Varanasi and
Tiger Safari
A well balanced tour that combines Varanasi’s ghats, Khajuraho temples, and tiger safaris in Panna and Bandhavgarh with focused wildlife time.
09/10
Nights / Days
02
Tiger Reserves
10
Jeep Safaris
+Boat Ride
06
Fixed Departures
+Customizable
Tour Dates
Varanasi and Tiger Safari
Six fixed winter departures pair Varanasi's river life and Khajuraho's temples with two of Central India's tiger reserves - or we design a private itinerary around your calendar.
04 Dec - 13 Dec 2026
Early Winter
18 Dec - 27 Dec 2026
Christmas Special
01 Jan - 10 Jan 2027
New Year Departure
15 Jan - 24 Jan 2027
Peak Winter
29 Jan - 07 Feb 2027
Late Winter
12 Feb - 21 Feb 2027
Season Finale
Prefer your own dates?
We'll build a private departure around your schedule, group size, and reserves of choice.
Tour Overview
This tour combines spiritual life, historic temples, and strong wildlife experiences in Central India. It begins in Varanasi, where time along the Ganges, boat rides, and walks through old lanes show the city’s daily rhythm.
Khajuraho adds a cultural layer with its well known temples and detailed stone carvings. The setting is calm and easy to explore.
The journey then moves into forest regions. Panna offers river landscapes and varied terrain, while Bandhavgarh provides higher chances of tiger sightings with active wildlife movement.
- Boat ride on the Ganges with views of Varanasi’s ghats and daily rituals
- Walk through old city lanes and visit key temples in Varanasi
- Explore Khajuraho temples known for detailed carvings and historic design
- Enjoy multiple jeep safaris in Panna across river and forest landscapes
- Spot tigers leopards crocodiles deer and rich birdlife in Panna
- Experience Bandhavgarh with strong tiger movement and compact safari zones
- A balanced route combining spiritual sites temples and wildlife experiences
Ghats, temples and tigers
The river first, then carved stone, then two reserves - a shorter route than the full culture-and-wildlife circuit, with no time lost to a long heritage opening.
01
Varanasi
Uttar Pradesh
The Ganges at dawn from a rowboat, the ghats lit by evening aarti - one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth, and the trip's opening chapter straight off the flight from Delhi.
2 Days · 1 City
02
Khajuraho
Madhya Pradesh
Sandstone temples carved to their last inch, still standing a thousand years on - the western group by evening light, the rest the following morning before the drive to Panna.
2 Days · 1 City
03
Panna
Madhya Pradesh
Rocky plateau cut by the Ken river - a reserve still rebuilding its reputation after tigers were reintroduced here from scratch, and the trip's first taste of forest after nine days of cities and temples.
5 Safaris · 3 Days
04
Bandhavgarh
Madhya Pradesh
A cliffside fort of uncertain age overlooks the Tala and Magadhi valleys - some of the highest tiger density recorded anywhere in India, and the trip's closing chapter.
5 Safaris · 3 Days
The route, stop by stop.
A single journey from Delhi, flying into Varanasi, then overland through Khajuraho, Panna, and Bandhavgarh in turn, closing back at Delhi.
01
Varanasi
Days 1 - 2
02
Khajuraho
Days 3 - 4
03
Panna
Days 4 - 7
04
Bandhavgarh
Days 8 - 10
Varanasi
Days 01 - 02
Day 1
Fly from Delhi to Varanasi. Transfer to hotel and attend the evening Ganga Aarti at the ghats.
Day 2
Early morning boat ride on the Ganges. Walk through old city lanes and visit key temples. Spend time along the river.
Khajuraho
Days 03 - 04
Day 3
Travel by road to Khajuraho. Check in and visit the western group of temples.
Day 4
Morning visit to Khajuraho temples. Drive to Panna and check in. Rest in the evening.
Panna
Days 05 - 07
Day 5
Morning safari and evening safari in Panna National Park.
Day 6
Another full day with morning and evening safaris in Panna.
Day 7
Morning safari in Panna. Drive to Bandhavgarh and check in. Evening at leisure.
Bandhavgarh
Days 08 - 10
Day 8
Morning safari and evening safari in Bandhavgarh.
Day 9
Another full day with two safaris in Bandhavgarh.
Day 10
Morning safari in Bandhavgarh. Fly back to Delhi for departure.
Itinerary Map
Inclusions and Exclusions
Included
- Accommodation in Varanasi Khajuraho Panna and Bandhavgarh with all meals during safari stays
- Forest entry fees safari jeep and guide charges included
- Boat ride on the Ganges in Varanasi
- Guided visit to Khajuraho temples
- 5 jeep safaris in Panna National Park
- 5 jeep safaris in Bandhavgarh National Park
- All road transfers in an air conditioned vehicle
- Airport and hotel assistance before and after the trip
- Drinking water during transfers and safaris
Not Included
- Personal expenses like laundry, phone calls, liquor, à la carte food, etc.
- International or domestic airfares and rail tickets.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips and Gratuities.
- Anything that is not mentioned in the inclusion section.
Booking & Terms.
Booking Procedure
To confirm your seat, a 50% advance amount along with a recognized Government Identity card (Aadhar, Pancard, Driver’s License, OCI, Passport, Voter’s ID, school/College ID) is to be sent to us.
For non Indian nationals, only Passport is allowed.
Id’s should be scanned and emailed at sa****@**********ia.com
Cancellation Policy
| Notice Given | Refund |
|---|---|
| 120 days or more before departure | Full refund |
| 60 days or more before departure | 80% refunded |
| 30–59 days before departure | 60% refunded |
| 21–30 days before departure | 40% refunded |
| 11–20 days before departure | 20% refunded |
| 10 days or less, or no-show | No refund |
Extend Your Wildlife Journey
Extend by 4 days
Jim Corbett Safari Extension
Extend by 4 days
Satpura Safari Extension
Extend by 2 days
Orchha Heritage Extension
Guest Testimonials
We thank all of our guests for trusting Big Cats India and for trusting us with planning their wildlife holiday with us. Read all our guest's reviews
Mr. Maxim Vetsuypens
Netherlands
We were a bit late with planning the safari trip and many good spots were fully booked, but Krunal was very helpful and creative in planning a trip that met our needs. The resorts where very comfortable and the food was tasty. Krunal was very responsive to our messages Read More
Marisa Romeo
Switzerland
magnificent safari tour/wonderful tour & safari I discovered Big Cats India via the internet, looking through various operators and having asked for some offers to go to national parks and possibly see and photograph tigers (mission accomplished, but it is never obvious to be Read More
Lewis Johnson
Australia
Had such an amazing tiger safari tour with Big cats at Pench tiger safari. Had 6 tiger sightings, 1 leopard sighting and 100s more wildlife over our 4 day tour. Big cats couldn’t have been more helpful with the whole booking and right the way through they were always asking how it Read More
Guest Gallery
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Varanasi and Tiger Safari Tour?
9 nights / 10 days, covering Varanasi, Khajuraho, Panna, and Bandhavgarh.
How many safaris are included?
10 jeep safaris in total - 5 in Panna and 5 in Bandhavgarh.
Which cities and parks does the tour cover?
Varanasi for the Ganges and its ghats, Khajuraho for its temples, then Panna and Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh for the wildlife leg.
How do I get from Varanasi to the tiger reserves?
By road to Khajuraho, then on to Panna to begin the safari segment, followed by Bandhavgarh.