India - Tiger Marathon

Tour Code: IND21

An exciting tour taking you straight into the heart of Tiger country on a 14-day safari that combines Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna National Parks, four of India's finest Tiger Reserves, plus an optional extension to Ranthambore National Park.

14 days from
£4,195 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£3,695
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

There are few sights in the natural world more awe-inspiring than observing a wild Tiger at close quarters. We focus on providing this supreme wildlife experience during visits to Kanha Tiger Reserve, Pench National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park and finally Panna National Park, all renowned for their populations of Tiger. Early morning and afternoon game drives offer the best prospect of Tiger encounters, while other wildlife includes Sambar, Spotted Deer, Swamp Deer, Gaur (the huge Asiatic Bison) and Wild Boar, as well as a colourful profusion of birds. An optional extension to visit Ranthambore Tiger Reserve provides yet more opportunities to observe Tigers in the wild.

  • Tiger-viewing in India’s finest Tiger Reserves
  • 100% record to date of seeing Tigers on this tour!
  • Mammals including Asiatic Jackal, monkeys & Grey Langur
  • Possibility of rarities such as Leopard & Dhole (Asian Wild Dog)
  • Wide variety of Indian birdlife
  • Boat trip on the Ken River to see waterbirds & Mugger Crocodile
  • Snapshots of rural village life in the heart of India
  • Led by expert local naturalist guides

Grading

This is a wildlife safari, with little walking.

The mighty Bengal Tiger is without doubt one of the most stunningly handsome and awe-inspiring creatures on Earth. Whether achieved from a vehicle, or on foot, a glimpse of this most powerful of all the great cats is an unforgettable highlight of any natural history visit to India. Just to set off in search of a Tiger is guaranteed to send adrenaline coursing through the veins; whilst every movement in the undergrowth raises the expectation of a sudden appearance by that so-familiar striped body, footprints in the dust or the warning cries of deer serving only to heighten the almost unbearable sense of excitement. Over the past 38 years Naturetrek has enabled many hundreds of our clients to achieve their dream of seeing a Tiger and this outstanding tour is perhaps our most comprehensive Tiger-watching holiday so far, embracing the four Indian Tiger Reserves that currently provide the most consistent record of Tiger sightings in the subcontinent. The holiday is designed to maximise the chances of Tiger observation by spending ample time in each of these reserves where, even if the Tigers prove elusive, you can be assured of a host of other mammals including Grey Langur, Sambar and both Spotted and Swamp Deer. We should also see Gaur (the huge Asiatic bison), Wild Boar, Asiatic Jackal and, with luck, Leopard or Dhole (Asian Wild Dog). Although the focus will be very much on the mammals, the birdlife is prolific and even non-birdwatchers cannot fail to be impressed by the variety of form and colour displayed by the avifauna.

We begin our tour with an afternoon arrival into Nagpur airport after a comfortable flight via Doha on one of the world’s best international airlines. From here we drive straight to Pench National Park, a journey of just over two hours. This previously little-known reserve was the setting for the popular BBC TV series ‘Tiger — Spy in the Jungle’, which portrayed the life of a resident family of Tigers and, almost overnight, transformed the profile of Pench. Designated as Project Tiger’s 19th Tiger Reserve in 1992, Pench today protects 758 square kilometres of prime Tiger habitat in the southern reaches of the Satpura Hills, which lie in the region which inspired Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’. We spend three nights here and can savour the reality of the television images!

Next, we will take a scenic drive into the heart of rural Madhya Pradesh and spend three nights in Kanha National Park. Kanha encompasses 1,945 square kilometres and is one of the largest reserves in India. It occupies a beautiful location on a plateau in the Maikal range of hills, and comprises a crescent of forested hills surrounding broad undulating grasslands dotted with clumps of bamboo and Sal forest. Small pools and a perennial lake provide essential drinking holes for the animals. Here, as elsewhere, we will undertake morning and afternoon game drives in search of Tigers and other wildlife.

Another long drive, through farmland and the Vindhyan Hills, brings us to Bandhavgarh National Park. This park, like Kanha, has acquired a reputation as one of the very best for consistent Tiger sightings. It lies in a region steeped in history and, in the heart of the reserve, atop an 800-metre plateau, stands the ruin of the magnificent hilltop fort which bears testament to the succession of dynasties which once ruled this area. Regular game drives in the park should bring us yet more encounters with the main objective of our tour.

Finally we drive to Panna National Park, a stunning reserve that protects over 543 square kilometres of rolling hills and plateaux, grassy meadows, gorges and waterfalls. The broad waters of the River Ken pass through the park and a boat trip here provides superb wildlife-viewing with abundant waterbirds and many large Marsh Mugger Crocodiles. Tigers have suffered badly from poaching here, but we have a slim chance of an encounter in this beautiful park.

We will fly back to Delhi from the famous city of Khajuraho, and thence to London. However, for the aficionado, we offer an opportunity to extend your holiday with a visit to Ranthambore, one of India’s most spectacular and best-known Tiger Reserves.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London
Day 2
Arrive Nagpur; transfer Pench National Park
Day 3/4
Pench National Park
Day 5/7
Kanha National Park
Day 8/10
Bandhavgarh National Park
Day 11/12
Panna National Park
Day 13
Transfer Khajuraho; fly Delhi
Day 14
Fly London
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation: Comfortable tourist hotel in Delhi; comfortable forest lodges elsewhere. All rooms have private facilities.
  • Food: All included in the price.
Reviews
Extensions

Extensions

Ranthambore Extn

4 days from £1,495
View Details
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 8th Jan – Tue 21st Jan FULL £4,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,495
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895
Wed 12th Feb – Tue 25th Feb FULL £4,195
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895
Wed 5th Nov – Tue 18th Nov SPACES £4,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 7th Jan – Tue 20th Jan SPACES £4,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895
Wed 11th Feb – Tue 24th Feb SPACES £4,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895
Wed 11th Nov – Tue 24th Nov SPACES £4,195
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£895 
  Array
(
    [170] => stdClass Object
        (
            [id] => 170
            [parent_id] => 165
            [level] => 2
            [path] => tour-focus/tigers
            [title] => Tiger
            [alias] => tigers
            [description] => 
Tiger Safaris – Unparalleled 100% Record of Success


Naturetrek has nearly 30 years of experience leading Tiger watching holidays to the Indian subcontinent. With a 100% record of success on our top tours, we’ve shown Tigers to more people than any other wildlife specialists.


Arguably the most iconic and charismatic species on the planet, this enigmatic big cat is a vision of natural perfection. The opportunity to observe the animal in its natural habitat on a dedicated Tiger watching tour is at the top of many people's wildlife wish lists. With almost three decades of expertise leading in India, and the widest range of itineraries available, we have a Tiger tour to suit all interests.


We visit some of the most wildlife-rich reserves in this astonishingly diverse country. Accompanied by the best local naturalist guides and enjoying the security and intimate experiences that come with small group travel, participants enjoy the ultimate thrill of encountering these magnificent wild animals in their own environment.


Superb Tiger Watching with Naturetrek


As the leading operator of natural history tours in India, Naturetrek has a long and proud tradition of enabling clients to experience the very best wildlife viewing opportunities in the subcontinent. Over the past three decades, many hundreds of nature lovers have enjoyed the benefits of our renowned small group itineraries to gain multiple sightings of this beautiful animal in the wild.


Our professionally organised tours take in some of the most famous and wildlife-rich reserves in India, including Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Panna National Parks. Our expert naturalist guides provide the best opportunities for sightings of a wide range of species in these spectacular natural environments.


Two other fantastic national parks – Tadoba and Satpura – can be visited on optional extensions to several of our top Tiger tours. Tadoba is an excellent Tiger watching destination, while Satpura is renowned for intimate encounters with Sloth Bear, Leopard and Dhole (Indian Wild Dog); the park also offers walking safaris and night game drives.


Some of the reasons our tours are so successful:


    

  • 100% sightings on our four top safaris in the last five years
    • 

  • Small groups escorted by India’s best naturalist guides
    • 

  • Up-to-date information from wildlife reserves
    • 

  • Scrupulous attention to detail in choosing a high standard of accommodation
    • 

  • Excellent local guides monitor the animals’ movement daily to ensure the best sightings
    • 



What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek Tiger holiday?


    

  • A comfortable lodge within a convenient distance from the reserve
    • 

  • Twice-daily excursions by vehicle (or by foot in Satpura) into the reserves
    • 

  • A focus on sightings of this wonderful big cat, while also enjoying culture and other wildlife
    • 

  • The enjoyment of like-minded travelling companions in a small group
    • 



Further information on when, where, and how to see Tigers can be found here.




Our specialist recommends...







"I’d recommend our Tiger Marathon tour, which takes you straight into the heart of the jungle on a 13-day safari that combines Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna National Parks, four of India's finest reserves. Since we began the tour we've had 100% sightings! Alternatively, our Tiger Direct itinerary encompasses less travel and also has 100% success rate.” 

Rajan Jolly - Operations Manager




  


All Tiger Tours

            [params] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [category_layout] => 
                    [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/qwY3H6NRSAfS/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg
                    [image_alt] => 
                )

            [metakey] => Tigers
            [note] => 13
            [parent] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [id] => 165
                    [parent_id] => 1
                    [level] => 1
                    [path] => tour-focus
                    [title] => Tour Focus
                    [alias] => tour-focus
                    [description] => 
                    [params] => stdClass Object
                        (
                            [category_layout] => 
                            [image_az] => 
                            [image_alt] => 
                        )

                    [metakey] => 
                    [note] => 
                )

        )

    [186] => stdClass Object
        (
            [id] => 186
            [parent_id] => 165
            [level] => 2
            [path] => tour-focus/mammals
            [title] => Mammal Watching
            [alias] => mammals
            [description] => 
Mammal Watching Holidays


Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.


Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours


Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.


Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:



Bargain mammal selection


We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.




Our specialist recommends...







"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”

Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager




  


All Mammal Watching Tours

            [params] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [category_layout] => 
                    [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/qwY3H6NRSAfS/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg
                    [image_alt] => 
                )

            [metakey] => Mammals
            [note] => 08
            [parent] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [id] => 165
                    [parent_id] => 1
                    [level] => 1
                    [path] => tour-focus
                    [title] => Tour Focus
                    [alias] => tour-focus
                    [description] => 
                    [params] => stdClass Object
                        (
                            [category_layout] => 
                            [image_az] => 
                            [image_alt] => 
                        )

                    [metakey] => 
                    [note] => 
                )

        )

    [200] => stdClass Object
        (
            [id] => 200
            [parent_id] => 165
            [level] => 2
            [path] => tour-focus/big-cats
            [title] => Big Cat
            [alias] => big-cats
            [description] => 
Big Cat Safari Holidays


Big cats are among the most admired and sought-after mammals on the planet, and we are proud to offer a broad and comprehensive range of big cat safari holidays. We offer inspiring and truly memorable wildlife tours to enjoy sightings of all of the world’s iconic species in their natural habitats, including Tigers in India and Nepal, Jaguars in the Pantanal, Pumas in Chile and Snow Leopards in India and Mongolia and we certainly do not neglect the smaller cats either.


We offer a range of itineraries around Africa and encounter the continent’s high-profile species like Lions, Cheetahs and Leopards and also the lesser known species such as Caracal, Sand Cat, Black-footed Cat, Serval and African Wild Cat. We also have wildlife holidays that catch sightings of the Asiatic Lion in India and the elusive Leopard in Sri Lanka.


We also offer a pioneering tour to try to see the most difficult of all big cats the Sunda Clouded Leopard in Borneo with Leopard Cat, Marbled Cat and Flat-headed Cat all having being seen on our Borneo holidays. Closer to home, we offer holidays in Europe to go in search of Wildcat and both Eurasian and Iberian Lynx.


We have run these holidays for many years with great success, working with the best local contacts and guides and staying at the very best locations with carefully crafted itineraries which allow the optimum amount of time to achieve sightings.  




Our specialist recommends...






"Naturetrek has been instrumental in designing, researching and pioneering many of the big cat safari tours on the market. Our dedicated Tiger-watching trips have an unparalleled 100% success record with sightings, while if you want an experience dedicated to looking for Jaguars (also with a 100% success rate), you can’t do any better than our 'Brazil – Just Jaguars!' holiday. Additionally, our 'South Africa – Just Cats!' holiday offers a chance to see a wide variety of species in stunning scenery and for a real adventure, well off the beaten track, our 'Borneo's Mammals - Deramakot Forest Reserve' holiday is hard to beat for sheer excitement as we go in search of Sunda Clouded Leopard with extensive night time spotlighting outings encountering a wonderful number of mammals as we search for this elusive cat. Finally, if you wish to combine two holidays in one, our 'South America's Big Cats' holiday, first goes in search of Pumas in Chile followed by Jaguars in Brazil with a wonderful chance now for Ocelot in the Pantanal. "

Tom Mabbett - Operations Manager


 




ALL BIG CAT TOURS

            [params] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [category_layout] => 
                    [image_az] => https://i.assetzen.net/i/qwY3H6NRSAfS/w:500/h:500/q:70.jpg
                    [image_alt] => 
                )

            [metakey] => Big cat safari
            [note] => 34
            [parent] => stdClass Object
                (
                    [id] => 165
                    [parent_id] => 1
                    [level] => 1
                    [path] => tour-focus
                    [title] => Tour Focus
                    [alias] => tour-focus
                    [description] => 
                    [params] => stdClass Object
                        (
                            [category_layout] => 
                            [image_az] => 
                            [image_alt] => 
                        )

                    [metakey] => 
                    [note] => 
                )

        )

)

Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

Allow our experts to create a private, customised itinerary with dates and prices to suit you.

Enquire

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!