For Mumbaikars craving an escape from city life into the wild, planning a jungle safari can feel daunting. IRCTC's all-inclusive wildlife tours offer a streamlined solution, bundling travel, stays, and safaris into one convenient package.
Your Hassle-Free Gateway to the Wild
The Indian Railway
Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has partnered with the Maharashtra Forest Department to create a series of wildlife tour packages that simplify travel planning. Branded 'Vandarshan', these tours are designed as an all-in-one solution for wildlife enthusiasts, families, and photographers. The key advantage is convenience; packages typically include confirmed train tickets, accommodation, local road transport, meals, and, most importantly, confirmed safari permits, which can often be difficult to secure independently. This integrated approach allows travellers to focus on the experience of spotting wildlife rather than juggling multiple bookings for transport, hotels, and jungle entry.
The 'Vandarshan' Itineraries: A Tiger-Centric Tour
The recently launched 'Vandarshan' initiative focuses heavily on the tiger-rich forests of Maharashtra. These are typically structured as four-night, five-day trips departing from Mumbai. Travellers journey from Mumbai via the Vidarbha Express, with departures scheduled every Thursday. IRCTC has curated five distinct itineraries that combine different reserves, ensuring a varied experience. These packages pair the famous Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve with other significant habitats like Bor Tiger Reserve, Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary. Another popular combination features Pench Tiger Reserve alongside Umred-Paoni-Karhandla. This multi-park approach increases the chances and variety of wildlife sightings.
What a Typical Tour Includes
When you book an IRCTC wildlife tour, the package price generally covers the core components of your trip. This includes return train travel from Mumbai in your chosen class (usually 2AC or 3AC). Upon arrival, local transport in AC vehicles is arranged for transfers between the railway station, your hotel or resort, and the safari gates. Accommodation is pre-booked, and meals as specified in the itinerary (often breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the resort) are included. The most critical inclusion is the prearranged jeep safaris into the national parks. Travel insurance and GST are also typically part of the final cost. However, personal expenses, camera fees, and meals during the train journey are usually not included, so it is always advisable to read the specific inclusions and exclusions for your chosen package.
Beyond Maharashtra: Exploring Other Wildlife Circuits
While the 'Vandarshan' packages are focused on Maharashtra's forests, IRCTC periodically offers tours to other major wildlife destinations accessible from Mumbai. These can include trips to see the Asiatic lions at Gir National Park in Gujarat or multi_park tours covering the famous tiger reserves of Central India like Pench, Kanha, and Bandhavgarh. These longer tours often start from Nagpur or Jabalpur, which are well_connected to Mumbai by rail. These comprehensive safari circuits are designed to offer a deep dive into the region's biodiversity, often including multiple safaris in each park to maximize wildlife spotting opportunities. These packages function similarly, bundling transport, stays, and safaris for a seamless experience.
How to Book Your Wildlife Adventure
Booking an IRCTC tour is a straightforward digital process. All packages are listed on the official IRCTC tourism website, irctctourism.com. You can navigate to the 'Holidays' or 'Tour Packages' section and search for wildlife or specific destinations. The platform allows you to view detailed itineraries, dates, prices, and what's included before you book. It's important to book well in advance, as these tours, especially the 'Vandarshan' packages, have very limited seats—often just six berths in 3AC and six in 2AC for each departure—to maintain a small group size. You can book as a registered IRCTC user or as a guest, and the entire process, from selection to payment, can be completed online.
