From the Aravalli Hills to the Heart of Tiger Country — Four of India's Greatest Reserves
Twelve days that trace the single most complete tiger-focused journey we offer — from Rajasthan's Sariska and Ranthambhore, through the UNESCO temples of Khajuraho (with a stop at Orchha en route), to two of central India's most celebrated reserves: Bandhavgarh, with the highest tiger density of any Indian park, and Kanha, the lush Sal and bamboo forest that inspired Rudyard Kipling's 'The Jungle Book'.
The tour opens with two days in Delhi before driving to Sariska National Park for an afternoon safari amid the Aravalli Hills, then to Jaipur for a half-day of royal sightseeing. Two full days at Ranthambhore follow, with an early-morning safari and the option of a second afternoon drive, before continuing to Agra for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
From Agra, an early train to Jhansi connects to Khajuraho, with a stop at Orchha along the way — this is also when the tour's character shifts from primarily wildlife to a blend of wildlife and World Heritage architecture. A day exploring Khajuraho's Eastern and Western Temple Groups, famed for their extraordinarily intricate medieval carving, precedes the drive to Bandhavgarh National Park.
Bandhavgarh, with one of the highest tiger densities anywhere in India (an estimated 46-52 tigers), provides two full days of safaris, before the tour concludes at Kanha National Park — two more days exploring the forest that inspired Kipling, with jeep safaris in search of tigers and the park's rich variety of deer, birds, and other wildlife, before departure via Jabalpur.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Namaste! Welcome to India. On arrival at Delhi International Airport, you'll be met by our representative and driven to your pre-booked hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest after your flight.
A full day touring Old and New Delhi. Explore Chandni Chowk market, Jama Masjid, and the Red Fort by rickshaw. Continue to New Delhi for India Gate, a drive past Parliament House and the President's House, and visits to Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Sariska (200 km, ~5 hrs). Check in to your resort, then embark on an afternoon safari into Sariska National Park — rich in flora and fauna, with possible sightings of leopard, wild dog, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, sambar, chital, nilgai, chausingha, wild boar, langur, and, with luck, tiger. You can also visit the ruins of the medieval temple of Garh Rajor, dating to the 10th-11th centuries.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Jaipur (110 km, ~3 hrs). Afternoon city tour: Jal Mahal, the City Palace, the Royal Observatory, Hawa Mahal, Albert Museum Hall, and the Birla Temple. Evening: visit Johri Bazaar, or enjoy a Rajasthani dinner at Chokhi Dhani village.
After breakfast, check out and visit Amber Fort, seeing the Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-e-Aam, Diwan-e-Khas, and Sukh Mandir. Drive to Ranthambhore National Park (180 km, ~3 hrs). Optionally visit Ranthambhore Fort, perched on a hillock overlooking the national park, with good chances of spotting a big cat from its vantage point.
An early-morning safari (by canter or jeep with a naturalist, subject to availability) into the jungles of Ranthambhore National Park — striped hyenas, flying foxes, rat snakes, black bucks, panthers, chital, and wild boar are all possible sightings, with a chance of the Bengal tiger. Return to the hotel for breakfast and spend the rest of the day at leisure — or opt for a second, afternoon safari.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Agra (250 km, ~5 hrs). On arrival, visit the Taj Mahal — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the finest example of Mughal architecture — and Agra Fort, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Sikandra's tomb. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Early breakfast, then transfer to the railway station to board a train to Jhansi. On arrival, meet our representative and drive to Khajuraho, stopping en route to visit Orchha — a quietly extraordinary 16th-century Bundela capital on the Betwa River, with riverside cenotaphs and Jahangir Mahal. Arrive Khajuraho and check in to your hotel.
After breakfast, visit the Eastern and Western Groups of Temples — UNESCO World Heritage monuments renowned for their extraordinarily intricate medieval stone carving, built by the Chandela dynasty between 950 and 1050 CE. In the afternoon, drive to Bandhavgarh National Park. On arrival, check in to your wildlife resort; evening free for a nature walk.
Morning jeep safari into Bandhavgarh National Park, which has one of the highest tiger densities in India — an estimated 46-52 tigers within the park. You may also spot nilgai, chausingha, chital, chinkara, wild boar, fox, and jackal. Return to the hotel after the safari.
After breakfast, drive to Kanha National Park. On arrival, check in to your resort. An inspiration to Rudyard Kipling for 'The Jungle Book', Kanha is a lush Sal and bamboo forest with grassy meadows. Evening free for a nature walk.
Morning jeep safari into Kanha National Park to spot tigers and other wildlife species — Kanha is renowned for its healthy tiger population alongside barasingha (swamp deer), chital, and a rich variety of birdlife. After the safari, drive to Jabalpur for your departure flight. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 11 nights accommodation on twin/triple-share basis
- ✓ Buffet meals as specified in the itinerary
- ✓ Train ticket, Agra to Jhansi
- ✓ Sightseeing & road transfers by private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle throughout
- ✓ 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day
- ✓ All applicable Indian GST
Not Included ✗
- ✗ International / domestic airfare or train fare (excluding the included Agra-Jhansi train)
- ✗ Visa charges
- ✗ Entrance fees / camera charges at monuments and national parks
- ✗ Tipping — an entirely personal gesture
- ✗ Laundry, drinks, and items of a personal nature
- ✗ Jeep/canter safari fees at all wildlife reserves (payable locally, subject to availability)
Your questions, answered
Kanha National Park sits in eastern Madhya Pradesh, considerably closer to Jabalpur than to Delhi — flying out of Jabalpur (rather than driving all the way back to Delhi) saves a full day or more of additional travel. We can arrange your onward flight from Jabalpur to Delhi, Mumbai, or another hub as needed.
No safari can guarantee a tiger sighting — this is wild nature, not a zoo. However, this itinerary is specifically designed to maximise your overall chances by visiting four separate reserves, including Bandhavgarh, which has one of the highest tiger densities in India. Across the trip's combined safaris, most travellers see at least one tiger, alongside abundant leopard, deer, and bird sightings even on days without a tiger sighting.
Yes — if 12 days isn't feasible, we can remove either Bandhavgarh or Kanha to shorten the tour while retaining the Rajasthan and Khajuraho sections, or adjust the route to end back in Delhi rather than Jabalpur. Submit an enquiry with your available time and we'll suggest the best-fit version.
October to March is ideal — comfortable temperatures (15–28°C), clear skies, and the best conditions for sightseeing, fort treks, and wildlife safaris. April–June brings intense heat (up to 45°C); July–September is monsoon, with some relief from the heat but reduced safari access in the tiger reserves.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can adjust the duration, swap destinations, change hotel categories, or add extensions. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will redesign the itinerary for you at no obligation.
We include carefully selected 4-star and 5-star hotels throughout — heritage havelis, palace hotels, and well-appointed properties near the wildlife reserves, all personally vetted by our team. Upgrades to palace hotels or luxury tented camps are available on request.
Most nationalities can apply for an Indian e-Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Processing typically takes 3–5 business days and costs $25–$80 USD depending on your nationality. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
