Set in the heart of Kipling’s India, Bandhavgarh is truly the best place for seeing one of the most endangered cats on the planet, the Royal Bengal Tiger. Mythology has it that Bandhavgarh was gifted to Laxman by his elder brother Lord Ram, the legendary hero of Ramayan, thus named "Bandhu-garh" meaning brother's fort. A beautiful combination of hills and meadows, dominated by the sheer massif of the Bandhavgarh plateau, the park provides one of the best, unspoilt environments for tigers in the world. You will have ten days exploring here by means of open jeep and elephant. Of the five ranges in the park, the 105 km2 Tala range will be the focal point of the tour.

By spending a concentrated time in one place, rather than travelling to several parks for shorter stays, you will significantly increase our chances of seeing the tigers. The extended period in the park will allow you to relax and get a true appreciation for the environment that you are in. Although sightings can never be guaranteed, your tour leader has enjoyed considerable success in Bandhavgarh by adopting this approach.

All of our clients who have taken this tour have seen tigers. Please see our website for tour reports.

Unlike many other tours, our safari jeeps will carry a maximum of two clients per vehicle. This allows room to enjoy the experience and sufficient space for photographers to carry their kit and get their shots. In addition to the tigers, there is a wealth of other animal and bird life to enjoy. Kingfishers, owl, eagles, and bee eaters are just a few of the 242 species of birds found in the range. Leopard, sloth bear and wolves are present, though rarely seen. Langur monkeys keep a wary eye from the trees, and chital and sambar deer form a frequent backdrop.

Your tour leader is wildlife photographer and naturalist Pete Cooper, who will meet you in Delhi and accompany you throughout the tour. Pete spends several months each year in Bandhavgarh and his experience with this group of tigers, together with his network of local contacts, will considerably increase your chances of seeing this elusive animal. In April 2005 he was filmed in Bandhavgarh for the BBC One series Inside Out. Prior to the tour he will supply you with a briefing pack that will include a family tree of the tigers and a map of the park.

Our team of drivers are handpicked and have worked regularly with Pete and his groups during their time in Bandhavgarh. The team will be led by one of the senior naturalists who have spent many years working in the park.

Day 1
depart from UK
Depart from the UK on your overnight flight to Delhi.

Day 2
arrive delhi . afternoon at leisure . overnight delhi
Arrival in Delhi, where you will be met on an individual basis at the airport and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. For the adventurous among you, the hotel can arrange for a car to take you on a sightseeing trip into the city. In the evening, we will meet for a welcome drink and an update on current events in the park.

Day 3
morning at leisure . overnight sleeper train to katni
After lunch we transfer to Nizamuddin railway station to connect with our overnight train to Katni.

Day 4
katni . tala . bandhavgarh . overnight bandhavgarh
Arriving early in the morning, we have a 2½ hour road transfer to our resort on the outskirts of Tala village, and breakfast will be waiting for us on arrival. The rest of the morning is spent relaxing and getting our bearings around the grounds. After lunch we take the first of our game drives in Bandhavgarh, staying in the park until sunset.

Day 5 to 13
morning and afternoon game drive . overnight bandhavgarh
Our day begins in the cool early morning, driving into the park before sunrise through one of the park gates. We will take a short drive around the park, hoping to see tigers returning from their night hunts, before reporting to Hardia camp to see if the elephant teams have been successful in their search for tigers. If they have, we will meet up with the mahouts and travel into the forest on elephant for our sightings. The length of the ride will depend on how far away the tigers are and how many people are waiting their turn for a ride, and can be anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes. The rides will only take place if the viewing can be done without disturbing the tigers. Afterwards we continue our game drive, stopping at a suitable place to enjoy our packed breakfast. Once back at our resort, the rest of the morning is spent at leisure with a chance to explore the grounds or simply relax. After lunch, we return to the park to track the tigers by jeep. As the afternoon wears on it is often the alarm calls of the deer and monkeys that alert us to the presence of the tigers as they begin to move, having slept through the heat of the day. We return to the resort around sunset. Having freshened up from the day’s activities, there will be time to relax and have a social drink before dinner, sometimes viewing a slide show or watching dancers from the local village. A further bonus is the amazing night sky, undimmed by atmospheric or light pollution. One day we will take a drive to view the fort and temple on top of the plateau, and have breakfast overlooking the plains below. We will also visit the elephants at one of their camps.

Day 14
morning game drive . katni . overnight sleeper train to agra and delhi
Today we take our final game drive in the morning. After lunch we return to Katni to connect with our overnight train to Delhi. The train passes through Agra en route, making it very easy for those who wish to extend their tour to see the Taj Mahal.

Day 15
arrive delhi . afternoon at leisure . overnight delhi
Morning arrival in Delhi, and transfer to your hotel in time for a late breakfast. The afternoon is free for you to relax.

Day 16
delhi . depart to UK
Breakfast at leisure, before transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Accommodation and Food
At Delhi, the five star Uppals Orchid hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. In Bandhavgarh, a superbly appointed residence situated in a mature 11 acre wooded estate, just 2 kilometres from the entrance to Bandhavgarh National Park. The dining area overlooks a private lake, and the combination of woodland and water is a haven for a wide variety of bird life. Spaced along winding footpaths that lead around the lake to the communal areas, the charming cottages with their gently sloping tiled roofs are furnished in keeping with the natural ambience of the resort. Each is equipped with a fan, air-conditioning or air-cooling unit, and mosquito nets to give you a comfortable night’s sleep. For snoozing in the daytime, hammocks are strung between the trees. Food is a mixture of Indian, Chinese and European cuisine, with the spice levels adjusted to cater for the western palette. Food can be taken in the dining room or al fresco, and some evenings we will have a barbecue as the local villagers perform tribal dances around a bonfire. Meals on the train are not included, and clients are advised to purchase food from the hotel for their journey rather than use the train’s catering services. Vegetarian food is widely available. Hotels of a similar standard may be used if required.

2009

20th February to 7th March

Cost

£ 1,975

2 doubles & 1 single remaining

6th March to 21st March

20th March to 4th April

1 double & 1 single remaining

3rd April to 18th April (easter)

1 single remaining

2nd November to 17th November

Prices are per person based on twin rooms

Single Supplement £395

Price includes:
Accommodation and food as described ; programme of events as described ; all entry fees to national parks ; 20 game drives based on two persons per jeep ; 10 complimentary elephant rides (if operated by the park on the day) ; air conditioned sleeper train fares ; all transfers ; porterage at airports and railway stations ; all local taxes.

Price excludes:
Flights; visas; camera fees; personal items such as drinks; laundry; phone calls; insurance; tips.

Deposits
A deposit of 20% is required for this tour. If you cancel the booking more than 8 weeks before departure, the deposit is refunded less a file handling fee of £150 per person.

Flight Package The flights listed in the itinerary are easily available from online agents. The flight package for this tour departing from London typically costs between £400 and £600 in economy. We will be happy to advise you about booking.

General
This tour can link with our other itineraries to create a bespoke itinerary for you. Tourists visiting India need to be in possession of a visa before arrival. Clients are advised to confirm the regulations with the High Commission of India before travelling.

It is possible to join the tour from any country of origin, so long as you arrive in Delhi during day two of the itinerary.

The tour is intended for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers. In order to ensure the best experience for everyone, the tours will run with a maximum of 12 persons. There is no minimum number, so tours will not be cancelled due to underbooking. For practical and safety reasons, bookings for children under the age of 12 years cannot be accepted.