Craving a break from city life to witness the untamed beauty of the wild? IRCTC, in partnership with the Maharashtra Forest Department, has launched 'Vandarshan' wildlife tours, offering Mumbaikars an easy and organised escape into nature.
Hassle-Free Wildlife Adventures
Planning a wildlife
safari can be complex, involving separate bookings for travel, accommodation, and the all-important safari permits. IRCTC's 'Vandarshan' packages simplify this entire process by bundling everything into a single, all-inclusive tour. These curated packages are designed for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and families who want to experience Maharashtra's rich biodiversity without the stress of managing logistics. The key advantage is the inclusion of confirmed safari permits, which can be difficult to secure, especially during peak seasons. The tours, which commenced in November 2026, combine rail travel, hotel stays, local transport, meals, and guided safaris into one seamless experience.
Exploring Maharashtra’s Tiger Country
The 'Vandarshan' initiative features five distinct itineraries, each designed as a four-night, five-day trip. These tours primarily focus on the state's premier tiger habitats, including the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and Pench Tiger Reserve. Depending on the chosen package, travellers can also explore other significant wildlife corridors like Bor Tiger Reserve, Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary. This offers a unique opportunity to see not just majestic tigers but also leopards, sloth bears, gaur (Indian bison), various species of deer, and a vibrant array of birdlife in their natural environment.
What a Typical Tour Package Includes
Each package is thoughtfully structured to cover all essential aspects of the trip. Inclusions typically cover train travel from Mumbai in either 2AC or 3AC class on the Vidarbha Express. Upon arrival, all local transport between the station, hotel, and safari gates is handled by AC vehicles. Accommodation is pre-booked, and the package includes specified meals, usually breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the hotel. Crucially, the cost also covers the safari trips in shared Gypsy vehicles and travel insurance for the duration of the tour. This all-in-one structure means travellers can focus solely on the wildlife experience. Prices for these packages start at approximately ₹29,500, with costs varying based on the itinerary and accommodation class.
Sample Itinerary and Travel Details
All tours follow a standard schedule, departing from Mumbai every Thursday on the Vidarbha Express (Train No. 12105). The return journey is scheduled for every Sunday. For instance, a tour to Pench Tiger Reserve and Umred-Karhandla Sanctuary involves an overnight train journey to Nagpur, followed by road transfer to the resort near the national park. The next two days are dedicated to morning and evening jungle safaris, offering ample opportunities for wildlife sightings. After the final safari, travellers are transferred back to the railway station for their return journey to Mumbai, concluding the fivenday trip. Boarding and deboarding stations may vary depending on the specific tour chosen.
How to Book Your Wildlife Getaway
Booking these wildlife tours is straightforward and can be done directly through the official IRCTC Tourism website, irctctourism.com. On the website, you can navigate to the 'Tour Packages' or 'Bharat Gaurav' sections to find the 'Vandarshan' listings. Each package has a detailed page outlining the full itinerary, inclusions, exclusions, and cost. Due to the exclusive nature of these tours, availability is limited. For each departure, IRCTC has allocated only six berths in 3AC and six in 2AC, making early booking highly advisable. Interested travellers can complete the entire booking process online, from selecting the tour to making a secure payment.
