A broad overview of some of India’s most famous National Parks, this 18 day trip covers places in both the north and south of India, and gives you the maximum possible opportunity to sight, with luck, all of India’s most iconic species- tigers, leopards, sloth bears, elephants and more.
There are countless wildlife options in India- if you fancy something a bit more off-the-beaten track, let us know, we’re always excited to create different styles of trip and recommend places where specific animals can be found. Note that all of India’s National Parks close during the monsoon season. All the places here close in mid-June, reopening in mid-October. Generally speaking, the best times to see animals are later in the season- March is better than February, April is better than March and May is best of all but by then India is meltingly hot and it’s pretty difficult to be comfortable. That said, people visit all these Parks from the day they reopen, and sightings are still good even in November.
Detailed Itineary
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Day 1 : Arrive Mumbai
You’ll be met on arrival in Mumbai and assisted with the transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Mumbai
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Day 2 : Mumbai
Full day around Mumbai- you may choose to do some sightseeing but if you prefer a day to simply rest and relax ahead of the many adventurous days ahead that is fine. Overnight in Mumbai.
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Day 3 : Mumbai - Nagpur
Transfer to Mumbai airport in the morning and fly to Nagpur. You’ll be met here and depart right away for Pench National Park, arriving by early afternoon. Your safaris begin this afternoon with your first excursion into Pench NP. Overnight near Pench.
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Day 4 : Pench
The pattern for the trip will be similar- when you have a full day at a particular Park you’ll have 2 safaris, one at first light, the other at dusk, with free time in between. That schedule applies today, as you venture into Pench twice; this was where Rudyard Kipling was inspired to write the Jungle Book and if you’ve read the story you’ll have an idea of the array of species which live here. Overnight near Pench.
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Day 5 : Pench - Kanha
Final Pench safari in the morning then drive to Kanha. Today there won’t be time for a safari on arrival as the drive to Kanha is around 6 hours, but you can settle in and relax, and get updates from other travellers and your lodge staff on what wildlife they’ve seen that day. Overnight at Kanha
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Day 6 & 7 : Kanha
Two full days with morning and evening safaris both days. Kanha is a particularly large Park and covers a number of different habitats from marshlands to dry-deciduous forest to open grasslands, meaning each time you head out you’re likely to explore different areas, and see different species. Tiger sightings here are good, and there’s a wide array of prey species too. Canines and smaller felines are present too but fairly hard to spot. Two more nights at Kanha.
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Day 8 : Kanha - Bandhavgarh
Depart in the morning to ensure you are at Bandhavgarh in time for a safari this afternoon. This is a smaller National Park with a more homogenous habitat type, but the density of the tiger population here means you have possibly the best chance of all of catching a glimpse of a tiger or three here. Overnight at Bandhavgarh.
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Day 9 : Bandhavgarh
Two more safaris today as the North India portion of your trip concludes; overnight at Bandhavgarh.
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Day 10 : Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho - Delhi - Bangalore
Drive up to Khajuraho and fly to Delhi then on to Bangalore. On arrival in Bangalore you’ll be met and assisted with the short transfer to your hotel near the airport. Overnight in Bangalore.
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Day 11 : Bangalore - Kabini
Depart at your leisure- there won’t be a safari today so you can leave when you wish. Overnight at Kabini.
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Day 12 & 13 : Kabini
The environment around Kabini, which includes Nagarhole National Park and other protected areas within the Nilgiri Biosphere, is special in that you can explore it by means of both land-based and waterborne safaris, the latter on manmade Kabini Lake. Across your 4 safaris, at least one will be by boat, which gives you a great chance of seeing elephants as they drink at the water’s edge. Your vehicle safaris will be more likely to produce sightings of big cats and sloth bears, but on occasions people see leopards and tigers near the lake as well. This area is particularly rich in birdlife as well. Two more nights at Kabini.
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Day 14 : Kabini - Bandipur
A short drive (3 hours or so) between the Parks today means you can enjoy both morning and afternoon safaris despite this being a travel day. Overnight at Bandipur.
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Day 15 : Bandipur
Bandipur National Park is again a more open grassland environment which makes it another good place to see elephants as well as smaller grazing species. Overnight at Bandipur.
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Day 16 : Bandipur - Mysore
Your final safari takes place this morning before you depart and drive 4 hours or so to the historic city of Mysore. Overnight in Mysore.
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Day 17 : Mysore
A nice, lowkey sort of place to end your tour with some interesting sightseeing highlights (or, if you want more wildlife fix, an excursion to Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary situated on islets in the Cauvery River) to round out the final day. Overnight in Mysore
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Day 18 : Mysore - Bangalore Depart
It will take around 4 hours to reach Bangalore airport. You can fly to many international destinations from here, or fly to Mumbai/Delhi and depart from there.