Tiger trekking in the heart of India

Naturetrek’s 9-day Tiger Direct tour does exactly what it says on the tin! It whisks travellers directly to the heart of India, without stopping in major cities or undertaking lengthy journeys by road or rail, straight to two of India’s most impressively mammal-laden national parks – Pench & Kanha (or three for those extending to little-known Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve).

This is, quite simply, the most convenient Tiger tour yet! By taking advantage of international flights to Nagpur, the capital of Madhya Pradesh (heartland of the Tiger), Naturetrek offers the wildlife enthusiast the ultimate luxury — a holiday to India that avoids large cities!

Maximising time spent in India’s wonderful national parks and tiger reserves, and minimising time spent travelling, particularly negotiating India’s ‘urban jungles’, means more opportunities for Tiger spotting. The tour begins with an optional extension to the peaceful, little-known Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, offering as-good-as-it-gets central Indian mammal-watching.

On the inaugural Tiger Direct tour in October 2008, Naturetrek’s jeeps between them saw three Sloth Bears, an absurdly tame pack of Asian Wild Dogs, numerous Gaur, countless Chital, Sambar and Wild Boar, a shy Chowsingha, Grey and Ruddy Mongooses, a Leopard and, for a lucky few, a dozing Tiger! For those who can’t make the extension (maybe next time) don’t despair – the main tour, commencing in Pench National Park, has plenty to offer.

Pench is particularly well known as a Leopard-watching site, but the Tigers here haven’t disappointed either. The heart of the tour however, is Kanha National Park. Kanha is beautiful, offers excellent hospitality and is jam-packed with wildlife. Barasingha graze and joust in the wetlands, Common Langurs chew languidly in the trees, Gaur crash through the undergrowth, and then of course there are the cats. A jeepload of Naturetrek travellers on one tour spotted two Tigers and two Leopards in a single day!

So for those who want to see Tigers, with an incomparable supporting cast of Indian mammals, birds, reptiles and butterflies, whilst staying in excellent lodges and without the hassle of Indian cities and trains, Tiger Direct is just the ticket.

The tour costs from £1,895 p/p including flights, transfers, accommodation, all meals and expertly-guided wildlife viewing. The Tadoba pre-tour extension costs £750 p/p. Next available tours depart London 1st & 15th March and 5th April 09.

For more information and bookings, log on to Naturetrek.co.uk.