Jungle Trails: India's Wildlife & Big Cat adventure

Land Tour

Single supplement + AU$2,890

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with Jungle Trails: India’s Wildlife and Big Cat Adventure 2025, hosted by the wonderful Margaret Freebairn. Begin in the vibrant city of Mumbai, where bustling streets, historic landmarks, and coastal charm set the stage for the incredible journey ahead.

Travel to Sasangir to explore Gir National Park, the last sanctuary of the Asiatic lion. Here, thrilling safaris offer a chance to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

Next, immerse yourself in the lush landscapes of Pench National Park, the real-life inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book.” Discover its rich terrain, home to tigers, leopards, and a dazzling variety of bird species. With a seamless and delightful travel experience, you’ll fully enjoy the wonders of Pench.

Continue to Kanha National Park, renowned for its thriving tiger population and breathtaking scenery. The park’s diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes will leave you in awe. Your time here will be comfortable and memorable.

Journey to Bandhavgarh National Park, famous for its high density of Bengal tigers and extraordinary biodiversity. This park offers some of the best tiger sightings in India, along with a rich array of other wildlife.

Experience the thrill of exploring India’s premier wildlife sanctuaries with the charming Margaret Freebairn, who’s enthusiasm and friendly presence will add a special touch to your safari adventure. Every moment brings new discoveries and unforgettable memories.

Join us for Jungle Trails 2025, where adventure and nature converge in the heart of India’s most iconic jungles.

Tour details Collapse
Tour Provider Journeys Worldwide
Number Of Days
15
Price From
$12,645
Price per person, twin share
Start Location
Mumbai, India
End Location
Jabalpur, India
Age Range
Avg. 60+
Group Size
6 to 14
Tour Style
Comfort
Tour Themes
Adventure, Small group
Physical Rating
Easy
Itinerary Expand all
Day 1 - Saturday Jan 18, 2025 - Arrival in Mumbai

Arrival in Mumbai

Upon your arrival at Mumbai International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in, followed by a welcome briefing, where our travel manager will outline your wonderful itinerary ahead.
Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Mumbai

Formerly known as Bombay, Mumbai is India’s dream city and is often related to New York in India. Mumbai has lots to offer the modern traveler, from its renowned Bollywood film industry, a fashion epicenter, colonial-era architecture, and the Gateway of India by the waterfront, home to Asia’s largest slums and the world’s most expensive home. Mumbai, with its Colonial and Art Deco buildings, tall skyscrapers, wild traffic, and a frenetic pace of life makes it one of India’s most intriguing cities.

Day 2: Sunday Jan 19, 2025 - Mumbai Sightseeing Tour


Mumbai

After breakfast, you will be met by our expert guide as we commence with a short hike inside a well-known 140-year-old Washermen’s Colony - an open-air Laundromat and the biggest human-powered washing machine, locally called Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat.
Continue to the Churchgate Railway Station and witness a traditional yet unique lunchbox delivery system of Dabbawala. This is exclusive to Mumbai city and started in 1890 when ‘The British’ and ‘Persians’ needed convenience meals on their doorstep. Witness the Dabbawalla at work collecting hot, home-cooked lunches and delivering them to office workers around the city using traditional bicycles and trains.
Afterward, we take you to the Mumbai Harbour waterfront, with its bold arch gateway to India built to welcome ‘King George V’ and ‘Queen Mary’ into India.
We visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Victoria Terminus Train Station, built in 1888, showcasing the finest Victorian-Gothic architecture and the famed location for the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.
Our tour ends at the famed bazaar of British Bombay, the Crawford Market, operating since 1869 as the oldest flea market in the world.

Day 3: Monday Jan 20, 2025 - Mumbai to Sasangir


Mumbai - Rajkot - Sasangir

After Breakfast you will be transferred to Mumbai Airport to connect with your flight to Rajkot. Upon arrival in Rajkot, you will be met and driven by our company chauffeur to the home of the Asiatic lion - Gir National Park (170 Kilometers, approximately 4 hours' drive).
Gir National Park

Gir National Park, the last home of the Asiatic lion, is Gujarat's most-applauded wildlife park. Coming here on a safari is an unforgettable experience. The park was set up in 1965 and a 259-sq-kilometer core area was declared a national park in 1975. Since the late 1960s lion numbers have increased from under 200 to over 650 (not all of these lions live within the park). The sanctuary’s 37 other mammal species, most of which have also increased in numbers, include dainty chitals (spotted deer), sambars (large deer), nilgais (large antelopes), chousinghas (four-horned antelopes), chinkaras (gazelles), crocodiles, and rarely seen leopards. The park is a great destination for birders, too, with more than 300 species. Upon arrival at your lodge located within Gir National Park, you will be met for your check-in formalities, safari timings, and briefings.
Dinner arrangements at your retreat or lodge.

Day 4: Tuesday Jan 21, 2025 - Gir National Park

After an early breakfast, open-jeeps will be ready to welcome you and begin your sunrise safari into the Gir National Park.
After the safari we will return back to the lodge.
Followed by Lunch arrangements at the lodge.
Afternoon open-jeeps will be ready to welcome you and begin your afternoon sunset safari.
Return to your lodge for evening dinner.

Day 5: Wednesday Jan 22, 2025 - Gir National Park


Gir National Park

After an early breakfast, open-jeeps will be ready to welcome you and begin your sunrise safari into the Gir National Park.
After the safari we will return back to the lodge.
Followed by Lunch arrangements at the lodge.
Afternoon open-jeeps will be ready to welcome you and begin your afternoon sunset safari.
Return to your lodge for evening dinner.

Day 6: Thursday Jan 23, 2025 - Nagpur

Transfer
Drive from Gir to Rajkot airport, approximately 170kms taking about 4 hours.
From Rajkot, you fly to Nagpur, where you will overnight.
Nagpur

Nagpur is known as the “Orange City” as it is the major trade center of oranges that are cultivated in the region.
Nagpur city was established by the prince of the Gond tribe “Bhakt Buland”, in the first half of the 18th century.
Nagpur lies precisely at the center of the country, with the “Zero Mile Marker” indicating the geographical center of India.

Day 7: Friday Jan 24, 2025 - Nagpur to Pench National Park

Nagpur to Pench

Today you will be driven to Pench (80 kilometers, approximately 2 hours' drive).
Dinner will be served at your lodge.

Day 8: Saturday Jan 25, 2025 - Pench National Park

Pench National Park

Experience the thrill of tiger safaris with two exhilarating rides per day, both conducted in open jeeps with a knowledgeable naturalist. Tiger safaris traditionally occur at dawn and dusk, the prime times when these magnificent cats are most active and hunting.
Your morning adventure begins with tea or coffee and biscuits before departing on your morning safari, where you’ll traverse the park’s diverse terrain in search of tigers and other wildlife. After the morning safari, return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast followed by a few hours of leisure, which you can spend walking the lodge grounds or napping and enjoy lunch.
In the late afternoon, embark on your second safari to capture the best evening light and increased animal activity. The naturalists will use their expertise to predict where tigers are likely to emerge from the forest, enhancing your chances of spotting these elusive predators. Throughout the safaris, enjoy the park’s rich diversity of fauna and flora, including a variety of migratory birds.
Return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 9: Sunday Jan 26, 2025 - Pench National Park to Kanha National Park

Another day on safari looking for wildlife!

Day 10: Monday Jan 27, 2025 - Pench National Park to Kanha National Park

Pench National Park-Kanha National Park

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your lodge and driven to Kanha. This is around 220 kilometers, approximately 5–6 hours of driving.
Upon arrival in Kanha, check-in at your hotel. For the majority of the day, you are free to relax. Lunch and dinner will be served at your lodge.

Days 11: Tuesday Jan 28 - Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park

Experience the thrill of Kanha National Park with two exhilarating safari rides, one at sunrise and another in the afternoon. As dawn breaks, embark on an open jeep safari accompanied by a knowledgeable naturalist, exploring the park's diverse landscapes and witnessing wildlife such as Bengal tigers, leopards, and an array of bird species in the tranquil morning light.
After returning to your lodge for a hearty lunch, relax and recharge before setting out again in the afternoon.
The afternoon safari offers a different perspective, with increased animal activity and stunning photographic opportunities as the day cools. Your naturalist guide will provide valuable insights into the park's ecosystem, making each safari educational and engaging.
Conclude your day with a sumptuous dinner back at the lodge, reflecting on the day's adventures and sharing stories with fellow travelers.

Day 12: Wednesday Jan 29, 2025 - Kanha National Park

Kanha National Park

Experience the thrill of Kanha National Park with two exhilarating safari rides, one at sunrise and another in the afternoon. As dawn breaks, embark on an open jeep safari accompanied by a knowledgeable naturalist, exploring the park's diverse landscapes and witnessing wildlife such as Bengal tigers, leopards, and an array of bird species in the tranquil morning light.
After returning to your lodge for a hearty lunch, relax and recharge before setting out again in the afternoon.
The afternoon safari offers a different perspective, with increased animal activity and stunning photographic opportunities as the day cools. Your naturalist guide will provide valuable insights into the park's ecosystem, making each safari educational and engaging.
Conclude your day with a sumptuous dinner back at the lodge, reflecting on the day's adventures and sharing stories with fellow travelers.

Day 13: Thursday Jan 30, 2025 - Kanha National Park to Bandhavgarh National Park

Kanha National Park-Bandhavgarh National Park


After breakfast, you will be picked up from your lodge and driven to Bandhavgarh (215 kilometers, approximately 4-5 hours' drive). Upon arrival in Bandhavgarh, check in at your hotel.
For the rest of the day, you are free to relax. Lunch and dinner will be served at your lodge.

Day 14: Friday Jan 31, 2025 - Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park

After early morning tea or coffee and biscuits, you depart on your first tiger safari of the day. On your return, take breakfast and a few hours of leisure walking the grounds, or napping, and then lunch.
In the late afternoon embark on a second safari to catch the best time of the evening to view tigers and photograph the park.

Day 15: Saturday Feb 1, 2025 - Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park

A tour of Bandhavgarh National Park offers an exciting adventure through one of India's most renowned tiger reserves. Nestled in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, the park boasts a high density of Bengal tigers, making it one of the best places in the world to spot these majestic predators. Visitors can explore the park's diverse landscapes, which include dense forests, rocky hills, and open meadows, on guided jeep safaris. In addition to tigers, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, such as leopards, deer, and numerous bird species.
The ancient Bandhavgarh Fort adds a historical dimension to the visit, providing stunning views and a glimpse into the region's rich cultural heritage.
The park's lush environment and abundant wildlife offer a captivating and memorable experience for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers alike.

Day 16: Sunday Feb 2, 2025 - Bandhavgarh National Park to Jabalpur Airport

Bandhavgarh National Park-Jabalpur

After breakfast and check-out, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to Jabalpur airport (160 kilometers, 4 hours of driving) to connect to your next flight.

If you have also booked the Palatial Pathways tour, enjoy our special offer:
*flight from Jabalpur to Mumbai, complimentary
*2 nights at the Taj President Hotel in Mumbai, complimentary
4th February join the "Palatial Pathways: The Havelis and highlights of Rajasthan" tour 

Copy and paste this link:  Palatial Pathways Itinerary

https://journeysworldwide.myoasisapp.com/itinerary/sike077426 )

Inclusions Expand
Price Includes
• Personalized Meet and Greet at Airports and Hotels
• 15 Nights' Accommodation, with breakfast
• Daily Lunch and Dinner at Sasangir, Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh.
• Transfers, Tours, Excursion by driver with airconditioned Mini Coach.
• All Entrance fees/tickets/permits at monuments as per itinerary
• 4x each Wildlife Safari (Morning and Afternoon) with an expert naturalist to accompany you in Sasangir, Pench, and Bandhavgarh.
• 2x Wildlife Safari (Morning and Afternoon) with an expert naturalist to accompany you in Kanha.
• 2 Bottle of Mineral Water Per Person Per Day in the Vehicle
• Economy Class Domestic Air Ticket for the sector “Mumbai > Rajkot > Nagpur ” with
20 kg check-in and 7 kg handbag, per adult in each sector
• Current Government of India Goods and Service Tax (GST)
Exclusions:
* India Tourist Visa
* Travel Insurance (important)
* Gratuities/Tipping (this is not mandatory and a prerogative of the guest)
* Items of a personal nature use such as laundry, phone bills, drinks, etc.
* Video camera fees at monuments and parks
* Early check-in and Late check-out at hotels, if not mentioned in inclusions
* Any other item not mentioned as specifically included
Departure dates Expand
Price per person, twin share
Start End Availability Price
18 Jan 2025 02 Feb 2025 Available $12,645

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