IRCTC to launch Tiger Express for Bandhavgarhm, Kanha parks

Coinciding with World Environment Day, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will launch Tiger Express on June 5 for travellers to explore tiger sightings at Bandhavgarh and Kanha national parks in Madhya Pradesh.

“Sighting of tigers has always been a huge attraction for travellers and wildlife enthusiasts from India and abroad alike. The Tiger Express has been chalked out to make it an affordable and glitch-free experience for those who want to have a brush with India’s famed wildlife,” said IRCTC CMD AK Manocha.

The IRCTC will provide a six-day tour package, including accommodation in AC rooms of three star or equivalent hotels for three nights (one night in Bandhavgarh and two nights in Kanha in Mogli Resort), sightseeing, food, safaris, inter-city transfers and travel insurance.

Manocha said, “We have tried to leverage this allurement as a tourism product with huge potential and more such innovative products are in the pipeline.”

The tariff has been fixed for single occupancy at Rs 49,500 I-AC, Rs 45,500 for double occupancy, Rs 44,900 for triple occupancy and Rs 39,500 for child with bed (5-11 years).

The fares for those travelling in AC 2-tier is Rs 43,500 for single occupancy, Rs 39,000 for double occupancy, Rs 38,500 for triple occupancy and Rs 33,500 for child with bed (5-11 years).

According to IRCTC, all the rates are valid for Indian citizens only. An additional surcharge of Rs 4,000 per person will be charged from foreigners for the safari booking at Bandhagarh and Kanha. Also, it is mandatory to carry the same ID proof during the entire trip, the number of which was given at the time of booking.

The train would leave Safdarjung station at 2.30 PM on June 5. On Day 2, travellers will arrive at Katni station in the morning, check in a hotel and then proceed for evening safari (Khitauli Zone). On Day 3, passengers arrive at Kanha and they will go for evening safari (Mukki Zone) in Kanha. On Day 4 after morning safari and lunch at the hotel, evening is being kept free for travellers.

On Day 5, they leave for Jabalpur (135 km from Kanha) for a visit to Dhuadhar waterfall in Bedhaghat. In the evening, they will proceed to Jabalpur station to board the train for Safdarjung station and arrive New Delhi in the evening of Day 6. Tickets for the ‘Tiger Trail Circuit’ can be booked online at www.irctctourism.com.