This fascinating itinerary showcases India’s dramatic diversity as you travel across the country to three distinctly different biomes on a quest to observe five of the country’s most iconic species.
India is a country teeming with wildlife, and this trip idea provides the opportunity to venture across a range of habitats to encounter five of the subcontinent’s standout species. India’s answer to the famed African quintet consists of the Asiatic lion, leopard, tiger, elephant and one-horned rhino, many of which are examples of successful conservation projects across the country. On your quest you visit Sasan Gir in vibrant Gujarat, Kanha in Madhya Pradesh – the area that inspired Kipling - and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga in alluring Assam.
The journey begins in the east of the country as you navigate the arid forests and rocky hills of Sasan Gir National Park, the final stronghold for the global population of Asiatic lions. The next destination is the stunning Kanha National Park, famed as the location that inspired Kipling’s ‘The Jungle Book’ and home to a considerable amount of Bengal tigers. Here you can explore the forests and grasslands as you search for this formidable predator, along with a range of wildlife quintessential of India’s tiger reserves.
The final leg takes you north-east where one-horned rhinos are found in abundance on the floodplains of Kaziranga National Park. As a result of its protection efforts, the park hosts the largest population of these ungulates globally and also supports a healthy number of Asian elephants as well as a high density of tigers. Leopards are well-known for their adaptability and can be encountered at all three of these destinations, often sticking to the trees as they compete with the larger predators.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
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Day 2:
Arrive Mumbai
On arrival at Mumbai, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for a free day to explore the bustling city. Located on India's west coast, Mumbai is India's commercial capital, and capital of the state of Maharashtra. The city was founded on seven islands that were once home to fishing communities, with a deep natural harbour.
Accommodation: Fariyas Hotel, 1-night
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Days 3-5
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Fly to Rajkot & transfer to Sasan Gir National Park
A very early start as you transfer to the domestic terminal and board a short flight to Rajkot, from where you transfer by road to your accommodation at Sasan Gir National Park, a drive of around four hours. Arrive at lunchtime and the afternoon is then at leisure.
Your two full days in Sasan Gir will involve morning and afternoon vehicle safaris to look for the endangered Asiatic lion, as well as the park's other plentiful wildlife.
Accommodation: Gir Serai, 3-nights
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Day 6:
Transfer to Rajkot by road & fly to Nagpur
Drive back to Rajkot airport and fly to Mumbai, where you connect to an onward flight to Nagpur. On arrival into Nagpur, take a short transfer to your overnight hotel located near to the airport.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Hotel Nagpur, 1-night
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Days 7-9
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Drive to Kanha; vehicle safaris to see tiger
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer by road to your accommodation at Kanha National Park, a drive of around five to six hours, arriving mid afternoon. On arrival, the remainder of the afternoon is free to relax after your journey.
Over the next couple of days you'll have game drives into Kanha National Park to seek Bengal tiger and other wildlife. You return to the camp for lunch before heading back to the park for another game drive in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Singinawa Lodge, 3-nights
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Day 10:
Drive to Raipur & fly to Kolkata
After a five hour drive to Raipur, you board a short flight to Kolkata, arriving in the evening. Tonight you stay at a hotel near to the airport, ready for your flight to Guwahati the next morning.
Accommodation: Novotel Kolkata, 1-night
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Days 11-13
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Fly to Guwahati & transfer to Kaziranga.
This morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Guwahati, from where it's a five hour drive to Kaziranga. Arriving mid afternoon, the rest of the day is at leisure. Over the next two days, enjoy vehicle safaris to see one-horned rhino, tiger and elephant.
Accommodation: Diphlu River Loge, 3-nights
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Day 14:
After a morning at leisure, drive back to Guwahati & depart
After a morning at leisure, depart on a five hour drive to Guwahati and board your plane back to Mumbai, with an onward international connection back to the UK.
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Day 15:
Arrive UK
Please note: New regulations in India’s national parks mean that safaris must be booked and paid in advance on a first-come, first-served basis. As places are limited, we recommend you book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
