What the New IRCTC Packages Offer
In a significant move for wildlife tourism, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has partnered with the Maharashtra Forest Department to launch integrated tour packages. Announced on International Tiger Day 2026, these 'Vandarshan'
packages are designed to be an all-in-one solution for tourists, covering confirmed train tickets, accommodation, local road transfers, and, most importantly, assured safari permits. This initiative aims to streamline the often-complex process of booking a wildlife tour, where travellers typically have to juggle separate bookings for trains, hotels, and highly sought-after safari slots. The new four-night, five-day itineraries are built around the Vidarbha Express, departing from Mumbai CSMT, and are curated for families, photographers, and first-time safari-goers alike.
1. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
Known as 'The Jewel of Vidarbha', Tadoba-Andhari is arguably Maharashtra’s most famous tiger reserve, renowned for its high density of tigers and frequent sightings. The park's landscape is a mix of rugged hills, dense forests, and serene lakes, which also supports leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs (dholes), and a rich diversity of birdlife. The IRCTC package solves the biggest challenge for Tadoba visitors: securing a safari permit. With guaranteed entry, travellers can focus on the thrill of tracking big cats. The packages are structured to use Nagpur as a railhead, from where an approximately 140 km road transfer takes you to the reserve.
2. Pench Tiger Reserve
Straddling the border of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Pench National Park is believed to be the setting for Rudyard Kipling’s classic, 'The Jungle Book'. Its sprawling teak forests and the Pench River flowing through it create a picturesque habitat for a variety of wildlife. Besides a healthy tiger population, Pench is an excellent place to spot leopards, Indian wild dogs, gaur, and sambar deer. The park's open terrain and well-maintained safari routes make for excellent wildlife viewing. The IRCTC Vandarshan package simplifies access to this iconic park, including it as one of the key destinations accessible from the Nagpur railway hub.
3. Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve
Often referred to as the 'Green Oasis' of Vidarbha, the Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) is a biodiverse area comprising pristine forests and several lakes. It was formed by combining the Navegaon National Park and Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary. While it is home to tigers and leopards, it is also a haven for birdwatchers, with over 166 species recorded. The landscape is a mix of dry deciduous forests and bamboo, supporting animals like bison, chital, and sambar. The IRCTC package makes this relatively unexplored gem more accessible, with Gondia station serving as a convenient entry point, located just 45 km away.
4. Bor Tiger Reserve
Despite being the smallest tiger reserve in India, Bor packs a punch with its rich biodiversity. Located along the Bor River, its strategic location connects it to other major reserves like Pench and Tadoba, making it a crucial tiger corridor. The compact size of the reserve often leads to more concentrated wildlife sightings. Apart from tigers, one can spot leopards, sloth bears, and various deer species. Bor's inclusion in the IRCTC Vandarshan packages makes it an easy addition to a wider Vidarbha wildlife circuit, accessible via Wardha or Nagpur railway stations.
5. & 6. Umred-Karhandla and Tipeshwar Sanctuaries
Rounding out the six destinations are two promising wildlife sanctuaries. Umred-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary gained fame for its magnificent tigers and its connectivity to the Tadoba landscape. Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, often called the 'Green Oasis' of southern Vidarbha, is an emerging destination for tiger and leopard sightings. Though not tiger reserves, their inclusion is significant. These sanctuaries are part of the broader Vidarbha tiger landscape, and the IRCTC packages bring them into the mainstream tourist circuit, offering a chance to explore less-crowded parks with excellent wildlife potential.
