Unexplored Central India Wildlife

Delhi

You’ll be blown away by the riot of colour, historical monuments and chaotic hustle and bustle of this colourful capital, and what a way to begin your Indian adventure. Join a photo tour and capture the contrasts of old and new, ancient and modern, and rich and poor in this frenetic, in-your-face city with an expert photographer. Wander the congested chowks, the twisting lanes and the crowded bazaars of Old Delhi, dropping by the striking Red Fort and the Ghandi memorial at Raj Ghat along the way. Moving across to the New Town, you’ll be amazed at the number of green parks and wide boulevards – a throwback to British rule – as well as the elegant marble designs of Humayun’s Tomb and the Koran-inscribed tower of the Qutub Minar.

Bhopal

Board your train to the capital of Madhya Pradesh at Bhopal, known as the ‘City of Lakes’ due to the two glittering lakes at its heart. Explore the town’s rich Mughal heritage and observe the mix of old and new, with the Old Town’s narrow, mosque-dotted lanes in contrast with the wide streets, art galleries and theatres of the New Town, which is something of an arts hub. Wonder at the mammoth Taj-ul-Masajid mosque and browse the chowk bazaars for exquisite bead work or handmade embroidery. The diverting Museum of Man, depicting the life of the various tribes who live in this area, is also worth a visit. Plus, being located on top of a hill, it offers lovely views over the lakes.

Satpura

Enter the land of the tiger and discover one of India’s best-kept secrets at Satpura Tiger Reserve. This is the only park in central India to allow walking safaris, an unforgettable way to encounter the flora and fauna of the region. The park’s diverse wildlife includes leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, and the Malabar giant squirrel, whose distinctive two-tone coat can be spotted hiding in the trees. Prepare to get back to nature as you paddle the waters of the Tawa Reservoir by Canadian canoe, set off on a breathtaking boat safari, and head out after dark for a thrilling night safari, when the nocturnal creatures, such as porcupines, civets and owls, become more active.

Pench

Onwards to Pench National Park, the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s celebrated The Jungle Book, where you can marvel at the tigers, deer and birds that lurk among the park’s meadows and teak trees. Named after the glorious Pench River that flows through its forests and valleys, the park is well-known for the sizeable herds of gaur (Indian bison) that live in it, as well as the less-common hyenas and porcupines. But that’s not all; this magnificent wilderness is also home to over 1200 species of plant, 170 species of bird and numerous grazing deer.

Tadoba

Delve into the teak and bamboo forests of the little-visited Tadoba National Park in search of leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs and jungle cats. Together with the marshes and towering cliffs of the neighbouring Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary, the park forms part of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. This off-the-beaten-track reserve is happily mostly free of tourists, and with around 50 Bengal tigers roaming the area, offers a very good chance of spotting tigers in the wild – so keep your fingers crossed!

Mumbai

Try to keep up with the pace in this fast-moving metropolis, a sprawling maze of streets where opulence and adversity are found in equal measures. Hop on board a boat and sail to the awe-inspiring rock-hewn temples at Elephanta Island, a 6th-century, Shiva-dedicated cave complex. Admire the intricately carved turrets of the Gateway of India, one of Mumbai’s most recognisable landmarks. Haggle for bargains at Crawford Market and absorb the old-world architecture, then, just a stone’s throw away, take a look around the world-class Prince of Wales Museum, otherwise known by the tongue-twisting name Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.