Tigers, Jungles and Rhinos of India - 11 Nights / 12 Days

2N Delhi | 3N Bandhavgarh | 3N Kanha | 1N Kolkata | 2N Kaziranga

Flights
Breakfast
Hotel
Train
Sightseeing
Transfers
Wi-Fi

Overview

Tigers, Jungles & Rhinos of India is a carefully crafted 12-day wildlife expedition that links two of the subcontinent's most spectacular natural regions, the dense sal forests of Central India and the sweeping floodplain ecosystems of Assam, into a single, immersive journey.

The adventure begins in Delhi before flying into Jabalpur, the gateway to Madhya Pradesh's world-famous tiger country. Bandhavgarh National Park, consistently ranked among India's finest tiger reserves, sets the tone with multiple expert-guided jeep safaris through ancient sal forests where the big cats roam with extraordinary boldness. From there, the journey continues to Kanha National Park, the real-life landscape that inspired Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, with its iconic open meadows, rich birdlife, and thriving populations of tigers, leopards, and the rare barasingha (swamp deer). A distinctive highlight at Kanha is the dawn picnic breakfast enjoyed deep inside the forest, a moment that captures the very essence of the Indian jungle.

The second half of the tour takes flight to Kolkata, India's cultural capital, before heading northeast into Assam. Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the dramatic finale: home to the world's largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, as well as tigers, wild elephants, swamp deer, and an astonishing diversity of birdlife. An optional elephant-back safari at sunrise offers a rare, unhurried perspective of Kaziranga's vast grasslands that no jeep can replicate.

Throughout the journey, English-speaking naturalists, comfortable safari lodges, and seamlessly organised transfers ensure every moment in the wild is deeply rewarding.

Itinerary

Departing Delhi by air to Jabalpur, the tour explores the tiger-rich sal forests of Bandhavgarh and Kanha in Madhya Pradesh before flying east to Kolkata and onward to Assam's Kaziranga National Park, home to the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, concluding with a flight from Guwahati back to Delhi.

Day 1: Arrive Delhi−

Welcome to India. Our assistance staff will meet you at the aerobridge to help with immigration and luggage. On exit, our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel near Delhi airport. Rest and settle in, your wildlife journey begins tomorrow.

Overnight at hotel in Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi - Jabalpur - Bandhavgarh+

After breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport for your morning flight to Jabalpur, the gateway to Central India's tiger country. On arrival, our representative will assist you and escort you to your waiting vehicle. Drive to Bandhavgarh Lodge (approx. 175 km, 4 hrs), passing through the scenic Vindhya hills and forest corridors of Madhya Pradesh. Check in on arrival and spend the evening at leisure, soaking in the sights and sounds of the jungle.

Overnight at lodge.

Day 3: Bandhavgarh National Park+

Rise before sunrise and proceed for morning tea/coffee at the lodge before your expert-guided morning jeep safari in Bandhavgarh National Park. Our guides are thoroughly trained naturalists who communicate fluently in English, sharing insights into the park's ecology, wildlife behaviour, and conservation history.

Post lunch, head back into the forest for an afternoon jeep safari, the golden hour light making for exceptional wildlife photography.

Overnight at lodge.

Day 4: Bandhavgarh - Full Safari Day+

A full day of tiger tracking with morning and afternoon jeep safaris in Bandhavgarh. With one of the highest tiger densities of any reserve in India, Bandhavgarh also offers sightings of leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, wild boar, and a spectacular array of birds.

Overnight at lodge.

Day 5: Bandhavgarh - Kanha+

Begin the day gently, early morning tea/coffee at the lodge followed by a guided nature walk in the surrounding forest with your naturalist. Return to freshen up and enjoy lunch before departing for Kanha Tiger Reserve (approx. 250 km, 5 hrs). Arrive in the early evening, check in to your Kanha lodge, and spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight at lodge.

Day 6: Kanha National Park+

Assemble at the lodge safari departure point for early morning tea/coffee service, then venture into the iconic sal and bamboo jungles of Kanha National Park in a 4WD jeep with your English-speaking naturalist. A special highlight today is a picnic breakfast enjoyed in the heart of the forest, one of the most memorable moments of the entire journey.

Post lunch, a second safari takes you deep into Kanha's forest zones in the late afternoon light.

Overnight at the lodge.

Day 7: Kanha - Full Safari Day+

Morning and afternoon jeep safaris with your lodge naturalist in Kanha National Park. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is famed for its thriving tiger population, the endangered barasingha (hard-ground swamp deer), gaur, and extraordinary birdlife across its diverse landscapes.

Overnight at the lodge.

Day 8: Kanha - Nagpur - Kolkata+

Post an early breakfast, check out and drive to Nagpur Airport (approx. 255 km, 6 hrs) to board your afternoon flight to Kolkata. On arrival, our representative will meet and assist you, providing transfers to your hotel near Kolkata airport. Rest and refresh after a long travel day.

Overnight at the hotel in Kolkata.

Day 9: Kolkata - Jorhat - Kaziranga+

After breakfast, our representative will transfer you to Kolkata airport for your morning flight to Jorhat in Assam. Arrive at Jorhat and drive to Kaziranga National Park, passing through Assam's lush tea gardens. Check in to your lodge on arrival. Evening at leisure.

Overnight at the lodge.

Day 10: Kaziranga National Park+

An early morning jeep safari in Kaziranga National Park with a local expert naturalist, the vast floodplains of the Brahmaputra reveal spectacular herds of Indian one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephants, swamp deer, and the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. An optional elephant-back safari (approximately one hour, bookable on site) offers an extraordinary, ground-level perspective of Kaziranga's grasslands that no vehicle can provide. Afternoon jeep safari with your local guide provided to you by Cholan Tours.

Overnight at the lodge.

Day 11: Kaziranga - Full Safari Day+

Morning and afternoon jeep safaris in Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the world's largest concentration of Indian one-horned rhinos. The park also shelters significant populations of tigers, Asian elephants, wild water buffalo, and over 500 species of birds, making every drive a new discovery.

Overnight at the lodge.

Day 12: Kaziranga - Guwahati - Delhi - Departure+

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Guwahati to board your flight to Delhi. On arrival at Delhi, our assistance team will facilitate your transfer from the domestic terminal to the international terminal for your onward connecting flight.

Tour and services end here.

FAQs On Tigers, Jungles and Rhinos of India

What is the best time to visit Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Kaziranga?

Bandhavgarh and Kanha are best visited from October to June, with February to May being the prime tiger-sighting season. Kaziranga is best visited from November to April; the park is closed during the monsoon (roughly May to October) when the Brahmaputra floods the grasslands. This itinerary works best between November and March, when both regions are accessible, and wildlife is highly active.

What is the elephant-back safari at Kaziranga?

The optional elephant-back safari at Kaziranga is a unique one-hour experience offered in the early morning, where trained mahouts take small groups on elephant back through the park's tall grasslands. This offers an exceptional vantage point for rhino encounters and is one of the most intimate wildlife experiences available in India. It is subject to availability and can be arranged at an additional cost.

Is a tiger sighting guaranteed?

While no wildlife experience can guarantee specific sightings, this itinerary has been designed to maximise your chances across three high-density parks. Bandhavgarh is consistently ranked among the best parks in India for tiger sightings, and Kaziranga also has a growing tiger population. Our naturalists are deeply familiar with resident animals and their ranges, giving you the best possible opportunity for memorable encounters.

Can I extend the tour or customise it?

Yes, this itinerary can be fully customised with Cholan Tours. Extensions to Ranthambore, Pench, Tadoba, or the Golden Triangle are popular additions. The Kolkata stopover can also be extended to include a guided cultural tour of the city. We offer private departures for individuals, couples, and groups throughout the season.

How fit do I need to be for this tour?

This tour is suitable for most fitness levels. Safaris are conducted from seated positions in jeeps or on elephant back. The nature walk on Day 5 is gentle and suitable for most travellers. Road transfers between parks are long on some days; we recommend comfortable clothing and remaining hydrated. Please inform us of any mobility or health concerns at the time of booking so we can make suitable arrangements.

Are the lodges comfortable, and what are the meal arrangements?

All lodges are carefully selected for their quality, location, and proximity to park gates. They range from comfortable forest retreats to premium wildlife lodges. Daily breakfast is included; lunch and dinner arrangements vary by lodge and can be included on a full-board basis upon request. The jungle picnic breakfast during the Kanha safari is a special inclusion unique to this itinerary.