India - Tiger Marathon

Tour Code: IND21

An exciting tour taking you straight into the heart of Tiger country on a 14-day safari that combines Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna National Parks, four of India's finest Tiger Reserves, plus an optional extension to Ranthambore National Park.

14 days from
£4,195
Land only price from
£3,695
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

There are few sights in the natural world more awe-inspiring than observing a wild Tiger at close quarters. We focus on providing this supreme wildlife experience during visits to Kanha Tiger Reserve, Pench National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park and finally Panna National Park, all renowned for their populations of Tiger. Early morning and afternoon game drives offer the best prospect of Tiger encounters, while other wildlife includes Sambar, Spotted Deer, Swamp Deer, Gaur (the huge Asiatic Bison) and Wild Boar, as well as a colourful profusion of birds. An optional extension to visit Ranthambore Tiger Reserve provides yet more opportunities to observe Tigers in the wild.

  • Tiger-viewing in India’s finest Tiger Reserves
  • 100% record to date of seeing Tigers on this tour!
  • Mammals including Asiatic Jackal, monkeys & Grey Langur
  • Possibility of rarities such as Leopard & Dhole (Asian Wild Dog)
  • Wide variety of Indian birdlife
  • Boat trip on the Ken River to see waterbirds & Mugger Crocodile
  • Snapshots of rural village life in the heart of India
  • Led by expert local naturalist guides

The mighty Bengal Tiger is without doubt one of the most stunningly handsome and awe-inspiring creatures on Earth. Whether achieved from a vehicle, or on foot, a glimpse of this most powerful of all the great cats is an unforgettable highlight of any natural history visit to India. Just to set off in search of a Tiger is guaranteed to send adrenaline coursing through the veins; whilst every movement in the undergrowth raises the expectation of a sudden appearance by that so-familiar striped body, footprints in the dust or the warning cries of deer serving only to heighten the almost unbearable sense of excitement. Since the 1980s Naturetrek has enabled many hundreds of our clients to achieve their dream of seeing a Tiger and this outstanding tour is perhaps our most comprehensive Tiger-watching holiday so far, embracing the four Indian Tiger Reserves that currently provide the most consistent record of Tiger sightings in the subcontinent. The holiday is designed to maximise the chances of Tiger observation by spending ample time in each of these reserves where, even if the Tigers prove elusive, you can be assured of a host of other mammals including Grey Langur, Sambar and both Spotted and Swamp Deer. We should also see Gaur (the huge Asiatic bison), Wild Boar, Asiatic Jackal and, with luck, Leopard or Dhole (Asian Wild Dog). Although the focus will be very much on the mammals, the birdlife is prolific and even non-birdwatchers cannot fail to be impressed by the variety of form and colour displayed by the avifauna.

We begin our tour with an afternoon arrival into Nagpur airport after a comfortable flight via Doha on one of the world’s best international airlines. From here we drive straight to Pench National Park, a journey of just over two hours. This previously little-known reserve was the setting for the popular BBC TV series ‘Tiger — Spy in the Jungle’, which portrayed the life of a resident family of Tigers and, almost overnight, transformed the profile of Pench. Designated as Project Tiger’s 19th Tiger Reserve in 1992, Pench today protects 758 square kilometres of prime Tiger habitat in the southern reaches of the Satpura Hills, which lie in the region which inspired Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’. We spend three nights here and can savour the reality of the television images!

Next, we will take a scenic drive into the heart of rural Madhya Pradesh and spend three nights in Kanha National Park. Kanha encompasses 1,945 square kilometres and is one of the largest reserves in India. It occupies a beautiful location on a plateau in the Maikal range of hills, and comprises a crescent of forested hills surrounding broad undulating grasslands dotted with clumps of bamboo and Sal forest. Small pools and a perennial lake provide essential drinking holes for the animals. Here, as elsewhere, we will undertake morning and afternoon game drives in search of Tigers and other wildlife.

Another long drive, through farmland and the Vindhyan Hills, brings us to Bandhavgarh National Park. This park, like Kanha, has acquired a reputation as one of the very best for consistent Tiger sightings. It lies in a region steeped in history and, in the heart of the reserve, atop an 800-metre plateau, stands the ruin of the magnificent hilltop fort which bears testament to the succession of dynasties which once ruled this area. Regular game drives in the park should bring us yet more encounters with the main objective of our tour.

Finally we drive to Panna National Park, a stunning reserve that protects over 543 square kilometres of rolling hills and plateaux, grassy meadows, gorges and waterfalls. The broad waters of the River Ken pass through the park and a boat trip here provides superb wildlife-viewing with abundant waterbirds and many large Marsh Mugger Crocodiles. Tigers have suffered badly from poaching here, but we have a slim chance of an encounter in this beautiful park.

We will fly back to Delhi from the famous city of Khajuraho, and thence to London. However, for the aficionado, we offer an opportunity to extend your holiday with a visit to Ranthambore, one of India’s most spectacular and best-known Tiger Reserves.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London
Day 2
Arrive Nagpur; transfer Pench National Park
Day 3/4
Pench National Park
Day 5/7
Kanha National Park
Day 8/10
Bandhavgarh National Park
Day 11/12
Panna National Park
Day 13
Transfer Khajuraho; fly Delhi
Day 14
Fly London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation: Comfortable tourist hotel in Delhi; comfortable forest lodges elsewhere. All rooms have private facilities.
  • Food: All included in the price.
Reviews
Extensions

Extensions

Ranthambore Extn

4 days from £1,495
View Details
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 11th Feb – Tue 24th Feb FULL £5,195
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895
Wed 11th Nov – Tue 24th Nov SPACES £4,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895

2027

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 6th Jan – Tue 19th Jan SPACES £4,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895
Wed 10th Feb – Tue 23rd Feb SPACES £4,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895
Wed 10th Nov – Tue 23rd Nov SPACES £4,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

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