India Tours
On the Tiger Trail Tour
Explore India's prime tiger reserves and national parks.
The Tiger Trail Tour
If you have ever dreamed of seeing a tiger in the wild, then this is the holiday for you. This tour has been carefully crafted to enhance your chances of wild tiger encounters, delving deep into India's prime tiger reserves and national parks with ample time to search for these majestic creatures – although no wildlife sightings can ever be guaranteed.
This tour is not just about the wildlife though. A highlight of any holiday to India is a chance to marvel at the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal and the extraordinary Khajuraho temples, adding a captivating dimension to your journey, alongside Ranthambore National Park, Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary and the glorious old Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri.
We've included an overnight train ride south to Jabalpur, Kanha National Park, and a stay in Bandhavgarh, another prime tiger-spotting location. This itinerary can be tailor-made just for you, including beach stays and yoga retreats.
Day By Day
Your Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive Delhi
A traditional "Swagat" (welcome) at the international airport, where our representative will assist you and transfer you to your hotel, with the rest of the day free to relax or explore the nearby market area.
Overnight in Hotel in Delhi · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 2
Delhi and a Train to Sawai Madhopur
A half-day sightseeing tour of Delhi taking in Jama Masjid, the largest and best-known mosque in India, commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan; Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; India Gate; and Humayun's Tomb, commissioned in 1569-70 by Humayun's first wife. After lunch, transfer to the railway station for the train to Sawai Madhopur, then on to Ranthambore National Park.
Overnight in Hotel near Ranthambore · Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 3
Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore holds one of the largest tiger populations in India, alongside several species of monkey, deer and crocodiles, plus birdlife including purple heron, kingfishers and cormorants. An evening game drive by "Gypsy" jeep or "Canter" safari bus.
Overnight in Hotel near Ranthambore · Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 4
Ranthambore National Park
Two game drives in search of tigers and other wildlife, with a break back at the hotel during the heat of the day between drives.
Overnight in Hotel near Ranthambore · Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
DAY 5
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
Drive to Bharatpur (around 220km, 4-5 hours) to visit the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park), a famous avifauna sanctuary home to over 230 bird species, including the rare Siberian Crane in winter.
Overnight in Hotel in Bharatpur · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 6
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri
An early start at the bird sanctuary before driving to Agra (around 70km, 1.5-2 hours), stopping at Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted royal city built by Emperor Akbar, which served as the Mughal Empire's political capital from 1571 until 1585.
Overnight in Hotel in Agra · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 7
Taj Mahal and Overnight Train to Jabalpur
At sunrise, visit the Taj Mahal (closed Fridays), built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, plus Agra Fort with its red sandstone walls enclosing the white marble Pearl Mosque. Later, transfer to the railway station for the overnight train to Jabalpur.
Overnight in Overnight train · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 8
Kanha National Park
Drive from Jabalpur to Kanha National Park (around 165km, 3.5-4.5 hours), one of the biggest parks in Madhya Pradesh with a significant tiger, leopard, sloth bear and Indian wild dog population – the lush sal and bamboo forests inspired Rudyard Kipling's "Jungle Book."
Overnight in Hotel near Kanha · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 9
Kanha National Park Game Drives
Two early-morning and late-afternoon game drives tracking tigers and other wildlife, with a break to relax during the heat of the day.
Overnight in Hotel near Kanha · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 10
Kanha National Park Game Drives
Another two game drives, broken up with time to relax at your hotel.
Overnight in Hotel near Kanha · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 11
Bandhavgarh National Park
Drive to Bandhavgarh National Park (around 250km, 5-6 hours), the most popular national park in India, famed for having the highest density of tiger population in the country, plus the largest breeding population of leopards.
Overnight in Hotel near Bandhavgarh · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 12
Bandhavgarh National Park
Two game drives into the park – will you see tiger, leopard, or maybe both?
Overnight in Hotel near Bandhavgarh · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 13
Morning and Evening Game Drives
Another day to enjoy Bandhavgarh National Park and all of its special charms.
Overnight in Hotel near Bandhavgarh · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
DAY 14
Khajuraho
Drive to Khajuraho (around 280km, 5.5-6.5 hours), a small town famous for its groups of Hindu and Jain temples, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for their beautiful and intricate rock carvings – 22 of the area's original 85 temples are still well preserved.
Overnight in Hotel in Khajuraho · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 15
Khajuraho and the Train to Delhi
Visit the Khajuraho temples, built between 950 and 1050 AD during the Chandela dynasty, depicting royalty, war, courtship, music, dancing and spiritual teachings in richly carved sandstone. Drive to Jhansi to catch the express train to Delhi.
Overnight in Hotel in Delhi · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 16
Goodbye India
Transfer to the airport to board your flight for your onward destination.
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Know Before You Go
Included & Excluded
What’s Included
14 nights hotel accommodation in Indian standard 3-star or 4-star hotels or similar, on bed & breakfast basis at Delhi, Bharatpur, Agra and Khajuraho, with breakfast and dinner at Ranthambore, and all meals at Kanha and Bandhavgarh
1 overnight train journey in 2-tier AC sleeper class between Agra and Jabalpur
2 train journeys in AC Chair Car between Delhi and Sawai Madhopur, and Jhansi and Delhi
All monument entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
4 safaris by shared Canter at Ranthambore National Park with a forest guard guide
4 exclusive Jeep safaris at Kanha with a forest guard guide
4 exclusive Jeep safaris at Bandhavgarh with a forest guard guide
English-speaking local guide for the city tours mentioned in the itinerary
Transport by air-conditioned vehicle with driver, including fuel and road taxes for the whole trip, plus arrival and departure transfers
What’s Not Included
International travel to the start and end point – contact us for information and flight options
Any airport taxes
Travel insurance
Any visa requirements
Alcoholic drinks and drinks not mentioned
Any photography and video fees
Items of a personal nature
Tips for drivers and guides
Tour Map
Book With Confidence
Dates & Prices
This is a private tour and can be arranged for any departure date between October and March, with two hotel tiers available: Standard (3-star) from £2,345pp, or Deluxe (4-star) from £2,595pp, both based on two people sharing a twin/double room. This tour can also be designed just for you – contact us for further tour information, including flight options and pre and post-tour accommodation.
From £2,345 per person
Good to Know
Travel Information
Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice for India.
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into India, be machine-readable, and have 2 blank pages for your visa. You need a visa to travel to India, unless you are an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder – apply for the right visa category for your trip via the eFRRO, Bureau of Indian Immigration or the High Commission of India in London, as either a regular (paper) visa or an e-visa.
Laws on alcohol vary by state and it's an offence to drink in public places – alcohol is banned entirely in Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Lakshadweep. Smoking is banned in most public places, and e-cigarettes are banned entirely. Drug offences carry a minimum sentence of 6 months for personal-consumption amounts, and 10 years for other amounts. Be careful with cameras and binoculars near military sites, government buildings, airports and railway stations, and satellite phones require a licence.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever occur year-round, and severe air pollution is a major hazard in winter (October-February), particularly in North Indian cities.
What to Bring
Lightweight, casual, non-synthetic clothing (cotton and natural fibres are best) that appropriately covers the body when in the company of local communities – it doesn't need to be fancy, but it needs to be respectful. Walking shoes or boots plus sandals are the ideal footwear.
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack – you're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself; a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase. We also recommend a sunhat, suncream, a torch, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle and a power adapter.
While You're There
India's currency is the Rupee, which is non-convertible and cannot be taken out of the country – exchange money at the airport, banks, large hotels or ATMs once you arrive. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, though check with your card provider about foreign transaction fees, and there may be limits on cash withdrawals within a 24-hour period.
The best time to visit is between October and March, when the weather is more likely to be warm, sunny and dry, though December and January are much cooler with potential fog. India uses type C, D and M plugs, and mobile data coverage is relatively good throughout the country, with local SIM cards widely available.
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