Kipling’s Trail – A Journey Through Central India Forests

Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Pench

Climate in India varies greatly, from the arid deserts of Rajasthan to the cool highlands of Assam, allegedly the wettest place on earth. But basically India has a three-season year – the hot, the wet and the cool. The heat starts to build up on the northern plains around February and by April it becomes quite hot. The first signs of the monsoon appear in May, with high humidity, short rainstorms and violent electrical storms. The monsoon rains begin around June in the extreme south and sweep north to cover the whole country by early July. The main monsoon comes from the southwest, but the southeastern coast is affected by the short and surprisingly wet northeastern monsoon, which brings rain from mid-October to the end of December. The main monsoon ends around October, and India’s northern cities become crisp at night in December. In the far south, where it never gets cool, the temperatures are comfortably warm rather than hot.

Overview
Itinerary
Cost Info
FAQ
Map
Gallery
Hotels envisaged

Overview

The trail follows a winding serpentine path with the Himalayan foothills on one side and spectacular views of the Dehradun valley on the other side.

The path first takes one through a steep jungle trail followed by small villages exhibiting remnants of the colonial era. The path thus appeals to nature-lovers as well as those interested in history and heritage.

Itinerary

Day 1
JABALPUR – BANDHAVGARH BY: SURFACE
Meet and greet upon arrival at Jabalpur Airport or Railway Station. Later proceed for drive towards Bandhavgarh National Park (165 Kms/4 hrs). Upon arrival at Bandhavgarh you will proceed for check-in to your resort. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Bandhavgarh National Park famous for highest known density of tiger population in India. The Bandhavgarh National Park, the home of the white tigers was once the hunting ground for the kings during the olden days. The park area is stretching around 450 sq. kms with a large biodiversity and species of the largest breeding population of leopards, various species of deer and also holds the highest density of tiger population in India. The park is sub-divided into three major zones of Tala, Magdi and Bamera.

The reserve is also densely populated with other species: the gaur, or Indian bison, are now extinct or have migrated elsewhere; sambar and barking deer are a common sight, and nilgai are to be seen in the open areas of the park. There have been reports of the Indian wolf (canis lupus indica), striped hyena, and the caracal the latter being an open country dweller. The tiger reserve abounds with chital or the spotted deer (Axis axis) which is the main prey animal of the tiger and the Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca).

Overnight at Bandhavgarh Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2
BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
Morning and afternoon proceed for exclusive jeep safaris at the BandhavgarhNational Park.

Stay at Resort on full board basis.

Overnight at Bandhavgarh Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3
BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
Morning and afternoon proceed for exclusive jeep safaris at the Bandhavgarh National Park.

Stay at Resort on full board basis.

Overnight at Bandhavgarh Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4
BANDHAVGARH – KANHA BY: SURFACE
This morning will proceed for another exclusive jeep safari at the BandhavgarhNational Park.

Later, after breakfast check-out from hotel and shall proceed for drive towards Kanha Forest (250 Kms/5 hrs). Upon arrival at Kanha, you will proceed for check-in to your resort. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Kanha National Park is a Brand, not needs to mention. Kanha has been rated as one of the top five destinations, worldwide for wildlife sightings. In the culture of its rural people and in the untainted natural beauty of the region, that it enjoins you to be one with the Spirit of the Land. The picturesque Kanha National Park was the inspiration behind Rudyard Kipling's unforgettable classic Jungle Book.

The largest national park in Madhya Pradesh with 941sq. km expansion, Kanha National Park is one of the best administered and managed parks in India. It is one of the Navratanas of the 'Project Tiger’. Apart from the majestic royal Bengal tigers, Kanha inhabits barasingha as well, which was very close to extinction.The park hosts other animals like Indian leopard, sloth bear, dhole, wild dog, bear, foxes and jackals. The park also hosts around 300 species of birds.

Overnight at Kanha Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5
KANHA NATIONAL PARK
Morning and afternoon proceed for exclusive jeep safaris at the Kanha National Park.

Stay at Resort on full board basis.

Overnight at Kanha Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6
KANHA NATIONAL PARK
Morning and afternoon proceed for exclusive jeep safaris at the Kanha National Park.

Stay at Resort on full board basis.

Overnight at Kanha Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7
KANHA – PENCH BY: SURFACE
This morning will proceed for another exclusive jeep safaris at the Kanha National Park.

Later, after breakfast check-out from hotel and shall proceed for drive towards Pench Forest (200 Kms/4 – 5 hrs). Upon arrival at Pench you will proceed for check-in to your hotel.

Pench National Park is a national park in India's Madhya Pradesh state, established in 1975 with an area of 257.26 km2 (99.33 sq mi).Pench National Park also known as Indira Gandhi National Park is known for large population of chital and sambhar and has the highest density of herbivores in India. The national park consists of dry deciduous forests and much fauna and flora including tigers, various types of deer and birds. At this national park commonly seen wildlife is chital, sambar, nilgai, wild boar, and jackal.

Pench National Park is the forest that inspired the story of Jungle Book's Mowgli. Rudyard Kipling’s most of them leaping from the Pench river, massive tracts enclosed by teak and assorted forests. The wildlife, most well-known of which is the Royal Tiger, also comprises Indian leopard, Sloth bear, numerous kinds of deer and certainly Rudyard’s adoptive family for Mowgli – the wolves.

Overnight at Pench Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 8
PENCH NATIONAL PARK
Morning and afternoon proceed for exclusive jeep safaris at the Pench National Park.

Stay at Resort on full board basis.

Overnight at Pench Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 9
PENCH NATIONAL PARK
Morning and afternoon proceed for exclusive jeep safaris at the Pench National Park.

Stay at Resort on full board basis.

Overnight at Pench Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 10
PENCH – NAGPUR DROP BY: SURFACE
This morning will proceed for another exclusive jeep safaris at the National Park.

Later, after breakfast check-out from the hotel and shall transfer you to the Nagpur Airport or Railway Station (105 Kms/3 hrs.) for an onward journey.

END OF THE SAFARI TOUR

Cost Info

Price includes

09 Nights stay in a Double Room or Cottage on twin sharing basis as the mentioned hotels or similar.
All meals during the Stay as per the itinerary
15 Exclusive Jeep Safaris at these National Parks and with the services of professional Naturalists for all your safaris
Free use of indoor / outdoor recreational activities in the hotel.
Airport pick-up and drop, transfers from one place to anotherby Aircon Toyota Innova vehicle.
Applicable Govt. Taxes

Price excludes

Extras at the lodges i.e. beverages and drinks, telephone, laundry etc
Tipping
Any airfare or train fare
Any other item not included in the Inclusions.
Please note, Tatkal Safari tickets cost not included in this package.
For other hotels away from entry gate side then might require pick-up charges as applicable.