Tour Overview
This journey begins with a warm welcome in New Delhi, followed by a flight to Raipur and a scenic drive to Meru Vann. The itinerary features immersive wildlife experiences in Kanha National Park, including multiple jeep safaris and a guided nature trail. Day 5 highlights a visit to the Earth Focus Foundation, emphasizing sustainable practices and community empowerment.
Guests can also enjoy a cooking class using locally sourced ingredients. The adventure concludes with a return to New Delhi for a comfortable stay before departure. This itinerary combines thrilling wildlife encounters, cultural insights, and culinary delights, ensuring a memorable and enriching experience.
Detailed Itinerary: The Meru Vann Tiger Photographic Tour
Day 1 : Arrival in New Delhi (flight)
Upon your arrival in New Delhi, our representative and chauffeur will greet you in the arrival hall, holding a name card for easy recognition. They will assist you in getting seated in your comfortable, air-conditioned SUV for your transfer to the hotel. Once there, the representative will guide you through the travel documents, explain the itinerary in detail, and assist with your check-in. Enjoy your overnight stay at the hotel in New Delhi.
Day 2 : New Delhi - Raipur - Kanha (flight + 230 kms, 5-hour drive)
Your flight from New Delhi to Raipur is scheduled for 06:40 AM. Our representative will meet you in the hotel lobby, assist with a smooth check-out, provide a packed breakfast from the hotel, and guide you to the airport in your chauffeur-driven SUV. You will also receive pre-checked boarding passes for easier navigation through the baggage drop counter.
Upon arrival in Raipur, our chauffeur will meet you and drive you to Meru Vann. Our team will welcome you with hot or cold towels and a refreshing Mahua cooler. The lodge manager will then guide you to your room and give you a tour of the property.
Refresh yourself with a nice shower before heading to the restaurant for lunch. Our diverse menus feature cuisines from around the world. To support our commitment to sustainability, please inform our team of any specific food preferences so the chef can accommodate your dietary requirements.
After lunch, relax and nap to the soothing sounds of langurs and birds. You will be awakened at tea time and served hot beverages at the designated spot. This high-tea experience will be followed by a sundowner dinner near a tranquil water body called Baandha Tola. Enjoy a live barbecue with classic cocktails amidst the serene jungle surroundings.
Come back to the lodge for an overnight stay.
Day 3 : Morning and afternoon jeep safari in Kanha
You will receive a wake up call from the lobby, prepping you to get into action for your first safari in the Sal forest. Once you are ready, our naturalist will meet you in the lobby for morning tea/coffee and get you seated in the safari vehicle.
Facts about the park: Kanha is a flagship national park of India when it comes to successful conservation stories. Hard Ground Barasingha was brought back from the brink of extinction in this very park. The number in the 80s was just 60, today there are over 800 roaming freely in the park. Kanha has also assisted in repopulating the Indian Gaur population in Bandhavgarh where they were last seen in 1997. Today over 300 Indian Gaur are present in Bandhavgarh.
Around the halfway mark during your safari, your naturalist will take you for breakfast. The food comes freshly packed from the lodge, is spread hygienically on the gypsy’s bonnet and yet again gives you a wondrous feel of eating a meal in the jungle.
Post breakfast, hop into the safari vehicle to complete your morning safari. Once done, come back to the lodge, and freshen up. Lunch is yet again served at the restaurant with your favorites displayed in the buffet or customized to your liking.
Post lunch, head out once again for an afternoon safari in the park. This is shorter compared to the morning excursion, but still gives you ample encounters with wildlife. Once the sun sets, you will head back to the lodge. Eat a relaxed meal and enjoy the evening with your naturalist. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 4 : Morning jeep safari followed by a late afternoon wilderness walk
Embark on yet another jeep safari through the dense jungles of Kanha National Park.
Facts about the park: Tigers of Kanha are known to walk on vehicle tracks. If you are fortunate, you will have a head on sighting of tigers here. Once they get on the track, they will walk for long enough to give you ample opportunities to take some nice images of them. Kanha tigers are known for their exceptional head size, neck girth, and tall shoulders. They are also quite bold and undeterred by the tourist vehicles.
Upon returning from the morning safari, you will have time to freshen up, and eat a relaxed lunch. Rest up before heading out for a guided nature trail with your naturalist and the forest guard. This trail is called the Bahmni Walk and is 7 kms long. One gets the opportunity to witness small and big mammals on foot, plenty of avifauna and a diverse range of butterflies as well. For those seeking a closer interest in the little things, this walk is a game changer!
Come back to the lodge for dinner. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 5 : Morning visit to Earth Focus and afternoon jeep safari
After a leisurely breakfast, we take you for a visit to one of the most sought after initiatives in Kanha National Park – a cause we so proudly support – Earth Focus Foundation. Earth Focus Kanha was born out of a belief that empowering indigenous, tribal communities is key to Kanha’s conservation and nature-based economy. Their holistic depth model currently focuses on education and livelihoods built around landscape restoration in the park’s buffer zone.
They work with forest dwelling communities to leverage indigenous and local knowledge along with scientific and technical knowhow to build ecological and socio-economic resilience.
After the visit, head back to the lodge for lunch and to check-out from Meru Vann. Begin your journey with a scenic 280 km drive to Bandhavgarh, which will take approximately 6 hours.
Upon arrival, the lodge team will warmly welcome you. After settling in, your designated naturalist will conduct an orientation session, providing essential information about the safaris scheduled for the following day.
As the evening sets in, enjoy a delightful dinner and relax for the night at the lodge in Bandhavgarh.
Day 6 : Jeep Safaris in Bandhavgarh and dinner with Naturalist
Commence your day early of your Meru Vann Tiger photographic tour, gearing up for the safari to secure a position among the first few vehicles in the queue. Bandhavgarh is renowned for its highest number of Tiger sightings, and your experienced naturalist, armed with extensive knowledge, will guide you through the reserve. Expect to gain valuable insights into animal behavior and be regaled with captivating stories about the diverse creatures encountered during your journey.
Nestled in the Vindhya Hills of Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve spans a core area of 716 square kilometers and a buffer area of approximately 820 square kilometers. The reserve’s diverse topography encompasses high ridges, undulating terrain, lush forests, and open meadows. Explore the renowned Chakradhara and Rajhbhera meadows in the Tala Zone, where herds of deer peacefully graze. Upon completing the morning jeep safari, return to the lodge, where the team will welcome you back with wet towels and refreshing drinks.
After a satisfying lunch, embark on another jeep safari within the Tiger Reserve. Once serving as the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Rewa, the reserve features irregular topography, with rocky hill ranges running roughly east to west, interspersed with green wetlands and woodland valleys. Bandhavgarh’s varied vegetation, ranging from tall grasslands to dense Sal forests and bamboo thickets, provides an ideal habitat for a diverse array of animals and birds. The reserve offers ample opportunities to witness the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger, as well as elusive creatures like the Leopard and Sloth Bear, thanks to its varied topography.
As the day comes to a close, return to the lodge at sunset. Dinner will be with your naturalist where you get to know more about the mesmerizing ambience around you. Spend the night at the lodge in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, ready for more thrilling adventures in the heart of tiger country.
Day 7 : Jeep Safaris in Bandhavgarh and dinner with Naturalist
Awaken to the morning serenity and gather in the common area to meet your naturalist. Enjoy a cup of morning coffee or tea with cookies, engaging in discussions about the plan for the upcoming safari. Head out for the safari with a packed breakfast, ready to explore the three distinct core zones of Bandhavgarh: Tala, Magadhi, and Khitauli. Since 2019, a herd of elephants has made Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve their home, adding to the allure of this wildlife haven.
After lunch, proceed to Tala village to immerse yourself in the local culture. Here, you will gain insight into the daily lives of the villagers, observing their traditional houses, understanding their means of livelihood, and appreciating their unique attire. This visit offers a rich cultural experience, providing a deeper connection to the region and its people
The Tala zone, the oldest in Bandhavgarh, houses the iconic fort and the revered figure of Vishnu, Shesh Shaiya, dating back to the 10th century. The Charan Ganga River, a lifeline for the reserve, originates in Shesh Shaiya, and the area features additional caves known as Bari Gufa from the tenth century. Magadhi, distinguished by its grasslands and mixed dense forest cover, boasts various watering holes like Sukhi Patiha, Dabhadhole, Charkpwaha, and Murdhawa. It has become a prime location for tiger sightings in recent years. The Khitauli zone, characterized by a dry-deciduous forest, has gained prominence as a hotspot for Tiger sightings. Elephants are frequently spotted here, drawn by the abundant bamboo cover providing ample food.
Return to the lodge after the village visit, arriving by sunset. Dinner will be served in a different venue, enhancing your experience of being immersed in the ambiance of Jungle lodges. Enjoy a delightful dinner and spend the night under the star-studded night sky. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
Day 8 : Bid adieu to Bandhavgarh and visit the Marble Rocks of Jabalpur
Start your day with a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, allowing yourself to fully immerse in and appreciate the tranquil surroundings. Enjoy the morning chorus of birds and the soothing sounds of the jungle, creating a perfect, serene start to your day.
After breakfast, it will be time to check out from the lodge and begin your journey to Jabalpur. As you travel, take in the changing landscapes, knowing that you’ll reach Jabalpur by sunset.
Upon arrival, embark on a picturesque sunset boat ride on the river that flows between the renowned marble rock formations at Bhedaghat, Jabalpur. This unique experience offers breathtaking views and a serene ambiance, perfect for capturing memorable photographs.
Conclude your day by spending the night at a comfortable hotel in Jabalpur, resting up for the adventures that lie ahead.
Day 9 : Departure to New Delhi (flight)
Post a relaxed breakfast, check-out with a packed lunch and transfer to Jabalpur Airport for your flight back to New Delhi. Met on arrival and transferred to the international airport for your flight back home.
- Accommodation in New Delhi on bed and breakfast basis.
- Accommodation in Kanha on room, all meals and exclusive safari basis.
- Entrance and guide charges in Kanha and Bandhavgarh.
- Sunset boating at the marble rock formation.
- Village visit in Bandhavgarh
- Bush dinner with the naturalist in Bandhavgarh
- Experiential bush dinner with live barbecue once during the stay in Kanha.
- Assistance at Airports and Hotels.
- All land transfers in Toyota Innova / Crysta
- All government taxes.
- Still / video camera fee in the monuments and national parks.
- Expenses of personal nature like Tips, smokes, liquor, laundry, and telephone calls .
- International airfare and domestic
- Visa application for entry into India
- Travel insurance
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
- Our itineraries are not set in stone. The reason why we do not mention prices on the website is because guest requirements cannot be fixed, and so neither can the price. We thrive on custom making the program tailored to each guest, till it best suits all your travel needs.
- Standard check in time at hotels in New Delhi is 1400 hours. We can request an early check in till 11AM subject to availability.
- If you arrive early in the morning (00:00 - 11AM), your room will be reserved from the previous day, enabling a seamless check-in as soon as you land.
- If you have spare time upon early arrival in India, we can add some local sightseeing to the itinerary
- In case the hotel envisaged, or normal category of rooms are waitlisted / sold out, alternate hotels/category will be provided & we will keep you informed on the supplement / reduction involved.
- Safari zones are subject to forest permissions.
- Any changes in entrance fees or government taxes will be payable extra and the same will be advised to you if applicable.
- All national parks are closed for safaris Holi and Diwali for the whole day.
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