Tour Dates: 31October – 16 November, 2016

Experience Central India with its unique mix of ancient culture and its breathtaking wilderness. Indian art, culture and spirituality all developed amidst a rich, natural beauty. 

Langur Monkey, taken by client Walter Shepherd

We will see vivid Indian art dating back to prehistory, visit sacred Buddhist and Hindu sites, and begin to comprehend the origins of modern India. 

Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh, India

We explore the variety and biodiversity of the National Parks of Madhya Pradesh while taking Wildlife Safaris in India’s most beautiful National Parks. 

Tiger Cub taken at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve by client Walter Shepherd.

We will visit highland habitats, teak forests, bamboo and grasslands areas as well as riverland areas.

We will go on safari to seek out the big cats—tigers and leopards—as well as monkeys, crocodiles and a huge number of bird species. 

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo Atthis, aka Eurasian Kingfisher, River Kingfisher), Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India

You will delight in discovering things you have never experienced before. 

“Safari in India AMAZING. I found the experience far more exciting and ultimately more rewarding than those I have done in Africa, as the more elusive of the animals have to be tracked and listened for, rather than just seen. However in between the excitement of the chase the abundance of birds, deer, monkey and landscapes leave you with such a great appreciation of India’s diversity”. Melissa from Hobart, January 2016 

While staying in a beautiful Palace & boutique lodges and tented camps along the way.

Jehan Numa Palace, Bhopal

Kings Lodge, Bandhavgarh

Reni Pani Jungle Lodge, Satpura

Sher Garh Tented Camp, Kanha

“India is a land of extreme contrasts, culturally and biologically. The people were always friendly, ever ready to advise and help us have a really great experience. The wildlife was just fantastic so we were able to get some really fabulous photographs of animal behaviour. It was a great trip”. Keith from Newcastle

Discover Madhya Pradesh the cultural heart of India

Our journey starts in Delhi, India’s capital and largest city where we soak up the culture, history, and artistic life of Delhi, one of the world’s greatest cities.

Our first step into Central India is to Bhopal, in Madhya Pradesh State, the little visited heartland of India. Here we visit Bharat Kala Bhawan Museum and the Tribal Habitat Museum of Man and start to understand and appreciate India’s folk and tribal culture.

North of Bhopal is Sanchi, for over 1500 years one of the great centres of Buddhism and the site of the Great Stupa (dating from the 2^nd Century BC). The Great Stupa’s exquisitely carved gateways and monuments illustrate scenes from the life of Buddha, images from the courtly life of classical India, and early Buddhist fable and myth.

Nearby is the 5th century Udayagiri Caves, an early Hindu site, of carved rock sanctuaries and sculptured images. Close by, at Vidisha, is the Heliodorus Pillar recording a Greek king’s conversion to Hinduism in 113 BC.

We also visit the important, Paleolithic Bhimbetka Rock shelters with rock art dating back 30,000 years, the earliest trace of human culture in India.

Later in Bandhavgarh National Park we visit Bandhavgarh Fort, an ancient hill fort, built more than 2000 years ago.

Explore India’s biodiversity

Madhya Pradesh has some of India’s most important and significant national parks and reserves.

Satpura National Park is 1400 square kilometres of highland habitat for some of India’s most important wildlife.

Pench Tiger Reserve consists of over 700 square kilometres—primarily of teak forest—and is considered one of India’s finest tiger reserves.

Kanha National Park is one of the largest national parks in India and extends over almost 2000 square kilometres of undulating country.

Bandhavgarh National Park, amidst the Vindhyanchal Ranges, covers about 440 square kilometres and contains a mixture of grassland, bamboo and densely wooded hills.

Game drives provide the best opportunities for all types of wildlife viewing and for having a chance encounter with a big cat. We explore, mostly by jeep, looking for some of India’s most exciting wildlife including: tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, rhesus monkeys, langurs, hyenas, wild dogs, pangolins, marsh crocodiles, and many species of bird.

From the national parks we head back to Delhi for the flight home.

Your host will be Mantra Wild Adventures CEO & Founder, Reena Tory. Reena is a keen animal lover, former Zoologist and Tiger Magnet. 

Pricing: $7,699 AUD per person (Twin Share)

*Single Room Supplement: $3,199 AUD

Package inclusions

• Accommodation for 16 nights on double occupancy basis
• Meals as specified in the itinerary
• Room with Breakfast in Delhi and Bhopal
• Room with all major (3) meals at Satpura, Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh
• Welcome Dinner at Noor Us Sabha
• Cooking demonstration and dinner with Indian family
• Transportation as follows:
  • Delhi – Arrival and departure transfers for both the visits
  • air-con Tempo traveller (13 seater)
  • Delhi – arrival and departure transfers
• Bottled mineral water in the vehicles during transfers
• Five Safaris at Satpura—1 night safari in Buffer area, 2 jeep safaris, 1 village visit and 1 boat safari or canoe ride (shared basis)
• Five Safaris at Pench—1 night safari in Buffer area, 04 jeep safaris using shared jeep
• Three Safaris at Kanha—3 jeep safaris using shared jeep
• Four Safaris at Bandhavgarh—4 jeep safaris using shared jeep
• Services of local English speaking guide in Bhopal for 3 ½ days
• Portering fees at the hotels/airports only
• Park entry fees as per the itinerary
• A portion of package cost goes to TOFT (Travel Operators for Tigers) Campaign supporting Tiger Habitats.
• All currently applicable taxes

Price exclusions

• International and domestic airfare, visa fees, airport tax or any insurance cover
• Drinks of any nature, any other meals than those mentioned in the itinerary
• Tips or gratuities of any sort.
• Any car arrangements on free days
• Still and video camera fee at monuments and game parks
• Personal items (drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips, camera fees etc)
• Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control like change in flight and train schedule; cancellation of flights, political disturbances, natural phenomenon, etc
• Any other item not specifically mentioned above as ‘included’

General conditions

• The price are on Per Person basis in AUD
• Check-in time is 1400hrs and Check-Out time is 1100hrs
• All prices are subject to any revision of tax and tariff structure

Operational restrictions

• National Park at Madhya Pradesh is shut on Wednesday afternoons

Wild Heart of India Safari Tour Itinerary (16 nights)

Related Blog: 10 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Madhya Pradesh

What do I need to know about India

Frequently Asked Questions

Click Here to enquire about this package or to have us craft a personalised experience for you.