The geographic heart of India is where you'll find Bandhavgarh and Kanha national parks. Both veterans of India's 567 official Wildlife Sanctuaries, these parks occupy not only the centre of the Subcontinent, but also the centre of India's fabulous wildlife. You could say, more than anything, they loom large in the imagination.
'Was that something moving through the trees? I could have sworn i saw yellow eyes burning bright'. Indeed, these deciduous lowland tropical forests and dry grasslands are the stuff of literature. As they inspired Kipling to write the Jungle Book, they too will inspire you to write your own chapter in the worldwide quest to be up close and personal with world-class wildlife.
Drop what you're doing and come away with us to Madhya Pradesh on the trail of the striped king of the forest. We'll whisk you away off the beaten track and onto tracks full of paw prints. When not snug in your lodge within the park, enjoying the best of Indian service and flavours new to you, you'll be hitting the trail time and again with resident experts, spotting dozens and dozens of characters: from gaur to jackal, sloth bear to leopard, & hornbill to wolf. And who can forget? The most majestic cat of them all: the Royal Bengal tiger.
Delhi - Jabalpur - Bandhavgarh National Park - Kanha National Park
On your arrival, after clearing immigrations you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and escorted to your hotel.
Once there, rest and relax for the remainder of the day.
(optional* if your flight arrival time is early enough, we can arrange either a Delhi City tour, or Food Walking Tour).
Overnight in Claridges, Delhi
Meal plan: n/a
Breakfast at your Delhi hotel before catching the early afternoon flight to Jabalpur, where your driver will take you the 4 or so hours northeast to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
Check in at the park lodge and spend the rest of the day settling in.
Dinner of local Madhya Pradesh cuisine at the lodge.
Overnight in King's Lodge, Bandhavgarh National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
The first of two full days of being spellbound by India's classic endemic wildlife. After breakfast at the lodge, you'll join a morning game drive into this long-established park in Madhya Pradesh.
Lunch back at the lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive into mixed dry tropical forest and meadow grassland that conceals a multitude of fantastic creatures.
Dinner at the lodge.
Overnight in King's Lodge, Bandhavgarh National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Today's programme runs on parallel lines to that of yesterday. What you failed to spot yesterday, you have another chance to see today on morning and afternoon game drives. Among the broken terrain and rocky hill ranges of Madhya Pradesh, this could be your chance to spot the rarest of the rare big cats: the white tiger. Failing that, there's always the orange and black one.
Enjoy dinner and evening at the lodge.
Overnight in King's Lodge, Bandhavgarh National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After a final morning jeep safari into Bandhavgarh, your driver will take you 5hrs south to Kanha National Park.
Check in to the lodge, and settle in for the late afternoon.
Enjoy dinner at the lodge.
Overnight in Kanha Earth Lodge, Kanha National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
The first of two full days of explorations in this historical wildlife reserve. Kanha in so important to Indian ecology that it was decreed as a wildlife sanctuary in 1933. Beautifully nestled between the Maikal and Satpura ranges of Central India, the park hosts an abundance of protected species that you will go in search of.
Morning and afternoon jeep safaris followed by a relaxing evening of dinner and rest at the lodge.
Overnight in Kanha Earth Lodge, Kanha National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full day of wildlife watching in a fictional landscape straight out of the pages of Kipling's Jungle Book. Morning jeep safaris bookended by lunch. Afternoon safari provides more scope to see from among 22 species of mammal, and countless other avians, reptiles and plant life.
Select from various local Madhya Pradesh dishes at dinner.
Overnight in Kanha Earth Lodge, Kanha National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Breakfast at the lodge, followed up by a last, short game drive to farewell the wildlife. Another 4-hour transfer by road to Jabalpur to catch your domestic flight back to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi you will be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy dinner at the hotel and the evening to relax.
Overnight in Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, Delhi
Meal plan: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. You will be transferred to the airport at the appropriate time for your return flight home, or extend your stay in India.
Meal plan: Breakfast
The 5-star hotel Claridges is one of New Delhi’s most iconic hotels. A perfect amalgamation of elegance and contemporary luxury, it is located in close proximity to the capital’s bustling commercial and cultural centres. The hotel is equipped with a delightful temperature-controlled swimming pool, complete with sun decks, cabanas, loungers and a bar, where you can savour exotic cocktails, amidst uplifting music and ambient lighting!
Kings Lodge is nestled between the sal forested hills of Bandhavgarh National Park in 14 hectares of forest in Rancha village, within 10 mins of Tala gate. The lodge has 10 cottage rooms and 8 stilt cottage rooms with en-suite modern bathrooms spread across a natural forest offering great ambience and privacy.
Welcome to Kanha Earth Lodge, an Eco luxe wildlife resort from Pugdundee Safaris where your holiday translates to a homecoming; with myriad and enriching forest experiences, that explore the finer nuances of wildlife, community living and sustainability.
Kanha Tiger Reserve is spread over a sprawling area of 1,949 sq. kms, offering a distinctive natural habitat that abounds in wildlife and tiger population.
At Kanha Earth Lodge, tucked in a small hamlet, in 16 acres of natural forest, bordering Kanha’s buffer zone, we stay true to our ethos of eco-tourism and conservation, while offering outstanding hospitality, in a quaint, yet luxurious abode. The lip-smacking flavours of local and global cuisine promise to satiate the taste buds, as do the myriad experiences of wild life and adventure, guided by our talented team of naturalists.
Kanha Earth Lodge is just located twenty-five minutes from the Khatia park gate, ensuring proximity to the Kanha Tiger Reserve, yet far from Kanha National Park’s tourist hub, thereby offering a pristine wilderness experience.
Twelve luxury cottages, inspired by Gond tribal architecture with open verandahs with unhindered and stunning views of the forests; make our guests stay idyllic. These environmentally sensitive, low-impact accommodations; are designed using local stone and waste wood. The absence of neighbouring lodges or thoroughfare creates an ideal setting for a peaceful and reflective time of relaxation and rejuvenation.
We also offer our cherished guests unique nature walks, birding experiences, river side picnics and cycling expeditions in the lap of the luxuriant forests.
Located at just a 7-minute drive from the Delhi International Airport - Novotel New Delhi Aerocity offers 6 restaurants and bars, a full service spa and salon, and an outdoor swimming pool. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. The Delhi Aerocity Metro Station is 450 yards away and Worldmark that consists of premium offices, shopping outlet and eateries is about 200 yards from the property.
Remote villages & jaw-dropping scenery
On the tiger trail through Bandhavgarh and Kanha
Marvel at India's most incredible forts and palaces
Discover colonial Kolkata and the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve
A real life Jungle Book.
Ideal extension to Bhutan
Travel across the spectacular Himalayan Highway
After exploring the busy cities, there's no better place to relax than one of India's paradisiacal beaches
Himalayan treks, village walks and more
Escape the city and unwind among some of the most breathtaking mountain and hill scapes the world has to offer.
Visit the must-see sights and the hidden depths of India's most vibrant cities.
Discover iconic sights of India, Nepal & Bhutan
Travel through the Himalayan foothills via Shimla & Amritsar to Ladakh
Himalayan mountains, unseen tribes & amazing wildlife
Experience Bhutan's rich culture, colonial Kolkata and rural life in Assam
Travel India's forgotten Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh
Golden Triangle and the Himalayas
Textile tour of Gujarat & Rajasthan including the Mewar Festival
Spot tigers, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhino & elephants
Mighty sea fortresses, rock-cut cave temples, and verdant hill stations
Experience the culture and landscapes of India & Bhutan
Aoling Festival, wildlife in Assam & natural beauty of Manipur
Experience the flavours and exotic spices of South India
Discover Rajasthan's forts, palaces and rural villages
Idyllic backwaters, tropical forests & ancient temple towns
Temple towns of Tamil Nadu to backwaters of Kerala
Track the Himalayan brown bear & snow leopard on a once-in-a-lifetime trip
Experience dramatic Himalayan scenery, Buddhist and Islamic cultures
Wildlife, diverse cultures & rural life in hidden North East India
Uncover the regal wildlife of Rajasthan
Take in the highlights of central India
Tribal villages, temples, salt flats & the world's last Asiatic lions
Discover Karnataka's stone temples, wildlife and coffee farms
Visit remote tribal villages of Orissa & Chhattisgarh
Perfect mix of classic sights and off-beat places for first-timers to India
Wildlife, tribes & rural life in Assam and Nagaland
Charming towns, spice plantations & idyllic backwaters
Colonial Kolkata, Darjeeling toy train & Buddhism
Remote tribal cultures in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Nagaland
Discover the huge diversity of North India's cuisine
Diverse wildlife in Assam and the Sunderbans
Explore this UNESCO biodiversity hotspot on foot
Rural villages, grand forts & wildlife
Track India's tigers, leopards & lions
Gujarat's Asiatic Lions, Salt Flats & Textile Villages
Once in 12 years - the largest gathering of humanity on earth
Expert-led trip through Kashmir and Ladakh
Attain lofty heights over soul-soothing Ladakh
Golden Triangle, tigers & exotic Kerala
Set foot in Ladakh's hidden Himalayan valleys
Discover the forts, palaces, villages and desert of Rajasthan
Waterfalls, hills and living bridges in North East India
Tea, spices, backwaters & beaches
Hazel Fairall , Tribes of North East India, IndiaThanks for organising such a great trip to NE India Rahul - everything went seamlessly! We loved the fact that we could book an individual tour but still have flexibility with our itinerary once we were there, enabling us to take in the Si Donyi Festival at Daporijo and also be the first guests to stay overnight in a local village hut with our hosts in Papi, which was fantastic. Our guide was super. He had a wealth of knowledge and a great sense of humour! It’s hard to pick a highlight as the whole trip was both fascinating and at times, humbling. We’ll never forget the amazing people, scenery & culture we experienced whilst there and are glad we had the opportunity to visit such an intriguing part of the world. We would certainly consider travelling with you again in the future.
Dewi Evans , Tailormade North East IndiaI`m very pleased with the way the trip was arranged for me, it was well organised and went very well. The itinerary was just the right pace to enjoy everything without rushing too much. It was never going to be cheap for 1 person travelling alone but I thought it was very reasonably priced.
Nigel & Margaret Turner , Tailormade India Wildlife & Birding tourThis trip was very well put together and ticked all the boxes that we had requested. The accommodation throughout the tour was of a high standard and our experiences in the national parks was wonderful spotting many different animals including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, lions, jungle cat plus countless number of birds. Thank you Rahul for tailoring this trip to our requirements.
Rachel , Spirit of South India, IndiaWe went on the Spirit of South India Tour and had a great time on our honeymoon. There was a good variety of places visited and the hotels, drivers and guides were all very good. We would definitely recommend this tour.
Tracey & Gary , Tailormade IndiaI would highly recommend Travel the Unknown to anyone visiting India. The service we received both prior to, during and following our travels was always timely and excellent. We were able to customize our trip to our liking and to enjoy a wide variety of activities. The guides in every location were outstanding! Honestly. Having travelled through much of the world I can truly say that we have never been more impressed with the quality of the guides arranged for us in each location, as well as the service we received. Similarly, the hotels were excellent and allowed us to live very comfortably while, at the same time, enjoy an authentic Indian experience. If you haven`t already booked your trip with Travel the Unknown, then either do so now....or at least give them a chance to show you what they can offer.
Keith Lewis , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, IndiaThis was my first experience of using Travel the Unknown having enjoyed small group adventure holidays for many years. I was attracted to the company because it seeks out the more unusual and lesser known areas of a country and I was not disappointed by my visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. There is a clear contrast between the people and the scenery of these two regions and we saw very few western tourists particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. The tour was well organised with plenty to see and do.
Richard Williams , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, IndiaThis was a very varied and interesting trip to a forgotten part of India. If you like off the beaten track travel it is definitely worth the effort but go with an open mind and keep a smile on your face.
Vik , Kerala Calling, IndiaThank you for organising our holiday in Kerala. I certainly wouldn`t have had the time or the knowledge to put together such a trip. Munnar was my favourite and the accommodation throughout was excellent.
Ann Holgate , Tailormade IndiaA really well planned trip. We experienced life in Northeast India in just the way we wanted to. We loved the game reserves and saw a rock python which thrilled our guides as it is even rarer than the tiger! We visited villages and were able to interact with local people and loved the busy markets in Delhi and Calcutta. A special highlight was the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland; shown to us by our very own Naga guide Kezo. Kezo accompanied us for 15 days of our trip and ensured that we had many very special experiences - even taking us to the home of one of his Aunts where we spent a couple of hours sitting by the bonfire chatting.
Penelope Smith , Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival, IndiaWhat an excellent service! Rahul adapted, extended and improved our trip so many times without a qualm and we ended up with the trip of a lifetime. The destinations are unusual and interesting but everything has been checked out by the team and works brilliantly. I can`t wait to do another trip.
Elaine & Neil Smith , Delicacies of North India, IndiaThe tour was an amazing experience for our first visit to India. The country, its people and its cuisine were friendly,delightful, colourful and exceeded all our expectations. Travel the Unknown have put together a superb unique package that we have no hesitation in recommending to anyone with an interest in food and culture.
Andrew Martin , Tailormade North East IndiaI`m sure I could not have found a better operator for the type of complicated Indian tour I wanted to undertake on a limited budget. India is an intimidating country to visit, and I suspect that some operators look down on the first time visitor, or disparage their requirements. Travel the Unknown, by contrast, helped me all the way, and their local guides were superb.