Big Cats Marathon – Central India
Sixteen days across five of India’s most storied tiger reserves – Tadoba, Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna – guided by expert naturalists, anchored in award-winning wilderness lodges.
Duration
16 Days
Reserves
5 Parks
Safaris
26 Drives
Group Size
Private Only
Five Iconic Reserves
Tadoba
Day 1 – 3 (5 Safaris)
Pench
Day 4 – 6 (5 Safaris)
Kanha
Day 7 – 9 (5 Safaris)
Bandhavgarh
Day 10 – 12 (5 Safaris)
Panna
Day 13 – 16 (5 Safaris)
Why This Journey
Private, exclusive safaris
Every one of your 26 drives is in a private jeep – no shared vehicles, no compromises on timing or sightings.
Luxury Safaris lodges
Handpicked properties bordering the forest boundary, celebrated for their naturalist-led ethos and considered design.
Expert field naturalists
Guides who have spent years tracking individual tigers and can read animal behaviour, terrain and light like no app can.
Five contrasting habitats
Dense teak forest at Pench, sweeping meadows at Kanha, rocky escarpments at Bandhavgarh, river corridors at Panna.
Seamless logistics
Fully bespoke options
Extend stays, add heritage sites like Khajuraho, or upgrade accommodation – every element can be tailored to you.
Journey outline
1
Tadoba – Arrival in Nagpur and Enter Tadoba
Transfer from Nagpur airport to your lodge on the forest edge. An evening drive introduces you to Tadoba’s legendary light and its resident tigers.
2-3
Tadoba – Dense forest, waterholes and tigers
Four drives across distinct zones. Tadoba holds one of India’s highest tiger encounter rates; crocodiles, wild dogs and sloth bears share the stage.
4-6
Pench – Teak canopy and open grassland
The landscape opens here: teak forest gives way to river flats ideal for long sightings of leopard and large deer herds.
7-9
Kanha – Sweeping meadows and the rare barasingha
Kanha’s managed grasslands offer the finest visibility in central India. Track the hard-ground barasingha, a conservation triumph found nowhere else.
10-12
Bandhavgarh – India’s highest tiger density
Rocky hills, ancient fort ruins and corridors of sal forest. Bandhavgarh reliably delivers close, unhurried tiger encounters.
13-16
Panna – Riverside wilderness and golden finale
Panna’s Ken River valley is unlike any other park: plateau forest, ravines and boat safaris reveal gharial, vultures and a recovering tiger population. Depart via Khajuraho.
Where you’ll Stay
Waghoba Eco Lodge
Set on the buffer zone boundary, Waghoba blends barefoot luxury with an authentic forest atmosphere and candlelit dinners under the stars.
Pench
Pench Tree Lodge
Iconic tree-house suites elevated above the forest floor – wake up to bird calls at canopy level and sunsets that gild the teak crowns gold.
Kings Lodge
Heritage-inspired cottages named after Bandhavgarh’s famous tigers, with a pool, curated library and a fire pit for post-safari storytelling.
Kanha Earth Lodge
Earthy architecture using local stone and timber, overlooking a natural wildlife corridor – deer graze the garden as you take morning chai.
Travel Information
Included
- Full-board accommodation at Pugdundee lodges throughout
- 26 private jeep safaris with dedicated naturalist
- All forest entry, permit and guide fees
- Air-conditioned vehicle for all inter-park transfers
- Airport and hotel assistance on arrival and departure
- Drinking water on all drives and transfers
- Dedicated trip coordinator throughout
Not Included
- International and domestic flights
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses and optional activities
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and lodge staff
- Camera and video fees at national parks
Cancelation Policy
- If cancellation requested before 120 days (or more) prior to departure, Full refund.
- If cancellation requested before 60 days (or more) prior to departure – 75% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 45 to 59 days prior to departure – 50% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 30 to 44 days prior to departure – 25% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested before 15 to 29 days prior to departure – 10% of the tour cost will be refunded.
- If cancellation requested less than 15 days prior to departure, No Show – No Refund.
Customisation Options
- Include private bush dinners and outdoor dining experiences at select properties
- Add spa and wellness experiences during longer lodge stays
- Extend stays in Tadoba or Bandhavgarh for more focused tiger tracking
- Add flight options between selected destinations to reduce road travel
- Add cultural experiences such as Khajuraho temple visit or local village interaction
- Personalised safari pacing for photographers, couples or family groups
- Flexible arrival and departure routing via Nagpur, Jabalpur or Khajuraho
Begin your private consultation
Departure dates, group size, dietary needs, photographic equipment storage, bespoke extensions – speak with a specialist who knows these forests personally.