our destination playlists, and the time will fly by.
You’ll arrive in Pench National Park this afternoon, where you’ll be free to settle into your suave new digs and, if there’s time, venture out to explore the grounds before dinner.
You know the drill by now. It’s safari time. Accompanied by a naturalist guide, head out into the emerald landscape of Pench, the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s famous tale (hence our Jungle Book jokes) and a protected tiger reserve which is home to an estimated 65 of these majestic mammals.
Venture into the jungle, streams and forests, keeping an eye out for bison, sambar deer, antelope and wild boar, as well as leopards, wild dogs and wolves. Budding bird watchers should also listen out for migratory calls and flashes of feathers among the 1,200 recorded plant species that also reside here – your expert guide will be on hand to help you identify many of them.
After your foray into the forest, savour the sounds of nature during another delicious dinner this evening.
A new day calls for a new adventure. Hop in the car and head to Satpura National Park. It’ll take around six hours to make the journey, but we promise it’s worth it. The largest tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh, Satpura National Park is a haven for these captivating creatures (and many more).
You’ll spend two nights here, nestled right in the heart of nature. So, tonight, unpack, settle in and... relax.
Today, we’ve arranged some must-do excursions, starting with a 4x4 jeep journey through the reserve. In the capable hands of an experienced naturalist guide, learn about the surrounding flora and fauna as you keep your eyes peeled for bison, tigers, leopards and wild boar. Let’s see how many more animals you can tick off your safari checklist (no cheating).
For your afternoon excursion, head to the dramatic Denwa River, which snakes through the park, and hop on a motorboat for a leisurely cruise. Enjoy the backdrop of the beautiful Satpura Hills as you spot birds and the odd Indian freshwater crocodile – just remember to keep your fingers out of the water.
Today, wave goodbye to India’s wonderful wildlife (don’t worry, you can always come back) as you hit the road for one final journey, heading south to Nagpur Airport to hop on a one-and-a-half-hour domestic flight to the bustling metropolis of Mumbai.
When you arrive, a private driver will take you to your hotel for the night, where you can drop your bags, freshen up and crack open a celebratory drink – it's been quite the adventure, after all.
For dinner tonight, consult your trusty Concierge to ensure your final meal of the trip is one to be remembered.
Rise and shine to catch your flight back to the UK this morning. We’ve arranged a private transfer to the airport for the first leg of your journey to a transit city in the Middle East, which takes around three-and-a-half hours. It’s then an onward eight-hour flight back to the UK, touching down on British soil in the evening. Why not stave off the holiday blues by making a photo album of all your wonderful wildlife snaps while you’re in the air?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from checking you in for your flights to our network of local Concierges
