en
- Adventure
- 14-day trip
- From €6,495 per person
India trip | Ultimate wildlife adventure in India
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure through the heart of India and discover the unspoilt wilderness of Central India. In Delhi, you’ll experience the contrast between the old and the modern: a stroll through Old Delhi, a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk and impressive monuments such as the Akshardham Temple and Humayun’s Tomb. Your journey continues to Kanha National Park, where you’ll explore the bamboo forests and grasslands by 4x4 jeep in search of tigers, leopards, sloth bears and the rare barasingha. You will then travel to Pench National Park, where you’ll discover the riverbanks, grasslands and village surroundings by jeep, boat or on foot. You’ll spend the night at Jamtara Wilderness Camp, which offers unique experiences, such as sleeping under the stars on a traditional machaan. In Satpura National Park, you’ll admire sandstone mountains, waterfalls and dense forests. Here you’ll spot sloth bears, wild dogs and tigers, whilst enjoying comfort, delicious local cuisine and an eco-friendly experience at your lodge. Your journey ends in Delhi, filled with unforgettable memories of wildlife and nature.
Travel programme
Travel overview
- Day 1 Flight to India
- Day 2 Arrival in Delhi
- Day 3 The highlights of Old Delhi
- Day 4 Discover Kanha National Park
- Day 5 – 6 On safari in Kanha National Park
- Day 7 Pench National Park
- Day 8 Adventure in Pench National Park
- Day 9 Satpura National Park
- Day 10 Exploring Satpura National Park
- Day 11 The heart of Satpura National Park
- Day 12 The Bori Wildlife Sanctuary
- Day 13 Last night in Delhi
- Day 14 Departure from India
Arrival in Delhi
Welcome to India! You will arrive in Delhi, where you will be met by our local representative. You will travel by private transfer to your hotel in Delhi, where you will spend the first few nights. Delhi, the capital of India, is a city that blends the old and the new. It is the country’s third-largest city and one of the fastest-growing in Asia. This city is rich in culture; it changes with the times but never hides its magnificent past. The various ancient ruins to be seen throughout the city stand as silent witnesses to its glorious history. Enjoy your first taste of the country.
Inclusief:
- Meet & Greet on arrival
- Private transfer to your hotel
- Overnight accommodation including breakfast
The highlights of Old Delhi
After your first night in India, you will be collected to explore the city with your guide, taking you back in time to the grandeur and subsequent decline of the Mughal Empire. Colourful, lively and chaotic are the words that best describe what many call Old Delhi, which was built by the mighty Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. During the Old Delhi tour, you’ll visit the Jama Masjid, among other sights, stroll through the narrow streets and markets, and see the once-glorious havelis (royal mansions) of Old Delhi. On foot, you’ll discover hidden gems as you explore the city’s narrow alleys and 350-year-old markets, built on the fringes of the Mughal Empire, once India’s most glorious monarchy.
In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to take a traditional rickshaw ride. Climb aboard for a tour through the old market, which was once laid out by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. As you ride through the narrow streets, you’ll pass the colourful shops of bustling Chandni Chowk, one of Asia’s largest wholesale markets and a major historical landmark in India. Anyone who wishes can also take a short walk through the market to experience daily life up close.
Inclusief:
- Excursion: Walking tour of Old Delhi including a rickshaw ride
- Overnight accommodation including breakfast
Discover Kanha National Park
After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Delhi Airport for your flight to Raipur. From there, it is a drive of around 4 to 5 hours to Kanha National Park, one of India’s most beautiful and diverse nature reserves. Along the way, you’ll see the landscape gradually transform into a wilderness that is home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs and the rare barasingha deer.
On arrival, you’ll check in at the lodge and meet your hosts, who are keen to share their knowledge and passion for nature with you. Tarun, manager of Kanha Jungle Lodge, combines his passion for nature with twenty years’ experience in wildlife tourism. He ensures a comfortable and unforgettable stay and is happy to accompany you on safari trips, during which he shares his extensive knowledge of tigers and birds. His son Jai, a curious ten-year-old, grew up at the lodge and is learning all about animals and plants in a playful way – a real little Mowgli.
Dimple, the lodge’s hostess, is a self-taught nature expert. She published the first book on Kanha’s wild flowers, researches local butterflies and loves sharing her knowledge with guests. As well as birdwatching and butterfly tours, she’ll show you the stars, teach you how to cook Indian dishes and help you relax with yoga. Together, they’ll make your stay an inspiring journey of discovery through nature.
In the evening, you’ll set off on your first exploration of the park with the nature guides: you’ll learn about the buffer and core zones, gain an insight into the routes of the upcoming safaris and hear more about the remarkable return of the barasingha.
Tips from the Travel Specialist
Please note: The national park in Madhya Pradesh (Central India) is closed on Wednesdays. However, various activities can still be organised at the lodges, such as nature walks and birdwatching in and around the lodge, or a village safari.
Inclusief:
- Private transfer to the airport
- Domestic flight Delhi – Raipur
- Private transfer to your hotel
- Accommodation on a full-board basis, including activities organised by the lodge
On safari in Kanha National Park
Early in the morning, you’ll be woken up with a cup of tea or coffee delivered to your door. As the mist slowly lifts and the first birds begin to sing, you set off on your first jungle safari. Accompanied by a nature guide and a park ranger, you’ll explore the park in a 4x4 jeep in search of tigers, leopards, barasingha and countless bird species. You’ll have breakfast in the middle of the jungle with a picnic and a cup of tea or coffee.
After a leisurely lunch at the lodge, another safari is on the programme for the afternoon.
You’ll be staying with a family that has played a key role in tiger conservation for three generations. Their legacy dates back to Kailash Sankhala, the founder of Project Tiger, the national programme that has protected the tiger in India. Today, this work is continued by his grandchildren, who also run the Kanha Jungle Lodge. Here, you’ll not only experience nature, but also the story of a family that understands and protects the tiger like no other.
Inclusief:
- Accommodation on a full-board basis, including activities organised by the lodge
Pench National Park
After the morning safari in Kanha, you’ll set off for Pench (approx. 4-hour drive). With its rolling landscape, teak forests and open grasslands, Pench is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears and the highest density of deer in the whole of India.
You’ll stay at Jamtara Wilderness Camp, a small-scale lodge with luxury safari tents in a beautiful rural setting. Here, you can not only enjoy comfortable tents with views of the natural surroundings, but also unique experiences such as a ‘Star Bed’ or a night on a traditional machaan. Sleeping under the stars, in the middle of the fields, surrounded by the sounds of the night-time jungle, brings you closer to the wilderness than ever before.
Inclusief:
- Morning jeep safari in Kanha National Park
- Private transfer to your lodge
- Accommodation on a full-board basis, including activities organised by the lodge
Adventure in Pench National Park
You’ll set off on a safari to explore Panch National Park. An adventurous safari is scheduled for both the early morning and the afternoon. You’ll travel in an open 4x4 jeep, accompanied by local and experienced nature guides who can tell you all about the park and its inhabitants.
Along the way, you’ll see vast forests, grassy plains and rivers, where you can admire animals in their natural habitat. With a bit of luck, you’ll spot majestic tigers, leopards, deer, wild boar and countless species of birds. The guides will point out tracks, animal calls and other signs of the park’s rich wildlife, allowing you to get to know the park in a unique way.
Between safaris, you’ll return to the lodge to relax, enjoy a meal or simply take in the views and the tranquillity of nature.
Inclusief:
- Accommodation on a full-board basis, including activities organised by the lodge
Satpura National Park
After your morning safari and breakfast, you’ll set off for Satpura National Park. This vast park forms the heart of the Panchmarhi Biosphere Reserve and is renowned for its impressive landscape: towering sandstone mountains, deep gorges, ravines, waterfalls and dense forests. With altitudes ranging from 320 to 1,352 metres, Satpura offers a surprisingly varied terrain that immediately gives you the feeling of being in the midst of unspoilt nature. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish.
Inclusief:
- Morning jeep safari in Satpura National Park
- Private transfer to your hotel
- Accommodation on a full-board basis, including activities organised by the lodge
Exploring Satpura National Park
You can immerse yourself completely in the natural beauty of Satpura. In the early morning and late afternoon, you can choose from various types of safari: by jeep, on foot or from the water. A jeep safari takes you deep into the park and is ideal for covering long distances and spotting as much wildlife as possible. During a boat safari, you’ll explore the riverbanks, where you can admire colourful waterbirds up close and, with a bit of luck, spot crocodiles too. On a walking safari, you’ll be guided by an experienced naturalist who’ll draw your attention to the finer details of the flora and fauna. In addition, a leisurely bushwalk around the camp or a village walk are also available, allowing you to get to know the landscape and the local community of Satpura in an intimate way.
Inclusief:
- Accommodation on a full-board basis, including activities organised by the lodge
The heart of Satpura National Park
In the morning, you’ll go on a jeep safari through the heart of Satpura Park. After the morning tour, you’ll spend a few hours at the forest guest house in Churna for lunch before the afternoon safari begins. The safari ends at Bori Safari Lodge, where you’ll explore the park via two different entrances so you don’t miss out on any of the experience. Your luggage will be transported to the lodge in a separate vehicle.
The Bori Safari Lodge is the ideal base from which to explore the undiscovered Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. Together with Satpura National Park and Pachmarhi Sanctuary, it forms the Satpura Tiger Reserve, a contiguous area of 2,200 km² with rich biodiversity, including sloth bears, leopards, wild dogs, tigers, gaurs, giant squirrels and many species of birds. The lodge is situated on farmland near the village of Dhapadamal, close to the park’s entrance gate.
Inclusief:
- Private transfer to your accommodation
- Lunch at the forest ranger’s cottage in the Churna Range
- Accommodation on a full-board basis, including activities organised by the lodge
The Bori Wildlife Sanctuary
You’ll go on both a morning and an afternoon safari in a shared jeep in the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. Accompanied by expert nature guides, you’ll venture into the unspoilt wilderness in search of the rich variety of wildlife that makes this relatively unknown park so special. During the safaris, you’ll have the chance to spot iconic species such as tigers, leopards, wild dogs, gaurs and sloth bears, as well as smaller mammals, colourful birds and various reptiles. Along the way, you’ll experience the tranquillity and authenticity of a region that remains relatively undiscovered by tourists. This safari experience combines adventure with nature education and shows you the park as it is meant to be: unspoilt and vibrant.
Inclusief:
- Accommodation on a full-board basis, including activities organised by the lodge
Last night in Delhi
In the morning, you’ll go on one final shared jeep safari in Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. After an early lunch, you’ll travel by car to Bhopal Airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for your final night’s stay. Here, you can relax and reflect on the wonderful and unforgettable experiences of the past few days in the Indian wilderness.
Inclusief:
- Morning jeep safari at Bori Wildlife Sanctuary
- Lunch at the Bori Safari Lodge
- Private transfer to the airport
- Domestic flight Bhopal – Delhi
- Private transfer to your hotel
- Overnight accommodation including breakfast
Accommodations
The Claridges
Built in 1952, The Claridges offers elegance and modern luxury in close proximity to the capital's bustling commercial and cultural centres. The hotel offers beautifully appointed rooms and suites, an array of renowned dining options, as well as dedicated leisure and business facilities. The...
Built in 1952, The Claridges offers elegance and modern luxury in close proximity to the capital's bustling commercial and cultural centres. The hotel offers beautifully appointed rooms and suites, an array of renowned dining options, as well as dedicated leisure and business facilities. Hotel facilities also include a delightful temperature-controlled swimming pool, complete with sun terraces, cabanas, loungers and a bar, where guests can enjoy exotic cocktails, amid uplifting music and mood lighting. Surrounded by sprawling lawns, the hotel is designed to offer Indian warmth and hospitality.
Your stay: 2 nights
Kanha Jungle Lodge
The Kanha Jungle Lodge is your heaven on earth in Kanha National Park. For 20 years, the lodge has been run as passionately as it is heartwarming by couple Tarun and Dimple, who truly go out of their way to make your stay memorable. Tarun has built up unparalleled knowledge of the park over the years, and we dare...
The Kanha Jungle Lodge is your heaven on earth in Kanha National Park. For 20 years, the lodge has been run as passionately as it is heartwarming by couple Tarun and Dimple, who truly go out of their way to make your stay memorable. Tarun has accumulated unparalleled knowledge of the park over the years, and we dare say he can be considered one of the best safari guides in the country. Tarun still guides safaris himself, we will definitely have one of your safaris conducted by him. His wife Dimple has devoted herself to developing the most delicious recipes, so culinary-wise, you are also in the right place here. Moreover, she has made an extensive study of the local flora and small fauna that can be found around the lodge, and you can contact her for a night-time stargazing trip.
The lodge is well hidden in the evergreen sal forest, whose trees provide much-needed cooling in the hot summer. The bungalows are spacious and comfortably furnished and are located at the edge of the forest. After your safari, relax in the main building, where drinks are served and have dinner in the cosy courtyard.
Your stay: 3 nights
Jamtara Wilderness Camp
Located in the village of Jamtara, near the Pench National Park, Jamtara Wilderness camp features 10 luxury tents in the heart of rural Pench. Surrounded by tall Arjuna trees and an old Banyan. Each tent overlooks the forest that provides the perfect backdrop for this jungle experience.
As...
Located in the village of Jamtara, near the Pench National Park, Jamtara Wilderness camp features 10 luxury tents in the heart of rural Pench. Surrounded by tall Arjuna trees and an old Banyan. Each tent overlooks the forest that provides the perfect backdrop for this jungle experience.
Driving to Jamtara camp, you will feel the calmness of the surroundings and see the lush jungles around you.
While many can sleep in their luxury tent, others may feel more connected to nature and have the option of sleeping outside on their terrace. Mosquito nets keep insects at bay and duvets and hot water bottles ensure you won't be cold.
Your stay: 2 nights
Reni Pani Jungle Lodge
The Reni Pani Jungle Lodge is situated in the forest near the Satpura Tiger Reserve. The surrounding areas are known for the presence of wild boar, deer, antelope and, from time to time, leopards. The abundance of Reni trees, a type of berry tree, attracts sloth bears. The lodge also attracts a large…
The Reni Pani Jungle Lodge is situated in the forest near the Satpura Tiger Reserve. The surrounding areas are known for the presence of wild boar, deer, antelope and, from time to time, leopards. The abundance of Reni trees, a type of berry tree, attracts sloth bears. The lodge also attracts a wide variety of bird species.
The Reni Pani Jungle Lodge comprises 12 cottages built using indigenous materials, featuring viewing platforms and large bay windows. There is a communal area, known as the ‘Gol Ghar’, with a dining area, a bar and a library. In addition, the lodge has a swimming pool and a wellness centre offering massages.
Your stay: 2 nights
Bori Safari Lodge
Bori Safari Lodge is situated near the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, set amidst a 3-hectare estate. The lodge offers a selection of luxury rooms with modern amenities, such as air conditioning, hot water, tea and coffee making facilities, wardrobes, bathrobes and slippers. Guests can dine in the lodge’s restaurant…
Bori Safari Lodge is situated near the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, set amidst a 3-hectare estate. The lodge offers a selection of luxury rooms with modern amenities, such as air conditioning, hot water, tea and coffee making facilities, wardrobes, bathrobes and slippers. Guests can dine in the hotel’s restaurant. Facilities and services available to guests include a courtyard, Wi-Fi, a spa, a swimming pool and a library.
Your stay: 2 nights
Andaz Delhi
Located in Aerocity, New Delhi, the Andaz Delhi is close to the business centres of Delhi and Gurgaon, as well as some of the city’s iconic tourist destinations and shopping areas. The hotel offers 401 loft-style rooms, including 45 suites and 129 additional serviced apartments. Each room features…
Located in Aerocity, New Delhi, the Andaz Delhi is close to the business centres of Delhi and Gurgaon, as well as some of the city’s iconic tourist destinations and shopping areas. The hotel offers 401 loft-style rooms, including 45 suites and 129 additional serviced apartments. Each room features one of 401 unique works of art celebrating a reason to fall in love with Delhi. Refined details, such as wooden floors, create a homely atmosphere, whilst modern bathroom fittings and artistic touches invite guests to relax in style. The rooms with a view offer stunning vistas of the runway at Indira Gandhi International Airport, an exciting vantage point from which to watch aeroplanes take off or land. The Andaz Apartments offer a residential-style experience with living and dining areas, fully equipped kitchens, and are available as one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments or as a duplex townhouse.
Your stay: 1 night
Destinations
New Delhi
India's largest city, Delhi, was one of the country's commercial and economic centres for centuries, making it incredibly rich in culture and history. The city consists of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the modern part, New Delhi and includes a stunning array of beautiful architecture, remarkable monuments and ancient temples, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Red Fort, Qutab Minar and Humayun's Tomb. Other major attractions include the 17th-century Chandni Chowk market, the iconic Bahà'i Lotus Temple and the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque.
India
Satpura National Park
Tucked away in the picturesque hills of Satpura lies Satpura National Park. The national park comprises 524 square kilometres of unspoilt wilderness. The area is renowned for its towering sandstone peaks and rugged hills, which are cloaked in dense forests and criss-crossed by glistening streams. The park also features a number of narrow gorges and ravines that provide an ideal habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, including the tiger, leopard, four-horned antelope, sambar, nilgai, chital, wild dog, chinkara, wild boar and bison. As well as the usual jeep game drives, visitors can look forward to exploring the park on guided walking safaris or boat safaris (by motorboat or kayak).
Kanha National Park
The Kanha National Park, also known as the Kanha Tiger Reserve, is widely regarded as the largest of India's wildlife sanctuaries and the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's classic 'The Jungle Book'. Located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, this impressive expanse of wilderness covers about 950 square kilometres of lush rolling hills, peaceful rivers, saal and bamboo forest and endless stretches of savannah grass. This spectacularly beautiful environment provides a wide range of habitats for an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, jackals, swamp deer, foxes, porcupines, sloth bears, pythons, hare, chitals, gauraps, mongooses and hundreds of species of birds .
Pench National Park
The Pench National Park lies in the lower southern foothills of the Satpuda Hills, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and is known for having the highest concentration of wildlife of any park in India, increasing the chances of spotting a leopard or tiger, for example . This impressive expanse of wilderness has a typical central Indian jungle and is bisected by the spectacularly scenic Pench River. Apart from the river, the park also contains a number of bamboo-lined jungle streams that provide a valuable water source for local wildlife, including: the wild dog, sloth bear, wolf, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, gaur, sambar and chital. Pench is also a paradise for bird lovers with over 250 species of birds inhabiting the area, including: parakeets, hornbills, kingfishers, wheel tails and wagtails, as well as a large selection of raptors.
Madhya Pradesh
India's second largest state, Madhya Pradesh is located right in the middle of the country and hence also known as 'the heart of India'. It is the least developed of all the states, it is home to many traditional ethnic tribes, many of which are cut off almost entirely from the modern world, and is dotted with ancient, abandoned cities that offer a striking contrast to the bustle of India's modern destinations. The region has a rich cultural and historical heritage, encapsulated in an array of antiquated palaces and hill forts, as well as over 20 temples devoted to the Kama Sutra, featuring magnificent architecture and astonishing erotic sculptures. Roughly 30% of Madhya Pradesh is covered by forest - constituting 12% of all India's forests in total - which makes it an excellent place for wildlife sightings.
India trip | Ultimate wildlife adventure in India
We offer this trip from €6,495 per person.
The tour price is indicative and is subject to factors including availability and travel dates.
Included
• Domestic flights
• Meet & Greet service
• Accommodation in high-quality and distinctive lodges and hotels
• All meals as specified in the ‘itinerary’
• All excursions as mentioned in the ‘itinerary’, including a walking tour of Old Delhi, jungle safaris in Kanha, Pench and Satpura, and meetings with host families and nature guides at the lodges.
• Private transport with an English-speaking private guide/driver
• Entrance fees where applicable
• National Geographic or similar travel guide
• Administration fees (€50 per booking)
Positive impact of your trip:
• A contribution of €50 per person towards positive impact via the Avila Foundation
• City walks with local guides
• Accommodation in nature lodges with a strong focus on wildlife conservation
Not included
• International flights
• Room category upgrade
• Travel and/or cancellation insurance
• Visa fees
• Tourist tax (where applicable)
• Seat reservations
• Personal expenses/tips
• Any departure tax when leaving the destination
• Entrance fees, where applicable
• Meals not specified and optional excursions
• Contribution to the Calamity Fund (€2.50 per booking)
• SGR contribution (€5 per person)