Day 1 : Mumbai
Depart from London on morning flight to Mumbai.
Overnight in Waterstones, Mumbai
Meal plan: n/a
Experience the rich and varied wildlife of India in some of its best national parks. The enigmatic tiger may be India`s biggest draw, but the rare Asiatic lion and endangered one-horned rhino also roam this land. Starting in Gir National Park in Gujarat, home to the Asiatic lion, we head down to Central India`s prime tiger territory - Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves. Finally, we head to India`s remote Northeast, where you come face-to-face with the one-horned rhinos of India.
Mumbai - Gir National Park - Kanha Tiger Reserve - Pench Tiger Reserve - Kolkata - Kaziranga National Park
Depart from London on morning flight to Mumbai.
Overnight in Waterstones, Mumbai
Meal plan: n/a
Arrive in Mumbai at 00:30 and catch connecting flight to Rajkot where you will be met by your representative and transferred to your hotel in time for breakfast. Later on, drive to Gir National Park. Relax over a leisurely lunch at the safari camp where you will stay in a luxury tent overnight.
Overnight in Lion Safari Camp, Gir National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
In the morning enjoy a game drive in Gir National Park. In the afternoon take lunch at the safari park before continuing to explore Gir National Park by car. Dinner and overnight in the safari camp.
Overnight in Lion Safari Camp, Gir National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Second day spent exploring Gir National Park on morning and afternoon game drives. Enjoy the scenic surroundings for a leisurely lunch and dinner in the safari park. Overnight in the safari camp.
Overnight in Lion Safari Camp, Gir National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Take an early morning game drive in the park to see the Asiatic Lions in their natural environment. Have a packed lunch in the safari park, before driving to Rajkot in the afternoon for your flight to Mumbai. Arrive in Mumbai for the evening where you will be transferred to hotel for an overnight stay.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Nagpur. Upon arrival, drive to Kanha Tiger Reserve, where you will enjoy a relaxing lunch at the Tuli Tiger Resort. In the afternoon, enjoy a game drive in Kanha Tiger Reserve, before returning to the resort for a leisurely dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight in Tuli Tiger Resort, Kanha Tiger Reserve
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Take a morning game drive to see the tigers in their natural environment, breaking for lunch at the resort before returning to the reserve on an afternoon game drive to see tigers and other wild animals in the afternoon. Dinner at Tuli Tiger Resort.
Overnight in Tuli Tiger Resort, Kanha Tiger Reserve
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Morning and afternoon game drives in Kanha Tiger Reserve. Lunch and dinner at the Tuli Tiger Resort.
Overnight in Tuli Tiger Resort, Kanha Tiger Reserve
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in the reserve. Break for a packed lunch, and then drive to Pench Tiger Reserve. Leisurely dinner and overnight at the Tuli Tiger Corridor.
Overnight in Tuli Tiger Corridor, Pench Tiger Reserve
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Spend the morning and afternoon enjoying game drives in Pench Tiger Reserve, with a break for lunch. Dinner at the Tuli Tiger Corridor.
Overnight in Tuli Tiger Corridor, Pench Tiger Reserve
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After breakfast take a morning game drive in the park. The morning is when tigers are most likely to be seen wandering the park. Then, after lunch at the Tuli Tiger Corridor, drive to Nagpur for your flight to Kolkata. Overnight at hotel in Kolkata.
Overnight in The Pride Hotel, Kolkata
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly to Jorhat. Upon arrival drive to Kaziranga and enjoy a leisurely evening and overnight at the Wild Grass Lodge (or similar).
Overnight in Habitas Rhino, Kaziranga National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Early morning wake-up for an elephant-back safari in Kaziranga National Park. Spend an hour on the elephants and get up close to the endangered unicorn rhino. The morning is the best time to spot animals in Kaziranga. Return to the cottage for breakfast, and then spend the morning at your leisure. After lunch, embark on afternoon game drive for more wildlife spotting. Enjoy a relaxing dinner and then spend overnight at the Wild Grass Lodge.
Overnight in Habitas Rhino, Kaziranga National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Full-day to explore Kaziranga National Park and to spot the Unicorn Rhino and Tigers. Game drives broken by lunch at the Wild Grass Lodge. Relaxing dinner and overnight at the Wild Grass Lodge.
Overnight in Habitas Rhino, Kaziranga National Park
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game-drive. Packed lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon transfer to Guwahati airport for your flight to Delhi or Mumbai, where you will connect to your return flight home.
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.
Just 5 minutes from Mumbai International Airport, Waterstones Hotel is an excellent modern hotel offering cosy rooms with flat-screen TV, mini-bar and other mod-cons. It also features a variety of recreational facilities and a superb restaurant.
The Lion Safari Camp is a luxury jungle safari camp in Gir National Park – the last remaining bastion of the Asiatic Lion. It is located in a private mango orchard overlooking the Hiran river. The location presently has around 900 mango trees with only 2% of the entire land area being built on. The accommodation consists of twenty luxury tents, with large en-suite bathrooms. There is also an open-air river-facing restaurant.
Gracing the bank of Banjar River, Tuli Tiger Resort in Kanha represents the rich, vibrant heritage of rural India. The resort offers 26 ornate, air-conditioned cottages with twin beds, internal and external sitting areas and soothing interiors that ensure space and privacy. The surrounding is covered with big green buffer zone of 22 acres and home to several species of birds. Watch the wildlife through large windows of your private cottage, traditionally designed with a canopy roof.
The Tuli Tiger Corridor is a luxurious jungle camp situated close to Pench Tiger Reserve. Set in 22 acres of lush green, the Corridor is well placed in the buffer zone of the park. With 15 luxury cottages, each ethnically designed in keeping with the native culture, the Corridor showcases a pastoral jungle theme making it a great place to retreat after your game drives in Pench.
The Pride Hotel is conveniently located close to Kolkata airport. It is a modern hotel with each room featuring a twin/queen bed, desk, tea-coffee maker, minibar, complimentary fruit basket, cookies and an electronic safe. It is a good place to stay when transiting through Kolkata.
Remote villages & jaw-dropping scenery
Visit the must-see sights and the hidden depths of India's most vibrant cities.
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.
Himalayan mountains, unseen tribes & amazing wildlife
Travel through the Himalayan foothills via Shimla & Amritsar to Ladakh
Experience Bhutan's rich culture, colonial Kolkata and rural life in Assam
Travel India's Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh
Golden Triangle and the Himalayas
Textile tour of Gujarat & Rajasthan including the Mewar Festival
Discover Rajasthan's forts, palaces and rural villages
Wildlife, tribes & rural life in Assam and Nagaland
Experience the flavours and exotic spices of South India
Aoling Festival, wildlife in Assam & natural beauty of Manipur
Experience the culture and landscapes of India & Bhutan
Tropical mountains, tea & spice plantations, and backwaters
Mighty sea fortresses, rock-cut cave temples, and verdant hill stations
Spot tigers, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhino & elephants
Uncover the regal wildlife of Rajasthan
Wildlife, diverse cultures & rural life in hidden North East India
Perfect mix of classic sights and off-beat places for first-timers to India
Track the Himalayan brown bear & snow leopard on a once-in-a-lifetime trip
Temple towns of Tamil Nadu to backwaters of Kerala
Charming towns, spice plantations & idyllic backwaters
Discover Karnataka's stone temples, wildlife and coffee farms
Discover the huge diversity of North India's cuisine
Diverse wildlife in Assam and the Sunderbans
Tribal villages, temples, salt flats & the world's last Asiatic lions
Experience dramatic Himalayan scenery, Buddhist and Islamic cultures
Take in the highlights of central India
Remote tribal cultures in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Nagaland
Idyllic backwaters, tropical forests & ancient temple towns
Visit remote tribal villages of Orissa & Chhattisgarh
Colonial Kolkata, Darjeeling toy train & Buddhism
Once in 12 years - the largest gathering of humanity on earth
Gujarat's Asiatic Lions, Salt Flats & Textile Villages
Explore this UNESCO biodiversity hotspot on foot
Track India's tigers, leopards & lions
Expert-led trip through Kashmir and Ladakh
Rural villages, grand forts & wildlife
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
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.
Joan Edmunds (USA) , Tailormade IndiaI have been on 3 tailor made trips with Travel The Unknown and have found them to be knowledgeable and reliable. We`ve stayed in some wonderful places and have had some unusual and satisfying experiences that go beyond the standard tours.
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.
Danny , Tigers, Lions & Rhinos of India, IndiaI thought I missed the name of this tour when I was looking for wildlife trips, lions in India! Not only was I lucky to see a tigress and her cubs in Kanha, Satpura was also magical, particularly the walking safari. I saw a leopard dragging its kill away. Gir was so different, and yes, I can confirm lions do live in India! Thank you Travel The Unknown for a very different wildlife trip.
Jane McCormmach , Tigers, Lions & Rhinos of India, IndiaNeither of us had ever been to India before. This trip was a wonderful introduction. The trip you arranged responded precisely to our request to spend most of our time seeing wild life in National Parks and also provided us with the opportunity to visit Delhi, Agra and Kolkata. The drivers and guides were excellent, the accommodations excellent and they accommodated both my husband`s preference for highly spiced food and my lamentably bland preferences. Thank you!
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.
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.
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.
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.