Our trip idea takes you off the beaten track in search of two of India’s most exotic mammals – the endearing yet elusive red panda and the majestic tiger.
Start your journey travelling high into the Eastern Himalayas to the remote wilderness of Singalila National Park, straddling the Indian-Nepalese border. The park's temperate broad-leaf and coniferous forest provides the ideal habitat for the red panda. Stay at Habre’s Nest, a small lodge dedicated to the conservation of the red pandas of the forest and search for these secretive mammals by joining trackers on walks from the lodge.
Whilst the red panda will no doubt be the highlight of your time spent at Singalila, the national park is sure to provide you with many other spectacular wildlife encounters. The area is a birder’s paradise with over 300 species of bird having been recorded here and mammals to spot include yellow-throated marten, leopard cat, Himalayan serow and barking deer.
After your time in Singalila travel south to prime tiger country in Central India and the lesser visited national park of Panna. With an estimated population of 30 tigers in Panna, enjoy morning and afternoon jeep safaris in search of this majestic big cat. Other iconic Indian wildlife to look our for includes dhole, leopards, sloth bear along with over 200 species of bird.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
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Day 2:
Arrive Delhi
Arrive late morning into Delhi and transfer the short distance to your hotel located near the airport.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Aerocity, 1-night
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Day 3:
Fly to Bagdogra, transfer to Darjeeling
Departing Delhi this morning, take a flight to Bagdogra where you then continue by road to the hill station of Darjeeling.
Accommodation: The Elgin Darjeeling, 1-night
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Day 4:
Transfer to Singalila National Park
Leave Darjeeling this morning to begin your journey to Singalila National Park. The first part of your journey is the drive to Manebhanjen, where you then transfer into Land Rovers to complete uour final ascent to Habre’s Nest travelling through the spectacular and rugged landscape of the Eastern Himalayas.
Once you've arrived, you will meet with the trackers who would have been out during the morning looking for red pandas. This will hopefully allow you to participate in your first walk through the forest this afternoon in search of them.
Accommodation: Habre’s Nest, 5-nights
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Days 5-8
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Red panda tracking in Singalila National Park
During your time at Habre’s Nest, your days are likely to follow a similar pattern. After breakfast you set out on foot with our dedicated trackers in search of the red panda. Whilst most of the walking trails are accessible directly from the lodge, Land Rovers are readily available to transfer you to sightings made further afield. For those wanting to enjoy the rich birdlife of the area there will be time in the early mornings to make use of Habre’s Nest in-house bird hide.
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Day 9:
Transfer to Bagdogra, fly to Delhi
Depart Habre’s Nest this morning driving by Land Rover to Manebhanjan, where you then continue by minibus to Bagdogra to catch your flight to Delhi.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Aerocity, 1-night
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Day 10:
Fly to Khajuraho, transfer to Panna National Park
Departing Delhi this morning, fly to Khajuraho before taking a short drive to Panna National Park. You will arrive in time for lunch at your lodge before enjoying your first safari in the park this afternoon.
Accommodation: Sarai at Toria, 5-nights
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Days 11-14
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Explore Panna National Park
During your four full days in Panna National Park, we use small safari vehicles setting out each morning and afternoon on drives to discover the parks' wonderful wildlife. Amongst the beautiful waterfalls, dense teak forest and grasslands, you will be on the lookout for not only the majestic tiger but also sloth bear, leopard, dhole and some of the 200 species of bird that have been recorded.
Should your trip happen to fall over a Wednesday afternoon (when it will not be possible to drive in the national park), you may wish to relax and reminisce on your wildlife experiences you have encountered so far or alternatively we can arrange an optional visit to the nearby temples of Khajuraho.
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Day 15:
Transfer to Khajuraho, fly to Delhi
This morning enjoy a final jeep safari in Panna National Park before transferring to Khajuraho for your afternoon flight to Delhi.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Aerocity, 1-night
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Day 16:
Fly to the UK
Depart Delhi on a flight to London, arriving later the same day.
