Dreaming of escaping the city for a thrilling jungle adventure? The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) now offers a perfect solution with all-inclusive wildlife tours, making a five-day safari trip from Mumbai easier than ever.
A New Gateway to the Wild
In
a significant move for nature lovers, IRCTC's West Zone has collaborated with the Maharashtra Forest Department to launch a series of wildlife packages under the banner 'VANDARSHAN – Explore Nature. Discover Wildlife!'. This initiative aims to simplify wildlife tourism by bundling train travel, accommodation, local transport, and confirmed safari permits into a single, hassle-free booking. The first tours are set to commence on November 19, 2026, offering a streamlined way for families, photographers, and adventurers to experience the state's rich biodiversity without the logistical headaches of planning everything separately.
Five Itineraries for Every Explorer
The Vandarshan initiative features five distinct itineraries, each designed as a four-night, five-day journey. These packages primarily focus on Maharashtra’s premier tiger habitats, allowing travellers to choose their preferred combination of parks. The options include tours that pair the famous Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve with other significant wildlife areas like Bor Tiger Reserve, Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary. Another itinerary focuses on the Pench Tiger Reserve combined with the Umred-Paoni-Karhandla sanctuary, providing a diverse range of experiences for first-time visitors and seasoned safari-goers alike.
What's Included in a Typical Package?
The core appeal of these packages is their all-inclusive nature. A typical five-day tour includes roundtrip train tickets from Mumbai in either 2AC or 3AC on the Vidarbha Express. Upon arrival, the package covers all local transportation by an airconditioned vehicle, taking you from the railway station to your hotel and to the safari gates. Accommodation, meals (as specified in the itinerary, often including breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the resort), and, crucially, the jungle safari permits and shared gypsy vehicle costs are all part of the deal. Travel insurance is also included, providing an extra layer of security for your journey.
Journey Details and Booking
The tours are scheduled with convenient weekly departures. The onward journey from Mumbai is on the Vidarbha Express (12105), which departs every Thursday. The return journey is typically on train number 12106, which departs from stations like Gondia or Wardha on Sunday, getting you back to Mumbai to start the new week. It is important to note that these packages have limited capacity, with IRCTC earmarking a set number of berths per trip to ensure a quality experience. Prices vary depending on the itinerary and accommodation class, with some packages starting at around ₹29,500. All bookings and detailed itineraries can be found on the official IRCTC Tourism website.
The Wildlife You Might Encounter
These tours take you into the heart of Central India's tiger country. Tadoba - Andhari and Pench are world - renowned for their high density of Bengal tigers, offering visitors a strong chance of sightings. But the experience goes far beyond tigers. These forests are home to an incredible array of fauna. Keep your eyes peeled for elusive leopards, sloth bears, and packs of wild dogs (dholes). The parks also support large populations of herbivores like spotted deer (chital), sambar deer, gaur (Indian bison), and nilgai (blue bull). Birdwatchers will also be delighted by the hundreds of avian species that inhabit these vibrant ecosystems, making every safari a unique and unpredictable adventure.
