India Safari
12 Days Starting and ending in Delhi
Visiting: Delhi, Panna National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Jabalpur, Satpura National Park, Agra
Tour Overview
Take in the sights, sounds and smells of India on a unique wildlife-focused adventure. With a local leader and some fellow keen travellers by your side, this 12-day trip will take you to the local’s favourite for tiger spotting – Panna National Park – as well as the most popular national park for spotting the royal Bengal – Bandhavgarh Tiger Sanctuary. Head to Jabalpur to explore the architecture and waterfalls, then carry on to Satpura National Park for some night safaris on 4WDs and boats (look out for jungle cats and fruit bats!). See why Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary is one of the world’s best spots for birdwatching, then head to Delhi to uncover the wonders of India’s capital. If your heart is searching for birdlife, deer, flying foxes, leopards, sloth bears, monkeys and tigers – this adventure is calling you!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi
Location: Delhi
Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in Delhi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet your trip leader and your fellow travellers. If you arrive early, why not book yourself on an Urban Adventure through the city – a great introduction to the magic of Delhi! After the meeting, why not head out with your group for an optional welcome dinner and get to know each other over some delicious local cuisine.
Optional Activities:
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Day 2: Delhi
Location: Delhi
Today, head out on a tour with your local leader through the sights and sounds of Old Delhi. Take a cycle rickshaw ride through the chaotic streets and visit the Jama Masjid – Delhi's oldest mosque and one of its most impressive buildings. Then, visit the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) to learn about the Sikh religion. Later, maybe grab a chai, put your feet up and let it all soak in. Tonight, you’ll take an overnight train to Khajuraho.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Panna National Park
Location: Panna National Park
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
This morning, arrive at Khajuraho Station and drive to Panna National Park. Head into the park with a local naturalist guide and discover the beauty of the park’s waterfalls, forested areas and vast open plains. Look out for the roaming tigers that call this place home. You might even see spotted deer up on their hind legs, eating from a tree, or a leopard or sloth bear prowling the grounds. This park really excels in local birdlife, so make sure you look to the sky and the trees, too! There are over 200 species of bird here, with many of the water birds unseen in any other national park. You will also have the option to prebook a second, morning safari to double your chances of ticking off bucket list wildlife.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Bandhavgarh National Park
Location: Bandhavgarh National Park
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Wake up early this morning to head out on the morning safari (if you have prebooked it), then make your way to ‘The Land of Tigers,’ or Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve. Bandhavgarh is known for its resident royal Bengal tigers and their population density is the highest in India. When you arrive, you’ll have a free evening at your forest resort to soak up the sounds of the wilderness, rest and recharge.
Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Bandhavgarh National Park
Location: Bandhavgarh National Park
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Set off on a morning safari through Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve this morning. With a local naturalist guide by your side, you’ll have a great chance of spotting one of the many royal Bengal tigers that prowl these lands – keep your eyes out for the other residents, too! There are also white tigers, leopards, wild boars, gaurs (buffalo), langurs, eagles and deer. The wildlife here is due to the biodiversity of the grounds – a mix of tropical forest, swamps, cliffs, Sal trees and grasslands. See the birdlife soar above, the energetic langur jump from tree to tree and the wild boar sitting lazily by the water. You’ll also have the option to pre-book an afternoon safari today (if you just can’t get enough of the diverse wildlife that calls this park home!).
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Jabalpur
Location: Jabalpur
Meals Included: breaksfast
Say goodbye to Bandhavgarh National Park after breakfast today and make your way towards Jabalpur. Surrounded by low hills in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, this city sits on the banks of the Holy River Narmada (also known as Maa Rewa). When you arrive, you’ll head out on a leader-led walking tour of the city to get your bearings. Enjoy a free afternoon, then at dusk, head out to see the Aarti ceremony at Gauri Ghat on the banks of the Narmada. This deeply spiritual experience mirrors the renowned Ganga Aarti ceremonies in Haridwar and Varanasi but on a smaller scale.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Satpura National Park
Location: Satpura National Park
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Say goodbye to Jabalpur this morning and drive to the Satpura Mountain Range. Watch the central Indian landscapes pass you by as you chat with your fellow travellers, take the opportunity to have a much-needed nap or get stuck into your favourite podcast. When you arrive, settle into your new surroundings before heading out on a night safari with a naturalist guide. As you drive through the forested ranges of this national park and tiger reserve, watch out for nocturnal animals that can only be spotted once the sun goes down – leopards, flying squirrels and flying foxes are just some of the creatures that come out under the stars.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Satpura National Park
Location: Satpura National Park
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Fuel up on a good breakfast this morning and (if you’ve prebooked the optional morning safari today), head out to see Satpura National Park in the sunlight. Among the cascading waterfalls, deep canyons and natural pools of Satpura, sunlight sees a high density of sloth bears here, as well as giant squirrels, deer, a range of different monkeys and hundreds of birds! After a group lunch and some time to rest (or your free afternoon if you opted out of the morning safari), you’ll get ready for your second evening exploration, but this time, by boat. Watch the sun go down as you sail through the park, and from the waters, try to spot the nighttime jungle cats, fruit bats and flying foxes.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 9: Agra
Location: Agra
Meals Included: breaksfast
Continue your adventure this morning with a drive to Bhopal. This is a bit of a long travel day, so make sure you’ve got your favourite book, playlists and car games ready. Maybe grab some lunch in Bohpal and then take a train to Agra. When you arrive, you’re free to head out wherever you wish for dinner – your local leader always has great recommendations!
Day 10: Agra
Location: Agra
Start your day in the vibrant city of Agra and set off after breakfast for a morning in Keoladeo National Park. This renowned bird sanctuary is celebrated as one of the world's most essential breeding and feeding grounds for local birdlife. Upon arrival, embark on a rickshaw safari with a local naturalist guide. As you explore, you'll have the chance to observe the park's 260 bird species, as well as deer, nilgai (antelope), and wild boar that also inhabit the area. Return to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, both a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Wonders of the World! Prepare to be awed by the 17th-century structure as you learn about its history (and snap some pretty epic pics) with a local guide. Best known as a monument to love and loss, the Taj is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture, surrounded by trimmed English gardens. Soak in this amazing site at sunset and watch the colours hit the marble, lighting it up. Gra your photo, then consider heading out for dinner with your group.
Included Activities:
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Day 11: Delhi
Location: Delhi
Meals Included: lunch
Agra is also home to one of the finest forts in India. This morning, you’ll enter the dark red sandstone stronghold of Agra Fort – part fortress, part palace and part prison – and search through throne rooms and tiny but incredibly decorated mosques. Afterward, enjoy a delicious vegetarian lunch at Sheroes Hangout. This beautiful cafe is a unique social enterprise providing employment opportunities for women who were victims of acid attacks. In the early evening, leave Agra behind and hop on a train to Delhi. Once you arrive, settle into your hotel and perhaps spend your last evening together, sharing a nightcap with your fellow travellers.
Included Activities:
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Day 12: Delhi
Location: Delhi
With no further activities planned after breakfast today, your adventure comes to an end. If you would like to extend your time in Delhi, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Accommodation
Overnight Train (1 night), Hotel (10 nights) -
Meals
7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners -
Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking tour
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Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
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Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
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Delhi - Rickshaw ride
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Panna National Park - Evening Safari (Prebook)
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Bandhavgarh National Park - Morning Safari with a Naturalist Guide
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Jabalpur - River Narmada Aarti Ceremony
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Satpura National Park - Night Safari with a Naturalist Guide
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Satpura National Park - Boat Safari
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Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary - Rickshaw Safari with a Naturalist Guide
Transport
- TRANSPORT IN INDIA:
- Main roads in India are usually very busy with an assortment of vehicles from the biggest trucks (who always have right of way) down to bikes (and animals!). Overtaking on blind corners at speed is common as is the total use of the horn as a form of communication. Our leaders have complete authority to remove groups from local transport if the driver is not driving safely. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced and well trained. if you are uncomfortable with your driver, please always let your tour leader know immediately. Please ensure you wear your seat belt at all times.
- TRAVEL TIMES:
- Distances in India do not reflect the driving time and to cover 100km may take much longer than you would expect at home, even if much of the route is on a highway.
- TRAINS:
- India has a massive network of trains and millions of people travel by rail every day. Trains often travel the length of the country over several days. Trains are a great way to see the countryside and get you away from the busy road system. Delays and cancellations are common on trains. Your tour leader will check the train status to see if there are delays and will do their best to keep you informed of any changes.
- From December to February, delays are more common, especially in the north of the country due to fog. It’s not uncommon for trains to be delayed for up to 12 hours. On occasion, your trip will may to be rerouted to allow for these delays. Your tour leader in conjunction with our local office will advise any changes to the itinerary.
- The Indian Railway system is one of the largest railway networks in the world and quite complex. Seat allocation is completely computerized on a centralized reservation system and we do not have control over seat allocations. Despite booking tickets months in advance of a departure your group's seats, or sleeping berths on overnight trains, maybe spread out within one carriage or multiple carriages of the same class. There’s a chance you’ll be sharing a compartment with local travelers of either gender.
- For a detailed look into the experience of travelling by overnight trains read more here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/
- AUTO RICKSHAWS:
- On this trip, we travel on the local style of transport called an auto-rickshaw. These small, motorised three-wheeled vehicles are a common form of transport in India and do not have seatbelts.
- FLIGHTS:
- Airlines in India are of excellent quality. Airports are becoming more modern (especially in the major and tourist cities). To enter the airport, you must have a copy of your flight ticket and passport. Schedule changes and delays do occur, especially when weather conditions make visibility poor.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- ACCOMMODATION:
- Some of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, staying in local guesthouses and homestays. Some may have shared bathroom facilities with cold water only. We use a mixture of air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms. Some areas of India experience daily load shedding. This is where the power may be turned off at certain times of the day and usually occurs for a few hours in the early afternoon. Most hotel properties have a restaurant or cafe serving local meals. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws.
- SHOWERS:
- Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times, you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water.
- ROOM ISSUES:
- If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your tour leader right away rather than your travel agent so that the problem can be addressed without delay.
- SLEEPER TRAINS IN INDIA:
- Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned (fan-cooled at times), a great way to travel long distances and still get maximum time in each place. Depending on the route, we travel 2AC or 3AC class as not all classes are available on all routes. Due to the complexity of the ticket purchasing system and high demand for tickets, we are unable to offer upgrades to other classes.
- Second Class or 2 Tier AC (2AC) carriages have 4 berths in the compartment section and 2 berths in the aisle bay and individual reading lights. Third Class or 3 Tier AC (3AC) has 6 berths in the compartment and 2 in the aisle bay. Both have curtains for privacy. There are no sinks or charging points in these classes. During the day, bunks are folded away and serve as seats. Toilet facilities are located at either end of the carriage. There is usually an Indian style squat toilet at one end and a western-style toilet at the other. You will need your own toilet paper or tissues and cleanliness will depend on the number of people using them.
- Beds are padded bunks, with sheets, pillow and blanket provided. Some people prefer to bring and use their own sleeping sheet. Your luggage travels with you on the train, so packing light will make your journey more comfortable.
- Many trains have a dining carriage or a food/snack cart that is brought through the carriages. There are also plenty of vendors selling tea, coffee, water and snacks during the journey, although the hygiene may not be up to standards you are used to at home.
- Please note you may be sharing with other members of your group or locals on a mixed gender basis. Tickets are booked on a real-name basis using your passport details. We book for all members of the group at the same time, but unfortunately, this is no guarantee that we will be accommodated all together on the train. Your leader will do their best to swap with other travellers to allow people who booked together to travel together, but please be aware that this is not always possible. We may at times ask male travellers to swap with solo female travellers for safety considerations.
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room?on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip?and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. To obtain permits for the game drives included on this tour, we require your correct passport details at the time of booking. If you renew your passport or use a different passport from the one you originally provided, please bring your old passport or a photocopy of it with you.
- 3. The safaris in Panna National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park must be pre-booked to guarantee your spot. Due to high demand and limited availability, we recommend booking this tour and any optional safaris at least four months in advance. Please inquire about booking optional safaris when you book your tour.
- 4. If you are travelling with others, please let us know in advance so we can do our best to arrange for you to be in the same safari vehicles.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
In general, the best time to spot wildlife is at dawn and dusk. There will be many early starts on this trip to capitalise on optimum safari times or to avoid morning traffic on travel days.
In the winter months of November to January, early mornings and late evenings tend to be cold, while the rest of the months offer hot and sunny conditions during safaris. Remember to stay hydrated, use sufficient skin protection and pack accordingly to ensure a comfortable experience.
From May to September, it can be incredibly hot, but the wildlife can be easier to spot as they tend to gather at watering holes.
While this trip doesn't include strenuous physical activity, the 4WDs used in national parks are simple, typically with a high step to get in and out of them, and the roads can be quite bumpy.
While there is no guarantee you will see a tiger, you may have a chance to see a variety of other wildlife, including jackals, deer, langurs, marsh crocodiles, wild boars, and birdlife.
Make sure your luggage is light and compact enough to be able to carry it up and down multiple flights of stairs (ie. in train stations, hotels without elevators).
Some journeys take between six to eight hours, but are a great opportunity to get to know locals, fellow travellers, and the diverse scenery.
It’s important to prepare for hot sticky temperatures during the day and cooler climates at night. Layers are one of the best ways to tackle this disparity in weather. We visit a variety of places on this trip, some of which require a certain level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants/skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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