The Journey
A winter journey from Delhi's old quarters to the Himalayan foothills, the sal forest of Corbett and the waterbird-rich wetlands of Bharatpur, before a flight east to the floodplains of Kaziranga. Rickshaw lanes, forest safaris, Ibisbill rivers and four Kaziranga safaris shape a route that moves at a birdwatcher's pace. A five-day optional extension then flies south from Delhi to Nagpur for Pench's tigers, dry-forest birds and community conservation story.
The route · Delhi → Nainital → Corbett → Agra & Bharatpur → Delhi → Kaziranga → Guwahati → Delhi · optional Delhi → Nagpur → Pench → Delhi
The core 15-day route combines the classic northern circuit with the great wildlife floodplains of Assam. The optional five-day Pench extension runs via Delhi and Nagpur, adding Central India’s tiger forest, dry-forest birding and a locally hosted look at the community-led work that supports coexistence around the reserve.
Route map
National overview
India at a glance
Main destinations & transport
Optional extension · Central India tiger country
Pench Tiger Reserve Extension
An optional add-on into the dry teak forests of Central India's Pench Tiger Reserve — one of the country's best chances of a wild Bengal Tiger, with Leopard, Dhole, Sloth Bear and the reserve's characteristic sal-and-teak birding all in reach.
Extension day by day
Delhi to Nagpur & first afternoon in Pench
Fly from Delhi to Nagpur, the gateway to Pench, then drive to the reserve through Central India's teak-and-bamboo country. After settling in, take a gentle afternoon around the lodge and buffer-zone edges for Indian Roller, Jungle Owlet, White-throated Kingfisher and the first dry-forest mammals. Pench lies in the Central Indian tiger landscape, where Tiger, Leopard, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Sambar and Chital are all part of the story.
Teak forest safaris
Morning and afternoon safaris in Pench's dry deciduous forest, where teak, bamboo and open glades create a very different atmosphere from Corbett and Kaziranga. We use the day for Tiger and Leopard while keeping the birding active: Malabar Pied Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, White-eyed Buzzard, Indian Scops Owl and a varied woodpecker community are all possible. The quieter hours can be particularly rewarding for Sloth Bear, Dhole and Gaur.
Birds, culture & coexistence
Begin with unhurried birding along forest edge and water, then spend time with local hosts and conservation partners, subject to community schedules. The focus is on the practical work of co-existence in Pench's buffer: local livelihoods, nature-based enterprise, environmental education and ways of reducing dependence on forest resources. The wider landscape is home to Gond and Baiga communities, and this is an opportunity to learn from their perspectives rather than treating conservation as separate from people. A cultural visit and local meal add context to the wildlife days.
Deep forest & evening safari
Return to the reserve for a morning safari and another late-day drive, concentrating on areas not yet covered. With time to slow down, the smaller details of Pench come forward: langur alarm calls, Spotted Deer herds, racket-tailed drongos, flamebacks, bee-eaters and the huge night sky of the reserve's Dark Sky Park. The final evening safari is another strong chance for Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog and Sloth Bear.
Final safari & return to Delhi
Take a final dawn safari or lodge-ground birding session, then return by road to Nagpur for the flight to Delhi. Connect onward from Delhi or take a final overnight, carrying the route from Himalayan river shingle and Bharatpur marshes to Assam grassland and Central Indian tiger forest.
Target Species
Registration
This journey isn't open for registration yet. The full itinerary is set out above; final pricing opens soon. Register your interest below and we'll contact you personally the moment it opens.
This journey isn't open for registration yet. Register your interest and we'll contact you personally if a place or a new departure becomes available.