For Mumbai's nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, the call of the wild just became easier to answer. IRCTC has launched a series of all-inclusive, five-day safari packages, making an escape to Maharashtra's celebrated tiger reserves.
Your Gateway to Maharashtra's Wild Heart
The Indian Railway
Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), in partnership with the Maharashtra Forest Department, has introduced five distinct wildlife tour packages under the banner 'VANDARSHAN – Explore Nature. Discover Wildlife!'. These curated trips, beginning November 19, 2026, are designed to offer a hassle-free experience by bundling train travel, accommodation, local transport, and confirmed safari permits into a single booking. This initiative aims to make wildlife tourism more accessible for residents of Mumbai, promoting the rich biodiversity of Maharashtra’s forests. The packages cater to a wide audience, from families and casual nature lovers to serious wildlife photographers and birdwatchers.
Choose Your Safari Adventure
The program features five unique itineraries, each spanning four nights and five days, allowing travelers to explore various combinations of Maharashtra's premier wildlife sanctuaries. The destinations covered include some of the region's most famous tiger habitats and biodiversity hotspots. The five available combinations are: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve with Bor Tiger Reserve; Tadoba with Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve; Pench Tiger Reserve with Umred-Paoni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary; Tadoba with Umred-Paoni-Karhandla; and Tadoba with Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. This variety allows enthusiasts to choose a tour based on their specific interests, whether it's the high tiger density of Tadoba or the unique ecosystems of Pench and Tipeshwar.
The All-Inclusive Itinerary
Each five-day journey is structured to maximize comfort and wildlife spotting opportunities. The tours depart from Mumbai every Thursday evening aboard the Vidarbha Express (12105). The package includes confirmed train tickets in either AC 2nd tier or AC 3rd tier, though IRCTC has noted that a limited number of berths are earmarked for these tours, making them a select offering. Upon arrival near the destination, travelers are transferred to prebooked accommodations. The itineraries typically include multiple jungle safaris, often in both the morning and afternoon, to increase the chances of sightings. All meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are part of the package, along with local road transport between stations, hotels, and safari gates. The return journey begins on Sunday, getting you back to Mumbai to start the week.
Package Costs and Booking Details
The cost of the packages varies depending on the chosen itinerary and the class of train travel. As an example, the tour covering Tadoba and Bor Tiger Reserves has a starting price point of approximately ₹29,500 per person. These all inclusive prices cover the primary components of the trip: return train fare, accommodation, all meals as specified, and the crucial jungle safari permits, which can often be difficult to secure independently. By handling all logistics, IRCTC removes the complexities of planning a safari trip from scratch. Bookings for these 'VANDARSHAN' packages are available exclusively through the official IRCTC tourism website. Given the limited capacity on each tour, prospective travelers are encouraged to book well in advance, especially during peak safari seasons.
