11 January 2027 – 11 days for £3,995 per person
Explore India's magnificent wildlife and night skies on this immersive conservation safari. Visit the reserves of Tadoba and Pench in search of the elusive Bengal tiger and stay in award-winning lodges, allowing you the opportunity to immerse yourself in jungle life. You will also explore some of India's most important historical and modern observatories, which have significantly contributed to the field of astronomy.
Join a thrilling journey into the heart of India’s untamed wilderness, where science and adventure come together. Track elusive tigers, observe rare species, and delve into real-world conservation success stories, guided by expert naturalists who bring the landscape to life. Travel deep into Tadoba and Pench national parks by 4x4, bike, and on foot, exploring lush forests, hidden trails, and vibrant ecosystems teeming with life.
As night falls and the skies above the forest clear, look up and witness the cosmos in all its glory. Far from city lights, these parks offer pristine stargazing conditions. Marvel at the glittering arc of the Milky Way, spot distant planets, and explore the wonders of deep space with guided night sky observations.
Throughout the journey, you’ll be accompanied by Martin Griffiths, Senior Lecturer in Space Science at the University of South Wales, as you explore India’s remarkable astronomical heritage, including the historic observatories in Delhi and Nagpur. In addition to leading evening stargazing sessions, Martin will host engaging talks and guided walks, offering insight into the significance of each observatory and its instruments. He’ll explain how these remarkable structures function, their role in the history of astronomy, and the discoveries they were designed to pursue.
This tour is thoughtfully designed with built-in downtime and flexible options, allowing you to tailor your experience—whether you're chasing tigers at dawn or tracing constellations after dark.
Science, wilderness, and the cosmos - this is India like you've never experienced it before.
In partnership with Intrepid Travel.
MAP
Day 1: Arrive in Delhi and meet the group
Welcome to India! You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. You can spend the day at leisure in the pool or explore the city. Delhi is one of the world's largest metropolises. Hidden within its urban sprawl are many old and new architectural wonders. Mughal treasures, including the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, are complemented by more recent additions to Delhi's architectural heritage, such as the stunning Lotus and Akshardham temples.
In the evening, you will meet your tour leader, who will introduce the tour and host a welcome dinner for the group.
Day 2: Nehru Planetarium, Jantar Mantar Observatory and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
Today, you will enjoy a full day exploring some of the highlights of Delhi. Start by visiting the Nehru Planetarium, which houses several exhibits relating to space science, astronomy and the history of space exploration. These exhibits provide insight into the latest discoveries in space science and feature models of planets and spacecraft, as well as images of celestial bodies seen through telescopes.
Following this, drive through the part of New Delhi that was designed and developed by the architect Edwin Lutyens during the early 20th century. The area is known for its grand structures, wide roads, tree-lined avenues and sprawling bungalows. See the iconic India Gate, Parliament House and President House, and continue your day by visiting the Delhi Jantar Mantar Observatory. The most famous Jantar Mantar complexes are located in New Delhi and Jaipur. They were constructed to observe and measure astronomical data such as time and the positions of celestial bodies, as well as to make precise astronomical calculations. The Delhi Jantar Mantar was built between 1724 and 1730 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, a passionate astronomer and mathematician.
In the evening, visit the serene Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a prominent Sikh temple. Experience its peaceful atmosphere, observe the operation of one of the largest community kitchens, and learn about the core tenets of Sikhism.
Day 3: Fly to Nagpur, Raman Science Centre and drive to Tadoba National Park
Take the early morning flight to Nagpur, which is a short, 1-hour-30-minute hop south of Delhi. On arrival, you will have breakfast at a local restaurant.
Continue to the Raman Science Centre in Nagpur, named after the renowned Indian physicist C. V. Raman, who won the Nobel prize in physics in 1930 for his discovery of the Raman effect. The centre is part of a network of science centres across India managed by the National Council of Science Museums, under the Ministry of Culture.
Afterwards, you will transfer by road to your lodge in the Tadoba National Park, which will take about 3 hours. You will stay here for the next three nights in a low-impact, eco-friendly lodge located close to the gates of the national park.
In the evening, your accompanying expert will give the first of three talks.
Days 4 and 5: Game drives in Tadoba National Park and evening stargazing
Over the next two-and-a-half days, you will enjoy safari drives into both the buffer and core zones of Tadoba National Park, accompanied by a guide who will also give informal talks throughout the safaris.
Tadoba is the largest wildlife reserve in Maharashtra. Part of the park contains Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, one of India’s most exciting and best-protected tiger reserves. Dominated by teak forest and bamboo, it is a rugged landscape comprising cliffs, caves, marshes, perennial lakes and boulder-strewn streambeds that cater to a host of biodiversity, not least the tigers.
During the most recent 2023 tiger census, Tadoba was found to be home to 93 adult tigers and over 120 leopards. Being a southern tropical dry deciduous forest, there is an excellent chance of sightings of tigers, leopards and the elusive black panther.
The day starts early, usually before sunrise, as this is when the wildlife is at its most active. Mornings begin with tea in bed, often before 6 am.
You will then jump in your private 4x4 and drive to the park gate, taking around 30 minutes. Breakfast will normally be taken in the park, heading back to the lodge around mid-morning for lunch. Make sure you wrap up warm, as it can be quite cold first thing in the morning. Please note that there will be 1 Jeep per 4 guests with an expert naturalist in each Jeep along with mandatory forest guide. With both a forest guide and naturalist leading the drives, there is an excellent chance of memorable animal encounters. We are using small, private, open 4x4s for this trip, which are suitable for accessing all areas of the park. By limiting the number of people in each 4x4, you can be sure of having plenty of space for taking photographs.
After the afternoon drive, you will return to the lodge in time for a pre-dinner sundowner. Meals are often al fresco around a fire pit, with classic cooking methods.
In the evening, there will be guided stargazing sessions, which will also include the use of telescopes that have been hired for your trip.
Day 6: Drive from Tadoba National Park to Pench National Park
Before departing for Pench, there is time for a final morning game drive. An early lunch will be served before moving on to Pench National Park. This drive is approximately 4 hours and you will check into the Pench Jungle Camp for the next four nights.
Pench, on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, has been known through the ages for its rich flora and fauna. Named after the river that flows nearby, Pench was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1983. In 1992, it was included under the umbrella of Project Tiger as the 19th Project Tiger Reserve and has a healthy population of the big cats. It inspired Rudyard Kipling's famous work, The Jungle Book, where characters like Mowgli and Shere Khan come to life. In 2024, Pench Tiger Reserve became India’s first Dark Sky Park, meaning that artificial lights are strictly limited, allowing for the best stargazing opportunities.
After a long day of travel, enjoy dinner at the camp. There will also be the option to explore the night sky with stargazing sessions.
Day 7: Game drives in Pench National Park and cycle safari
This morning, embark on an exciting journey through the wilderness of Pench National Park on a Jeep safari. Pench offers a thrilling opportunity to explore some of India's most scenic and biodiverse landscapes. The park is a sanctuary for a wide variety of wildlife, including Bengal tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and over 300 species of birds. As you navigate the dense forests, open meadows, and picturesque water bodies, you may witness tigers stealthily roaming or deer grazing peacefully. Each safari promises new surprises as the park teems with life and beauty at every turn.
In the afternoon, enjoy a cycle safari through the protected areas of the park. During this leisurely ride, you’ll cover approximately 25 kilometers, exploring a pottery village and the serene Kohka Lake.
After returning to the hotel, the adventure continues with another exciting stargazing session, focusing on the mesmerising phenomenon of meteor showers. Guided by an expert, you'll learn about these celestial events while marveling at the night sky, making this a perfect conclusion to a day immersed in nature and the cosmos.
Days 8 and 9: Game drives in Pench National Park and evening stargazing
Pench is home to the Asiatic leopard and is still one of the best places in India to spot this creature. Other wildlife seen here includes the Royal Bengal tiger, jackal, peafowl, wild dog, wild boar, sloth bear, Indian leopard, fox, striped hyena, monkeys, gaur, barking deer, four-horned antelope and Indian wolf.
The next two days will be spent searching for the many species on game drives twice a day in the park's core zone. At over 257 square kilometres, there is plenty of diverse ground to cover.
You will return to the lodge at approximately 10 am for a full breakfast. The rest of the morning may be spent walking in the buffer zone around the camp, spending time with the local naturalists and speaking with your tour expert about the serious issues surrounding tiger conservation.
In the evenings, return to the lodge, freshen up and meet with the group to discuss the day's sightings, followed by evening stargazing.
Day 10: Drive to Nagpur and fly to Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast, you will take a 2-hour drive back to Nagpur airport, where you will fly back to Delhi. You will have the remainder of the day at leisure to explore Delhi (the tour leader can help arrange this) or enjoy some premium relaxation poolside.
Day 11: Delhi departure
A group transfer will be arranged for the short drive to Delhi airport for your return flight.
Please note on this tour you will journey through some of the country’s most iconic national parks and wildlife reserves, seeking encounters with tigers, leopards, elephants, and a host of other fascinating species. While expert guides maximise opportunities to spot wildlife, sightings cannot be guaranteed, as animals roam freely in their natural habitats. The true reward lies in experiencing the sights, sounds, and rhythms of these incredible ecosystems up close.
